Conversations AlternativesEncrypted Chat Apps & Instant Messengers like Conversations

Conversations is described as 'Privacy focused, open source XMPP Texting [Jabber] client for Android 4.0+ smart phones with wife-approved easy encryption [OTR, OMEMO, or GPG]' and is a very popular instant messenger in the social & communications category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Conversations for a variety of platforms, including Android, iPhone, Linux, Mac and Windows apps. The best Conversations alternative is Signal, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Conversations are Telegram, Element, Matrix and Pidgin.

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Conversations is a privacy focused, open source XMPP Texting [Jabber] client for Android 4.0+ smart phones with...

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Conversations alternatives page was last updated May 3, 2025
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  1. Signal icon
     1288 likes
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    An open-source messaging app emphasizing privacy with encrypted communication. Share texts, calls, photos, and videos without ads or trackers, available across major platforms. Developed by Signal Technology Foundation and praised globally for security measures.

    222 Signal alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Flathub
    • Ubuntu
    • Debian

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Security-focused
    3.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  End-to-End Encryption
    2.  Encrypted Chat
    3.  Ad-free
    4.  Video Calling
    5.  Self Destructing Messages
    6.  Private messaging
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  Encrypted Connection
    9.  Mobile friendly
    10.  Dark Mode
    11.  Desktop Application
    12.  Secure Chat

    Signal VS Conversations

     
    • Most users think Signal is a great Conversations alternative.

    • Signal is the most popular Windows, Android, Mac & iPhone alternative to Conversations.

    • Signal is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Conversations.

    • Signal is Free and Open SourceConversations is also Free and Open Source
    • Signal is Privacy focused and Security-focusedConversations is not according to our users
  2. Telegram icon
     2053 likes
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    Maximize your messaging experience with efficient communication, speedy delivery, and optional end-to-end encrypted Secret Chats. Engage in unlimited channels and groups up to 200,000 members. Enhance chat management and media sharing with Telegram Premium and its exclusive benefits. All core features remain free.

    297 Telegram alternatives

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Country of Origin

    • International

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Android Auto
    • Linux Mobile
    • Android Wear
    • PortableApps.com
    • FreeBSD
    • Apple Car Play

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused
    3.  Security-focused

    Features

    1.  Encrypted Chat
    2.  Stickers
    3.  Chat Bot
    4.  Large File Transfer
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  End-to-End Encryption
    7.  Video Calling
    8.  Multi Device Support
    9.  Channels
    10.  Dark Mode
    11.  Bots
    12.  Secret chats

    Telegram VS Conversations

     
    • Some users think Telegram is a great Conversations alternative, some don't.

    • Telegram is the most popular Web-based & Android Tablet alternative to Conversations.

    • Telegram is Freemium and ProprietaryConversations is Free and Open Source
    • Telegram is Lightweight and Privacy focusedConversations is not according to our users
  3. Element icon
     726 likes
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    Provides secure collaboration with end-to-end encryption, supporting chat, voice, and video calls. Available on all major platforms, it enables digital sovereignty with a decentralized design and interoperability through bridges to systems like Slack and Teams. Includes enterprise-grade SaaS.

    303 Element alternatives

    License model

    • Free PersonalOpen Source

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Matrix.org
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Cloudron

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Clean design

    Features

    1.  End-to-End Encryption
    2.  Decentralized
    3.  Federated
    4.  Team Collaboration
    5.  Encrypted Chat
    6.  Video Calling
    7.  Matrix Protocol
    8.  Voice Chat
    9.  Direct Messaging
    10.  Federation
    11.  Cross-Platform
    12.  Dark Mode

    Element VS Conversations

     
    • Almost everyone thinks Element is a great Conversations alternative.

    • Element is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to Conversations.

    • Element is Free Personal and Open SourceConversations is Free and Open Source
    • Element is Privacy focusedConversations is not according to our users
  4. Matrix icon
     365 likes
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    Matrix defines a set of open APIs for decentralised communication, suitable for securely publishing, persisting and subscribing to data over a global open federation of servers with no single point of control.

    163 Matrix alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • WebRTC
    • Python
    • JavaScript
    • Go (Programming Language)
    • Cloudron
    • Java
    • Perl

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Security-focused
    3.  Lightweight
    4.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  Decentralized
    2.  End-to-End Encryption
    3.  Federation
    4.  Team Collaboration
    5.  Random Video Chat
    6.  Encrypted Chat
    7.  Voice Chat
    8.  No Tracking
    9.  Spaces
    10.  Ad-free
    11.  Dark Mode
    12.  Support for @mentions

    Matrix VS Conversations

     
  5. Pidgin icon
     1523 likes
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    Pidgin is a chat program which lets you log into accounts on multiple chat networks simultaneously. This means that you can be chatting with friends on XMPP and sitting in an IRC channel at the same time.

    120 Pidgin alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com

    Top Pidgin Features

    1.  Support for Multiple protocols
    2.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    3. XMPP icon  Supports XMPP
    4.  Multiple Account support
    5.  IRC
    6.  Portable
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  Ad-free
    9.  VoiP Calls
    10.  Multiple languages
    11.  Multiple chat protocols
    12.  Messages

    Pidgin VS Conversations

     
  6. Tox icon
     550 likes
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    With the rise of widespread government monitoring programs, Tox is an easy to use application that allows you to connect with friends and loved ones without anyone else listening in.

    214 Tox alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • F-Droid

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Security-focused
    3.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Encrypted Chat
    2.  Decentralized
    3.  Peer-To-Peer
    4.  End-to-End Encryption
    5.  Multiplatform
    6.  No registration required
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  AES-256 Encryption
    9.  Screen Sharing
    10.  P2P Network
    11.  Secure Chat
    12.  Anonymous Secure Filesharing

    Tox VS Conversations

     
  7. WhatsApp icon
     843 likes
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    Exchange messages without SMS fees using this app for iPhone, Android and desktop, featuring group chats, multimedia sharing, and video calls. The app requires an internet connection and the latest version for optimal functionality.

    255 WhatsApp alternatives

    License model

    • FreeProprietary

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Android Auto
    • Android Wear
    • Apple Car Play

    Top WhatsApp Features

    1.  Mobile friendly
    2.  End-to-End Encryption
    3.  Dark Mode
    4.  Custom Backgrounds
    5.  Stickers
    6.  Two-factor Authentication
    7.  VoiP Calls
    8.  Picture in Picture
    9.  Screen Sharing
    10.  Passkey Support
    11.  Support for @mentions
    12.  Expiring Stories

    WhatsApp VS Conversations

     
  8. Slack icon
     854 likes
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    Offers unified communication for teams with advanced real-time messaging, contextual features, versatile chat tools, and organized conversations in dedicated channels with integrated file sharing on Mac, Windows, Linux, and mobile platforms for enhanced productivity.

    223 Slack alternatives

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Electron
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)

    Top Slack Features

    1.  Team Collaboration
    2.  Multi Channel
    3.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    4.  Support for @mentions
    5.  Channels
    6.  Threaded Conversations
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  HIPAA Compliant
    9.  Reactions
    10.  Real time collaboration
    11. IFTTT icon  IFTTT Integration
    12.  VoiP Calls

    Slack VS Conversations

     
    • Slack is the most popular SaaS alternative to Conversations.

    • Slack is Freemium and ProprietaryConversations is Free and Open Source
  9. Wire icon
     309 likes
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    Wire is the most secure collaboration platform featuring messenger, voice, video, conference calls, file-sharing, and external collaboration –all protected by the most secure end-to-end-encryption.

    282 Wire alternatives

    License model

    • Free PersonalOpen Source

    Country of Origin

    • CH flagSwitzerland

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)

    Properties

    1.  Security-focused
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  End-to-End Encryption
    2.  Video Calling
    3.  Encrypted Chat
    4.  VoiP Calls
    5.  Encrypted calls
    6.  Screen Sharing
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Secure File Sharing
    9.  Multiple Account support
    10.  WebRTC
    11.  Private Chat
    12.  File Sending

    Wire VS Conversations

     
  10. Element X icon
     32 likes
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    It is the brand new, and fastest ever, Matrix client. It is for personal and community use, and will support enterprise functionality later this year.

    99 Element X alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Matrix Protocol
    2.  End-to-End Encryption
    3.  VoiP Calls
    4.  No Tracking
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  Support for MarkDown
    8.  Decentralized
    9.  Support for @mentions
    10.  Cloud Sync
    11.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    12.  Voice Chat

    Element X VS Conversations

     
  11. Zulip icon
     210 likes
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    Zulip is the only modern team chat app that is designed for both live and asynchronous conversations. Zulip topics create a separate space for each discussion, so different conversations will never get in each other's way.

    226 Zulip alternatives

    License model

    • Free PersonalOpen Source

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid

    Top Zulip Features

    1.  Threaded Conversations
    2.  Team Collaboration
    3.  Support for Hotkeys
    4.  Community-based
    5.  Support for MarkDown
    6.  Syntax Highlighting
    7.  Chat Bot
    8.  Secure Chat
    9.  Third party integrations
    10.  Integrated File Sharing
    11. GitHub icon  GitHub Integration
    12.  Integrated Search

    Zulip VS Conversations

     
  12. Threema icon
     122 likes
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    Threema is a new mobile messaging app that puts security first. With true end-to-end encryption, you can rest assured that only you and the intended recipient can read your messages.

    126 Threema alternatives

    License model

    Country of Origin

    • CH flagSwitzerland

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • F-Droid

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Security-focused

    Features

    1.  End-to-End Encryption
    2.  Encrypted Chat
    3.  Integrated File Sharing
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  Confirm messages
    6.  Image Sharing
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  No Tracking
    9.  Cloud Sync
    10.  Multiple Account support
    11.  Two-factor Authentication
    12.  Encrypted Backup

    Threema VS Conversations

     
    • Threema is the most popular commercial alternative to Conversations.

    • Threema is Paid and Open SourceConversations is Free and Open Source
    • Threema is Privacy focusedConversations is not according to our users
12 of 161 Conversations alternatives