WhatsApp AlternativesOnly Open Source apps from Europe

The best open source alternative to WhatsApp is Element. It's not free, so if you're looking for a free alternative, you could try Element or Wire. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to WhatsApp and many of them is open source so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to WhatsApp are Threema, SimpleX Chat, Conversations and Element X.

filter to find the best alternatives

WhatsApp alternatives are mainly Instant Messengers, but if you're looking for Encrypted Chat Apps or Group Chat Apps you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Apple Watch, EU, Open Source, Self-Hosted, Windows Phone, Blackberry and Android. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to WhatsApp.
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Alternatives list

  1. Element icon

    Element

     779 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.

    302 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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    11
    Comments about Element as an Alternative to WhatsApp
    Top Positive Comment
    Vladimir Studinsky
    9

    Decentral (federation), sure. Open source - client, protocol and server

    Biep
    Positive
    0

    It gives access to the federated, open source, free Matrix network, and through bridges to lots of other social media.

    Guest
    Positive
    1

    It is floss (free/libre and open source) and the developers are friendly and open to the community.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 11 comments
    Element icon
    Element icon
    • Element is Free Personal and Open SourceWhatsApp is Free and Proprietary
    • Element is Privacy focused and LightweightWhatsApp is not according to our users
  2. Wire icon

    Wire

     314 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.

    282 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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    7
    Comments about Wire as an Alternative to WhatsApp
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    8

    Basically 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.

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

    More Privacy oriented, more secure, but best of all OpenSource. Unfortunately it ain't free (as in money but free as in freedom).

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    4

    Elegant UI, encrypted communication, on all relevant operating systems, has great VoIP and video call quality and so on.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 7 comments
    Wire icon
    Wire icon
    • Wire is Free Personal and Open SourceWhatsApp is Free and Proprietary
    • Wire is Security-focused and Privacy focusedWhatsApp is not according to our users
  4. Matrix icon

    Matrix

     387 likes

    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.

    166 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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    3
    Comments about Matrix as an Alternative to WhatsApp
    Biep
    Positive
    0

    It is open source, e2ee, free, federated, well-maintained, open protocol (allowing bridges to other social media).

    Guest
    Positive
    1

    You can choose, which client you like the most and use it

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

    WhatsApp without spyware of Facebook

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Matrix icon
    Matrix icon
    • Matrix is Free and Open SourceWhatsApp is Free and Proprietary
    • Matrix is Privacy focused, Security-focused and LightweightWhatsApp is not according to our users
  5. 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.

    122 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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    5
    Comments about Threema as an Alternative to WhatsApp
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    0

    Serves in Switzerland & above all it works perfectly.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    duco
    Positive
    1

    It'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.

    Guest
    Positive
    1

    Its trustworthy and just works well.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 5 comments
    Threema icon
    Threema icon
    • Threema is Paid and Open SourceWhatsApp is Free and Proprietary
    • Threema is Privacy focused and Security-focusedWhatsApp is not according to our users
  6. SimpleX Chat icon

    SimpleX Chat

     92 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
     
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    2
    Comments about SimpleX Chat as an Alternative to WhatsApp
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    this is probably the best private and secure alternative to WhatsApp as of 2025, I can personally say it's even better than Session in some ways. More people should use it.

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

    The UI of this app need to be polished, but everything is done correctly. I am really happy that this app and the service exist in this age.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    SimpleX Chat icon
    SimpleX Chat icon
    • SimpleX Chat is Free and Open SourceWhatsApp is Free and Proprietary
    • SimpleX Chat is Privacy focused and LightweightWhatsApp is not according to our users
  7. Conversations icon

    Conversations

     103 likes

    Conversations is a privacy focused, open source XMPP Texting [Jabber] client for Android 4.0+ smart phones with wife-approved easy encryption [OTR, OMEMO, or GPG].

    154 Conversations alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    Conversations screenshot 1
     
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    4
    Comments about Conversations as an Alternative to WhatsApp
    Guest
    Positive
    9

    It is open source, using the XMPP protocol, you can host your own (XMPP) server, it has a nice layout and much more...

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Third Opinion
    Positive
    1

    Any centralistic program like whatsapp is moot:

    WHY on earth would you rely on a single company... that on top has the worst reputation? The answer strongly with IQ, I am afraid ;)

    Conversations is federalistic, it can use any provider, like email. Its encryption is solid and you can check the source yourself.

    Quite possibly it helps you to get rid of that IQ60 folks that keeps pestering you to use whatsapp :D

    Samenaga
    Positive
    0

    You can pick your own server or even self-host.

    3 of 4 comments
    Conversations icon
    Conversations icon
    • Conversations is Free and Open SourceWhatsApp is Free and Proprietary
    • Conversations is Lightweight and Privacy focusedWhatsApp is not according to our users
  9. Element X icon

    Element X

     42 likes

    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.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Element X screenshot 1
     
  10. 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
     
  11. FluffyChat icon

    FluffyChat

     37 likes

    FluffyChat is an open, nonprofit and cute matrix messenger app for Ubuntu Touch, Android and iOS.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • Ubuntu Touch
    • F-Droid
    • Matrix.org
    FluffyChat screenshot 1
     
  12. Linphone icon

    Linphone

     143 likes

    Linphone is one of the most famous open source softphones in the world. It is fully SIP-based, for all calling, presence and IM features.

    81 Linphone alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    iOS Assistant
     
  13. ArcaneChat icon

    ArcaneChat

     15 likes

    ArcaneChat is a Delta Chat client and was created with a focus on usability, good user experience, and saving data plan. Also the app usually experiments with new features that eventually might get added to the official Delta Chat client.

    18 ArcaneChat alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • F-Droid
    ArcaneChat screenshot 1
     
  14. Franz icon

    Franz

     120 likes

    Franz is a free messaging app / former Emperor of Austria and combines chat & messaging services into one application. Franz currently supports Slack, WhatsApp, WeChat, HipChat and many more. You can download Franz for Mac, Windows & Linux.

    69 Franz alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Franz screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Franz as an Alternative to WhatsApp
    Guest
    Negative
    3

    Franz is not a messaging application, it just allows you to group up multiple messaging apps like messenger, whatsapp, slack etc

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Franz icon
    Franz icon
    • Franz is Freemium and Open SourceWhatsApp is Free and Proprietary
12 of 34 WhatsApp alternatives