Best Messaging App 2025: Evaluating Safety, Privacy, and Functionality

WeChat, Facebook Messenger, Briar, Telegram, WhatsApp, Discord, Session, Viber, Signal, Threema. Which of these messengers is the most secure? Which one loses in terms of usability? Which platform is underrated? Analysts at the Molfar Intelligence Institute evaluated popular messengers based on their security and usability, consulting with cybersecurity experts to determine which Messenger stands out as the best in 2025.

Secure Messengers — for Different Needs

Analysts at the Molfar Intelligence Institute examined 10 popular messengers to determine which ones can be considered reliable and user-friendly for communication in 2025. The ranking was based on three groups of criteria: security, functionality, and popularity.

Additionally, we consulted cybersecurity, OSINT, and technical analysis experts who independently rated each Messenger. In summary, our key conclusion is as follows:

• For confidential or professional communication, Signal is the best choice. It remains a reliable messenger with end-to-end encryption for all types of messages, open-source code, and regular independent audits.
• For complete anonymity, go with Session or Threema. Both work without requiring a phone number, do not collect metadata, have transparent architecture, and utilize decentralized infrastructure.
• For everyday communication with family or colleagues, Viber or WhatsApp are suitable options. Both offer basic encryption but come with trade-offs: Viber, while popular in Ukraine, is also frequently used by scammers; WhatsApp, due to its ownership by Meta, collects metadata.

For sensitive communication, avoid using:

• Telegram — possible connections to Russia, with allegations of collaboration with the FSB.
• Facebook Messenger lacks reliable encryption.
• WeChat is controlled by the Chinese government.

Research Methodology

Molfar Intelligence Institute specialists analyzed messengers with high download numbers, active user bases, frequent media mentions, and a focus on data security and user privacy. When selecting popular messengers, we relied on data from app analytics services covering downloads throughout 2024. However, the “popularity” parameter was not considered the most critical factor; it was evaluated alongside other criteria, such as security, available features, and user feedback.

To create the ranking, analysts identified a set of parameters grouped into three main blocks: Security, Features, and Users. Each Messenger was scored across these categories, and the final ranking was based on the total weighted scores.

To ensure objectivity, we involved specialists from cybersecurity, OSINT, threat analysis, law, sociology, and the civil sector. Since expert opinions can reflect personal experience and subjective perception, we aimed to include a diverse range of voices. The expert survey was conducted through structured interviews and online forms.

The ranking is based on three key metrics

Due to war, cyberattacks, and data breaches, the demand for secure messaging services is increasing. Today, they replace not only regular phone calls but also correspondence and communication with banks and businesses. In short, it is critically important to know whom you can trust with your messages.

1. Security

We conducted the assessment based on technical documentation, the presence of end-to-end encryption, code transparency, and documented data breach incidents. Additionally, we interviewed eight cybersecurity experts who independently scored each of the Messengers.

The security evaluation included the following criteria:

• Presence of end-to-end encryption (E2EE) and whether it is enabled by default
• Open-source or closed-source code (i.e., whether the protocol can be independently reviewed)
• Use of modern cryptographic algorithms
• Availability and results of independent security audits
• History of data breaches, phishing incidents, or technical vulnerabilities
• Centralized vs. decentralized data storage
• Possibility for developers or government entities to access user messages

Telegram has the highest number of negative mentions from experts, linked to cases of data leaks and concerns regarding the ownership of the Messenger (Russian-born Pavel Durov). The main criticisms focus on its cryptographic model — in particular, the lack of end-to-end encryption in regular chats by default, as well as the closed and potentially vulnerable implementation of the MTProto protocol, which handles encryption and data transmission between clients and Telegram servers. The storage of data on servers is also considered a risk.

WeChat, a product of the Chinese company Tencent, has raised concerns due to national regulatory risks — Chinese state authorities may gain access to users’ data.

2. Popularity

For this category, analysts examined:

• The total number of downloads from Google Play and the App Store,
• Monthly active users (MAU),
• And media presence (mentions in the press and on social media).

Unsurprisingly, WhatsApp (Meta), Telegram, and Messenger (Meta) hold the top spots.

On the left — total messenger downloads from August 2024 to January 2025. On the right — average monthly downloads for the same period. The ranking is based on the analysis of global trends.

3. Features

The evaluation is based on several parameters:

• Support for voice/video calls,
• Group chats, channels, bots, file collaboration,
• Cross-platform compatibility, synchronization across devices,
• API openness and customization.

While Telegram offers the most features—groups, supergroups, stories—it is also overloaded with bots and fake news. All of this comes without default encryption. Signal, on the other hand, offers less customization but maintains a high level of security.

Comparison of messaging apps based on the number of supported features, with Telegram leading

Messenger Security–Functionality Trade-off

Before discussing the top 10 messengers of 2025, let’s examine how the Molfar Intelligence Institute analyzed how different platforms balance functionality and security.

The chart illustrates how messengers strike a balance between security and functionality.

Best messaging apps 2025 — According to Cyber Analysts at Molfar Intelligence Institute

UPD: Given that a comprehensive rating assessment requires analysis of more factors and indicators than those initially proposed, we have decided to retain all ratings that evaluate critical parameters. For this reason, we are keeping all ratings that provide insight into safety, functionality, and privacy.

The Molfar Intelligence Institute team always welcomes feedback and suggestions from our readers.

Thank you for your attention to our work.

WeChat — A Messenger Under China Watch

Launch Year: 2011

Country of Origin: China

Parent Company: Tencent Holdings Ltd

Third-Party Audits:

• 2016: A report by ISGroup SRL identified security issues in WeChat’s configuration parameters.
• 2021: China’s National Computer Network Emergency Response Technical Team (CNCERT/CC) released an annual cybersecurity report warning that WeChat mini-programs may pose significant risks of personal data leakage.
• 2023: Citizen Lab published “Privacy in the WeChat Ecosystem Explained,” stating that WeChat collects more usage data than disclosed in its official privacy policy.
• 2024: Citizen Lab released another report titled “Should We Chat, Too? Security Analysis of WeChat’s MMTLS Encryption Protocol,” highlighting cryptographic weaknesses in WeChat’s proprietary MMTLS protocol, such as the use of predictable encryption parameters lacking proper randomness, which could compromise user security.

WeChat remains one of the most widely used mobile apps in China. Based on data from August 2024 to January 2025, the app receives around 2.2 million downloads per month globally from the Google Play Store. The app combines a wide range of features, including e-commerce, food delivery, and ride-hailing services.

Functionality
WeChat first launched WeChat Wallet in 2013 (mass rollout in 2014). It is an all-in-one platform functioning as:

• a social network;
• a messenger;
• a payment system;
• a delivery service hub;
• an online marketplace;
• a gateway to government services.

Security
WeChat’s encryption only operates during data transmission between the device and the server. There is no end-to-end encryption (E2EE) to prevent the company itself from accessing message content. The platform lacks robust cryptographic primitives, making it impossible to build a reliable security framework including encryption, digital signatures, or data protection.

Message content remains accessible to WeChat’s servers and can be shared with government or law enforcement authorities. The proprietary MMTLS protocol provides only basic traffic protection. Group chats also lack end-to-end encryption. Although data is stored encrypted, the company retains technical access to all user information.

Drawbacks of WeChat:

• No end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for messages
• Possibility of official data sharing with government authorities
• No encryption in group chats
• Company servers have access to message content
• Limited ability to edit or delete messages — only within minutes after sending
• No support for full message self-destruction

Advantages:

• Multifunctionality: combines messaging, payments, social media, and various everyday services in a single platform.

WeChat may be convenient (and almost the only option) for residents in China, as most other messengers are banned there:

• WhatsApp has been blocked in China since 2017, and in 2024, Apple removed it from the Chinese App Store at the government’s request.
• Telegram has been blocked since 2015.
• Signal was banned in 2021, and in 2024, it was removed from the App Store.
• Facebook Messenger has been inaccessible since 2009, along with Facebook itself.
• Threads (a Meta app) failed to pass censorship and was removed from the App Store in 2024.
• Viber has been blocked since 2014.
• Snapchat has been banned since 2010.
• Discord has been blocked since 2018.

At the same time, WeChat does not support end-to-end encryption, and the company can access user messages. Based on its security characteristics, using this messenger poses significant risks to users’ privacy and safety.

Facebook Messenger: Deeply Embedded in the Meta Ecosystem

Launch Year: 2011

Country of Origin: USA

Parent Company: Meta Platforms, Inc.

Third-Party Audits: No independent audits identified.

Messenger is integrated into Meta’s broader Facebook ecosystem.

Functionality
The Messenger supports text and file exchange, voice and video calls, group chats, disappearing messages, and location sharing.

Security
End-to-end encryption (E2EE) is available only for private chats in the mobile version and is disabled by default. The desktop version does not support E2EE at all. Meta, Messenger’s parent company, has been named in revelations concerning electronic surveillance programs (such as PRISM). User data may be accessible to intelligence agencies. Account deletion is only possible on Android, and user data is stored on Meta servers located in the U.S. and Europe.

Advantages of Messenger (Meta):

• Integration with Facebook
• Broad feature set
• Support for disappearing messages (mobile version)
• Option to delete account independently (Android only)

Drawbacks:

• End-to-end encryption (E2EE) is only available for private chats on the mobile version
• No E2EE support on the desktop version
• Encryption is not enabled by default
• User data may be shared with government authorities
• Full self-deletion of data from servers is only available on Android
• Centralized data storage on servers in the U.S. and Europe

Messenger offers a wide range of features and seamless integration with Facebook. However, from a security standpoint, the app has significant shortcomings. As the analysis indicates, Messenger may be suitable for everyday communication, but it is not recommended for sharing sensitive or private information.

Telegram: Easy to Use, Hard to Trust

Launch Year: 2013

Country of Origin: USA / UK / Belize / UAE

Parent Company: Telegram FZ-LLC, Telegram Messenger Inc., Telegram Group Inc.

Third-Party Audits:

• 2014: Telegram hosted a “Telegram Contest” challenge; the encryption of a “secret chat” was successfully broken during the event (1, 2).
• 2015: On the CCA (in)security of MTProto — conducted by the Department of Computer Science at Aarhus University, identifying cryptographic weaknesses in Telegram’s protocol.
• 2017: Security Analysis of Telegram — published by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), highlighting concerns with Telegram’s custom cryptographic implementation.

Functionality
Unlike Briar, which prioritizes security at the expense of convenience, Telegram offers a broad range of features. It supports text messaging, audio and video calls, group and channel creation, file sharing in any format, and the setup of secret chats with self-destructing messages. Users can also edit or delete already sent content.

Security
Despite its wide feature set and user-friendly interface, Telegram has significant security shortcomings. Regular chats do not use end-to-end encryption (E2EE); instead, they rely on a Client-Server/Server-Client scheme based on the MTProto 2.0 protocol. This means the company could access users’ conversations. End-to-end encryption is available only in secret chats and must be manually enabled. Additionally, Telegram does not disclose the physical locations of its servers.

Potential Cooperation with Russian Intelligence Services
This concern has been raised by the independent research initiative Kremlingram. According to their findings, despite Telegram’s public claims of independence and no ties to Russia, several factors raise red flags:

• Origins: The Messenger was created by Pavel Durov and a team of Russian developers previously involved with VKontakte (now VK).
• Infrastructure: Some investigations suggest that Telegram may be used for monitoring traffic and intelligence gathering within chats.
• Cooperation with Russian Authorities: Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has reported instances of Telegram cooperating with Roskomnadzor and the FSB, particularly in blocking channels at the request of Russian security agencies.

In March 2022, Brazil’s Supreme Court ordered a nationwide ban on Telegram. The platform had previously ignored court rulings, including failing to remove disinformation, lacking a local representative, and not responding to legal requests. Telegram later complied with all requirements, and the ban was lifted. The company issued an official apology, explaining that the court orders had not been seen because they were sent to an overloaded support email — a situation they attributed to the disruptions caused by the war in Ukraine.

Telegram is frequently used as a channel for corporate data leaks. It is also a standard tool in phishing attacks and account hijacking attempts. According to expert evaluations, Telegram ranks first in the number of negative mentions related to security.

Advantages of Telegram:

• One of the largest messengers in the world by user count
• Rich functionality: chats, channels, file sharing, video, and audio calls
• Option to enable self-destructing messages in secret chats
• Open-source client code

Drawbacks of Telegram:

• Regular chats do not use end-to-end encryption
• Secret chats must be manually enabled for enhanced security
• Servers may have access to the content of messages in regular chats
• High incidence of phishing attacks and data leaks

Telegram offers extensive functionality but falls short in terms of security. It may be suitable for everyday communication, but not for sharing confidential information.

Discord: Gaming Roots, Moderate Security

Launch Year: 2015

Country of Origin: USA

Parent Company: Discord Inc.

Third-Party Audits: No independent audits identified.

Discord was initially developed as a platform for gamers, but it has since evolved into a universal communication service. As of 2024, the platform has over 227 million monthly active users.

Functionality
The platform supports text and voice chats, video calls, file sharing, and integration with bots and third-party services. It is widely used for gaming communities, interest-based groups, and mod development for various games.

Security
Discord uses end-to-end encryption (E2EE) by default for audio and video calls. It also employs TLS/Noise protocols to encrypt network traffic. Additionally, private keys are generated and stored locally on the user’s device.

Advantages of Discord:

• Flexibility: Allows the creation of servers with multiple channels and customizable user roles
• Integration: Supports bots and third-party applications to extend platform functionality
• Audio/Video Rooms: Dedicated channels for real-time communication — convenient for meetings, gaming, or learning

Drawbacks of Discord:

• Not universal: Primarily used by gaming and tech communities; less suited for everyday or professional communication
• Metadata Collection: Collects user metadata, including device information and activity logs
• Security Concerns: It has been used to spread malicious content and coordinate illicit activities

Discord offers solid functionality and is well-suited for gaming, everyday voice communication, and educational use. Its level of security is best evaluated based on expert opinions. However, given the considerations outlined above, it is advisable to use more secure alternatives when discussing sensitive topics or transmitting confidential information.

Briar: Security First, Usability Last

Launch Year: 2018

Country of Origin: UK

Parent Organization: The project is overseen by a voluntary council—a group of individuals who elect new members annually and collectively determine how the community operates.

Third-Party Audits:

• 2017: Security firm Cure53 conducted an audit and noted that the “quality and readability of the application’s source code was quite exceptional.” They highlighted Briar’s strong understanding of vulnerability and threat models and recommended the Messenger as a secure option.
• 2023: Radically Open Security conducted a “white-box” security audit of Briar, providing auditors full access to the source code and system architecture. Following the October 2023 audit, the Briar team addressed reported issues. In February and March 2024 follow-ups, four out of six problems were resolved, with remaining issues planned for future updates (OTF-003 and OTF-005).

Functionality
Briar is a messenger explicitly designed for secure communication between activists and journalists. It is privacy-focused: all messages are end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) by default, metadata is encrypted, and no IP addresses or timestamps are logged. Registration does not require a phone number. Data transmits directly between devices via internet, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth, without central servers.

Security
Briar supports only basic messaging functionality. The app does not offer group audio or video calls, voice messages, and has limited options for editing or retracting messages. The interface is complex, and the app is available exclusively for Android.

Advantages of Briar:

• End-to-end encryption enabled by default
• No metadata collection
• Operates without central servers
• No phone number required for registration
• Screenshot blocking enabled by default
• Data transmission via Bluetooth or local network
• No advertisements
• Open-source code

Drawbacks of Briar:

• Limited functionality
• Small user base
• No audio or video call support
• Not available on iOS (Android only)
• Complex user interface

Although Briar offers a high level of privacy, it sacrifices almost all aspects of convenience. It is a messenger designed for specialized use rather than everyday communication.

Viber: A Balance Between Security and Functionality

Launch Year: 2010

Country of Origin: Luxembourg

Parent Company: Viber Media S.à r.l.

Third-Party Audits: Viber completed a SOC 2 Type II audit, which evaluates data security, privacy, and system availability. The audit was conducted by one of the Big Four firms (Deloitte, EY, KPMG, or PwC), confirming Viber’s adherence to high standards of information security.

According to expert surveys, Viber’s security level is not far behind that of Session. In Eastern Europe and certain regions of Asia, it remains one of the most popular messengers.

Functionality
Viber supports text messaging, group chats, audio and video calls, file sharing, disappearing messages, message editing, and deletion. It is available on Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS.

Security
Viber uses end-to-end encryption (E2EE) by default for personal chats and calls. However, some features — such as chat backups — are not encrypted, which may pose potential risks to users.

Experts rate Viber as having a medium level of trust. Concerns have been raised about its use in phishing campaigns. Security feature rollouts have been relatively slow in recent years. In open-source reviews, Viber ranks second after Telegram in terms of negative mentions.

Advantages of Viber:

• Personalization: Customizable interface with themes, stickers, and font options
• End-to-end encryption by default in private chats
• Supports file sharing, voice/video calls, and disappearing messages
• Widely available on both mobile and desktop platforms
• Large user base in Eastern Europe

Drawbacks of Viber:

• Unencrypted chat backups
• Phishing attacks reported on the platform
• Slow rollout of new security features in the past

Viber offers convenience and a basic level of data protection in private chats. However, certain technical limitations and a history of phishing attacks slightly undermine its reliability as a messenger for critically sensitive communication.

WhatsApp: User-Friendly, But Meta Holds the Keys

Launch Year: 2009

Country of Origin: USA

Parent Company: Meta Platforms, Inc.

Third-Party Audits: A 2016 study by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute examined WhatsApp’s security model and the role of metadata in maintaining user privacy.

Functionality
WhatsApp supports text messaging, audio and video calls, group chats, file sharing, status updates, and privacy features, including hiding IP addresses during calls and enabling disappearing messages.

Users have reported occasional issues with the desktop version, where they are unable to send messages in group chats despite still being listed as participants.

Security
WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption (E2EE) by default for all messages and calls, a key strength of the platform. However, the service is owned by Meta, which retains access to specific metadata. According to WhatsApp’s policy, in response to legal requests, the platform may begin logging data, including sender and recipient information, timestamps, and message types. User data is stored on Meta servers located in the U.S., Europe, and Asia.

Advantages of WhatsApp:

• End-to-end encryption (E2EE) by default for all messages and calls
• Large user base and active feature development
• IP address protection during calls
• Support for disappearing messages and limited message editing
• Audio and video conferencing capabilities

Drawbacks of WhatsApp:

• Owned by Meta, which has a policy of data processing and sharing upon request
• May collect and share user metadata
• Centralized data storage
• No option to use the service without linking a phone number

WhatsApp relies on centralized data storage and is subject to Meta’s control, which introduces potential privacy risks. As the analysis shows, the service is suitable for everyday communication, but not for confidential exchanges.

Session: Privacy at the Expense of Functionality

Launch Year: 2020

Country of Origin: Switzerland

Parent Organization: Nonprofit — Session Technology Foundation

Third-Party Audits: In May 2021, cybersecurity research firm Quarkslab conducted an audit of Session for Android, iOS, and desktop platforms. The audit identified two issues in the desktop client, seven in iOS, and seven in Android. One serious issue in the Android version has since been resolved according to the Session team (details).

Functionality
Session supports text messaging, group chats, and file sharing. It does not offer audio or video calls, status updates, stories, or advanced multimedia features. The app is available on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Security
Session focuses on privacy and anonymity. Registration does not require a phone number or email, and end-to-end encryption (E2EE) is enabled by default for all messages. Traffic routes through a decentralized network of servers, making user tracing more difficult. Delivery metadata is minimized to reduce information leaks.

Advantages of Session:

• Complete anonymity: no phone number or email required for registration
• End-to-end encryption enabled by default
• No metadata collection
• Available on multiple operating systems
• Open-source code

Drawbacks of Session:

• No audio or video calling
• Possible delays in message delivery
• Limited functionality

Session is a solid choice for users prioritizing anonymity and privacy. However, its limited functionality means it is not suitable as a social network or super-app for bloggers and influencers.

Signal: Secure by Design, Usable by Default

Launch Year: 2012

Country of Origin: USA

Parent Organization: Signal Foundation — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit U.S. corporation exempt from federal income tax.

Third-Party Audits:

Signal maintains a publicly available list of all security audits.

• 2022: Signal Android audit conducted by Jihun Son et al.
• 2023: Session-Handling audit by Cas Cremers et al., published through USENIX.

Functionality
The messenger supports message editing, deletion, and self-destruction via timer, screenshot restrictions, and profile privacy settings. Signal is available on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Security
Registration in Signal requires a phone number. This remains virtually the only vulnerability in terms of complete anonymity. Currently, Signal holds high credibility among experts, who emphasize its security and privacy. Signal employs end-to-end encryption (E2EE) by default for all messages, audio, and video calls. Calls are conducted via VoIP (internet-based calls rather than mobile networks), masking users’ real IP addresses. Both client and server code are open source, allowing independent security verification.

Advantages of Signal:

• End-to-end encryption enabled by default across all communication types;
• IP address masking during calls;
• Open-source client and server code;
• Message self-destruction and account privacy controls;
• Support for text, file sharing, audio, and video calls.

Disadvantages of Signal:

• Group calls are possible only among participants of a single chat, provided all use the latest app version; limited to 50 participants;
• Requires phone number registration. Signal is among the most secure options for private communication. According to this analysis, despite the necessity of phone number registration, the level of data protection and transparency in the messenger’s operation positions it as one of the best solutions for confidential correspondence.

Threema: Encrypted Communication, Made in Switzerland

Security: Ranked 1st

Functionality & User Base: Ranked 7th

Launch Year: 2012

Country of Origin: Switzerland

Parent Company: Threema GmbH

Third-Party Audits:

• 2023: Audit conducted by a group of Swiss researchers titled “Three Lessons From Threema: Analysis of a Secure Messenger,” providing an in-depth analysis of Threema’s architecture and cryptographic implementation.
• 2024: Audit by Cure53 of Threema’s new desktop application, with detailed findings published in an official blog post and accompanying audit report.

Threema is a paid messenger. For private use, a one-time payment of $5.99 or €6.00 is required. Business plans are available under the Threema Work offering:

• Core: $3.00/month per user
• Professional: $5.00/month per user
• OnPrem: Custom pricing — for organizations seeking complete control over their infrastructure

According to Threema, there are no subscriptions or hidden fees.

Functionality
Threema supports text messaging, voice and video calls, file sharing, group chats, and self-destructing messages. It also includes screenshot restrictions. The app is available on Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS.

Security
Threema is a Swiss paid messenger that prioritizes user security and privacy. It uses end-to-end encryption (E2EE) by default for all messages, calls, and files. Registration does not require a phone number or email — instead, users are assigned a unique Threema ID. All data is transmitted through Swiss-based servers, subject to strict privacy laws.

Advantages of Threema:

• Registration without a phone number or email
• End-to-end encryption for all types of communication
• Swiss servers and strict data protection regulations
• Fully open-source code for independent security verification
• Supports disappearing messages, group chats, file sharing, and voice/video calls

Drawbacks of Threema:

• Paid Messenger (currently $4.99 one-time purchase)
• Less widely adopted among general users

Threema is a messenger for those willing to pay for anonymity. The app provides secure communication for both private and business users.

Expert Opinions on Messengers and Cybersecurity

After speaking with cybersecurity experts, they highlight Signal as a standout in terms of privacy, boasting end-to-end encryption in all chats, minimal data collection, and a high level of trust in its developers. Signal is recommended for government officials and military personnel during wartime, as well as for journalists and human rights defenders, though with certain caveats.

“On the front lines — no phones at all. For transmitting sensitive information, only on-prem messengers (like the Matrix or Jabber families), ideally developed specifically in Ukraine.”
— Vitalii Yakushev, CEO at 10Guards.

When it comes to anonymity, experts recommend Session or Threema, emphasizing their high levels of protection and the fact that they do not require a phone number for registration, though they are limited in functionality.

“It’s not the algorithm that matters, but its implementation. On paper, all messengers look secure, but even small flaws in generating random numbers can make keys predictable.”
— Vitalii Yakushev, CEO at 10Guards.

Viber is seen as a compromise, often chosen simply because contacts are already using it.

“People usually pick the Messenger where their friends and relatives are. It’s good they use Viber, which has end-to-end encryption by default, and not Telegram, which doesn’t.”
— Roman Osadchuk, Director of Threat Intelligence at LetsData.

Telegram, despite its popularity, is not recommended for transmitting sensitive information due to the lack of end-to-end encryption in default chats and the potential risks posed by its server architecture. Experts advise against using WeChat altogether, as it has the lowest level of security and allows Chinese state authorities open access to user data.

In conclusion, your choice of Messenger should depend on your priorities. There’s no such thing as a perfect messenger, but some pose real risks to your security, and those should be avoided.

If you need maximum anonymity, there are two options: Session or Threema. If additional security isn’t your top priority and you need a basic, everyday communication tool, consider using WhatsApp or Viber. Telegram is convenient, but risky.

Still, even the most secure messengers can’t protect you from human error. For example, in March 2025, The Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg received an invitation to join a private Signal chat from U.S. National Security Adviser Michael Waltz. Soon, the journalist found himself in the “Houthi PC small group” chat, where members of Donald Trump’s administration were discussing strikes on Yemen scheduled for March 15.