Are you done with WhatsApp? You are not alone: more and more people are turning their backs on the Facebook subsidiary. But, through which app can you chat with family and friends? In our opinion, these are the best alternatives to WhatsApp.
4 alternatives to WhatsApp
WhatsApp was bought by Facebook in 2014. While the former firmly claimed to stick to its core values, lately we’ve been seeing the two creep closer and closer together. WhatsApp, for example, obliges non-European users to share their data with Facebook.
This pisses off many users. After all, Facebook does not have a flawless reputation when it comes to privacy. From the large-scale Cambridge Analytica scandal, multiple data breaches to passwords that were public for a long time, Facebook and privacy are not always a good combination.
This list is therefore for people who want to turn their backs on the Facebook chat app, for example because they are concerned about privacy. In no particular order, feel free to try these WhatsApp alternatives.
Index: WhatsApp Alternatives
1. Signal
Signal has been on the rise lately. The app essentially does the same as WhatsApp, but is slightly less extensive. Fortunately, Signal is very good at what it is intended for: chatting. Messages are encrypted by default and the ‘key’ that gives access simply remains on your iPhone, so it is not somewhere in the cloud.
It is not without reason that privacy expert and whistleblower Edward Snowden is enthusiastic about Signal. In fact, he even recommends the app. This is partly because Signal can never know what your conversations are about, because of the aforementioned encryption. The app is also very resistant to outside attacks. Hijackers can therefore never just intercept your messages.
Unfortunately, Signal is not completely anonymous. You must provide a phone number when registering. The app (which is also available for Android) does not have a rock-solid revenue model, but is maintained by donations. Via the Signal’s website you can leave an amount.
2. Telegram
Those looking for WhatsApp alternatives will come to Telegram sooner or later. This app has hundreds of millions of users worldwide, an enthusiastic following and is quite innovative in its features. You can create huge group conversations or set up theme channels, among other things. Telegram is therefore popular among podcast makers, for example, who maintain contact with their listeners via the app.
It is also good in terms of accessibility. Telegram is active on almost all platforms, so you can just app from your Mac/PC, without being connected to your iPhone or Android device. The app is free to use, but you can unlock additional features for a fee. Think of certain stickers and services for companies.
Telegram credits itself for its secure encryption protocol (aes-256), but has also faced criticism in the past. Messages are in fact stored on the servers of the WhatsApp alternative, instead of on users’ smartphones.
3. Surespot
Surespot is probably one of the most secure alternatives to WhatsApp. You can use the app almost completely anonymously. For example, your chat history is encrypted and stored locally on your smartphone. For example, Surespot does not know who you are in contact with.
It also remains guesswork as to the content. Messages are sent with end to end encryption is encrypted and the delivery of apps to the server is done via a very secure protocol (ssl/tls). Furthermore, Surespot does not share information with third parties and, like Signal, the app relies on donations.
That said, there are also drawbacks to the WhatsApp alternative. The most striking is the user-friendliness. Or rather, the lack of it. If you want to chat with someone else, you have to invite them via her/his account name, for example. It’s also a shame that Surespot is anything but popular. So you really have to convince friends and acquaintances to give this WhatsApp replacement a chance. Finally, the app looks a bit old-fashioned.
4. Wire
Finally, Wire should not be missing when it comes to privacy-conscious WhatsApp alternatives. The messaging app describes itself as the most secure chat service on the market. Whether that statement is 100 percent correct, we’ll leave aside for now, but the fact remains that security is in order.
Wire secures messages with end-to-end encryption and video calls are also encrypted. In other words, the content of conversations is not visible to others. In addition, everything is stored locally on your phone, so you are not dependent on the security of Wire servers.
The chat app also has drawbacks. For example, you cannot app completely anonymously. You have to register with a phone number or email. It’s also a shame that Wire keeps track of how you use the app. In its own words, the app does this to improve the technology.
More privacy tips for your iPhone
Apple has been putting more emphasis on privacy and security of user data in recent years. In the video below we give you an overview of the most important privacy tips that you can implement yourself. Also read our article about how popular video calling services handle your privacy.
