The Best Encrypted Messaging Apps To Use In 2025: With so much of our personal information floating around online, protecting our conversations has never been more important.
Many people already use tools like VPNs, disposable emails, or data removal services, but one of the easiest ways to boost your privacy is by choosing a secure messaging app. Encrypted messengers keep your chats safe from companies, hackers, and anyone else who shouldn’t be reading them.
Most of the top apps use end-to-end encryption, meaning only you and the person you’re talking to can see the messages. While built-in options like iMessage and Google Messages offer some protection, they aren’t secure in every situation. Dedicated encrypted apps give you consistent, reliable privacy no matter who you’re chatting with or what device you’re using.
The Best Encrypted Messaging Apps To Use In 2025
1. Signal
The most secure choice overall
Signal has become the gold standard for private communication. Its technology is so trusted that apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger use its encryption protocol. Because Signal is run by a non-profit, it isn’t tied to huge tech companies like Meta.
Signal uses the Signal Protocol, a powerful open-source encryption method that protects every message, call, and file you send. It supports group chats of up to 150 people and group calls with up to 40 participants.
It also includes helpful features like disappearing messages, editing tools, scheduled messages, and chat customization. Extra privacy tools like screen locks and image blurring help protect your sensitive content. Although you need a phone number to sign up, you can hide it and use a username instead. Signal works on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Linux.
2. Telegram
Great for huge group chats
Telegram is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with hundreds of millions of users. You can chat one-on-one, send files, and make voice or video calls, but Telegram really shines with big groups. It supports group chats with up to 200,000 people and offers channels for broadcasting messages to unlimited audiences.
Telegram also includes tools like GIF search, stickers, emojis, and built-in media editors. Because your content is stored in the cloud, you can use Telegram across multiple devices easily.
However, end-to-end encryption isn’t enabled by default. You have to turn on Secret Chats to get that level of protection. Telegram’s main encryption protocol isn’t open-source, so experts can’t verify it for weaknesses.
3. Session
Best for staying anonymous
Session is perfect if you want total privacy. You don’t need a phone number or email to create an account. The app gives you a unique ID and a recovery password, and that’s all you need.
Your messages are routed through a decentralized network, which helps hide your identity and reduces the risk of data leaks. Everything is end-to-end encrypted, and you can set messages to disappear. Session supports group chats and calls, and its open-source code allows security experts to check it for issues. It works on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Linux.
4. WhatsApp
Secure and used by almost everyone
WhatsApp is the most popular messaging app on the planet, and it’s fully end-to-end encrypted by default. This includes text, calls, photos, videos, and documents. It uses the same trusted Signal Protocol for encryption.
WhatsApp has lots of features, including video calls, group chats, screen sharing, disappearing messages, and built-in AI tools. It works across Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac, and you can use it on multiple devices at the same time. The only drawback is that it’s owned by Meta, which some users may find concerning.
5. Briar
Ideal for activists and high-risk users
Briar is designed for people who need strong protection from surveillance, such as activists or journalists. It’s completely decentralized and can send messages even without internet access by using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
Messages are end-to-end encrypted and stored only on your device. Briar also prevents screenshots and doesn’t require personal information to sign up. It doesn’t support calls and is only available on Android.
6. Viber
Great for people who use many devices
Viber offers default end-to-end encryption, plus plenty of privacy tools like disappearing messages, hidden chats, PIN-protected chats, and more. You can send messages, make calls, join communities, and even create your own stickers and GIFs.
Viber works on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Linux, and syncs your data across all your devices. The main downside is that it collects certain user data for advertising purposes.
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