Telegram AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Encrypted Chat Apps for Linux

There are many alternatives to Telegram for Linux if you are looking for a replacement. The best Linux Encrypted Chat App alternative is Signal, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Telegram and many of them are Encrypted Chat Apps available for Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Linux Encrypted Chat App alternatives to Telegram are Element, Tox, Wire and Matrix.

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Telegram alternatives are mainly Encrypted Chat Apps, but if you're looking for Instant Messengers or Group Chat Apps you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Online, Mac, Android, Windows, Linux, Android + Free and Open Source. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Telegram.
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Alternatives list

  1. Signal icon

    Signal

     1372 likes

    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.

    218 Signal alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Flathub
    • Ubuntu
    • Debian
    • Snapcraft
    Signal screenshot 1
     
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    26
    Signal vs Telegram Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    John Fastman
    19

    Signal uses open source, end-to-end encryption to keep your messages to another Signal user secure and private. It installs on your Android and replaces your default messaging app. (On iPhone it's a separate app.) It's super easy to use. You can still send messages to people who don't have it, but I'd encourage everyone to use it. Plain SMS messages are routinely recorded and stored forever without your persmission. Signal combats that in a very user friendly way.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    25

    can't use signal without smartphone. (scan qr-code bla-bla-bla...)

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    DoodlePoddle
    Negative
    0

    Not a Telegram alternative since it doesn't offer Telegram's core function, the cloud.

    So Signal can only be compared to Whatsapp and other old style messengers.

    3 of 26 comments
    • Signal is Free and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Signal is Privacy focused and Security-focusedTelegram is not according to our users
  2. Element icon

    Element

     780 likes

    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.

    307 Element alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Matrix.org
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Cloudron
    • Snapcraft
    Video calls for desktop and mobile
     
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    12
    Element vs Telegram Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    Sam Lander
    2

    Element is a good privacy chat that you can host yourself. However, not many people use it compared to Signal or Telegram.

    calkesh
    Negative
    -3

    Element is severely lacking in uptake. It could be the best messenger in the world (and may well be) but ultimately, if I can't talk to my friends on there, there's no incentive for me to use it.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    FiTekno
    Positive
    0

    I like this because of fact its purpose is to be decentralized. however time shows as knowledge is needed to bridges be made from other platforms.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 12 comments
    • Element is Free Personal and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Element is Privacy focusedTelegram is not according to our users
  4. Tox icon

    Tox

     559 likes

    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.

    215 Tox alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • F-Droid
    The Universal Tox Client. A Tox client that runs on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac OSX, Linux, FreeBSD & the web. Written in JS using React & React Native / electron.
     
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    2
    Tox vs Telegram Comments
    rrhyast
    Negative
    2

    Ugly UI and less user friendly

    Centaro
    Positive
    1

    P2P encrypted communication

    • Tox is Free and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Tox is Privacy focused and Security-focusedTelegram is not according to our users
  5. Wire icon

    Wire

     317 likes

    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.

    284 Wire alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Flathub
    • Snapcraft
    Wire screenshot 1
     
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    5
    Wire vs Telegram Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    cityroler
    10

    always End-to-End encrypted; servers in the EU; high quality audio and video calls;

    gnudesign
    Positive
    0

    Privacy and security focused, lot of features but way behind Telegram's user experience design.

    Guest
    Positive
    0

    It is fully open source instead Telegram (server and client).

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 5 comments
    • Wire is Free Personal and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Wire is Security-focused and Privacy focusedTelegram is not according to our users
  6. Matrix icon

    Matrix

     388 likes

    Open standard protocol enabling decentralized, encrypted instant messaging, VoIP signaling, IoT device connectivity, and persistent data management across federated servers without central control or single points of failure, bridging communication platforms.

    170 Matrix alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • WebRTC
    • Python
    • JavaScript
    • Go (Programming Language)
    • Cloudron
    • Java
    • Perl
    Main Page
     
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    1
    Matrix vs Telegram Comments
    LeSnake
    Negative
    11

    Matrix is a protocol used by i.e. Element, not a messenger iself

    • Matrix is Free and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Matrix is Privacy focused and Security-focusedTelegram is not according to our users
  7. Jami icon

    Jami

     237 likes

    Jami (formerly GNU Ring, SFLphone) positions itself as a potential free Skype replacement

    162 Jami alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Jami video conference OS X
     
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    1
    Jami vs Telegram Comments
    UsernameUn
    Positive
    1

    Decentralized and encrypted. Available on all major devices. There is video conferencing and the ability to show a desktop.

    • Jami is Free and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Jami is Privacy focusedTelegram is not according to our users
  9. SimpleX Chat icon

    SimpleX Chat

     93 likes

    SimpleX - the most private and secure chat and applications platform - now with double ratchet E2E encryption! Built on Haskell with Love and Coffee.

    69 SimpleX Chat alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Self-Hosted
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Flatpak
    SimpleX Chat screenshot 1
     
  10. Stoat Chat icon

    Stoat Chat

     108 likes

    Instant messaging platform supporting text and voice channels, live video calls, secure screen sharing, private group chats, customizable permissions, moderation tools, bot integration, privacy-focused design, open-source development, and cross-platform use.

    50 Stoat Chat alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • Rust
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    User settings page, on "Appearance" tab
     
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    2
    Stoat Chat vs Telegram Comments
    aolko
    Negative
    0

    Discord alternative, not telegram

    sedeti
    Negative
    0

    An alternative to discord not telegram ??

    • Stoat Chat is Free and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Stoat Chat is Privacy focused and CustomizableTelegram is not according to our users
  11. Threema icon

    Threema

     137 likes

    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.

    124 Threema alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • F-Droid
    • Flathub
    Threema screenshot 1
     
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    2
    Threema vs Telegram Comments
    John Fastman
    Positive
    0

    Proper end-to-end encryption makes Threema a good private way to communicate. But not as good as open source alternatives like Signal, for which you can check the source code. But Threema is way better than Facebook Messenger or 'Allo, which come from privacy-destroying companies.

    egami
    Positive
    0

    This is in my opinion the absolut number one if you are looking for privacy.

    • Threema is Paid and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Threema is Privacy focused and Security-focusedTelegram is not according to our users
  12. Briar icon

    Briar

     111 likes

    An open-source decentralized and encrypted messaging app even without internet connection via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Messages are stored securely on your device, not in the cloud. Connect directly with nearby contacts - no Internet access is required.

    77 Briar alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    Briar screenshot 1
     
  13. Zulip icon

    Zulip

     267 likes

    Threaded group conversations combine live and asynchronous messaging, separating topics for organized collaboration, supporting open-source, cloud, and self-hosted deployments, secure communication with encryption, and multi-platform access for diverse teams.

    226 Zulip alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    Zulip screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Zulip vs Telegram Comments
    PlaidRadish
    Positive
    0

    Zulip is actually a better alternative to Telegram because it has security that is hosted on public or private servers, using an open source application. This app and its features are far more beneficial to organizations as a better, more secure, more feature-rich alternative to Telegram.

    • Zulip is Free Personal and Open SourceTelegram is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Zulip is Privacy focusedTelegram is not according to our users
  14. Delta Chat icon

    Delta Chat

     63 likes

    Provides a chat experience over email, with all messages and contacts stored on user devices, open source code, group media support, and compatibility with any provider. No central servers, no tracking, works without SIM, and can be used by anyone just via email.

    79 Delta Chat alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    Delta Chat screenshot 1
     
12 of 40 Telegram alternatives