Cwtch vs Wire
Cwtch
cwtch.im
Wire
wire.comSide by side
| Figure | Cwtch | Wire |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | €7.45/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 4 |
| Spec score · Encrypted Messaging Apps | 8.1 (#13) | 8.3 (#8) |
| Spec score · Secure Messaging Apps | 8.1 (#13) | 8.4 (#6) |
| Encryption | Cwtch says all communication is end-to-end encrypted and takes place over Tor v3 onion services. | Wire says messages, conference calls, and files are end-to-end encrypted, and only conversation participants can decrypt the information. |
| Founded | The security handbook says the Cwtch project began in 2017 as an extension protocol for Ricochet. | 2012 |
| Platforms | The download page provides builds for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android; it says an iOS offering is not currently available. | web,Windows,macOS,Linux,iOS,Android,API |
| Product | Cwtch is a decentralized, privacy-preserving, metadata-resistant messaging app. | Wire provides end-to-end encrypted messaging, calls, conferencing, and file sharing for organizations. |
Plans
Wire
- Wire for FreeFree
- Wire for SMB€7.45 a month
- Wire for EnterprisePriced on request
- Wire for PartnersPriced on request
In their own words
Cwtch
Cwtch is a free decentralized messaging app for Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows. Direct conversations use Tor v3 onion services to create anonymous peer-to-peer connections between profiles, and Cwtch says communication is end-to-end encrypted over those services. Both participants must be online for peer-to-peer chat. Group conversations and offline delivery use a third-party server designed to learn as little as possible about message contents or metadata. Group messaging is experimental: users must enable the Experiments and Group Experiment settings, and the project calls metadata-resistant group communication an active research area. Conversation history is not preserved between sessions by default, though it can be enabled for an individual conversation. The protocol is open, allowing bots, services, and interfaces to integrate with Cwtch; core library, Go bindings, and interface code are linked as open source. There is no global display-name registry, which the security handbook says increases impersonation risk. The project recommends version 1.17.2, released October 2, 2026, for security fixes. The plan costs nothing.
Wire
Wire is a communications platform for organizations that combines messaging, calls, conferencing, and file sharing with end-to-end encryption. Messages support group conversations, search, sketches, reactions, shared files, and audio and video messages. Conferences support up to 150 participants, with screen sharing and moderation tools. File management and online document collaboration keep files in conversations tied to verified group membership. Wire says only conversation participants can decrypt messages, calls, and files. It lists ISO 27001, ISO 27701, and Cyber Essentials certifications, and says its servers are in Germany and Ireland. Organizations can choose cloud, private cloud, or on-premises deployment, including offline or air-gapped environments. Wire is available on web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android; its Linux binary is described as experimental with community support. The free plan is for up to five people. Wire for SMB costs €7.45 per person/month with annual payment, or €8,94 per person/month with monthly payment.