When it comes to communicating online, privacy becomes a consistent demand of users of the digital world, so the tech giants, like Meta, made end-to-end encryption a built-in function or feature of their apps used for chatting and calling. This encryption makes the conversation between two people remain private and secure, hindering all kinds of outside interference.
But there are numerous encrypted messaging apps available today, which leads people into the agony of choice. You must go for the best available encrypted messaging apps that are secure to the extent that even governments and the building companies cannot intrude into their messaging and breach their encryption.
The following are the best encrypted messaging apps that you can use for secure conversations in 2024:
Signal
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Available on both android and IOS, Signal is the best available app for encrypted communications. It offers messaging as well as voice calls and group chats, all of which could be set on self-destruct mode to erase any trail of communication. Its encryption protocol is so reliable that even Whatsapp and Facebook employ it.
You can also use Signal on desktop, just like Whstapp, with the assistance of Chrome browser plugin. The company also enables users to move their Signal account from one device to another and to retain the account even after switching phone numbers.
Being open-source and user friendly, it is the best choice for people wary of their security and data breaching.
Telegram
Image: DIW-Aigen
Telegram is another popular app used to deliver encrypted messages to others. Telegram is a cloud-based app using its own MTProto encryption. The difference between Signal and Telegram is that it is not in encryption mode by default. Users have to enable secret chat mode to send encrypted messages. Just like the previous app, you can send messages as well as make voice calls and do group chats. Moreover, it also allows messages to self-destruct at the scheduled time.
Telegram has become a huge platform for group discussions, for it allows a large number of users to be in the same group at the same time. But do remember, these group chats are not encrypted. Having only two members in a conversation is a prerequisite to that.
Image: DIW
The most widely-used app for communication globally, WhatsApp offers end-to-end encryption, based on Signal’s encryption protocol, to its users. It keeps receiving updates regarding security and privacy every now and then, making the app more reliable and sync with the time.
The app can be used on desktop via its QR code. It offers disappearing messages at the scheduled time, the feature of self-destruct mode on messages and images once viewed and backup of chat and contacts if users change devices. Whatsapp also allows its users to see who has read or not-yet-read their messages in a group. iPhones users can even transfer their chat history to an android.
Additionally, if someone is in doubt about Whatsapp encryption, they can conveniently check and verify the claim by opening a chat in the app, tapping on the name, opening the menu and then clicking on verify security code. Now you can verify its encryption either by scanning the given QR code on his/her phone, or by comparing a 60-digit number.
Offering encrypted communication, sending of all types of media and convenience in using it makes WhatsApp one of the best messaging apps in the world.
Threema
Threema is different from the above-mentioned three: it costs $3.99 and does not require a phone number to function. The app also employs end-to-end encryption based on NaCl cryptography.
The app does not require users’ phone numbers or credentials for a personal account. Rather, it assigns a unique ID key to all users, which makes them anonymous and allows them to communicate without revealing their identity. Similarly, the app also generates a QR code to be shared with other users to whom someone might not want to reveal their identity. But users can choose to make an account with their phone numbers or email if they want such secrecy.
Threema, like the other apps, can send encrypted messages, images and videos, and make encrypted calls. Moreover, it allows polling about members and group chat too.
Threema costs a few dollars, but that might be its plus point, for tighter security does require some spending.
Wire
Wire’s encryption protocol is based on Signal’s protocol and its code is open-source. Wire is free and does require a phone number, like Whatsapp.
The app offers end-to-end encryption on messaging, voice calls and video calls, and the sharing of files and GIF as well. Moreover, the app supports multi-platform cross-device syncing and multiple accounts serving different purposes. The app also has a business version, serving the specific purpose
The company has inclined itself more towards business usage, but common people can still benefit from the app available both on IOS and android.
Viber
Once a popular messaging app before the introduction of Whatsapp, Viber has lost its popularity in the last decade due to the availability of better apps. But still it is one of the best apps available for free for encrypted communication.
The app offers end-to-end encryption on messaging, voice calls and video calls. It provides the features of self-destructing secret chats and hidden chats, to remain elusive on a shared device. Viber also has an additional safety feature of coloured icons depicting the state of encryption when communication with someone–gray, green and red icon colors for encrypted communication, encrypted communication with a reliable contact and an anomaly respectively.
But it is free and provides end-to-end encryption in communication, which is enough for some people to download and use it. Do remember, calls to non-Viber users are not free!
Facebook Messenger
Image: Mariia Shalabaieva/Unsplash
Another highly popular app for communication globally is Facebook Messenger. Because Facebook has the most number of users, so does the Messenger. It is free and convenient to use and the best option to many. As mentioned above, it is based on the encryption system of Signal.
The messenger app offers end-to-end encrypted communication to its users, including voice calls, video chats, groups chats and images, with the features of self-destruct mode and disappearing messages.
The truth is that it is not the best option for encrypted messaging, especially when compared to the ones mentioned above. But it is still good enough to fall at number seven.
Dust
Dust employs AES-128 and RSA-2048 encryption in its system to provide security. The app keeps messages saved in RAM, not in phone storage as a safety measure.
Dust offers encrypted communication as well as self-destruct mode on its messages. It also keeps you anonymous by not mentioning your name and alerts users if a screenshot is taken. The app also has additional security features of privacy watch-dog and stealth search tool to sustain privacy on the web.
The app is not as well known as some of the apps listed above, but it is still an option to consider.
Why Should One Go For Encrypted Messaging Apps?
Encrypted messaging has become a necessity due to the stark rise in data breaching and hacking online. With the increasing presence of people online, privacy has to be sustained while communicating with others regarding matters that users want to keep to themselves or among a selective group of people. The conventional way of texting or communicating does not serve the purpose–for anyone could have a sneak peek at your personal messages–so encrypted messaging apps are the solution.
The foregoing list of apps reveals to readers which is best for them, after considering the security features they offer, to retain their privacy online.
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