WhatsApp (which is owned by Facebook) is a popular app for Android and iOS devices. Despite its newly amended privacy policy, the programme, which is mostly used as a chat platform, has been plagued by privacy difficulties for some time. The policy explains how it collects information from the Facebook app, its products, and your devices in detail.
With multiple security breaches entering the news, particularly after Facebook’s acquisition of WhatsApp in 2014, users began looking for WhatsApp alternatives that provide a pleasant and user-friendly messaging platform while adhering to strict privacy laws and policies. In this article, you’ll learn about safe alternatives to Whatsapp that will help you maintain your privacy.
WhatsApp New Privacy Policy Explained: Why Use Its Alternatives?
- You can’t use WhatsApp without accepting their new privacy policy in many countries.
- As per the new privacy policy, your chat with any business accounts on WhatsApp will be shared with Facebook and their advertising partners.
- Almost every popular company is using WhatsApp business account to provide customer support. Many people are concerned about the sensitive data (credit cards, transaction id, address, phone, name, date of birth, owned product details, etc.,) that they share while interacting with such business accounts to get customer support
- If you interact with Facebook Shop via WhatsApp, your shopping activity can be used to show ads on Facebook. These are the main reasons people are switching to secure WhatsApp replacements.
10 Secure WhatsApp Alternatives (Private, Protect Privacy):
1. Signal Private Messenger
Signal is one of the most secure WhatsApp alternatives, thanks to its open-source Signal protocol and state-of-the-art end-to-end encryption. It is similar to Messenger, Skype, iMessage, and WhatsApp in terms of functionalities.
It offers one-on-one or group messaging, as well as the exchange of music, documents, stickers, images, and video material across secured routes. On Android, iPhone, and iPad, Signal Private Messanger is accessible. On Google Play, the app has a 4.4 rating.
Signal is open-source, which is one of its best features. Another feature emphasising the company’s strict security precautions is its self-destructing texts, which tend to vanish after a while. Unlike Facebook and WhatsApp, the encryption prevents even the proprietors of the company from seeing customers’ personal information.
With its ad-free function, you may feel safe and free. There’s also no weird tracking. The app is also free. It does not require registration, so no personal information is required. To sign up, all you’ll need is your phone number.
2. Telegram
Telegram, one of the most real WhatsApp competitors in terms of comfort, convenience, and simplicity, has won many hearts since its inception in 2013. Telegram, like WhatsApp, features an open API and source code that anybody may use. The programme is also known for its endless storage of media and communications.
Telegram groups can have up to 200,000 people in them. It also allows you to log into your account from a variety of devices. Its Secret Mode feature is well-known for its secure system, which keeps hackers away from sensitive data. When you use Secret Mode and erase messages, they are removed from all devices, including the Telegram server as well as your phone.
Telegram Bots are one of the app’s unique features, allowing you to use chatbots to integrate various services and automation into the app. It has a 4.5 rating on Google Play. The app is completely free, fast, and secure, and all you need to login is your phone number. Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and the web are all supported by the phone.
3. Kik
Kik is a WhatsApp replacement that does not require a phone number. It simply asks for your email address, which is great for those who don’t want to reveal their phone number, as WhatsApp does. A unique user ID is created when you sign up with your email address.
You can use the platform for instant messaging. Its real-time video calling quality is equivalent to that of Skype and FaceTime. You can join or quit the video conversation at any time by switching the video call toggle.
Emojis, stickers, GIFs, images, and videos may all be shared with its endless instant messaging feature. Another distinguishing feature is its Bots support, which is not available in WhatsApp. You may use these bots to do quizzes, acquire the latest news, get fashion advice, and much more.
4. Discord
Discord began as a game chat programme and has now evolved into one of the greatest alternatives to WhatsApp and other messaging apps like Slack. The software is perfect for school clubs, gamers, artists, and friends who want to keep in touch. One of its most appealing features is the ‘Pals’ page, which allows you to add friends by clicking on their username or gamer tags.
Its distinctiveness stems from the fact that it is both server-based and allows private messaging, similar to WhatsApp. You can form groups of up to ten friends, just like in the latter. You can even start your own Discord server if you need more. It’s compatible with iPhone, iPad, Android, the web, Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.
Spotify, Twitch, YouTube, Steam, Reddit, Facebook, Xbox Live, GitHub, and Battle.net are all integrated. The app is completely free, as well as private and safe. It’s also a WhatsApp alternative that doesn’t require a phone number. On Google Play, it has a 4.5 rating. You now understand why you can replace WhatsApp with Discord without remorse.
5. Snapchat
Snapchat is more of a social media app than a standard messaging app, with a 3.8 rating on the App Store. It includes basic messaging features including group chatting, voice calling, group voice calling, gif sharing, and more. It’s a unique and innovative chat service that can easily be used as a substitute for WhatsApp Messenger.
Many of the features available on Messenger and WhatsApp are inspired by Snapchat. One of its most well-known features is its disappearing messages, which act as a safety precaution. The app is free to download and works on both Android and iOS devices.
6. Threema
Threema is a safe, free, and open-source WhatsApp rival recognised for its instant messaging app. It provides end-to-end encryption and privacy-compliant messaging for businesses of all sizes. Apart from its encrypted communication, it stands out as a WhatsApp competitor that does not require a phone number. Its anonymous chatting feature is another safe feature.
Threema is interested in either your phone number or your email address, which it uses to generate a unique and random Threema ID. There is no advertising in the app, and access to user data is limited. The services are GDPR-compliant, which means that every work, from software development to customer care, is completed in-house, providing superior security.
Other unique features include fingerprinting protected chats, generating polls in groups, and encrypting communications with passwords, among others. This is a premium app, but given the level of security it provides, it is well worth it. It has a 4.6 rating on Google Play as well. It’s compatible with both Android and iOS devices.
7. Keybase
Keybase is a one-of-a-kind WhatsApp alternative that is more than just a chat app. The Keybase Chat and Keybase File System provide encryption for chats and cloud systems. Given its open-source nature and end-to-end encryption of data, it is a viable alternative to WhatsApp for protecting privacy.
Keybase has a number of peculiar features, one of which is that it does not allow you to take screenshots of the chats. There is no request for your phone number or email address. As a result, keeping in touch with folks with whom you don’t want to reveal any of your personal information is perfect.
It’s a free app that’s one of the few WhatsApp alternatives that runs on Linux. Android (4.0 rating on Google Play), iOS, macOS, Linux, and Windows are all supported by the app. If you’re seeking for a free and secure WhatsApp alternative, get it now.
8. Skype
Skype is a telecommunications application that specialises in video and audio calling. There is no need to download or register for the app. All you have to do now is search for the app on a search engine and install it. Skype is easily the greatest WhatsApp Messenger replacement for business applications due of its convenience and simplicity.
It’s great for both voice and video chat. When used only for personal chats, though, it is not as impressive or comfortable as WhatsApp. The app provides low-cost phone calls. When it comes to emergency phone calls, though, the app isn’t the best solution.
The Skype app also includes features such as call recording, live subtitles, screen sharing, and smart messaging, which allows you to utilise humorous reactions and mention usernames with @mentions to catch their attention.
Because of its industry-standard end-to-end encryption, it can be considered a private alternative to WhatsApp. Skype is available on the phone, on the desktop, on the web, on tablets, on Alexa, and on Xbox. Now you may enjoy HD video calling with your peers by downloading it from Google Play (4.3 stars).
9. Wire
Wire is a collaborative communication tool that is one of the WhatsApp alternatives to maintain privacy. The application is mostly used for corporate chats, one-click conference calls, file sharing, and business document sharing, but it is also used for personal talks. It provides end-to-end data encryption, making it notable for its high level of security for businesses.
The Wire app is open-source and governed in a strict and transparent manner. It follows strict governance guidelines and is regularly audited. Wire complies with GDPR and is SOX-ready. You can access your account using up to eight linked devices. Wire is also known for enabling Messaging Layer Security (MLS), a technology that extends encryption to group messages in addition to encryption.
The app is accessible for a monthly fee. The Wire Enterprise, which offers high-level security for regulated sectors and government organisations, starts at $9.50 per user per month. The application is well worth the money because of the high level of compliance and regulatory requirements.
10. Session Private Messenger
Session Private Messanger is a WhatsApp alternative that is noted for its privacy protection. It sends all messages through an onion routing channel, which eliminates the possibility of gathering metadata. So you may use a secure network to chat, send voice messages, and share media attachments without jeopardising security.
Another WhatsApp alternative that does not require your phone number is Session. It is based on a decentralised network and the Modified Signal protocol, which allows metadata to be sent in place of messages. If you need privacy and independence from surveillance, the private messaging app is an excellent choice.
Because the app does not require your phone number, you are safe from data breaches and tracking. It’s completely free and unaffected by censorship. It’s available for Android, iPhone, APK, and PC. If you want a private messenger, do it right now.
Conclusion
This brings us to the conclusion of the article. The top ten WhatsApp alternatives listed above are mostly focused on text messaging and multimedia sharing. You can always count on Wire as a business, and if you want the greatest quality HD video calling, Skype is the best option. Kik, Discord, and Threema are the finest WhatsApp alternatives without phone numbers.
The majority of them are no-cost options. Threema, on the other hand, is well worth every money when it comes to providing 100 percent industry-standard protection. I hope that the information in this article will assist you in finding the finest WhatsApp alternative as quickly as possible.