WhatsApp Alternatives for iPad

There are many alternatives to WhatsApp for iPad if you are looking for a replacement. The best iPad 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 WhatsApp and loads of them are available for iPad so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting iPad alternatives to WhatsApp are Telegram, Element, Wire and Matrix.

filter to find the best alternatives

WhatsApp alternatives are mainly Group Chat Apps, but if you're looking for Instant Messengers or Video Calling Apps you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Apple Watch, Open Source, EU, Self-Hosted, Windows Phone, Kindle Fire and Windows. 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. Signal icon

    Signal

     1390 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.

    223 Signal alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • Ubuntu
    • Debian
    Signal screenshot 1
     
    |
    58
    Signal vs WhatsApp Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    Joseph Leskey
    2

    Signal is an excellent open source WhatsApp alternative, offering simplicity, competitive features, simplicity, and privacy-focused design.

    JOPloume
    Positive
    1

    everyhing is end-to-end encryped, it is open-source, it is free, it is making profits via donation, it is just great!

    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Does not track you! Very good security features Nice functionnalities

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 58 comments
    • Signal is Free and Open SourceWhatsApp is Free and Proprietary
    • Signal is Privacy focused, Security-focused and LightweightWhatsApp is not according to our users
  2. Telegram icon

    Telegram

     2093 likes

    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.

    295 Telegram alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    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
    Telegram Desktop
     
    |
    42
    Telegram vs WhatsApp Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    mrmbl
    21

    You can have a username that you can change any time, so you don't have to share your phone number with strangers in groups

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    12

    If you are looking for a more secure and privacy friendly alternative to WhatsApp, then Telegram is NOT for you. Chats are unencrypted by default, group chats can't be encrypted at all and the business model is not transparent.

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

    Russian FSB operation, stay away.

    3 of 42 comments
    • Telegram is Freemium and ProprietaryWhatsApp is Free and Proprietary
    • Telegram is LightweightWhatsApp is not according to our users
  4. Element icon

    Element

     800 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.

    317 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
     
    |
    11
    Element vs WhatsApp Comments
    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 is Free Personal and Open SourceWhatsApp is Free and Proprietary
    • Element is Decentralized, Privacy focused and LightweightWhatsApp is not according to our users
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  6. Wire icon

    Wire

     324 likes

    Secure communication platform featuring encrypted chats and calls, file and media sharing, self-deleting messages, device verification, group collaboration, and customizable settings. Supports use across multiple devices with no phone number required for access.

    287 Wire alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Wire screenshot 1
     
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    7
    Wire vs WhatsApp Comments
    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 is Free Personal and Open SourceWhatsApp is Free and Proprietary
    • Wire is Security-focused and Privacy focusedWhatsApp is not according to our users
  7. Matrix icon

    Matrix

     399 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.

    177 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
     
    |
    3
    Matrix vs WhatsApp Comments
    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 is Free and Open SourceWhatsApp is Free and Proprietary
    • Matrix is Decentralized, Privacy focused, Security-focused and LightweightWhatsApp is not according to our users
  8. Threema icon

    Threema

     142 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.

    127 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
     
    |
    5
    Threema vs WhatsApp Comments
    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 is Paid and Open SourceWhatsApp is Free and Proprietary
    • Threema is Privacy focused and Security-focusedWhatsApp is not according to our users
  10. Jitsi Meet icon

    Jitsi Meet

     292 likes

    Open-source video conferencing platform with encryption by default, up to 75 participants, live group chat, HD audio, screen and document sharing, Etherpad editing, mobile and browser support, custom deployment options, privacy-first features, and community-driven development.

    157 Jitsi Meet alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Apple Watch
    • F-Droid
    Jitsi Meet screenshot 1
     
    |
    2
    Jitsi Meet vs WhatsApp Comments
    EchtWahr
    Negative
    7

    Jitsi is a conferencing platform not a messenger

    vadim_the_brave
    Negative
    0

    Its videoconferencing platform, not a messenger

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

    Jami

     243 likes

    Open source decentralized communication platform supporting secure end-to-end encrypted calls, messaging, group conferencing, file and media sharing, SIP compatibility, multi-device sync, and strong privacy, available across desktop and mobile systems.

    166 Jami alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Jami video conference OS X
     
    |
    1
    Jami vs WhatsApp Comments
    Oscar Sanderson
    Positive
    1

    Jami 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

    • Jami is Free and Open SourceWhatsApp is Free and Proprietary
    • Jami is Decentralized and Privacy focusedWhatsApp is not according to our users
  12. Rakuten Viber icon

    Rakuten Viber

     335 likes

    Offers secure messaging with end-to-end encryption, unlimited free calls, group chats for up to 250 members, rich media sharing, emoji reactions, AR lenses, self-destruct messages, affordable international calls, community channels, and robust privacy across devices.

    169 Rakuten Viber alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • Android Wear
    • Samsung Galaxy Store
    Rakuten Viber screenshot 1
     
    |
    2
    Rakuten Viber vs WhatsApp Comments
    s b
    Negative
    1

    Servers with all the users' data are in Russia.

    UnleavenedEagle
    Positive
    -1

    Best commercial solution!

    • Active userbase
    • End to end encryption
    • No conference calling
    • Requires phone number
    • Rakuten Viber is Freemium and ProprietaryWhatsApp is Free and Proprietary
    • Rakuten Viber is Privacy focusedWhatsApp is not according to our users
  13. Delta Chat icon

    Delta Chat

     74 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.

    82 Delta Chat alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    Delta Chat screenshot 1
     
  14. Zulip icon

    Zulip

     268 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.

    233 Zulip alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

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

    Messages seperated by streams and topics

    • Zulip is Free Personal and Open SourceWhatsApp is Free and Proprietary
    • Zulip is Privacy focused and LightweightWhatsApp is not according to our users
12 of 92 WhatsApp alternatives