5 Alternatives to Whatsapp

4 min readSep 1, 2019

Whatsapp is a messenger application created in 2009 by the company Whatsapp Inc, more precisely by Brian Acton and Jan Koum. It was sold to Facebook in 2014 for about $ 19 billion. Its number of active users just keeps growing, reaching millions. Check out some statistics, according to Statista:

Source: https://www.statista.com/statistics/260819/number-of-monthly-active-whatsapp-users/

Unfortunately, not everyone is pleased by the features of Whatsapp. That claims to have end-to-end encryption and that the data is not shared with anyone but you and your contact or the group you are talking to. But, it is something to think about.

However, luckily we have alternatives to the green messenger. Which have more or less features, but I chose those that have security features and or anonymity. Without further ado here is my list of alternatives to Whatsapp:

1 — Telegram
2 — Signal
3 — Wire
4 — Tox
5 — DMME

Telegram is a messaging application launched in 2013. It provides cloud based instant messaging. It is available for smartphones, tablets, computers and has web version. Users can send messages, photos, videos, stickers and any type of file.

Its founders are Nikolai and Pavel Durov, the same as VK, Russia’s largest social network. However, Telegram is independent and not connected to the VK. Its headquarters are in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Telegram needs a phone number to use. Its groups feature, unlike whatsapp which limits up to 256 people, allows up to 200,000 members. To learn more, click here.

Signal

Signal is a cross-platform messaging application developed by Signal Foundation and Signal Messenger LLC. This uses the internet to send messages one by one or group messages. The user can send files, voice messages, images and videos.

The app uses phone numbers as identifiers, allowing you to send encrypted end-to-end messages to ensure all communications to other app users. It is free and open source. To learn more, click here.

Wire

Wire is a collaborative, cross-platform messaging app. It offers messaging, voice, video, conference calls, file sharing, all protected by the most secure end-to-end encryption.

Wire is 100% open source and independently audited with the option to be textured against the security and governance of existing frameworks. However he is paid. Check out more here.

Tox

Tox is an application that aims to get away from monitoring government programs. It’s easy to use, allowing you to connect with your friends and family without anyone listening to your conversations. This is free and provides freedom. It is available for various platforms such as Windows, OS X, Linux, Android, iOS. Check out more here.

DMME

DMME is an application that respects your privacy, being safe and anonymous. No phone number required to register, just email. Allows authorization or blocking of contacts, showing great control over them.

The app will be paid for, with no ads, and part of each subscription will be given back in ETH to the community, with this feature implemented further into the future. Its release is scheduled for September 2019.