What is the Best Encrypted Messaging App?

Our modern world revolves around digital communications that span chat apps, email, and social media. It’s critical to know that all your communications are private and secure when you are texting a colleague, chatting with a friend, or collaborating with a team.

Encrypted Messaging

To ensure that your conversations stay private and secure, you need encryption. End-to-end encryption (E2EE) is the technology that allows you and your associate to converse freely without anyone intercepting or spying on your messages, phone calls, or private chats. Basically, the message is encoded when it leaves your hands; then, on the other end, another piece of technology decodes it so the recipient can read it. Encryption also means that the app or messaging service provider cannot store or read your messages, preserving your privacy completely. 

With data breaches, spyware, ransomware, and hackers around every corner, you need to do all you can to keep your information secret. Even the government is known to spy on mobile devices, email, and security cameras. That’s why end-to-end encryption is critical when choosing the best private messaging app for you. You also want an app that provides intrusion notifications, security audits, and automatic backups.

Best Secure and Encrypted Messaging Apps to Use

It can be confusing to know which one to choose with so many apps available.

We have taken the guesswork out of it for you. Below is a list of the best and most secure messaging apps (SMS) to keep all your conversation completely private.

1. Signal

Signal is a relative newcomer to the game but is quickly gaining traction. It works on Android and iOS, and it’s completely free to use. Signal has climbed the ranks becoming many security experts’ number one choice for privacy and security. Using Signal, you can enjoy encrypted voice calls and private chat messages. Many companies like Signal use the signal protocol in their private messaging app.

Signal provides end-to-end encryption on all voice and video calls as well as text messages. The app is open-source and has been audited by outside technology experts and verified to be 100% secure and private. Signal also includes handy security features to protect against man-in-the-middle attacks and includes self-destructing disappearing messages.

2. iMessage

iMessage is the built-in messaging app that works on all Apple devices, including iPhone. It’s extremely well designed, easy-to-use, and secure as heck, providing end-to-end encryption across all iCloud user data. Users can also control how long messages last and how many views are allowed. The system also allows you to sync messages across every device, which is a handy feature. Because iOS devices use biometrics for authentication, your voice messages are super secure. iMessage also includes fun stickers and animations (GIFS) you can use in your secure messages.

The only downside is it only works on the Apple ecosystem, so Android and Windows users are out of luck. The good news is that iMessage also works on macOS, so you can engage in instant messaging right from your desktop.

3. WhatsApp

For a long time, WhatsApp was the go-to solution for secure messaging, but recently Facebook, which owns WhatsApp, changed its privacy policy and now shares private data with all its other companies. As a result, WhatsApp’s stellar status has changed. It’s still a good app, but only if you don’t care about Facebook and its affiliates sharing data about you. Be warned that Facebook Messenger does not include an encryption protocol meaning the app contains vulnerabilities and your messages could be compromised.

4. Wire

Wire is another very secure and popular messaging app. Out of the box, end-to-end encryption is turned on, so you don’t have to configure anything special when using it. With each new conversation, a unique encryption key is generated, preventing certain types of attacks. The system uses the standard AES encryption for military-level protection. The company does not sell or store any private data. Wire allows users to collaborate using conferences, group chat, and file sharing. Its source code is open and free for personal use.

5. Threema

The Threema app uses the NaCl cryptography library to provide secure communications between parties. Every time you use the app, it generates a unique ID to keep you safe. You can associate your account with an email address or phone number, but you can also use it anonymously. Threema also generates a QR code so you can share it with other users. Threema offers encrypted text messages, voice calls, file sharing, group messaging, and polls. However, this German-based app costs $2.99 to use.

6. Viber

Viber rivals Skype, with about 260 million users. The app works on all platforms, offers end-to-end encryption, and even color codes your private chats to show how secure they are. When using the app, you can choose “secret chats” and self-destructing messages. The only downside is that group chats lack the same level of privacy and end-to-end encryption. The most secure features are reserved for one-on-one communications.

7. Wickr Me

Wickr is an open-source app that provides end-to-end encryption as default and is one of the first apps to do so. The app regularly hires independent auditors to test security. The free version allows up to 10 users at a time, and then they offer a few paid versions with unlimited users. The paid version can cost as much as $25/month. One helpful feature is screenshot detection and prevention to protect your privacy. Some other helpful features include content shredding and self-destructing messages. However, the app does not sync messages across devices.

Another new but notable app is Telegram, and it is gaining popularity due to its impressive features and cybersecurity. Within a short amount of time, we will likely see Telegram take the top slot.

Review the apps above and compare features before choosing the best app that protects your privacy and secures your personally identifiable information from identity thieves and scammers. To protect yourself even further, you can consider using a VPN for an added layer of security. VPNs mask your IP address and keep your metadata safe. You should always use a VPN when using your mobile device over public Wi-Fi.