Are you worried about exposing your private messages to hackers?
Or are you skeptical about online privacy?
We come across a security breach headlines every other day. Hackers try to expose personal information and even blackmail people using it. Besides, marketing companies use shady tactics like snooping your messages for target advertising. Therefore, keeping your chat safe is becoming harder.
Therefore, many messaging services are providing end-to-end encryption in their chats. That means, not even the service provider can read our messages. It can help us to keep hackers away from our conversations.
However, it can be challenging to find out reliable applications that don’t let our data leak.
Don’t bother. We have done the heavy lifting of intensely scrutinizing messaging apps for you. Here we present you the 5 most secure messaging apps with high encryption.
So, without further raving, let’s get started.
- Signal
- Wire
- Threema
- Telegram
Top 5 Most Secure Messaging Apps
1. Signal (Android, iOS: Free)
If you are looking for the best messaging service with high-end encryption, use Signal.
Signal is widely known as the gold standard of encryption. It has an open-source encryption engine. Therefore, anyone can inspect the encryption algorithm. It does not mean hackers can easily breach security. Instead, many developers continually check the robustness of the encryption engine.
Additionally, Signal provides a straightforward user interface. The visual and appearance are to the point and won’t trouble you with unnecessary elements. Moreover, it supports group chat and lets you send images and files as well. So feel free to use the app if you need to add media files in your conversation.
Signal also has some useful features like voice call and video call, to name a few. Besides, it allows you to send self-destructing messages. This feature can be helpful if you want to keep your text off the records. Also, you can use it as your default SMS app. However, both devices need to have the app for effective end-to-end encryption.
Security experts like Edward Snowden have praised the application for its tight security. Ease of use without compromising the security makes it the best messaging service for security-conscious users. Additionally, a free chrome extension lets you use the app on a browser as well.
2. Wire (Android, iOS: Free)
The Wire is a Europian company that presents a feature-rich encrypted messaging app. It is compliant with European data protection laws.
Wire presents end-to-end encryption for text messages, video and voice calls, with support for GIFs, media clips, sketches, and local and Dropbox file sharing. Moreover, you can use this application on all major platforms like Mac, Windows, Linux, and your smartphones. It also lets you make multiple accounts. It can be helpful if you want to keep your official and personal profiles different.
Wire uses high-end encryption algorithms and doesn’t store any data om servers. Therefore, neither government agencies nor hackers can access your data.
3. Threema (Android, iOS: $2.99)
If you want to send messages anonymously, then use Threema.
Threema is one step ahead of all the messaging apps. It does not store your texts on its servers. Thus, eliminating the slightest possibility of a security breach. Moreover, you do not require to log in using an email ID or other personal identification. It helps the app to keep your data secure from the government and other agencies.
Besides that, you can also make encrypted voice calls using this application. It also lets you send images, videos, audio files, and location as well. You can also create a group chat. Since it does not take any information from the user, it works smoothly using fewer internet data.
In short, Threema provides the best security and anonymity to its users. Moreover, the app originates from Switzerland, which is famous for its data protection laws. You can benefit from this app at a minimal cost of $2.99.
4. WhatsApp (Android, iOS: Free)
No doubt, WhatsApp is the most popular messaging app. It used to charge people for the service in previous years, but now it is entirely free.
Whatsapp uses end-to-end encryption in private chats. That means, no one except you and the receiver can see your messages. Besides, it allows you to attach multiple images, sound clips, and documents in the conversation. However, the file size limits around 100 MBs, depending on the platform you are using.
There are many quirky features like video calls, voice calls, broadcast messages, location sharing, and daily status updates. Besides, people widely use it for the group chat option. However, messages in the group chat are not encrypted.
WhatsApp allows you to store a backup of your chat on its cloud. Therefore, you can recover all your messages if you change the device due to some reason. Unfortunately, the cloud backup support encryption for only iOS devices. So, if you are using an Android device, then it can reveal you chat from backup if the government asks to do so.
5. Telegram (Android, iOS, Windows, macOS: Free)
If you prefer to join large community groups, try Telegram.
Telegram is one of the most potential applications in messaging. It carries a capacity to handle 200,000 users in one group. Besides, it allows users to send large data files over their platform. However, when it comes to message encryption, you have to use the “secret chat option.”
Here, you can send end-to-end encrypted messages. Moreover, you can put a self-destruction timer on your texts. However, community groups and open chats are not encrypted by default.
Additionally, it has a sleek and clean user interface. They even offer it to people as a free to use API. You can create your messaging app. In return, you have to mention that your application is part of the Telegram economy.
In short, if you want a quirky messaging app, try Telegram. It provides many chat options and massive file support. Mass communities offer the opportunity to grow your network. Besides, you can use the application on your computer as well.
Final Verdict
If you want to use the messaging app for better connectivity with your loved ones, then use apps funded by elite companies like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Telegram, and more. These apps are popular and connect your contacts with the app quickly. However, if you want high-end encryption to protect your privacy, use Wire, Threema, and Signal. Companies that originate from the European countries have better data protection laws.