Wire

Overview

Wire is a communications and collaboration service for organizations that need encrypted messaging, calls, conferencing, and file sharing. It is best suited to security-conscious teams that also need administrative controls or deployment flexibility. Its strongest case is the combination of encryption and cloud, private-cloud, or on-premises options; small teams should weigh the per-person cost and Linux’s experimental status.

Key features

Messaging and meetings

Group conversations support search, reactions, sketches, file sharing, and audio and video messages. Conferences accommodate up to 150 participants and include screen sharing and moderation tools. That makes Wire a plausible home for routine team communication and meetings, though the participant cap may not suit larger events.

Files and security

File management and online document collaboration extend the service beyond chat. Files remain inside conversations tied to verified group membership, keeping access connected to the relevant team. Wire says messages, conference calls, and files are end-to-end encrypted, with decryption limited to conversation participants.

Wire says it is certified to ISO 27001, ISO 27701, and Cyber Essentials, and that its source code is fully open source on GitHub. Its servers are in Germany and Ireland. Organizations that need control over where the service runs can choose cloud, private cloud, or on-premises deployment, including offline or air-gapped environments.

Pricing

Wire uses a freemium model. Wire for Free costs nothing and supports up to 5 people and 8 devices, with collaboration essentials. It can serve a small group evaluating the service, but the five-person ceiling makes it unsuitable as a lasting plan for a larger team.

Wire for SMB costs €7.45 a month per person with annual payment, or €8,94 per person/month with monthly payment. It raises the group limit to 100 people and adds conferences for up to 150 participants, SSO and SCIM, and administrative controls. The annual term lowers the stated monthly rate, while monthly payment costs more per person. Teams above 100 people need the Enterprise plan, which has custom pricing.

Wire for Partners also has custom pricing, with partner-specific pricing, marketing support, opportunity support, and deal registration. The pricing page allows use on up to 8 devices and up to 3 accounts on one device. Standard support is listed, with optional premium support offering first replies within 16 hours during business hours, premium+ within 4 hours, and optional 24/7 platinum support.

Platforms

Wire supports web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and API access. The Linux binary is experimental and community-supported, so Linux-dependent organizations should confirm that this level of support is acceptable before standardizing on it.

Who it's for

Wire is aimed at organizations with serious security and operational requirements; its customers include governments, parliaments, military organizations, and global enterprises. Teams that need encrypted collaboration alongside private-cloud or air-gapped deployment have a clear reason to consider it. A small team seeking a low-cost everyday messenger may find the organizational focus and paid per-person plan more than it needs.

Pros and cons

Pros: End-to-end encryption covers messages, conference calls, and files, rather than just chat.

Pros: Cloud, private-cloud, and offline or air-gapped on-premises deployment give organizations meaningful control over hosting.

Pros: The SMB plan combines a 100-person limit with SSO, SCIM, and administrative controls.

Cons: Free use is capped at five people, so growing teams must move to a per-person paid plan.

Cons: Linux is experimental with community support, a weak fit for organizations that require a fully supported Linux client.

Cons: The SMB plan's monthly payment rate is higher than its annual-payment rate, and Enterprise pricing is custom.

Alternatives

For another freemium encrypted-messaging option, Olvid has a free plan with unlimited messages and attachments, secure group discussions, and ephemeral messages; consider it when those free-plan capabilities matter more than Wire's organizational deployment choices. Telegram offers a free plan with unlimited cloud storage, groups, and channels, making it an alternative for readers prioritizing those features over Wire's stated end-to-end encryption for organizational conversations and files.

Threema is a paid alternative with a free trial and open-source apps. Viber offers free messaging and calls to Viber users, with paid Viber Out pricing. Crypho has a free personal plan limited to one group and files up to 3mb, alongside a paid Pro plan. Jami, SimpleX Chat, and Keybase are free alternatives.

Browse Secure Messaging Apps, Encrypted Messaging Apps, Secure Team Chat Software, Team chat apps, and Team Collaboration Software for more options.

Verdict

Wire is a strong choice for organizations that need encrypted communications plus flexible deployment and administrative controls. Those are the reasons to choose it over a conventional team messenger. Look elsewhere if your team needs a fully supported Linux client, exceeds the 150-person conference limit, or wants a simple free messenger without organizational plan costs.