The non-profit Signal Technology Foundation and Signal Messenger LLC created Signal, a cross-platform centralized encrypted instant messaging service. Users may send one-on-one and group communications with files, voice notes, photos, and videos. It can also be used to make one-on-one and group voice and video chats, and the Android version may operate as an SMS app if desired.

Signal was developed by Whisper Systems as a replacement for two different programs dedicated to encrypted voice calling and encrypted messaging. Encryption has always been at the heart of the company's offerings. When Twitter bought it in 2011, the objective was to strengthen the microblogging platform's security. Its encryption engine is open source, which implies that anybody may inspect it. Signal is utilized by well-known cybersecurity and data privacy leaders such as Edward Snowden and Bruce Schneier! That's because all communication in Signal is encrypted end-to-end by default (it's one of the few encrypted messaging apps that use this default method).

Ease of use and strong, open-source, regularly audited encryption makes Signal a favorite of the security-conscious, with accolades from Edward Snowden and other privacy advocates. User-friendliness without compromising on security makes Signal a fantastic option for users looking for an encrypted messaging and calling app.

Detailed information:
Self-Destructing Messages: Yes
Data Stored: None
Website: https://signal.org/download

Apple Messages is an app that is only available on Apple devices, but it is great in terms of security protections. In addition to providing end-to-end encryption between users, Apple Messages allows users to decide how long a message is visible and how many times the receiver may read it. This functionality is only available to iOS 10 and later users. iMessage's core capabilities, which are available on all supported devices, include sending messages, pictures, videos, and documents, as well as receiving delivery and read statuses.

Regardless of whether Apple device you're using, whether iOS, watchOS, or iPadOS, your communications are end-to-end encrypted and require a password to view. Users of Apple's FaceTime may also be certain that their video chats are E2EE-enabled. Location data and stickers may also be sent using iMessage. Third-party developers for iOS and iPadOS can enhance iMessage functionality with bespoke extensions, such as rapid sharing of recently played music.

Detailed information:

Self-Destructing Messages: No
Data Stored: For 30 Days

Website: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206906

WhatsApp, the world's most popular standalone chat and phone service, has implemented Signal's end-to-end encryption technology on all conversations since 2016. Its creators are constantly improving the app's security and privacy features, like fine-tuned group invitations and settings that keep you informed about who is viewing your group conversations.

The software is also testing conversation history transfers while moving between iOS and Android phones, as well as utilizing a single account on four separate devices at the same time. WhatsApp updates have enabled end-to-end encrypted backups and the option to choose vanishing conversations as your default. You can also move your iPhone conversation history to Android, and the iOS beta indicates that an Android-to-iPhone transfer function is on the way.

WhatsApp was purchased by Facebook in 2014, and Facebook then betrayed its pledge to WhatsApp's founders that it would not "monetize" WhatsApp. (One of the founders departed and co-founded Signal.) Some WhatsApp user behavioral data is being shared with Facebook, although the messages are still completely private. WhatsApp, regardless of who controls it, remains one of the simplest methods for everyone to utilize end-to-end encrypted chat. If you don't like Facebook's presence, there are lots of alternative options on this page. Users who want to be completely certain about their security may check each chat's 60-digit security-verification number or QR code, which they can compare to a contact to guarantee that their discussion is encrypted.

Detailed information:

Self-Destructing Messages: No
Data Stored: Metadata Only

Website: https://www.whatsapp.com/

Threema is an iOS and Android paid open-source end-to-end encrypted instant messaging app. Because it does not require a phone number or any other personally identifying information, the program adheres to the principles of privacy by design. This helps to anonymize the users to some extent.

Threema is an extremely secure end-to-end encrypted messaging software that protects your messages with the NaCl cryptography library. When you launch the app, it produces a one-of-a-kind Threema ID key, allowing you to use it fully anonymously – no names necessary. Alternatively, you may link your account to an email address or phone number, making it simpler for other Threema users to find you. You'll also receive a scannable QR code to show to other Threema users if you meet in person but don't want to exchange names.

In addition to the standard messaging capabilities like encrypted text, phone, picture, and video chatting, the software also provides file sharing (20MB per file), emoticons, group messaging, and a polling system for gathering input from friends and contacts. While several other secure-messaging apps that haven't reached WhatsApp or Telegram adoption levels have shifted their focus to the corporate sector in order to stay viable, Threema remains firmly entrenched in the consumer market. That is made financially viable by charging a few dollars for the app.

Deatiled information:
Self-Destructing Messages: Yes
Data Stored: As Little as Possible
Website: https://threema.ch/en

Telegram, like Signal and WhatsApp, allows users to link their phone number to a Telegram account in order to send rapid, encrypted communications via the internet, including client-server encryption for normal chats. However, Telegram is much more than simply a chat app. It has evolved into a social media platform, with massive user groups and broadcasts that allow accounts to instantly reach millions of followers. It has applications that go well beyond encrypted texting.

End-to-end encryption, on the other hand, is not enabled by default on Telegram. To obtain it, you must first enter Secret Chat mode. You may arrange messages to self-destruct, exchange movies and documents, and join group conversations with up to 200,000 other people. (Yes, Telegram does support such massive group conversations.) Chats with more than two participants, on the other hand, will not be encrypted end-to-end.

Is there a catch? Rather than relying on a more established technology, Telegram employs its own unique MTProto encryption. Apart from group chats, information-security experts agree that Telegram may not be very secure, though the FBI does not appear to have worked out a means to get in.

Detailed information:

Self-Destructing Messages: Yes
Data Stored: None from Secret Chats

Website: https://telegram.org/

Silent Circle is a Washington, DC-based encrypted communications business. Silent Circle offers multi-platform encrypted communication services for mobile and desktop devices. The firm, which was founded on October 16, 2012, works on a subscription basis. The encryption component of the software utilized is peer-reviewed and free software/open source. The source code for the remaining components of Silent Phone and Silent Text is accessible on GitHub, but only under proprietary software licenses.

Silent Circle is a well-known provider of private communication software, including encrypted video and phone conversations, as well as encrypted, self-destructing chat and file transfers. Because encryption keys are owned by subscribers rather than Silent Circle, your encrypted communications may flow via Silent Circle's network, but the firm cannot access your data.

The disadvantage is the relatively expensive price. The Silent Circle app is free to download, but it won't operate unless you pay $9.95 every month. Silent Circle is designed for corporate users that want complete privacy while working. As a result, you're unlikely to come across many people who use it for personal contact.

Detailed information:

Self-Destructing Messages: Yes
Data Stored: None

Website: https://www.silentcircle.com/products-and-solutions/silent-phone

Wickr is a New York-based American software business. The firm is primarily known for the same-named instant messaging program. Users of the Wickr instant messaging applications may send end-to-end encrypted and content-expiring messages, including photographs, videos, and file attachments. The program is available for the following operating systems: iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, and Linux. Wickr was bought by Amazon Web Services on June 25th, 2021.

Wickr Me is a free end-to-end encrypted messaging program that lets users send private, self-destructing messages (text, photo, video, and voice) to their Wickr contacts. Consider it a more secure Snapchat. Wickr values user privacy, employing strong encryption and removing metadata like geotags and message timings. Users can choose the time it takes for messages to self-destruct. A video-key verification system adds another degree of security by requiring users to authenticate each other with brief bursts of encrypted video. Wickr takes pride in the app's security; there's even a $100,000 bug-bounty program for anyone who contacts the firm to report a security problem.

The consumer Wickr Me app, on the other hand, is not as flexible as some other encrypted messaging applications. Group conversations are restricted to ten people, and audio and video calls are exclusively one-on-one. Wickr was purchased by Amazon in June 2021, which may concern certain users concerned about the retail giant's privacy practices. It appears to have retooled its principal marketing strategy to cater largely to corporate customers, similar to Silent Circle and Wire.

Detailed information:
Self-Destructing Messages: Yes
Data Stored: None
Website: https://wickr.com/me

On all platforms, Viber provides end-to-end encryption. The app was created in Israel and is currently owned and operated by the Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten. It has many of the same features as Telegram, such as stickers and communities, and, more recently, augmented-reality filters to spice up selfies.

A useful feature of Viber is a color-coded lock indicator that shows users how secure a chat is (gray for encrypted communications, green for encrypted communications with a trusted contact, and red in the event that there is an issue with the authentication key). Viber includes self-destructing Secret Chats, which may be used in group chats, as well as a Hidden Chats option for concealing chatrooms on a shared device.

All of this is in addition to Viber's robust mobile-messaging feature set, which includes text, voice, and group messaging, all of which are attached to your phone number. The software and interactions with other Viber users are free, however calls to non-Viber users are not.

Detailed information:

Self-Destructing Messages: No
Data Stored: Metadata Only

Website: https://www.viber.com

Although Facebook Messenger may not be the first software that springs to mind when it comes to encrypted messaging, the mobile versions of the service provide end-to-end encrypted communication options in the form of Secret Conversations. Secret Conversations, which uses the same encryption mechanism as Signal, needs users to opt-in. It enables people to send and receive encrypted text, photographs, and stickers to and from a single mobile device, with the ability to sending and receiving time-limited self-destructing messages alike Snapchat.

Messenger recently added the option for end-to-end encryption of one-to-one voice and video conversations, and the company has stated that it is testing end-to-end encryption of group chats, calls, and video chats. However, Facebook Messenger is still vulnerable to screen-grabs, and the opt-in and single-device restrictions might be a problem. It's also Facebook.

Detailed information:

Self-Destructing Messages: Yes
Data Stored: Encrypted Data

Website: https://www.messenger.com