User privacy is a fair concern, especially when exchanging messages between family and friends. With that in mind, we have gathered the best private messaging apps, with paid and free solutions for Android and iOS.
Top 5 private messaging apps for Android
These are instant communication platforms that allow us to communicate with our contacts over the Internet, standing out for their state-of-the-art encryption, which means that only the sender and the recipient(s) have access to the content being sent.
The best private messaging apps for Android are:
1. Signal - Private Messaging
Signal was recommended by Elon Musk as an alternative to WhatsApp, standing out for its end-to-end encryption as the main guarantor of user privacy. Although it is not a perfect platform, it has stood out positively.
It offers support for voice and video calls, text messages and even SMS. To enjoy the highest privacy protection, the other person should also use Signal, an app that is guided by the Material Design created by Google.
It is a free app for Android, in which no advertising is displayed and no in-app purchases are made.
Download Signal - Private Messaging
2. Telegram
Telegram is another good alternative to WhatsApp, which offers end-to-end encryption. It stood out for being the first instant communication service to offer messages that disappeared after a certain time.
It has the same functions as Signal and other similar platforms, standing out above all for Telegram's channels or group chats. These are themed discussion rooms that can accommodate up to 100,000 users.
You can send voice messages, or text messages, with great support for GIFs and a good web platform. It is a free messaging app for Android, with no ads or in-app purchases.
3. Viber
Viber is another instant communication platform that can connect family and friends via Internet connection, or mobile data. It is also one of the most popular with end-to-end communication encryption in all formats.
It supports voice calls, text messages, group chats, as well as a wide range of stickers to liven up conversations. If the user wishes, he or she can purchase more stickers and fun add-ons to personalize conversations.
It is a free service, with free app for Android, positioning itself as a good alternative to Telegram and Signal.
4. Threema. Secure and private messenger.
Threema is one of the best private messaging apps, and goes above and beyond in protecting user privacy. End-to-end encryption also covers phone calls and voice communications. This is what sets the paid platform apart from other free communication alternatives.
Privacy protection extends to virtually all actions that the user performs on his mobile device are processed locally. It is the local management of user data that makes it the best solution so that nothing "slips through the cracks".
Threema is a paid solution for Android, which promises the user that they don't have to "pay for the service with their data".
5. WhatsApp
WhatsApp is the world's most popular instant communication platform. It is where most users gather, in a free service that offers end-to-end encryption for messaging and group rooms.
It is notable for WhatsApp groups, popular for its chat rooms where it is easy to keep in touch with family and friends. It is perhaps the most controversial in recent times, as it belongs to the Facebook group of companies.
It is the most popular and easy-to-use free solution, highlighted by a good web platform and applications for Mac, Windows and other systems.
3 points that define end-to-end encryption
- The content is only accessible to the sender (who sends) and the recipient (who receives). This is the basic premise of end-to-end encryption, or A to B encryption.
- Platform servers do not have access to the content (by default). Messages sent through the servers of a given company and stored there temporarily, but are protected by a unique key, accessible only to the recipient and the sender on most communication platforms.
- It is not foolproof protection. Messages and their content are usually encrypted when they are sent, i.e. while they are in motion. In some cases, the service provider may have the "key" to access that content.
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