[Off-topic] lm8lm8:
I see sometimes newspaper from general way or even IT-specialised journalists comparing few secure messenging apps, without bringing advanced or expert eyes on that. So Im wondering, about firstly a long list of tools about secured messenging and voice/video conferencing... It's initially made from france, where those types of comparison are generally limited up to ten big ones (as firstly listed here), doesnt help to makes others independents, more recents or just alternative software being known for worldwide internet users. Also, to explain better, to non-IT specialised journalists, to see it with a better glance.

If you have some remarks, suggestions, ideas, or any others good or less good feedbacks.. thanks to it!

original posts (in fr):

(links removed, ask in PM)

NTOP=NotTestedbyOriginalPoster (especially for 2020 and newer apps)

Updated : 2024 apr

my recommendations/ranking:

[*] for mobile phone number uses : 1. quicksy 2. signal 3. telegram 4. threema 5. the others..

[*]for email/URI registration (not necessary email!) : 1. xmpp (conversations), SIP (linphone, voip.ms, callcentric, etc..)

[*] for very secrecy and underground communications : 1. tox. 2. briar 3. session 4. signal 5. telegram

[*] for india : prav (paid fork of free quicksy)

[*] if yu just want to save money in exchange of less privacy : the biggers (marketing) one (whapp, RCS, iMess'..)

the most populars/known/simples :

[*]whatsapp :

2009, usa. Bought by meta (facebook, insta..), the first messenging apps on smartphone : ultra-simple and easy. Enjoys zero-rates in some latino or africa countries -means free cell data usage (illegal in europe)-, and makes it the most used app in the world. Requires android/iphone. Over 2B users (+200M/mo) claimed [https://www.reuters.com/technology/whatsapp-explores-ads-chat-app-ft-2023-09-15/]

WhatsApp | Secure and Reliable Free Private Messaging and Calling

Use WhatsApp Messenger to stay in touch with friends and family. WhatsApp is free and offers simple, secure, reliable messaging and calling, available on phones all over the world.

www.whatsapp.com

WhatsApp - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

encryption: protocole signal ["WhatsApp messages are encrypted with the Signal Protocol.[217] WhatsApp calls are encrypted with SRTP, and all client-server communications are "layered within a separate encrypted channel"" ]

https://www.whatsapp.com/security/WhatsApp-Security-Whitepaper.pdf

Wayback Machine

[*]signal (usa, 2014, Signal protocol) , 40M users claimed

Signal Messenger: Speak Freely

Say "hello" to a different messaging experience. An unexpected focus on privacy, combined with all of the features you expect.

signal.org

Signal (disambiguation) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

encryption : signal protocol

recommended by lot of geeks/nerds

[*]telegram (dubai, 2013), made by russian gov opponents/protestors ; 900M users claimed.

Telegram – a new era of messaging

Fast. Secure. Powerful.

telegram.org

Telegram (software) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

encryption : mix of several techniques, under name of "MTProto"

[Telegram uses a custom build symmetric encryption scheme called MTProto. The protocol was developed by Nikolai Durov and other developers at Telegram and is based on 256-bit symmetric AES encryption, 2048-bit RSA encryption and Diffie–Hellman key exchange.]

900M users claimed [https://www.reuters.com/technology/...ln-users-within-year-founder-says-2024-04-17/]

FAQ for the Technically Inclined

This FAQ about MTProto is intended for advanced users. You may also want to check out our Basic FAQ. Note that client developers…

core.telegram.org

FAQ for the Technically Inclined

This FAQ about MTProto is intended for advanced users. You may also want to check out our Basic FAQ. Please note, that..

web.archive.org

[*]viber (israel, 2010) ; created by formers israel intelligence experts, bought by rakuten (900MdUSD), based in cyprus. 1Bd users in 2018

Home | Viber

viber.com

Viber - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

encryption : similar to signal

Viber - Free Calls and Messages.

Viber lets everyone in the world connect. Freely. Millions of Viber users call, text, and send photos to each other, worldwide- for free. Currently available for the iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Windows Phone, Windows and Mac devices.

web.archive.org

from big manufacturers :

[*]iMessage, (Apple, 2011), usa, made by and for mac/ios users... only for apple products users

Messages for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac - Official Apple Support

Learn more about sending and receiving text messages, photos, personal effects and more with the Messages app on your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac.

support.apple.com

iMessage - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

[*]RCS, (google, 2022, from jibe acquisition, 2015), millions of users du to the rcs default enabled by lot of android-based brands, in the default messaging's android app, starting 2022 (or before)

Why RCS?

With reliable global infrastructure and a consistent user experience, Google's RCS (Rich Communication Services) technology helps the mobile community deliver better messaging everywhere.

jibe.google.com

Turn on RCS chats in Google Messages - Google Messages

With Rich Communication Services or RCS, a modern industry standard for messaging, you can have a more dynamic and secure conversation with someone than SMS or MMS. Learn about Rich Communication Serv

support.google.com

Rich Communication Services - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

NB: google and apple are in thermonuclear war on their respective mobile/cell market, until to avoid compatibility between their own messenging system (imessage vs rcs). with a certain late (about ten years), google tried to compete with apple's imessage in a way by the acquisition of jibe in a first time, then to cooperate with major cell services providers, but they almost all denied in a first time. Then they started to store themself the data of rcs, before having more agreements with differents cell services providers.

NB2: i could had feu BBerry messenger, RIP to it..

the less known/differents/independents/minor apps :

[*]skype, microsoft : most used service in the 2000s, still working.. for individuals (use teams for pro/business)

Skype | Restez connecté grâce à des appels vidéo gratuits partout dans le monde

Est-il possible de passer des appels téléphoniques Skype vers l’Ukraine gratuitement ? Oui, les appels vers l’Ukraine passés via Skype sont désormais gratuits. Gardez le contact grâce à des conversations vidéo gratuites, des SMS et des appels internationaux abordables. Créez instantanément un...

www.skype.com

Skype - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Skype security - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

[*]teams, microsoft, usa, 2017 : mainly used for business talks and education communication. about 280M users monthly ; mainly used for videoconferencing.

Vidéoconférence, réunions, appels | Microsoft Teams

Il est plus facile de travailler ensemble avec Microsoft Teams. Les outils et les fichiers étant toujours disponibles en un seul endroit, vous pouvez vous connecter naturellement, rester organisé et concrétiser vos idées.*

www.microsoft.com

Microsoft says its new version of Teams is twice as fast

Microsoft is starting to test its new version of Teams for Windows. The new version will be twice as fast, the company said.

www.cnbc.com

Microsoft Teams - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

[*] BBMe (BlackBerryMessenger-Enterprise) ; successor of died blackberry messenger ; focused to public-sector, governments, corporates, and individuals.

windows, macosx, android, iphoneOS, free the first year only.

uses both FIPS 140-2 certified cryptographic and TLS.

Secure Instant Messaging and Conferencing – BBM Enterprise

BBM Enterprise offers faster communication, collaboration and decision making while providing enhanced security over corporate data.

www.blackberry.com

BBM Enterprise - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

‎BBM Enterprise

‎BBM® Enterprise is a secure mobile, cross-platform, messaging and collaboration tool. It provides the same user- friendly experience that’s earned BBM millions of fans worldwide – with the end-to-end security enterprise needs. BBM Enterprise allows users to take advantage of the speed...

apps.apple.com

BBM Enterprise - Apps on Google Play

BBM Enterprise - Secure collaboration

play.google.com

pdfviewer

pdfviewer

[*]Rocketchat, 2016, USA, a bit like teams/slack

Rocket.Chat: Communications Platform You Can Fully Trust

Explore Rocket.Chat, where we put data privacy into every conversation and enable teams to collaborate seamlessly.

rocket.chat

http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q24050001

[*]slack, usa, 2013, a bit like teams/slack

Slack is your productivity platform

Slack is a new way to communicate with your team. It’s faster, better organized, and more secure than email.

slack.com

Slack (software) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Slack (plateforme) — Wikipédia

fr.wikipedia.org

[*]discord, usa, 2015, ~150Millions active users in 2020

very popular regarding young (means 2000born-users) users, mainly videogamers.

Discord - Group Chat That’s All Fun & Games

Discord is great for playing games and chilling with friends, or even building a worldwide community. Customize your own space to talk, play, and hang out.

discord.com

Discord - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

[*]threema (switzerland, 2012, 1€ to open the account -maybe a subscription) ; 10M users.

Threema - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Threema – The Secure Messenger For Individuals and Companies

The secure instant messenger from Switzerland. GDPR-compliant chat app for individuals and companies that value security and data protection. Trusted by millions – find out more!

threema.ch

encryption: Naci (ECC based)

the encryption process used by Threema is based on the open-source library NaCl library. Threema uses asymmetric ECC-based encryption, with 256-bit strength.

Threema Encryption Validation

[*]citadel/tchap : thalès/ercom, french, with voice/video on subscription; citadel for individuals and businesses, tchap for fr public service workers. Based on Elements

Sécuriser les appareils mobiles, les communications, les données et le travail collaboratif

En tant qu'experts en sécurité des communications et des appareils mobiles, nous développons une gamme complète de solutions pour contrer le piratage des données, des appareils et des communications. Nos solutions vous permettent de communiquer, de travailler à distance ou de travailler en...

www.thalesgroup.com

Citadel Team | Cyber Solutions By Thales

www.ercom.fr

no wiki..

[*]olvid, 2018, france : made by two crypto pHD/scientists, voice/video on subscription.

Suddenly required by french government, with strong criticals about its adoption.

Olvid - Secure Messaging

www.olvid.io

Olvid — Wikipédia

fr.wikipedia.org

[*]skred : france, from skyrock, merged with twinme

Skred – Première messagerie sécurisée en toute liberté

skred.mobi

Skred — Wikipédia

fr.wikipedia.org

[*]wire : switzerland, 2014

Wire - Simply the most Secure Messenger

Always-on end-to-end encrypted instant messaging, voice- and videoconferencing with up to 100 participants - future proof with MLS integration

wire.com

Wire (software) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

encryption : proteus (https://www.x41-dsec.de/reports/Kudelski-X41-Wire-Report-phase1-20170208.pdf)

[*]element : israel, 2016, very popular to opensource communities, uses the matrix protocol, interoperable with jabber/xmpp, to communicate. Matrix foundation is in uk. Can operate with matrix/jabber/xmpp users

Element | Secure collaboration and messaging

Element is a Matrix-based end-to-end encrypted messenger and secure collaboration app. It’s decentralised for digital sovereign self-hosting, or through a hosting service such as Element Matrix Services. Element operates on the open Matrix network to provide interoperability and easy connections.

element.io

Element (software) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

matrix protocol :

Matrix.org

Matrix, the open protocol for secure decentralised communications

matrix.org

Matrix (protocol) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

(advantages, disadvantages :ask me PM to translate feedbacks)

[*]conversations (germany, 2014, used with xmpp/jabber, free, interoperable with jabber/xmpp/matrix/elements, optimised for android ; apps snikket/siskin for ios) ; requires account creation, from the app or jabber server, free. made by Daniel Gultsch. [my favourite with quicksy]

Conversations - Jabber/XMPP client for Android

An open source instant messaging client. Easy to use, reliable, battery friendly. With built-in support for e2e encryption, group chats and media transfer.

conversations.im

Conversations (software) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

encryption: OpenPGP, or OMEMO (by défaut)

Conversations - Jabber/XMPP client for Android

An open source instant messaging client. Easy to use, reliable, battery friendly. With built-in support for e2e encryption, group chats and media transfer.

conversations.im

OMEMO Multi-End Message and Object Encryption

An XMPP Extension Protocol based on a Double Ratchet and PEP which can be freely used and implemented by anyone. The protocol has been audited by a third party.

conversations.im

[*]quicksy : same as last conversations (same developper) but uses the cell phone number instead of login/pass. by Daniel Gultsch. I recommend :)

Quicksy

A spin-off of the popular Jabber/XMPP client Conversations with automatic contact discovery. Sign up with your phone number and Quicksy will automatically—based on the phone numbers in your address book—suggest possible contacts to you.

quicksy.im

Conversations (software) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

quicksy is free (via fdroid), for india, paid alternative is called prav. havent tested it.

[*]cheogram : used for xmpp calls, from canadian project (soprani). Could be used with xmpp/jabber calls worlwide with sipbroker gateways

Cheogram: Extensible Messaging and Presence for the Telephone Network

[*] delta chat : opensource, could send text messages to an email recipient.

Delta Chat: FAQ

Qu’est-ce que Delta Chat ? Delta Chat is a reliable, decentralized and secure messaging app, available for mobile and desktop platforms. Delta Chat feels like Whatsapp or Telegram but you can also ...

delta.chat

encryption : autocrypt, since 2024, Securejoint is supported

SecureJoin: Protecting chat messaging against network adversaries — SecureJoin 0.20.0 documentation

Autocrypt - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

[*]keet (NTOP) : peer to peer app, featuring : video, file sharing, USD+BTC payments, made by holepunch (p2p apps)

Keet - The Peer to Peer Chat App

Keet is a peer-to-peer chat application that allows users to communicate directly with each other. 100% end-to-end encrypted. Never on a server.

keet.io

[*]DekuSMS, Android (NTOP):

says : Android SMS app ~ Featuring E2EE, Cloud Forwarding, RMQ integrations

GitHub - deku-messaging/Deku-SMS-Android: Android SMS app ~ Featuring E2EE, Cloud Forwarding, RMQ integrations

Android SMS app ~ Featuring E2EE, Cloud Forwarding, RMQ integrations - deku-messaging/Deku-SMS-Android

github.com

[*]Jami

2016, only app being totally federated/uncentralised (means no server) encrypted and opensource. Uses SIP.

Instant secure messaging, and voice/videoconference.

Jami

Jami facilitates share, freely and privately.

jami.net

Jami (software) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

[*]linphone (SIP, good for voice/video)

first app for free internet voice/video in the 2000's running on win/nux/mac ; about 700k users

Linphone open source VoIP SIP softphone - voice, video and instant messaging

Linphone is an open source SIP client for HD voice/video calls, 1-to-1 and group instant messaging, conference calls etc. Available for iOS, Android, Windows, macOS and GNU/Linux.

linphone.org

Linphone - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

encryption zrtip, srtp

[*]ippi (sip, does same as linphone, but add worldwide phone calls on subscription)

encryption zrtip, srtp

ippi

VoIP SIP trunk provider

ippi.com

[*]Tribu (2022)

only for groups, for friends/family, for better daily organisation

Tribu - Let's live together

Tribu an open-source mobile app that brings people together in private groups. Hang out with your family, friends, or colleagues and enjoy meaningful connections.

tribu.free-explorers.com

[*]IRC, ICQ : still used after twenty/thirty years of availability ; lot of adepts of such technology, that protocol is mainly used by geeks/nerds ; works well for "shared conversation channels". Just try it! ;)

IRC - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

ICQ - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Internet Relay Chat — Wikipédia

fr.wikipedia.org

ICQ — Wikipédia

fr.wikipedia.org

Specialised in country/area/region:

[*] Weixin/Wechat/QQ: between 1-3Bd users ; hugely used in china.

WeChat - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Tencent QQ - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

used for.. almost everything in china.

/!\ dont be confused : wechat, the indispensable app in china ; and weechat, the irc client software

[*]Line, japon, 2011: very used in asia, and not only : japan, korea, china (with censorship), thaïland, also chili, spain..hundred of thousand users

LINE｜always at your side.

More than just a messenger app. LINE is new level of communication and the very infrastructure of your life.

line.me

Line (software) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

secret/underground/clandestine/invisibles (no others words ;) )

[*]session : encryption using the blockchain, without server, for strong anonymous purposes : less tracking if voice/video are disabled, by default

Session (software) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

encryption : based on blockchain, with uncentralised nodes (like tor)

Session Is An Encrypted Messenger Geared Towards Privacy Enthusiasts

No telephone numbers, email addresses or location data are required while joining Session.

www.gadgets360.com

[*]ricochet, 2014, uses different tor nodes to do instant messaging.

Ricochet Refresh

A Blueprint For Free speech initiative to update and improve Ricochet

www.ricochetrefresh.net

Ricochet (software) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

[*]tox : encrypted messenging, without server, with different client apps, on ios/android/fdroid, see:

Tox (protocol) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

A New Kind of Instant Messaging

Whether it's corporations or governments, there's just too much digital spying going on today. Tox is an easy to use application that connects you with friends and family without anyone else listening in. While other big-name services require you to pay for features, Tox is totally free and...

tox.chat

https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.zoffcc.applications.trifa/ (nice one for tox, with qrcode with long touch on the ID)

encryption : NaCl (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NaCl_(software))

(advantages, disadvantages :ask me PM to translate feedbacks)

[*]Briar : Herited from Ensichat. Very confidential or underground app : either through tor if using internet, or only wifi without internet, or bluetooth, even through sdcards.. Recommended by edward snowden, and uses the bramble protocol. More paranoïac than tox: voice/videocalls not permited.

Briar | F-Droid - Free and Open Source Android App Repository

Messagerie sécurisée, n'importe où

f-droid.org

Secure messaging, anywhere - Briar

Secure messaging, anywhere

briarproject.org

Briar (software) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

chiffrement : compliqué, voir:

https://briarproject.org/how-it-works/

Home · Wiki · briar / briar · GitLab

Secure messaging, anywhere.

code.briarproject.org

[*] SimpleX : 2020, claims that: Other apps have user IDs: Signal, Matrix, Session, Briar, Jami, Cwtch, etc.

SimpleX does not, not even random numbers.

SimpleX Chat: private and secure messenger without any user IDs (not even random)

SimpleX Chat - a private and encrypted messenger without any user IDs (not even random ones)! Make a private connection via link / QR code to send messages and make calls.

simplex.chat

SimpleX Chat F-Droid

SimpleX Chat official F-Droid repository.

app.simplex.chat

(no wiki page yet)

NB: for that least category, some of them are deliberately without, or by default disabled, of voice/videoconference, to help better privacy respect of even clandestinely communication. Session shows a warning message in that case (you can enable it manually) at the difference of briar, whom looks like to totally disable it.

NB2: some observers or comments generally reports that signal, telegram, whapp &co uses either jabber/xmpp or sip protocol ; it's probably true, but on ten years of development it might be probably incompatible with the original opensource one. In other hand, at a specific time, around 2010, when eg google talk was released, it was compatible with others messenging app through xmpp protocol. Google even tried to recruit all over the world engineers skilled with that type of software/communication developpement, including that (fr) one :

Comment tuer un réseau décentralisé (tel que le Fediverse) - Un blog furtif

*** Ce texte est une traduction d'un article intitulé « How to Kill a Decentralised Network (such as the Fediverse) » publié sur le blog de Ploum. (...)

grenoble.ninja

various apps may use similar or propers protocols, rarely (or never) compatible with others apps.

less known, most voice/videoconference than messenging:

[*]jitsi, opensource, simple

[*]facetime for apple users

[*]skype, teams, lync(skypeforbusiness/enterprise) (see skype part previously)

[*]galene, little videoconference opensouce software, used in some universities and schools in paris/france https://galene.org/

[*] bigbluebutton, canada, 2007, mainly for school/universities, also adopted in different government teams (france)

Virtual Classroom Software | BigBlueButton

BigBlueButton is an open source virtual classroom software. This platform was developed for virtual learning and education. Try it today!

bigbluebutton.org

BigBlueButton - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

also, sip(voice/video) services or software providers (generally both):

[*]linphone et ippi, both from france, first one detailled before, second one allows calls all over the world on subscription. Could both be reached from sipbrokers.

[*]after xmpp+(openedSIP), whom is the best protocol imho ;)

after imessage,

after RCS,

after gafam's messaging-war,

IETF creates a NEW one :D

More Instant Messaging Interoperability (mimi)

datatracker.ietf.org

another reason to not use facebook:

Facebook Is Ending Support for PGP Encrypted Emails | Hacker News

news.ycombinator.com

NB: for alternative mobile systems, means no iOS, no android/lineageos-likes, eg postmarketos, mobian, sailfish (xperia/jolla), manjaro, pinephone or purism/pureos...

there are existing jabber/xmpp clients, also SIP apps, working (almost) well, with success to discuss with ios/android-likes contacts though jabber/xmpp.

where even whatsapp most popular is absent, signal and telegram have specific client-messaging apps:

Applications by category - postmarketOS Wiki

wiki.postmarketos.org

there was a traditionnal phone gateway to SIP explained, but I dont know if it worth the translation, where it's used only by hundred or thousand persons/users all over the world, even if that type of communication, beloved to avoid big apps/companies, or just because everybody doesnt have a smartphone (:D), is still appreciated, eg in Australia, in Canada..(eg with voip.ms provider, app available on fdroid). Where a common phone can be in communication (for free through gateways) with a sip user all over the world -regarding latency.

sip/gw : there is a sipbroker little network/website, whom permits to reach a sip user from all around the world, using a simple landline, or a common cellphone (a pots/pstn, aka common phone network), normally for free. See sip gateways (or ask here or in PM) for more information. You can reach SIP users, and some xmpp/jabber users too. Long post/explaination about that hasnt been translated yet.

others comparators:

EN: https://www.messenger-matrix.de/messenger-matrix-en.html

FR: https://wiki.jabberfr.org/Jabber_en_5_minutes#Comparatif_des_messageries_instantanées

FR: https://www.freie-messenger.de/dateien/system/Messenger_FR.PDF

EN: https://www.freie-messenger.de/dateien/system/Messenger_EN.PDF

DE: https://www.freie-messenger.de/dateien/system/Messenger.PDF

EN: https://www.freie-messenger.de/en/

DE: https://www.freie-messenger.de/

EN: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_instant_messaging_clients

EN: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messaging_apps

EN: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_user_features_of_messaging_platforms

SecuChart - interactive secure messenger feature comparison

Comparison of Instant Messengers

Comparison of Instant Messengers

eylenburg.github.io

others interesting things :

https://dontkillmyapp.com/ <= for those who have problems of backgroud refresh app or lack of notifications

let's achieve that damn list work in one draw:

a reason to have doubts about reliability of google's playstore services:

Element suspended on Google Play Store: now resolved.

Hi all, At 2021-01-29 at 21:35 UTC Google suspended Element from the Play Store without warning or notification. We submitted an appeal asking for clarification at 23:18, and at 05:31 received a generic update from the Google Play Policy team citing that the app has been removed

element.io

Daniel Gultsch (@daniel@gultsch.social)

Google has just removed #Conversations_im from the Play Store because they think we are uploading the user’s contact list. We don’t.

gultsch.social

and what's your favourite?

differents specificities, observations, advices or others warnings or recommendations you'd like to add or share?

(some comments already translated and integrated in eng...)

will be edited/updateed on long term..