Nowadays, most of us rely on smartphone apps for communication, but many of these apps don’t encrypt our information, which means that third parties outside of your conversation can see them. If privacy is important to you, then you should consider using an encrypted messaging app.
If you don’t know which privacy-oriented apps are the best right now, we’ve listed below the top five encrypted instant messengers to help you.
1. WhatsApp
WhatsApp is a very popular encrypted messaging app with over 2 billion users worldwide. WhatsApp allows you to use Wi-Fi or a mobile data connection to communicate with people in your phone contacts. You can even use WhatsApp for free to make audio and video calls.
In addition to that, you can post statuses on WhatsApp, add personal photos, and even choose a custom background for your chat. But WhatsApp isn’t about personalization. Instead, it focuses on privacy and security.
WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption to ensure that your message and phone calls are strictly between you and the recipient. In addition, the app offers many additional security features like two-step verification and security notifications, and lets you choose who can see your profile picture, resume, and status.
It’s a great all-around app to communicate with friends, relatives, and colleagues while keeping your data safe.
Download: WhatsApp for Android | iOS (Free)
2. Signal
Signal is another reliable option for those who want to stay connected while maintaining privacy. With Signal, you can send text messages, audio, and video to anyone in your phone’s contact list for free, while encrypting all your data between you and the recipient. The app is also powered by a nonprofit, which means you don’t have to worry about your data being sold behind the scenes.
You can also use Signal to create group chats and group calls, and connect multiple devices together so you can access your account even when you’re not using your phone. On this basis, Signal now has a payment feature, which is currently in beta. This allows you to send the cryptocurrency MobileCoin via Signal to make a payment. Therefore, if you like cryptocurrencies, this feature may be useful to you.
Of course, in addition to encrypting your messages and calls, Signal offers some additional security features: Including an incognito keypad, screen lock, and login passcode, all of which allow you to keep your data safe while maintaining the privacy of your communications.
Download: Signal for Android | iOS (Free)
3. Telegram
Telegram is an emerging messenger app that provides you with end-to-end encryption. With Telegram, you can send text messages and calls to anyone in your phone’s contact list, create group chats and calls, and even save messages to cloud storage for quick access to them when you need them. In addition, you can also join the local public group chat to connect with more people.
You can also personalize your Signal profile in a variety of ways and link your Signal account to other devices so you can get in touch with your contacts on any device of your choice. If you’ve been disabled on the app for a while, you can even choose to delete all your old chat history. However, it’s important to note that if you’re inactive for more than a year, Signal will delete your conversation.
Signal also offers two-factor authentication, which can password protect your account to ensure that no one can access it without your authorization.
Download: Telegram for Android | iOS (Free)
4. Wire
Wire’s simple and secure messaging app is available for anyone to connect securely. Unlike other apps, Wire gives you the option to sign up with a phone number or email, and you can also search for users who aren’t in your contact list to contact. In that sense, it works more like Facebook Messenger, only with added security.
With Wire, you can make audio and video calls based on its messaging capabilities, all protected with end-to-end encryption. In addition, the wire’s interface is fairly simple and straightforward. And, you can lock your app with a password to make sure that only you have access to your information.
However, Wire is still quite unpopular compared to WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram, so you may find it challenging to connect with your friends and family, as they may not have their own Wire accounts. This is a huge limiting factor that you may encounter when using Wire, but the app is becoming more and more popular.
Download: Wire for Android | iOS (Free)
5. Wickr Me
Wickr Me is another little-known secure messaging app, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a viable option for you. With Wickr Me, you can call, text, or connect with multiple contacts at once through great group chats or “chat rooms.” The app also has a clean, minimalist interface, so it’s easy for people of all ages to use.
Note that when you initially install Wickr Me, it does not allow you to take screenshots within the app for security purposes. However, if you want to choose screenshots, you can enable this feature in your account settings.
Wickr Me uses your phone’s contact list to communicate with you, so keep in mind that if you want to use the app, you have to let it access your contacts. But Wickr Me offers the benefits of password-protected logins, multi-device connectivity, and message locking, simplifying communication while keeping data secure.
Download: Wickr Me for Android | iOS (Free, premium version available)
If you’re very privacy-conscious, then give these apps a try
Nowadays, organizations of all kinds want their data, so when you’re in touch with your contacts, it’s crucial to keep your text messages and phone calls safe. Because third parties often take your data without your knowledge.
So, you should try the encrypted messaging app above so that you can protect your data at all times while socializing online.
