Self-Hosted WhatsApp Alternatives

WhatsApp is not available as a self-hosted solution but there are plenty of alternatives for power users and business that want to host a solution on-premise. The best Self-Hosted alternative is Element, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to WhatsApp and 16 are available as a self-hosted solution so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Self-Hosted alternatives to WhatsApp are Wire, Matrix.org, Jitsi Meet and Zulip.

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.

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Free • Proprietary
Instant Messenger

Mac
Windows
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Wear

WhatsApp is an iPhone and Android messaging app which allows you to exchange messages without having to pay for SMS.

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Element
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
Group Chat App
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Self-Hosted
Matrix.org
Cloudron
F-Droid
FLATHUB
266 alternatives to Element
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.
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Element Features
1. DecentralizedElement is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
2. End-to-End EncryptionElement has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
3. Privacy focusedElement is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
4. VoiP CallsElement allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
5. No TrackingElement will not track you or use your personal data.
6. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Element simultaneously.
7. Dark ModeElement supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
8. Ad-freeElement doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
9. File VersioningElement has a version system that lets you view and go back to older versions of the project/file/document.
Federated
Matrix Protocol
Voice Chat
Federation
Direct Messaging
Community-based
Per-room avatars
Multiple languages
Custom widgets
Message redaction
Element vs WhatsApp opinions
Almost everyone thinks Element is a great alternative to WhatsApp.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
Guest
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).
Top positive comment•
13

Guest
It is floss (free/libre and open source) and the developers are friendly and open to the community.
Top positive comment•
1

resu
Federated, strong focus on privacy and security.
Positive comment•
0

Guest
Element 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).
Positive comment•
11

Guest
This service is an alternative to Slack & MS Teams, but too technical and not designed for individual use.
Negative comment•
-8

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5 of 10 comments
Wire
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free Personal • Open Source
Group Chat App
Video Calling App
Instant Messenger
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Self-Hosted
F-Droid
Software as a Service (SaaS)
257 alternatives to Wire
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.
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Wire Features
1. End-to-End EncryptionWire has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
2. VoiP CallsWire allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
3. Screen SharingYou can use Wire to share your screen with your colleages or friends.
4. Privacy focusedWire is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
5. Multiple Account supportWire support multiple accounts without the need to logout and login
Security focused
Encrypted calls
Voice Chat
File Sending
Voice messages
WebRTC
Private Chat
Secure Chat
Integrated File Sharing
Secure File Sharing
Wire vs WhatsApp opinions
Almost everyone thinks Wire is a great alternative to WhatsApp.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
Guest
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.
Top positive comment•
14

Guest
You don't need to give your phone number for use. Still safe, good and nice chat app. On phone and on pc, web too.
Top positive comment•
4

Guest
More Privacy oriented, more secure, but best of all OpenSource. Unfortunately it ain't free (as in money but free as in freedom).
Positive comment•
0

Guest
Elegant UI, encrypted communication, on all relevant operating systems, has great VoIP and video call quality and so on.
Positive comment•
4

Guest
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.
Positive comment•
8

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5 of 7 comments
Matrix.org
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Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Group Chat App
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Self-Hosted
WebRTC
Python
JavaScript
Go (Programming Language)
Cloudron
Java
Perl
133 alternatives to Matrix.org
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.
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Matrix.org Features
1. DecentralizedMatrix.org is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
2. End-to-End EncryptionMatrix.org has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
3. Privacy focusedMatrix.org is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
4. VoiP CallsMatrix.org allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
5. Ad-freeMatrix.org doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
6. No TrackingMatrix.org will not track you or use your personal data.
7. Multiple Account supportMatrix.org support multiple accounts without the need to logout and login
8. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Matrix.org simultaneously.
Federation
Distributed
Security focused
Spaces
Chat Bot
Voice Chat
Support for Multiple protocols
WebRTC
Server side history
Matrix.org vs WhatsApp opinions
Almost everyone thinks Matrix.org is a great alternative to WhatsApp.
Guest
You can choose, which client you like the most and use it
Positive comment•
-1
Jitsi Meet
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Video Calling App
Group Chat App
Encrypted Chat App
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Self-Hosted
Apple Watch
F-Droid
127 alternatives to Jitsi Meet
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.
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Jitsi Meet Features
1. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Jitsi Meet without registration.
2. End-to-End EncryptionJitsi Meet has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
3. Screen SharingYou can use Jitsi Meet to share your screen with your colleages or friends.
4. Ad-freeJitsi Meet doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
5. No TrackingJitsi Meet will not track you or use your personal data.
6. Privacy focusedJitsi Meet is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
7. LightweightJitsi Meet consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Browser-based
Video Conferencing
Stream audio
Security focused
Remote Work
Unlimited users
WebRTC
Live Broadcasting
Audio Calling
Voice Chat
Jitsi Meet vs WhatsApp opinions
Almost everyone thinks Jitsi Meet is a great alternative to WhatsApp.
EchtWahr
Jitsi is a conferencing platform not a messenger
Negative comment•
4
Zulip
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free Personal • Open Source
Group Chat App
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
BSD
iPad
Self-Hosted
221 alternatives to Zulip
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.
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Zulip Features
1. Support for MarkDownZulip supports MarkDown for document formatting.
2. Syntax HighlightingZulip supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
Threaded Conversations
Support for Hotkeys
Community-based
Integrated File Sharing
Chat Bot
Code Syntax Highlighting
GitHub integration
Secure Chat
Third party integrations
Chat organizer
Zulip vs WhatsApp opinions
pros, cons and recent comments
hrishikeshpatil
Messages seperated by streams and topics
Positive comment•
0
SimpleX Chat
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Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Group Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
Self-Hosted
44 alternatives to SimpleX Chat
SimpleX - the most private and secure chat and applications platform - now with double ratchet E2E encryption! Built on Haskell with Love and Coffee.
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SimpleX Chat Features
1. Privacy focusedSimpleX Chat is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
2. End-to-End EncryptionSimpleX Chat has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
3. DecentralizedSimpleX Chat is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
XMPP
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Windows Phone
Self-Hosted
25 alternatives to XMPP
is the open standard for messaging and presence. XMPP powers emerging technologies like IoT, WebRTC, and social.
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XMPP Features
Supports XMPP
Add a screenshot
Kontalk Messenger
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Android
Self-Hosted
54 alternatives to Kontalk Messenger
Kontalk is a secure instant messenger, allowing you to send and receive text, image and voice messages (other file types coming soon) to and from other Kontalk users completely free of charge.
Suggest and vote on features
Kontalk Messenger Features
1. End-to-End EncryptionKontalk Messenger has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
2. OpenPGPKontalk Messenger supports OpenPGP, a standard of PGP encryption that is open-source for public use.
Kontalk Messenger vs WhatsApp opinions
Most users think Kontalk Messenger is a great alternative to WhatsApp.
Tinode
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Group Chat App
Video Calling App
Online
Android
iPhone
Self-Hosted
Software as a Service (SaaS)
183 alternatives to Tinode
Fully open source instant messaging server and clients. No proprietary components or non-free dependencies. Backend in pure Go (GPL 3.0), with a command-line administration tool in python + gRPC. Clients for Android, iPhone, and Web - ReactJS (all licensed under Apache 2.0).
Suggest and vote on features
Tinode Features
1. Ad-freeTinode doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
2. Support for MarkDownTinode supports MarkDown for document formatting.
3. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Tinode simultaneously.
4. VoiP CallsTinode allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
5. Command line interfaceTinode either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
6. No TrackingTinode will not track you or use your personal data.
7. Dark ModeTinode supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
Telegram
React
Tinode vs WhatsApp opinions
pros, cons and recent comments
geneso
Most feature-complete replacement.
Positive comment•
0

Guest
Completely open source and free end-to-end. Download and run.
Positive comment•
0
Snikket
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Group Chat App
Android
iPhone
Self-Hosted
F-Droid
Docker
18 alternatives to Snikket
Snikket is an ambitious project to build a new kind of XMPP-based messaging platform.
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Snikket Features
1. End-to-End EncryptionSnikket has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
2. Privacy focusedSnikket is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. No TrackingSnikket will not track you or use your personal data.
4. Multiple Account supportSnikket support multiple accounts without the need to logout and login
5. LightweightSnikket consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
6. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Snikket without registration.
7. Ad-freeSnikket doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
8. DecentralizedSnikket is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
9. VoiP CallsSnikket allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
Supports XMPP
Public groups chat
Xmpp
Desktop Sharing
Dark Mode