Messengers
Messengers compared
Which messenger protects your privacy? The key differences at a glance.
| Messenger | End-to-end by default | Phone number required | Open-source app | Provider / seat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Threema | Yes | No | Yes | Threema GmbH, Switzerland |
| Signal | Yes | Yes (no-number sign-up only in paid Android beta) | Yes | Signal Foundation (non-profit), USA |
| Session | Yes (still without forward secrecy) | No | Yes | Session Technology Foundation, Switzerland |
| Wire | Yes | No (email address) | Yes | Wire Swiss GmbH, Switzerland |
| Element (Matrix) | Yes for private chats, not for public rooms | No | Yes | Element Creations Ltd, United Kingdom; server of your choice |
| Yes – content, not metadata | Yes | No | Meta; for Switzerland: WhatsApp Ireland Ltd. | |
| Telegram | No – only “secret chats” | Yes | Yes | Telegram, United Arab Emirates |
The information refers to the default settings. “End-to-end” means that only sender and recipient can read the content – not that no metadata is generated.
Which messenger suits you?
The classification follows verifiable criteria. You will find details and sources on the page of each messenger.
| If what matters to you is … | these fit | Criterion |
|---|---|---|
| Switching easily and bringing family and friends along | Signal, Threema | end-to-end encrypted by default, easy to use, groups and calls |
| Not giving a phone number | Threema, Session, Wire, Element (Matrix) | sign-up possible without a phone number |
| A provider based in Switzerland | Threema, Session, Wire | seat of the responsible organisation |
| Your own server, e.g. for a company or association | Element (Matrix) | server can be self-hosted, open standard |
| As little metadata as possible | Signal, Session | documented data minimisation |
WhatsApp encrypts content end-to-end but collects metadata used within the Meta group. Telegram does not encrypt chats end-to-end by default. For Session, funding is uncertain and forward secrecy has not yet been introduced.
More about each messenger (in German)
- MessengerThreema and data protectionThreema from Switzerland: usable without a phone number, end-to-end encrypted, open source. What you should know and how to set it up.
- MessengerSignal and data protectionSignal: non-profit, open source, end-to-end encrypted throughout. What you should know about phone numbers, usernames and settings.
- MessengerSession and data protectionSession: no phone number, decentralised and with onion routing. What you should know about funding, encryption and settings.
- MessengerWire and data protectionWire: Swiss provider, end-to-end encrypted throughout, sign-up with email instead of a phone number. What to know about the free personal version.
- MessengerElement (Matrix) and data protectionElement uses the open Matrix standard: no phone number, with a server of your choice or your own. What to know about metadata and settings.
- MessengerWhatsApp and data protectionWhat WhatsApp learns about you, the criticism it faces, how to make the app more privacy-friendly and what alternatives there are.
- MessengerTelegram and data protectionTelegram is not end-to-end encrypted by default and hands data to authorities when ordered to. What this means for you.
- ViewpointWhy I don’t use WhatsAppI deliberately don’t use WhatsApp because data protection, privacy and IT security matter to me, and I’d like to share my thoughts on this with you …