Here’s our pick of the best WhatsApp alternatives in no particular order. We believe open source is one of the best indicators that an app can be trusted. If an app makes its code public, anyone can examine it to ensure the app is secure. Choose an app that records minimal metadata and check what it shares with third parties. Minimal metadata loggedĪll messaging apps need to collect some metadata to operate. With end-to-end encryption, only you and the person you send a message can read it.

Look for the following three characteristics when choosing a private messaging app: End-to-end encryptionĮnd-to-end encryption is a core requirement for any messenger app that claims to be secure and private. What to look for in a WhatsApp replacement If you’re still on WhatsApp, it’s time to switch to something more private.

Since WhatsApp changed its privacy policy in 2021, it now shares its users’ metadata and transactional data with Meta, a company notorious for disregarding privacy. That’s information about who you communicate with, from where, at what time, how often, and from which device. So the actual messages are secure on the platform.īut this does nothing to protect your metadata. WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption, which means the messages are encrypted on your device and can only be decrypted on the device of the intended recipient. What’s wrong with WhatsApp? What to look for in a WhatsApp replacement End-to-end encryption Minimal metadata logged Open-source transparency Best apps like WhatsApp Signal Telegram Threema Wickr Me Wire Element (was Riot.im) Keybase Choose a chat app for privacy WhatsApp alternatives: FAQs What’s wrong with WhatsApp? Here we look at apps similar to WhatsApp that genuinely respect your privacy. Tens of millions of WhatsApp users have flocked to more private messaging apps ever since the app revealed it shares personal data with Meta (Facebook) (new window), its owner. Learn about the best apps like WhatsApp that ensure your online chat remains private.

This post was updated on December 9, 2022 Last update on DecemPublished on February 15, 2021

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