{% t Encrypted Instant Messenger %}

{% t If you are currently using an Instant Messenger like Telegram, LINE, Viber, WhatsApp, or plain SMS you should pick an alternative here. %}

{% include cardv2.html title="Signal" image="/assets/img/tools/Signal.png" description="Signal is a mobile app developed by Open Whisper Systems. The app provides instant messaging, as well as voice and video calling. All communications are end-to-end encrypted. Signal is free and open source." labels="success:VoIP" website="https://signal.org/" forum="https://forum.privacytools.io/t/discussion-signal/664" github="https://github.com/signalapp" windows="https://signal.org/download/" mac="https://signal.org/download/" linux="https://signal.org/download/" googleplay="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.thoughtcrime.securesms" android="https://signal.org/android/apk/#apk-danger" ios="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/signal-private-messenger/id874139669" %}

{% t Complete Comparison %}

{% t securechatguide.org %} - {% t Guide to Choosing a Messenger. %}
{% t securemessagingapps.com %} - {% t Secure Messaging Apps Comparison. %}
{% t thinkprivacy.io %} - {% t Simple Secure Messaging Apps Comparison. %}

{% t Worth Mentioning %}

{% t Briar %} - {% t An ultra-secure peer-to-peer instant messenger that connects to contacts via Direct Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Tor over the internet, keeping its users protected from surveillance and censorship. %}
{% t Riot %} - {% t An open-source, federated messenger that utilizes the Matrix protocol. This application is primarily recommended as a large group/team chat solution. While Riot has the ability to perform 1-on-1 communications we believe there are better solutions for direct communications. %}
{% t RetroShare %} - {% t An end-to-end encrypted instant messaging and voice/video call client. RetroShare supports both TOR and I2P. %}
{% t XMPP %} - {% t Federated instant messaging protocol with OMEMO, OTR, or OpenPGP end-to-end encryption: %}

{% t Conversations %} ({% t Android %}) - {% t An open-source Jabber/XMPP client for Android 4.4+ smartphones. %} {% t OMEMO %}
{% t Gajim %} ({% t FreeBSD, Linux, Windows %}) - {% t An open-source fully featured XMPP client.%} {% t OMEMO %}
{% t Monal %} ({% t iOS, MacOS %}) - {% t An XMPP client in active development. %} {% t OMEMO %} {% t VoIP %}
{% t Other OMEMO-ready clients %}

{% t Kontalk %} - {% t A community-driven instant messaging network. Supports end-to-end encryption. Both client-to-server and server-to-server channels are fully encrypted. %}
{% t Keybase %} - {% t Warning %} {% t End-to-end encrypted messaging with social verification. %}
{% t Status %} - {% t Experimental %} {% t A free and open-source, peer-to-peer, encrypted instant messanger with support for DAPPs. %}
{% t Tox %} - {% t Experimental %} {% t A free and open-source, peer-to-peer, encrypted instant messaging, and video calling software.%} {% t VoIP %}
{% t Jami (formerly Ring/SFLphone) %} - {% t Gives you full control over your communications and an unmatched level of privacy. Jami has text messaging, video and audio calls, file transfer, and video conferencing. %} {% t VoIP %}

{% t Related Information %}

{% t Chatting in Secret While We're All Being Watched - firstlook.org %}
{% t Advanced users with special needs can download the Signal APK directly. Most users should not do this under normal circumstances. %}
{% t Independent security audits %}

{% tA Formal Security Analysis of the Signal Messaging Protocol (2019) by Katriel Cohn-Gordon, Cas Cremers, Benjamin Dowling, Luke Garratt and Douglas Stebila %}
{% tKeybase's Protocol Security Review (2019) by NCC Group %}