While it is true that WhatsApp has become ubiquitous with mobile messaging, not everyone is comfortable with it, due to the volume of conversations that tend to overwhelm. Do you suffer from WhatsApp fatigue? Or even, you are not very convinced with the privacy problems of this application? We invite you to consider other options.
Element
Formerly known as Riot.im , Element uses Matrix as its back-end and is a great chat app for those who like open source end-to-end. Absolutely everything, from the chat client, its chat protocol and the video conferencing software, are open source, hence it is one of the strengths why this app is so respectful of privacy. The setup is simple, you can register directly from the app without a phone number (a great advantage if you don’t have access to a mobile number), and the options are generally quite transparent.
Telegram
If what you prefer is something more similar to WhatsApp and linked to your phone number, Telegram is one of the best alternatives, although we must remember that the experts have pointed out that Telegram services are not so secure and that their encryption end-to-end is not configured by default. If you still want to try it, this app offers the option to share files, configure messages to self-destruct and chat in groups of up to 200,000 users. You can also sync messages across all your devices and it’s completely free too.
Signal
When it comes to looking for other options to WhatsApp, Signal is at the forefront. Its popularity is largely due to the company’s stance on user privacy. It is encrypted from one end to the other, like WhatsApp. But what distinguishes Signal from WhatsApp? The fact that the application is open source. All of its code is available on the Internet and is subject to public scrutiny. This means that if there are any privacy issues, security experts can verify them. In fact, WhatsApp’s internal encryption system is built with Signal code. Functionally it is very similar to WhatsApp whether it is to send messages, create groups, make group voice and video calls (up to eight participants) or send stickers. It is also free.
Wickr Me
Probably one of the best privacy-oriented messaging apps. Wickr, like Element, doesn’t require a phone number to log in and contains all sorts of entertaining features like stickers and emojis. But this is where the similarities end . Wickr does not store our contacts on its servers, does not save metadata and irretrievably deletes messages when we request it. It’s free, doesn’t include ads, and encrypts data to unsuspected limits.
Discord
Although it started as a gaming chat platform, it has grown into something much bigger: an alternative to apps like Slack and WhatsApp . It is a server-based messaging app, but it also has a private messages feature that is very similar to WhatsApp. From the “Friends” tab, we can add friends using their username or player tag. It can also be used for private messaging, group chats, group calls, media sharing, and more . And if you need more, you can always start your own Discord server . It is also free.
