Data is one of the most sought after commodities in the modern world, so it comes as no surprise that a lot of people would love to get their hands on your private information.
This includes the messages you send and receive. It’s more important than ever to have the ability to message others safely, and that’s why you should consider an encrypted messaging app.
So, what is the best encrypted messaging app?
Viber
Viber is a messaging and calling app that is available for free. The manufacturers at Viber pride themselves on their simple and easy to use service model.
It looks as though this model is paying off because Viber reportedly has over 1 billion users worldwide.
This is pretty impressive, and we can understand why so many people choose this app for their daily messaging.
Viber uses end-to-end encryption so that any information you share on the app will remain private forever.
Only your intended recipients’ device will receive your messages as they are sent in a coded format, and we found this service to be very efficient.
With no lag, you can always experience the benefits of instant messaging.
The app also offers HD video calls and you can participate in group calls of up to 20 people. If you’re working in business, Viber could be a great tool for meetings.
The only noticeable downside is that some users have complained about a lack of customer service from Viber.
Overall, it’s a great and effective app, so we hope that they work hard to rectify any customer service issues they may be experiencing in order to create a better all-round experience for consumers.
Pros
- Very fast
- High-quality video calls
- Versatile app with customizable functions
- Free
- Secure
Cons
- Some users complain about a lack of customer service
WhatsApp is a huge messaging app that is reportedly used by over 1.5 billion people. It’s quite likely that you’ve used it yourself, but we still think it’s worth checking out some of its features.
WhatsApp is as easy to use as it gets. With a straightforward messaging system in place, you can chat with individuals and groups with the same free-flowing clarity.
WhatsApp regularly updates with the latest security features and is always changing to suit current technological trends.
You can send photos, videos, and other multimedia files over WhatsApp, whether it’s for business or simply to share the joy with your friends.
You can also use WhatsApp on your desktop by using the WhatsApp for web function.
This is really useful if you’re doing work on your laptop, but still, need to check your messages.
The only minor downside is that WhatsApp is owned by Facebook, and as we know, Facebook has been the subject of several controversial data scandals. As an encrypted messaging service, it manages to make your chats completely unviewable to outside parties, but it’s definitely worth taking the Facebook ownership into consideration before you download the app.
Pros
- Very easy to use
- Fast
- Great multimedia features
- You can use it on your desktop
- No international charges
Cons
- WhatsApp is connected to Facebook
LINE
Line is an instant messaging app with all of the features you’d expect. It’s really easy to use, and this partly down to its design.
It has a simple and straightforward look which makes everything really clear when it comes to navigating around the various functions that the app can perform.
This level of user interface is quite impressive and makes Line a great app in terms of usability.
In terms of speed, you can’t really complain when using Line as it is quite a fast and effective messaging service. It also has some interesting and unique features such as the Shake It! function.
The Shake It! function allows users to exchange details and add each other as contacts by simply shaking their devices next to each other. This is quite innovative and makes connecting with others much more convenient and achievable.
A downside to this app is that Line doesn’t automatically use end-to-end encryption. This function can be put to use by activating a feature called Letter Sealing within the app.
Although the encryption services they offer are effective, some users may not realize they have Letter Sealing turned off or may accidentally turn it off in settings, and this could lead to problems.
Overall, the app is a great messaging service that is available for free, so we still recommend it.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Fast
- Free
- “Shake It!” function allows users to exchange details quickly
- Strong user community
Cons
- Not as secure as other apps encrypted apps
Telegram
Telegram is a hugely popular messaging app. It’s hard to find much wrong with this app. It’s one of the fastest messaging apps we’ve come across, with Telegram claiming they’re the fastest available.
This could easily be true. It also has a lot of unique features that make it stand out.
Have you ever been writing a message on your phone, but it’s suddenly lost power? If you have Telegram on your PC or any other device, the message will still be there, ready for continuation.
It’s also really secure and uses a combination of 256-bit symmetric AES encryption, 2048-bit RSA encryption, and Diffie-Helman secure key exchange. In simple terms, it’s safe.
You can also choose to have secret chats in which your messages are deleted after the recipient has read them. Telegram is really quite impressive, with the capability to create huge group chats of up to 200,000 and share large files of any type.
Seamless, reliable, and easy to use, we highly recommend Telegram.
Pros
- One of the fastest messaging apps
- Perfectly syncs with your other devices
- Very secure
- Powerful chat capabilities
- Reliable and easy to use
Cons
- Some users dislike the design
KakaoTalk
KakaoTalk has everything you’d want in terms of messaging. It’s a well-designed app that looks great. This makes it much easier to use, which adds a high level of convenience to the whole experience.
KakaoTalk also has unlimited group chat capabilities, so if you need to create chats with a large number of members then this could be the app for you.
This could be particularly useful if you run a business, or simply wish to communicate with your colleagues to discuss a project.
KakaoTalk doesn’t suffer from lag and runs very smoothly across most devices. Needless to say, KakaoTalk fully encrypts your messages. It’s safe and secure.
Although the size of the app varies depending on which device you use, it doesn’t take up an unnecessary amount of storage.
A small downside to this app is it sometimes feels as though they offer too many features. The scheduling functions are great, but things like Kakao Mobile Games could get in the way.
Despite this, it’s free, efficient, and easy to use. KakaoTalk suits a wide variety of users, so it could be worth considering.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Convenient
- Fast
- Unlimited group chat capabilities
- Free
Cons
- Some features feel unnecessary
Messaging apps are one of the most convenient parts of modern life.
It used to take so long to communicate with the people we cared about if they were far away, and now, a conversation lies at your fingertips.
With this growing convenience, comes several serious inconveniences.
As was mentioned previously, data is a valuable commodity, and a lot of different people would love to get their hands on yours.
From marketing companies to hackers, we have to be careful of where our valuable information goes.
That’s why it’s important to combine the benefits of an instant messenger with the security of encryption technology.
In this section, we’ll be taking a look at what you need to consider when acquiring an encrypted messaging app.
End to End Encryption
This seems somewhat obvious, but an end to end encryption is crucial for private messaging.
So, what exactly is end to end encryption? It’s when you secure messages between two or more parties so that only the directed participants can view them.
Copies of your messages will not be stored on servers, so, therefore, they can’t be accessed by outside parties.
This means that your ISP (internet service provider), the government, and even the app maker, cannot view your messages without your consent.
If privacy is important to you, then you need to seek out a messaging app with end to end encryption.
Multimedia
We recommend you look for an app that doesn’t just offer messaging services alone.
Encrypted messaging apps should also provide photos, video, and other multimedia sharing options. As well as this, video and audio calls are always an advantage, preferably in HD quality.
Many apps offer these features, but it’s always useful to double-check that the app you’re viewing isn’t purely text-based.
Sync
If you’re planning on using a messaging app across several devices then it’s important to ensure that the app has good multi-platform sync features.
For example, some apps such as WhatsApp can be used on your phone and PC at the same time, but you need to be connected on your phone for this to work.
Other apps, such as Telegram, can keep unfinished messages ready across all of your devices whilst still encrypting them.
Make sure you look for an app with regular updates and synchronization or you might lose some chat logs that you want to keep.
Price
Most end-to-end encryption messengers are free, but some will use ads to fund themselves.
This can be somewhat irritating while you’re trying to engage in chats, so always check whether an app comes with ads on Google Play, Apple, or whatever store you acquire your apps from.
Our Pick
Recap
With so many amazing encrypted messaging apps available for free, it can be hard to narrow your choice down to just one. Each service is unique and will suit different users’ needs.
Our top pick is the best encrypted messaging app is WhatsApp. There are many reasons why it’s one of the most popular and well-known apps in the world.
Secure messages, ease of use, and speed all come into it. The layout and design are eye-catching and unique, and it always updates when its time to provide users with the best service possible.
WhatsApp Web is a feature that works really well and is often used by people who work at a PC or Mac in order to increase efficiency.
We hope you found this article helpful and find the best encrypted messaging app for you. Thanks for reading!
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