Quick Tips to Stay Safer No Matter What App You Pick
There are many Messanging apps and everyone want to stay safe. Not from goverment but also for corporations. Data is the new oil and we all know the Social media platforms sell our data. Just few days ago [25.01.2026] an international group of plaintiffs sued Meta Platforms, alleging that the company has made false claims about the privacy and security of its WhatsApp chat service.
- Signal — The undisputed champ
If privacy is your top priority without sacrificing ease of use, Signal is still the go-to in 2026. It uses the open-source Signal Protocol (the gold standard, audited repeatedly) with default E2EE for messages, calls, video, and groups. Minimal metadata collection (nonprofit, no ads), disappearing messages, sealed sender, and excellent backups. Edward Snowden and privacy experts love it for good reason. It’s reliable, fast, and feels like a normal chat app. Perfect for everyday secure texting. - Threema — Privacy purist’s dream
Swiss-based and super strict on anonymity: no phone number or email needed — just a random ID. Full default E2EE (including groups/calls), messages deleted from servers instantly, zero metadata logging, and multiple independent audits. Paid (one-time fee), which keeps it ad-free and data-minimal. If you want to avoid linking chats to your real identity, Threema is tough to beat. - Session — Maximum anonymity mode
Decentralized and onion-routed (like Tor for messages), no phone/email required, excellent metadata hiding, and default E2EE. No central servers mean it’s hard for anyone to track who talks to whom. Great for high-risk users (activists, journalists), but it can feel a bit slower or glitchier due to the decentralized setup. - SimpleX (strong contender rising fast)
One of the newest stars in privacy circles: no user IDs at all (even random ones), decentralized, no central metadata, default E2EE, and super strong against linkage attacks. It’s like Session but even more anonymous in design. Still building its user base, but security folks rave about it. - Wire — Great all-rounder with team vibes
Open-source, default E2EE for everything (messages, calls, groups), Swiss privacy laws, audited, and minimal data grab. Nice multi-device support and clean design. Solid choice if you want something professional yet private. - WhatsApp — Ubiquitous but with caveats
Default E2EE via the Signal Protocol (messages, calls, media) — encryption is rock-solid. But Meta owns it, collects metadata (who/when/how often), shares some data in their ecosystem, and cloud backups aren’t always encrypted unless you enable it. Massive user base (over 3 billion!) makes it easy to get everyone on board, but it’s not the privacy king. - Element (Matrix protocol) — Federated and open
Decentralized/federated (you can run your own server), default E2EE with OMEMO, open-source, and great for communities or self-hosters. Flexible but can be more complex to set up perfectly. - Telegram — Feature-packed, but encryption is optional
Regular chats are server-encrypted (not true E2EE), only “Secret Chats” give full end-to-end protection. MTProto protocol is proprietary and less audited than Signal’s. Awesome for large groups, channels, bots, and speed — over a billion users — but turn on Secret Chats for sensitive stuff. - Viber — Decent default encryption
E2EE for private chats/calls by default, but more metadata collection and an ad-supported model. Good regional popularity, but not top-tier for hardcore privacy. - Spike (and similar productivity-focused ones)
Email-style chats with some E2EE modes, but not as rigorously default/universal as the leaders. Better for work than pure privacy.
Other quick mentions: Briar (offline/peer-to-peer for no-internet zones), Wickr (self-destructing messages, enterprise focus), and regional giants like WeChat (China-dominant but heavy surveillance concerns) or iMessage (Apple-only, solid E2EE between Apple users).
- Always verify contacts (safety numbers in Signal, QR codes in others).
- Enable disappearing messages for extra peace of mind.
- Use strong device passcodes/biometrics.
- Avoid cloud backups unless they’re encrypted.
- For max privacy: Pair with a good VPN.
TBH, I am too old to change my habbits and I am still using WhatsApp and FB messenger. But also is difficult to convince my friends, my clients and family to install a new app and learn how to use it.
If you’re serious about encryption and privacy, start with Signal — it’s the sweet spot for most people. If you need zero personal info tied to your account, go Threema or Session. And hey, the more friends you convince to switch to something secure, the better for everyone! What do you think — which one are you using right now, or planning to try? Drop a comment below!