Open Source WhatsApp Alternatives
The best open source alternative to WhatsApp is Signal. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to WhatsApp and loads of them is open source so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to WhatsApp are Element, Wire, Tox and Matrix.org.
WhatsApp alternatives are mainly Instant Messengers but may also be Group Chat Apps or Encrypted Chat Apps. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of WhatsApp.- Free • Proprietary
- Instant Messenger
- Mac
- Windows
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Wear
Signal
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Free • Open Source
- Encrypted Chat App
- Instant Messenger
- Group Chat App
202 alternatives to Signal- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- iPhone
- iPad
- Flathub
- Ubuntu
- Debian
Signal is a messaging app with an unexpected focus on privacy, combined with all the features expected from a modern IM app. Signal has received a lot of praise from all around the world for its security and privacy-respecting technologies.
Signal Features
Signal vs WhatsApp opinions
purpelli12It's so much better! And they're always improving. Nothing better for security
3PietrosmusOpen-source clients, non-profit organization, minimal metadata collection.
2swapnilgnuRun by a non-profit org. Respects users' privacy. Doesn't sell users data (metadata). Both, the server and client, apps are opensource.
1nichtRickHas everything you need and cares about privacy
1danielcastelliPrivacy first. Best one on the market.
1Element
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Freemium • Open Source
- Group Chat App
- Instant Messenger
- Encrypted Chat App
266 alternatives to Element- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Self-Hosted
- Matrix.org
- Cloudron
- F-Droid
- FLATHUB
Element is a secure collaboration and messaging app based on the Matrix protocol. It’s decentralised to deliver digital sovereignty, and based on an open standard for easy connections and interoperability. It is end-to-end encrypted by default.
Element Features
Element vs WhatsApp opinions
It is open source, encrypted (end to end), the server is also open source, which means that you or your university could run the server for you. This last point makes it very solid in the long run (like email survived because the protocol was federated).
13It is floss (free/libre and open source) and the developers are friendly and open to the community.
1resuFederated, strong focus on privacy and security.
0Element is end-to-end encrypted (including groups unlike Telegram) and does not require a phone number (which is personally identifiable information. Signal requires it). Element is very simple to use for the average person yet very useful for the advanced one (a personal server can be deployed). It is also libre/free (as in freedom) and fully open-source, based on a libre/free protocol (matrix.org).
11This service is an alternative to Slack & MS Teams, but too technical and not designed for individual use.
-8Wire
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Free Personal • Open Source
- Group Chat App
- Encrypted Chat App
- Instant Messenger
257 alternatives to Wire- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Self-Hosted
- F-Droid
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
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.
Wire Features
Wire vs WhatsApp opinions
More a competition for skype then whatsapp. however there's nothing you can do on whatsapp that you cannot do on wire. its trustworthy, has phone calls, can be used on PC/Mac as well.. registration with phonenumber is optional, which is nice.
14You don't need to give your phone number for use. Still safe, good and nice chat app. On phone and on pc, web too.
4More Privacy oriented, more secure, but best of all OpenSource. Unfortunately it ain't free (as in money but free as in freedom).
0Elegant UI, encrypted communication, on all relevant operating systems, has great VoIP and video call quality and so on.
4Basically Signal on steroids. Also, open source and doesn't ask for your phone number, allows creation of throwaway accounts as well as basic group conversation functionality. Perfect.
8Tox
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Free • Open Source
- Encrypted Chat App
- Instant Messenger
- Group Chat App
180 alternatives to Tox- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- Android Tablet
- BSD
- F-Droid
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.
Tox Features
Tox vs WhatsApp opinions
Works well on desktop but not mobile like Whatsapp. Only mobile apps are experimental and not user friendly.
0MetaPixel_Secure and high quality peer-to-peer communication, audio and video group calls, and unlimited file transfers. The only disadvantage compared to alternatives is that you can only successfully communicate if both peers are online, but that is part of the nature of the protocol and thus safety is prioritized.
3Focused on security messages are encrypted and it is Open Source. Like whatsapp, you can send files, groups chats and video messaging. Skype is more popular with normies, but Tox has all the bells and whistles that whatsapp did.
4Matrix.org
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Free • Open Source
- Group Chat App
- Instant Messenger
- Encrypted Chat App
131 alternatives to Matrix.org- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Self-Hosted
- WebRTC
- Python
- JavaScript
- Go (Programming Language)
- Cloudron
- Java
- Perl
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.
Matrix.org Features
Matrix.org vs WhatsApp opinions
You can choose, which client you like the most and use it
-1Jitsi Meet
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Free • Open Source
- Video Calling App
- Group Chat App
- Encrypted Chat App
125 alternatives to Jitsi Meet- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Self-Hosted
- Apple Watch
- F-Droid
Go ahead, video chat with the whole team. In fact, invite everyone you know. Jitsi Meet is a fully encrypted, 100% open source video conferencing solution that you can use all day, every day, for free — with no account needed.
Jitsi Meet Features
Jitsi Meet vs WhatsApp opinions
EchtWahrJitsi is a conferencing platform not a messenger
4Jami
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Free • Open Source
- Video Calling App
- Encrypted Chat App
- Instant Messenger
140 alternatives to Jami- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
Jami (formerly GNU Ring, SFLphone) positions itself as a potential free Skype replacement
Jami Features
Jami vs WhatsApp opinions
Sandro_LinuxJami is a great alternative to Whatsapp since it is decentrailsed so no one can read your messages and it is open source so its privacy claims are verifyable unlike Whatsapp
0Threema
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Paid • Open Source
- Encrypted Chat App
- Group Chat App
99 alternatives to Threema- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- HUAWEI AppGallery
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
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.
Threema Features
Threema vs WhatsApp opinions
ducoIt's also end to end encryped but not run by a US company that could force the company to give out data. It has a better data protection then signal as no mobile phone number is required. The address book can be uploaded but doesn't has to. Also you can scan the IDs of others as QR-Code and three dots display very prominent for each contact how secure it is.
1Secure, non-US based and you're the Customer, not the product.
They really take care of your privacy!
1Threema is a great whatapp alternative. Just as easy to use as whatsapp, but (hopefully) more secure and non US based. However, just like whatsapp, it is an app only and lacks a client for PC.... :(
1Its trustworthy and just works well.
1Keybase
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Free • Open Source
- Encrypted Chat App
- Team Collaboration Tool
63 alternatives to Keybase- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- iPad
- Ruby
- JavaScript
- Tor
- Go (Programming Language)
- Java
Keybase is a new and free security app for mobile phones and computers. For the geeks among us: it's open source and powered by public-key cryptography.
Keybase Features
Keybase vs WhatsApp opinions
Briar
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Free • Open Source
- Instant Messenger
- Encrypted Chat App
- Group Chat App
51 alternatives to Briar- Linux
- Android
- Flathub
- F-Droid
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.
Briar Features
Briar vs WhatsApp opinions
SamenagaBriar is private, decentralized and free software. Sadly it doesn't support file transfers.
0Privacy Oriented, Decentralized (not owned by an individual), Open Source.
1