Have the recent privacy issues with WhatsApp convinced you it’s time to find a new messaging app?
If so, you’ve come to the right place. In this article we’re going to review what the heck is going on here. Then we’ll take quick looks at five secure messaging apps that actually respect your privacy.
Finally, we cover a few of the common questions that people have about WhatsApp, privacy, and alternative secure messaging apps. So let’s dive in!
Overview of WhatsApp privacy issues
WhatsApp has a couple of issues that seem to all be hitting at the same time.
One issue appeared January 10, 2021, when WhatsApp group invite links and user profiles started appearing in Google searches. This could allow someone who spotted such links in a Google search to join the indexed groups.
Thousands of user profiles were also indexed by Google, which could lead to a user’s data, including phone number and profile photo, being exposed to outsiders. WhatsApp has reportedly fixed the Google indexing problem — but it may be too late if your data has already been exposed in the wild.
The other issue bedeviling the service right now is their new Terms of Service (ToS). Those terms will require users to consent to WhatsApp sharing user data with Facebook. Yes, this is the same Facebook that has been plagued with privacy scandals over the years.
What kind of data will WhatsApp share with Facebook? Sensitive data that many people won’t want shared. It reportedly includes your user ID, device ID, hardware model, operating system, battery level, signal strength, app version, browser info, mobile network, language, time zone, IP address, phone number, email address, contacts, advertising data, and payment information.
According to this Wired article, WhatsApp has been sharing much of this data with Facebook from many of its users since 2016. But the popups that just started appearing, along with Facebook’s recent history of privacy issues, seem to have finally tipped the public against WhatsApp.
May 14, 2021 update to the Terms of Service saga
Thanks to a huge backlash against the WhatsApp Terms of Service (ToS) changes, the date by which you must accept these terms was moved from February 8, 2021 to May 15, 2021. On May 11, Hamburg Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information, Johannes Casper, put in place an emergency ban on WhatsApp forcing the new ToS upon users in Germany.
The ban was implemented using procedures in the European GDPR, the regulations that protect the privacy of the citizens of the EU. The emergency ban only lasts for three months, but in the meantime, Commissioner Casper plans to bring the case before the European Data Protection Board. The board has the capability to expand the ban to permanently protect the residents of every EU country from the new ToS.
Not surprisingly, WhatsApp disagrees with the decision, with a spokesman quoted as saying in part, “…the order will not impact the continued roll-out of the update.” In other words, a court battle is likely.
Since it doesn’t look like this mess will resolved any time soon what should you do now? Resolving to get away from WhatsApp ASAP would be a good first step — but then comes the challenge of what to switch to. We’ve got your back on this one. So let’s talk about our top five alternatives to WhatsApp.
Top 5 Alternatives to WhatsApp
There isn’t any one service that works as a direct replacement for Facebook’s WhatsApp. If you ignore the privacy issues, it is an excellent product, with tons of features and a multi-billion person user base.
Our 5 best WhatsApp alternatives each have their own unique characteristics that you need to consider. What they do all have in common is that they don’t collect massive amounts of user data, metadata, or personally identifiable information, and they aren’t about to share it all with Facebook.
We’ll start with the messenger app that is getting the most attention these days, with recommendations from people like Edward Snowden and Elon Musk. That messenger app is called Signal.
1. Signal
Signal is a free messenger that features secure, end-to-end encrypted text, voice, and video chats, voice and video calls, as well as secure file and photo transfers. It is built around the Signal Messaging Protocol, widely recognized as the most secure messaging protocol available.
More importantly for this conversation, Signal goes out of its way to gather and store as little of your data as possible. Whereas WhatsApp gathers loads of information and stores it in their own servers, this WhatsApp alternative only records:
- your phone number
- the date and time you joined the service
- the date you last logged on
Any other data Signal uses, such as your contact list, who you have been communicating with, and the groups you belong to, is encrypted and stored on your device. As a result, no one, not even Signal’s own personnel, can see any of this data without physical access to your device (or the device of someone who communicates with you).
How good is Signal? Their site features endorsements from experts like Edward Snowden, Bruce Schneier, and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. And when the whole WhatsApp controversy blew up, none other than Elon Musk suggested people move to Signal.
You can get the Signal mobile app for free on Android and iOS devices. They also have a desktop version that runs on Windows, Mac OS, and Linux machines.
Sound promising? Learn more about this excellent messenger app in our newly updated Signal Messenger review.
2. Telegram
Telegram is another option if you want to escape from the WhatsApp data disaster. It offers the similar capabilities to WhatsApp, along with a huge user base. Most of the people you want to talk to are likely already using it. Telegram is cloud-based, which lets you use it on multiple devices simultaneously.
They gather less data than WhatsApp does, and they don’t hand any of it over to Facebook. However, we’re somewhat ambivalent about them when it comes to protecting your data. They use server-side encryption for private and group chats that are stored on their servers. That means the team at Telegram can read those messages should they choose to do so. You’ll want to use Secret Chats for the most private communications, since encryption is not enabled by default with the Telegram app.
You can get Telegram for Android, iOS, Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.
For more details, see our Telegram Messenger review.
3. Threema
Threema is a mature, powerful messaging app that somehow never gained a wide audience. Unlike some of the other WhatsApp alternatives in this guide, Threema is not free. It costs $2.99, but you don’t have to go through the Google Play Store — the APK is also available for direct purchase and download.
With only a few million users worldwide, chances are that most of your contacts have never heard of Threema, much less used it. But if you are concerned with protecting your data from being used by others, it might be exactly the WhatsApp alternative you need.
You can use Threema totally anonymously. By default, you are identified on Threema by a randomly-generated ID that isn’t associated with any user-identifiable data, and Threema doesn’t log anything anyway. The service uses strong end-to-end encryption, so only the intended recipient of a message can read it.
Threema recently completed a transition to open source software, and the code is audited regularly so you can be confident that they aren’t doing anything sneaky that could compromise your anonymity.
Threema runs on Android and iOS devices, and also has a browser-based chat for desktop use.
To learn more about Threema, including their special versions for business and educational settings, check out our full Threema review.
4. Wire
Wire is a corporate collaboration suite with secure messaging, group chat capabilities, file-sharing, and more. They also offer Wire Personal, which can be a good replacement for WhatsApp. Wire Personal is open source, end-to-end encrypted software, and it is completely free to use.
The company does log some data, but not to the extent that WhatsApp does. You need to provide either an email address or a phone number to create an account. Registering with a disposable email address is a much more private way to go than using your phone number.
Like Threema, Wire Personal has a very small user base of only a few hundred thousand users. While it is free and works great now for personal use, it might not be a long-term solution given its limited adoption.
Wire Personal is available for Android, iOS, Windows, Mac OS, and popular browsers.
Get the complete story on Wire Personal in our Wire messenger review.
5. Wickr Me
You know a messenger app is secure when an elite military force chooses to use it for communication in a combat zone. Wickr was recommended for use by the 82nd Airborne’s Task Force Devil when they were deployed at an unidentified location in the Middle East. If the Wickr product line is good enough for them, then Wickr Me is surely a good enough WhatsApp replacement for us civilians.
Wickr Me uses anonymous accounts. With no personally identifiable information for them to log, the kind of problem we are seeing with WhatsApp’s use of metadata can’t exist.
All Wickr Me content is ephemeral. All messages and attachments self-destruct after the length of time you specify. Even if someone invents a quantum computer that can crack the powerful encryption Wickr Me uses, there won’t be any messages sitting around on your device to crack.
Wickr Me is available for Android, iOS, Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.
Learn more about the Wickr product line’s unique features in our Wickr Me review.
Best WhatsApp alternatives FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions when the subject of the conversation is alternatives to WhatsApp.
What are the dangers of using WhatsApp?
As of today, one thing that is not at risk when you use WhatsApp is the content of your messages. The service’s end-to-end encryption remains secure.
The danger is that WhatsApp collects a massive amount of other personally identifiable information about their users and will share it with Facebook, the parent company.
What happens on May 15, 2021?
February 8, 2021, was the date when WhatsApp’s new Terms of Service were supposed to go into effect. With Germany at least temporarily blocking the implementation of the new ToS and looking to expand the ban to all of the European Union (EU), it isn’t clear how this will all turn out.
We do have an idea of what will happen to you if you have not accepted the new ToS by May 15 and are not in Germany. Over a period of a few weeks, WhatsApp will gradually remove features from your service, while posting increasingly more annoying messages demanding you accept their terms. At some point they will shut you down completely.
So your choices are stark. Accept the new ToS and let WhatsApp share your information with Facebook (things like your user ID, device ID, phone number, email address, contacts, advertising data, and payment information). Or don’t accept the new ToS and very soon be completely blocked from using WhatsApp.
Where is the best place to download WhatsApp alternatives?
It depends on which app you decide to use. Signal suggests you download the mobile app from Google Play or the Apple App Store. Telegram is available through those sources too. But you can also download if from F-Droid if you are an Android user.
Check the website of the messenger app for the latest information on where to download. With all the madness going on right now, it is possible that the instructions will have changed, even in the short time since we published this guide.
Is Signal safer than WhatsApp?
Yes. Both products use strong end-to-end encryption to protect the content of your messages. But WhatsApp gathers a large amount of data which it is about to begin handing to Facebook. This data can help identify you with a high degree of accuracy, which means you can be tracked as you travel around the internet.
Signal gathers only your phone number. Signal is also open source and their code has been extensively reviewed by privacy experts. There is no secret recording of user data that could be used to violate your privacy or track you as you move around the internet.
Conclusion
If you are concerned with your online privacy, it is time to join the crowd and abandon WhatsApp. While you won’t find a competing product with the exact same characteristics as WhatsApp, there are several competitors that could meet your needs. We profiled the top five alternatives to WhatsApp here, and included links to our in-depth reviews of each.
You have until May 15, 2021 to either allow WhatsApp to share your data with Facebook, or accept that you will soon de unable to use WhatsApp at all. It is time to switch to one of the fine alternatives we covered in the article.
We urge you to download one or more of these messengers and start testing it right away. Last updated on May 14, 2021.
Here is an interesting take:
https://protonmail.com/blog/whatsapp-alternatives/
I believe that Sessions is still worthy of looking at as I believe it checks off each main point.
There are so many messengers nowadays and new ones continue to appear. What I’m looking for in messengers is a security of communication. So that’s why I’d recommend to choose something like Utopia p2p https://utopia-ecosystem.com/ . There are more popular ones, but many of them faced security problems, but following some simple rules can make you really secured.
Their website is strange. Menu button on mobile is amateur and their screenshot uses a Galaxy S7 edge as Android phone lol an app that is years late? :p
Jk
Swisscows.. If you look at the search, it’s not great
I actually like Swisscows as a search engine, I always get good results. The App for iOS is terrible though (don’t know about the Android version).
But maybe their Teleguard is not as bad as it looks. I just think it’s worth giving it a try.
Well. I tried TeleGuard app.. It’s a joke. It feels so alpha.
First they are not open-sourced. Nor audited.
Then:
UI/UX is shitty.
Emojis are from 2010s.
Audio recording is buggy.
Only good thing is that video call is available and not laggy (as there are not many users I guess). But video interface is ……..
Anyway, it needs lot of work.
I have been using Signal for years and I thought it was a secure app until this week. According to info in this interesting and enlightening article, https://www.rt.com/op-ed/513732-signal-messenger-us-national-security/ it seems that it has shady links to US national security interests. Please take a closer look at Signal and let us know what you think.
It seems that it is very difficult to find a real app out there which is not in cahoots with the big surveillance machines.
Hi John. Yes, I read that article today and it caught me off guard. I’m still thinking this over and am going to do my own research first. With that being said, one big drawback with Signal is still the issue with needing to use your phone number. There are other alternatives, however, if you don’t trust Signal. I like Threema and Wire.
Thank you for sharing this. Blind I am, I should have suspected something.
Anytime the Main Stream Media promotes or pushes something, I usually look the other direction. This I just let go without taking a view one way or another.
The author does bring out some powerful thoughts. Why all the sudden do they push for Signal.
I am watching with interest. Thanks again.
This is very disturbing. Thanks for sharing this article.
What about Teleguard (made by Swisscows)? It seems promising!
https://teleguard.com/en/
Looks good, we’ll check it out.
Once the masses leave Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok, we can start discussing the merits of other apps.
Most people have no privacy concerns unless they become a victim themselves. That’s how much of the [western] world think and function these days.
This article by Heinrich is the best comparative analysis I’ve found on alternatives to leave whatsapp.
The questions I haven’t figure yet are :
The other alternative to whatsapp don’t compete vs whatsapp in order to inherit and save all my contacts and interactions in such a way to keep them constantly updated and saved -in case the phone device is lost, and how they guarantee this since they don’t ask for email ?
Are there differences or faults amongst alternative apps in these respects?
Hints and advices to be appreciated
Here is an excellent article about this topic.
If anyone reading this is on the fence about WhatsApp, here are more reasons to leave!
[https://protonmail.com/blog/whatsapp-new-privacy-policy/]
https://www.securemessagingapps.com/
What about Element (previously Riot.im)?
Heinrich, thanks for sharing. Whilst Whatsapp compromises and manipulates our data, if offers 3 sine-qua-non features: A) It keeps memory of all your interactions and contacts even if you lost your phone thanks to its link with Gmail. B) It allows international calls even video calls, free of charge. C) Its platform allows to share all kinds of files ipso-facto.
Now, the-game-is-afoot to find an alternative offering all these features and more. Despite the advantage of keeping all your interactions and your contact lists saved, the caveat is there are saved on google, where all of it, including email contents, is subjected to its prying eyes. I had more than 20 Gmails now moved to protonmail, the CERN mailserver, but still if you by an android is a must to link your number to a Gmail. Which of the alternatives provides such capacities and safe-box of your contacts and interactions and shared files with no-worries if you lost your phone, apart from the Gmail/Whatsapp tandem?
I’ll be following your thread to decide which platform will convince me to skip whatsapp thanks to your sound advise.
AL,
Not necessarily true. It does take some work, but you are able to use your Android without any Google. I know because I do regularly.
I have all google stuff disabled and out of the way and filled in everything with my own apps.
I also have no account with Google, and there is no account on the phone.
Is it easy? No, especially with the newer phones which are being locked down tighter, but then we can simply look at PinePhone and that seems to be a good, affordable option for most.
Hope that helps.
J.M, most obliged for the followup.It’s obvious you are an expert. I was not aware of pine64.com existence, but even so their devices are all out of stock now. If you may point where to find more instructions and tips on how to manage that platform it will be appreciated. I wonder if the pine64 devices can deliver the power using of a samsung or motorola devices, or apple ones… or if there are some other alternatives ?
BTW Just updated my browser to startpage.com.
On the whatsapp issues you didn’t comment on, I’m comparing amongst signal -first, and telegram, wicker me, sessions, element etc. but haven’t found a article comparing all of them in regards to the three points A, B, C mentioned on my previous post, as well as privacy. Leaving whatsapp is not an easy thing if I want to secure keep saving and updating my nearly 1.000 contacts and msg interactions. Your advice will be most welcome!
(I wonder if the article writer Heinrich also comments)
@AL,
Thank you for the kind words. To be honest, I am still learning myself so it is a growing aspect for me as well.
I can do my beat to answer, but it may take me a few days as I am going to be very busy. Can I wait until next week to try and answer? I appreciate your patience and understanding.
Good morning @AL,
I appreciate your patience and I am going to try to help.
As far as the device goes, I am not sure if you can bring your own device or not.
Pine 64 seems to be their own brand of phone. But there are other options.
I do not know how to flash a new os, so if you do it, you may want to consult someone who knows what to do. If you do it wrong you will brick your phone.
Here are the other options:
1) Lineage OS – https://lineageos.org
There are many different OS systems and supported phones.
2) XDA Developers – https://www.xda-developers.com
Several other devices and dedicated forums for each. Really good as well.
3) Cent OS (I think) -https://www.centos.org
I believe this is the one a friend of mine has on his HTC One. I played with it for a few minutes and it looked amazing.
4) Jolla – https://jolla.com
I know they are really trying to go against Google but their product is new to me.
5) Purism – https://puri.sm/products/librem-5/
Looks great but I feel I can’t even afford to look at their stuff, let alone buy it.
I am sure there are others but these are the big ones I know about.
Dealing with Startpage, I would say that if they are the same as their search engine, run. They sold out to a marketing company that makes money on spying on its users. https://restoreprivacy.com/startpage-system1-privacy-one-group/
I would not trust them.
What I use is Brave browser, SwissCows search engine, Proton VPN and Mail. I have disabled Google on my phone but that took several hours of fiddling with it. The newer phones are getting harder. However, you can start by deleting your Gmail account.
Of course, your Google play won’t work. But then I use F-Droid and APKPure. I can get most of what I want.
For other security I also use:
Aegis 2AF app, Simple Messenger, LibreAV, ClassyShark3xodus.
This gives me a decent level of security.
Now, WhatsApp.
I have never had or used it, or Fakebook for that matter, so I can only say that I would follow the guidance of those who know more. But as for your list: signal -first, and telegram, wicker me, sessions, element etc, I can make a few comments.
Signal: Highly regarded. Solid, but it requires a phone number. They also use a pin, but why is speculation and I am not sure which is correct.
Telegram: I know a few that use it but from what I have heard, they are being pressured to censure or face banning like Gab has. This had not slown Gab down, though I am not sure what will happen for Telegram.
https://reclaimthenet.org/apple-censoring-telegram/
I have never used them either, so I may not be the best to decide here.
Wicker.Me:
I am uneasy about this one. If you look below you will see an exchange with Sven. One link gives an interesting connection to the CIA.
Element: I don’t know anything about them.
Sessions:
Ok, I am using them. Here is what I have. You set it up then decide how to receive notifications. One is through Google which is more precise and immediate. However, Google. The other uses what is called the Swarm. This is a multi server worldwide use that the message is scattered. Your phone will randomly check for messages and will deliver them.
This is not as fast (one message took 30 minutes to be delivered). But the upside is that there is no Metadata and no phone number, email, or any identifying info given. I like this. I know it is in Australia but it seems to be mitigated.
If I need to send a fast message I use what is called Simple Tool SMS. Very good.
But for privacy Sessions is really good. It is based on Signal security but without the number. I am still testing it, but it, so far, is good.
There is a new one called Teleguard from SwissCows, but I can’t get it yet (not on APKPure). It looks really great.
For ease of transition, Signal.
For Privacy (notice not necessarily easy transition):Sessions.
However, if you are all switching and don’t mind paying, I may recommend Threema.
Based in Switzerland, easy to set up, but cost a few bucks. I would use then but I am having a difficult time just getting people over to signal let alone sessions where they have to set it up. The cost on Threema would be a no go.
So to answer your A, B, C, I would say Signal or Threema is your best options.
If your contacts are willing to pay, Threema.
If they balk at cost but are willing to switch, Signal.
If you want to try something that is reportedly extremely secure: Sessions (still testing and undergoing auditing).
However, you may wish to check out Teleguard as well, but I know nothing of them other than their search engine, which is rock solid.
Thanks for your patience in waiting.
@AL,
I was doing some review on this site and ran across a comment where @Sven recommended Wire over Signal.
So I would say that some of my concerns expressed here in my statement, about signal, is potentially valid.
@Sven, do you still agree with this assessment or do you find Signal better now? I don’t want to give AL the wrong info. The quote I am thinking of is found here:
https://restoreprivacy.com/startpage-system1-privacy-one-group/#comments
It is the February 3, 2020 quote. I just want to make sure my knowledge is up to date. Thanks.
Hi J.M. I still stand by the assessment in the comment, and really, there are different use cases for different tools/services. Signal’s major drawbacks remain the phone number registration and US jurisdiction, but it’s popular and many people are now using it. So it’s easy to use to connect with others already on the platform. Fewer people use Wire, but I still like and use it for work. Lately, though, I’m really starting to like Threema for secure messaging. It went open source recently, is based in Switzerland, and did well in testing with the latest Threema review.
@Sven,
Thank you for your input and I am glad I am not too far off on my recommendations for AL.
Appreciate the help.
@Sven,
I was wondering, though, about Wicker Me. While it looks great, I read somewhere that it received US gov money. If so, can we trust it?
Also, Sessions, while listed elsewhere, is on par, at least right now, with Signal. Should they be mentioned here or are you waiting for the audit?
Thanks for the list?
Hi J.M. we are going to be working on updating all secure messenger reviews in the coming 6 weeks, and then updating our overall recommendations. We were still pretty impressed with Wickr Me, do you have a source for the funding claim?
With the recent news blowing up about WhatsApp and privacy issues, we felt the need to get this guide published ASAP. If Session works better for us this next time around (without all the bugs) then it will earn a higher recommendation.
@Sven,
Understood. I know it takes a lot to update so I appreciate it and appreciate the work you all put into it.
As far as the blow up, I was unaware of anything as I have never used WhatsApp or Facebook and never had an account on it either.
As far as the funding, I saw it in a quick passing.
I have been trying to find it but can’t. I will say that I do not like Wikipedia but there is a list of funding sources.
One is VERY interesting (CIA connections through a Venture Capitalist) and others. Here is what I am seeing and I will post links at the end:
1)Gilman Louie – In-Q-Tell (CIA)
[https://www.iqt.org/about-iqt/]
2) Juniper Network – some say their OS has a decrypt backdoor
[https://www.wired.com/2015/12/juniper-networks-hidden-backdoors-show-the-risk-of-government-backdoors/]
3)Jim Breyer with Accel Group. They also had a part in Facebook.
[https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2012-01-18/accel-s-facebook-bet-poised-to-become-biggest-ever-venture-profit-tech]
Since there is a lot more, I am going too put the original link. Please follow all the links under the funding and connected to the businesses.
[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wickr]
I can’t find what I had read about gov funding so it may be scrubbed or even just hear say, but your thoughts on this would be appreciated. Thanks.
https://www.thestreet.com/mishtalk/economics/encrypt-everything-store-nothing-leave-no-trace-dissolving-messages-wickr-snapchat
Something I found about the wickr “back door”
I think it’s safe to say that wickr is as good as it gets. They couldn’t leak your info if they wanted to.