11 Alternatives to Whatsapp that Actually Respect Your Privacy

1

WhatsApp

There are a couple of main features of WhatsApp that I want to make sure we compare against. One is that it feels like a modern, clean chat client. There aren’t any crazy design elements of anything like that. Another is that there is calling included, which is a huge part of why so many people use WhatsApp to communicate – it can become like a “FaceTime” for those with Android phones or those that are speaking with someone outside the US. And finally, WhatsApp does have encryption, but the problem is that Facebook is in the middle of your messages, so it’s difficult to tell exactly what they know. So, we’ll be looking mostly at modern, cleanly-designed chat clients with calling and true end-to-end encryption.

#Communication #Messaging #Instant Messaging 24 social mentions

2

Element.io

Formerly Riot.im, Element uses Matrix as a back end, and is an excellent chat app for those who like open source from end to end. Everything from the chat client, the chat protocol, and the video conferencing software are all open source, which is an important part of why Element is so respectful of your privacy. In the open source community, people are generally very conscious of their privacy, and they will look in the source code to make sure that the software they’re using is safe for them to use without giving their data to a company that they don’t want.

#Group Chat & Notifications #Communication #Chat 1 social mentions

3

Wire

With end-to-end encryption and a no-nonsense interface, Wire is making some waves on the secure messaging scene. Made by Skype co-founder Janus Friis, Wire has some heavyweight design nous behind it.

#Communication #Group Chat & Notifications #Messaging 14 social mentions

4

Kik

#Communication #Group Chat & Notifications #Messaging 1 user reviews

5

LINE

While certain features require LINE to access your contacts list, location and so on, all of this is optional, and whatever data you send is encrypted on LINE’s servers. You can also set self-destruct timers to delete messages from LINE’s servers.

#Communication #Messaging #Group Chat & Notifications 19 social mentions

6

Wickr

Like Element, Wickr Me doesn’t require a phone number to log in and contains all manner of silly and fun features like stickers and emojis. But that’s where the similarities end. Wickr doesn’t store your contacts on its servers, doesn’t keep metadata, and deletes messages irretrievably from your phone when you ask it to.

#Communication #Group Chat & Notifications #Messaging 5 social mentions

7

Telegram

That’s right, you can use Telegram on Windows, Mac and even Linux with their desktop app. Alternatively, Telegram has a web chat application for all your messaging needs. Best of all, Telegram supports end-to-end encryption and respects your privacy.

#Communication #Messaging #Instant Messaging 128 social mentions

Currently not. Kontalk is primarily a mobile messenger therefore the Desktop client is only meant to be an addition to your Android App. However, we’re working on making the key-transfer between the Kontalk clients easier…

9

Antox

Antox is a robust and privacy-respecting messenger application. It supports all of the standard chat features you’d expect. Antox (Antidote on iOS), unlike a lot of the items on this list, isn’t nailed down to one single app. That’s because it has many officially “blessed” apps for Android, iOS, Linux, Windows, macOS and even FreeBSD.

#Communication #Instant Messaging #Group Chat & Notifications

10

Signal

Signal is the open source chat client that’s the most supported and backed, based on the raving endorsement from notable, albeit somewhat controversial, privacy advocate Edward Snowden. He uses it every day, and it’s where many of the Internet’s private conversations take place. Signal strikes the perfect balance of private and still fun to use. If you’re looking for the alternative to WhatsApp that I’d personally most highly recommend, it would be Signal.

#Communication #Group Chat & Notifications #Messaging 180 social mentions

11

Threema

Threema is a mobile chat platform that puts your privacy first. Like some other apps on this list, it supports end-to-end encryption of text, images and your GPS location. It also synchronizes with your contacts, making it super easy to find people who are joining the service automatically.

#Communication #Group Chat & Notifications #Messaging 20 social mentions

12

KakaoTalk Messenger

#Communication #Messaging #Group Chat & Notifications

13

Antidote

Antox is a robust and privacy-respecting messenger application. It supports all of the standard chat features you’d expect. Antox (Antidote on iOS), unlike a lot of the items on this list, isn’t nailed down to one single app. That’s because it has many officially “blessed” apps for Android, iOS, Linux, Windows, macOS and even FreeBSD.

#Clinical Trial Management System #Clinical Trial Management System (CTMS) #Text Messaging