The best WhatsApp alternatives compared
When WhatsApp launched its messenger service in 2009, it was a small revolution as we communicate with each other on the go. This made the SMS almost obsolete.
And that was not only because the news so to speak – due to Internet flat rates – were free, but also in the possibilities images, videos, audio, and much more. The good old SMS simply could not keep up anymore. However, the world’s most-used messenger has also fallen into disrepute since its acquisition by Facebook in 2014. This concerns first and foremost the topic of data protection, in which Facebook initially stated that the exchange of data between Facebook and WhatsApp was not possible at all, and then later had to row back ruefully, and revised this statement again.
According to the latest confirmed reports that from 2019 advertising will now appear in WhatsApp at the expense of data security, more and more people are thinking about the alternatives that deserve your name and offer the same range of functions.
We have selected from the available offer of the alternatives to WhatsApp the best in our view, and present them here.
The best WhatsApp alternatives compared
When WhatsApp launched its messenger service in 2009, it was a small revolution as we communicate with each other on the go. This made the SMS almost obsolete.
And that was not only because the news so to speak – due to Internet flat rates – were free, but also in the possibilities images, videos, audio, and much more. The good old SMS simply could not keep up anymore. However, the world’s most-used messenger has also fallen into disrepute since its acquisition by Facebook in 2014. This concerns first and foremost the topic of data protection, in which Facebook initially stated that the exchange of data between Facebook and WhatsApp was not possible at all, and then later had to row back ruefully, and revised this statement again.
According to the latest confirmed reports that from 2019 advertising will now appear in WhatsApp at the expense of data security, more and more people are thinking about the alternatives that deserve your name and offer the same range of functions.
We have selected from the available offer of the alternatives to WhatsApp the best in our view, and present them here.
1. Messenger: Signal
1. Messenger: Signal
The free messenger signal from Open Whisper Systems is available for iOS, Android, Windows, Mac and Linux.
The encrypted sending of text messages, photos, videos and other files to individuals and groups is of course standard here. Calls can also be made via a mobile data connection. The encryption method of the messages was created here by the developer himself, so that hackers do much harder to get your data.
When it comes to taking over contacts, it behaves just like WhatsApp. These are only displayed in the messenger if the own contacts also use this service.
The free messenger signal from Open Whisper Systems is available for iOS, Android, Windows, Mac and Linux.
The encrypted sending of text messages, photos, videos and other files to individuals and groups is of course standard here. Calls can also be made via a mobile data connection. The encryption method of the messages was created here by the developer himself, so that hackers do much harder to get your data.
When it comes to taking over contacts, it behaves just like WhatsApp. These are only displayed in the messenger if the own contacts also use this service.
2. Messenger: Telegram
2. Messenger: Telegram
The Telegram Messenger is also available for free in the app stores for iOS, Android, and Windows even as a PC version.
Telegram can create groups of up to 100,000 members, which is quite a considerable number. As far as data protection is concerned, the developers promise secure use through encryption, but Telegram is viewed critically by German privacy advocates because the location of the server is not clearly visible to the user.
If you use the chats in Telegram this is in the first time unencrypted, and must be actively started as a “Secret Chat”.
According to their own information, the company is based in Dubai, but this is not apparent on its homepage https://telegram.org/. For here, in our view, important information such as privacy policy and imprint are missing.
The Telegram Messenger is also available for free in the app stores for iOS, Android, and Windows even as a PC version.
Telegram can create groups of up to 100,000 members, which is quite a considerable number. As far as data protection is concerned, the developers promise secure use through encryption, but Telegram is viewed critically by German privacy advocates because the location of the server is not clearly visible to the user.
If you use the chats in Telegram this is in the first time unencrypted, and must be actively started as a “Secret Chat”.
According to their own information, the company is based in Dubai, but this is not apparent on its homepage https://telegram.org/. For here, in our view, important information such as privacy policy and imprint are missing.
3. Messenger: Threema
3. Messenger: Threema
Although Threema is not free to have, allerdigs is the price with just under 3 euros which once incurred quite appropriate.
Text, images, audio and video files and even locations can be sent encrypted via Threema. The secure encryption of messages is in addition to the large range of functions to the standard, and is advertised by the developers based in Switzerland to the core competencies of this messenger.
Group chats for up to 50 members and an encrypted file transfer are also possible.
As far as privacy is concerned, Threema is one of the best alternatives to WhatsApp. Because here the operators do not store any connection data or telephone numbers. When it comes to functionality, Threema also does not need to hide, and offers everything you expect from a contemporary messenger service.
4. Messenger: Wire
4. Messenger: Wire
The Messenger Wire is as well as Telegram and Signal free for Android, Apple iOS and Windows Phone to have.
This is a Swiss company which promises the encrypted exchange of texts, photos and videos. Furthermore, individual and group calls via VOIP are also possible here. An interesting feature for some users is the ability to share audio and video content from portals such as Soundcloud, Spotify and Youtube.
The source code is open-source and thus completely visible.
The servers of the company are according to own data in Germany and Ireland.
The Messenger Wire is as well as Telegram and Signal free for Android, Apple iOS and Windows Phone to have.
This is a Swiss company which promises the encrypted exchange of texts, photos and videos. Furthermore, individual and group calls via VOIP are also possible here. An interesting feature for some users is the ability to share audio and video content from portals such as Soundcloud, Spotify and Youtube.
The source code is open-source and thus completely visible.
The servers of the company are according to own data in Germany and Ireland.
5. Conclusion
5. Conclusion
Of course, there are a whole series of other messengers that are all very similar in terms of their functionality, and also advertise secure communication through more or less complex encryption procedures.
We recommend the Threema service for the 4 messengers we tested, as it seems to offer the highest level of security in addition to convenient operation. Of course, the choice you make depends not only on the quality, but also on how many of your own contacts participate. Because if you have a very safe and comfortable messenger, but you stand alone with it, no one is served.
It is clear, however, that if you like messenger like WhatsApp belonging to a global corporation like Facebook through convenience gets bigger, and thus also makes a monopolist, this one eventually gives the carte blanche to do everything he wants.
Our recommendation is therefore to choose one of the safe and ad-free alternatives that is already used by your own contacts, or there is at least the willingness to change.
Of course, there are a whole series of other messengers that are all very similar in terms of their functionality, and also advertise secure communication through more or less complex encryption procedures.
We recommend the Threema service for the 4 messengers we tested, as it seems to offer the highest level of security in addition to convenient operation. Of course, the choice you make depends not only on the quality, but also on how many of your own contacts participate. Because if you have a very safe and comfortable messenger, but you stand alone with it, no one is served.
It is clear, however, that if you like messenger like WhatsApp belonging to a global corporation like Facebook through convenience gets bigger, and thus also makes a monopolist, this one eventually gives the carte blanche to do everything he wants.
Our recommendation is therefore to choose one of the safe and ad-free alternatives that is already used by your own contacts, or there is at least the willingness to change.
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