Telegram Alternatives: 9 Private Messaging Services to Make the Switch To
Telegram’s controversy understandably worries many of its users, but thankfully, there’s a healthy selection of alternative services out there that are both centralized and decentralized .
Because many of these messenger apps want to stand out among their competitors, they often possess a range of unique features and plenty of security and privacy measures.
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However, rather than jumping onto the first one you see, it can be worthwhile conducting prior research to learn how they all work, especially since you’ll probably be using them long-term.
Table of Contents
- The Telegram Controversy
- Why You Should Find an Alternative
- Centralized vs. Decentralized Messengers
- Top Alternative Centralized Messaging Services
- 1. Signal
- 2. WeChat
- 3. LINE
- Top Alternative Decentralized Messaging Services
- 1. Matrix/Element
- 2. Briar
- 3. Dust
- 4. Session
- 5. Jami
- 6. Tox
- Decentralized Messengers Pros and Cons
- Pros
- Cons
- On the Flipside
- Why This Matters
- FAQs
The Telegram Controversy
Telegram has long been a popular and admired messaging app because it claims to ‘encrypt’ messages, keeping them hidden from anyone outside the conversation.
In 2021, it became one of the most downloaded apps on the planet, showing its size and how eager people were to find a way to send messages privately.
Despite Telegram’s success, it reached a screeching halt in August 2024 when CEO Pavel Durov was arrested at Le Bourget airport in France. It’s claimed that the reason for the interception is that Telegram had been used for criminal activities due to a lack of moderation.
While some have supported the arrest, others, including Elon Musk and Edward Snowden, have pushed back, citing this as an attempt by governments to crack down on decentralized or Web3 platforms.
Why You Should Find an Alternative
Despite this back and forth, this controversy has also exposed how unprotected Telegram is in practice.
Not only are Telegram chats not encrypted by default, but the company’s bigwigs also hold the decryption keys. This means that if a legal authority presses them, as they are now, they could easily read people’s chats if asked to.
Understandably, many Telegram users don’t feel safe knowing that their messages could be exposed at any moment, so finding an alternative messenger app is far from a bad idea.
Centralized vs. Decentralized Messengers
Instant messaging has become a social norm in today’s world, but as many of us have known for a while now, most messenger services aren’t private.
Facebook Messenger, Snapchat, and Instagram are just a few examples of platforms that are controlled and monitored by a single entity or group and are, therefore, centralized. However, this isn’t inherently a bad thing.
Platforms such as these tend to be easy to access and streamlined, along with having huge communities, but they do come at the cost of privacy as some of these platforms will allow user metadata to be extracted.
Decentralized messengers, on the other hand, as their name suggests, don’t have anyone controlling the chat app from behind the scenes. Instead, messages are forwarded locally by nodes (computers that work within the network) to keep chats encrypted and secured.
Alongside the core privacy measures, such as end-to-end encryption (E2EE), some decentralized messengers will further protect users. This can include hiding usernames, deleting messages after a few seconds, or even restricting certain features like video sharing, though all of this differs between applications.
Top Alternative Centralized Messaging Services
Sure, we’re all familiar with the likes of Facebook and Instagram. Still, plenty of other centralized messaging apps can offer more features alongside enhanced security for a few of them.
1. Signal
Signal is an accessible and easy-going app that doesn’t contain annoying ads or trackers that often hinder other centralized apps.
Instead, Signal is completely independent, not tied to any major tech companies, and therefore offers more privacy than many of its competitors. This includes using end-to-end encryption and keeping user metadata completely private.
In fact, the Signal Protocol, which provides the bulk of security measures, is often seen as one of the most secure protocols.
Signal’s state-of-the-art end-to-end encryption ensures that nobody, not even the Signal team, can read personal messages.
Alongside offering text and voice messages, Signal also lets its users have a little fun conversing with GIFs, video files, and more. It’s an app that is easy to understand and very secure despite being centralized.
Key Takeaways
- Completely independent and ad-free.
- Signal Protocol provides top-notch security, including end-to-end encryption.
- Plentiful selection of GIFs and stickers to use in conversations.
2. WeChat
WeChat is an app dedicated to bringing people together. For one, it allows 500 people to join a single group chat. Additionally, WeChat boasts over 1 billion active users, so it can certainly be useful for anyone looking to make new friends, especially considering how streamlined the “Contacts” feature is.
One handy tool that WeChat offers that adds to its accessibility is Guardian Mode. This allows users to restrict certain features, such as adding contacts and sending messages, for any time their kids or other loved ones are on their phones. Though end-to-end encryption isn’t activated by default, WeChat still provides other security measures, such as 2-factor authentication and a built-in virus scanner, to ensure downloaded files are clean and verifiable.
Alongside videos and voice calls, WeChat also has a ‘Moments’ feature, which, as the name implies, allows users to store and share their fondest memories for everyone to see.
WeChat has grown to immense popularity, and as a result, it’s great for those looking to build or join a community.
Key Takeaways
- Huge community of users to interact with.
- ‘Moments’ feature for saving and sharing important memories.
- Guardian mode protects messages from being sent by other family members, such as kids.
3. LINE
Though LINE is primarily used in its native country of Japan, it’s also received a lot of love internationally, primarily because of its many services.
Of course, the messenger app’s core features include the usual communication options, such as text, voice, and video calls. However, it also contains a LINE Wallet and Line VOOM, which displays short reels from other users.
With the OpenChat feature, users can also spark conversations with strangers who may have shared interests, which adds a nice bit of interactivity to the platform.
Key Takeaways
- Lots of extra functionality, including LINE Wallet and LINE VOOM.
- OpenChat feature for meeting like-minded users on the platform.
- Clean and organized interface is easy to navigate.
Top Alternative Decentralized Messaging Services
Anyone who’s jumping off the Telegram bandwagon or simply looking for a reliable decentralized secure messaging app will find a lot to enjoy with these options listed below.
1. Matrix/Element
Matrix was established in 2014, and it’s managed to amass a pretty sizable community since then. The community is dotted across different in-house providers, the most popular of which is Element.
The service offers text messaging, group chats, and video calls, all fully encrypted and secure, ensuring guaranteed private messaging between users.
Where Matrix really shines, though, is in its extra features, especially the Bridge system. Bridges allows users to collect chats and contacts from other messengers onto Matrix, which can be particularly useful nowadays for people who might want to transfer some of their user data from Telegram.
There are also Widgets that allow for third-party chat application functionality. This could be anything from Google Docs for a business meeting to showing a YouTube video during a casual chat with friends.
Matrix delivers the standard messaging systems you’ve come to expect alongside some unique bonus features that raise the platform’s appeal.
Key Takeaways
- Bridge system collects chats and contacts from other apps onto Matrix.
- Widgets allow for third-party apps to be used in chat rooms.
- Streamlined and beginner-friendly interface.
2. Briar
Briar is a no-nonsense app that prioritizes security above all else. It’s seen as such a secure messaging service because it was initially designed for human rights activists and journalists who needed a safe and easy way to communicate while exchanging sensitive information.
Messages and contact lists are encrypted when using Briar, and no personal data, such as a name or phone number, is needed for authentication. There’s also no keyword filtering, and screenshots, video, and voice chats are completely disabled to ensure nothing leaves the platform.
One major benefit of Briar is that if you receive a message in real time while offline, it will be stored inside the Briar Mailbox. Decentralized messengers can sometimes struggle to resolve this issue, which can lead to ‘lost messages,’ but that isn’t the case with Briar.
It does need to be mentioned that all of these security measures make it extremely difficult to find users on the app. Therefore, it’s best for people who already know each other in real life and can exchange codes rather than anyone looking to meet new people.
Key Takeaways
- Heightened security with no keyword filtering, screenshots, video, or voice chats.
- Messages sent to offline users are stored in the Briar mailbox.
- Designed for journalists and activists who want to share sensitive information in a private space.
3. Dust
Dust is an app that feels more in line with centralized apps like Facebook and the like, not because it’s centralized but because it acts as both a messenger and a social media page.
Let’s first focus on the messages. Dust chats are end-to-end encrypted, and individual messages will ‘self-destruct’ 100 seconds after they’ve been read so nobody can look back through a conversation. This can definitely be a little irritating with slow replies, but in terms of security, it’s a great addition.
Screenshotting is also prohibited, and each user’s private keys are stored locally on their device, giving them full control over their data.
As mentioned, Dust incorporates some very light social media aspects, primarily the ability to follow people. The app even allows users to form groups to communicate with people with shared interests.
So, while Dust’s messaging protocols can be a bit restrictive, it more than makes up for it with social media-style integration, which makes the whole thing feel more interactive and community-friendly.
Key Takeaways
- Chats self-destruct to keep conversations private.
- Social media integration allows users to follow each other.
- Ability to form groups with users of similar interests.
4. Session
Session will appeal most to those who want a way to speak with multiple people at one time, maybe as part of a business meeting or for digital family meetups.
This is because, alongside encrypted text messages directed through three random drones as part of the open-source infrastructure, Session also offers E2E group chats for up to 100 people.
Additionally, users can message offline recipients thanks to the nodes that store and route messages that aren’t delivered properly.
You also can’t talk about Session without mentioning the Session token. This will allow users to stake tokens to earn passive rewards over time, which is certainly an appealing feature for crypto enthusiasts on the hunt for new and unique tokens.
Key Takeaways
- Provides group chats that support up to 100 people.
- Unreceived messages are safely stored with the nodes.
- Session token allows for token staking on the platform.
5. Jami
Some decentralized messaging apps can get a little carried away with stripping back core features when emphasizing user privacy. Jami, however, allows people to communicate in a myriad of different ways while remaining fully anonymous and encrypted.
Instant messaging, group chats, audio calls, video conferences, screen sharing, and file sharing are readily available when users sign up. Speaking of signing up, Jami does not require any personal information or data, just a unique username.
It’s also accessible and can be used on Linux, Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.
Jami offers a few small but welcome built-in features to make the service as comfortable as possible, including auto-answer for incoming calls and typing indicators.
It does need to be said that Jami’s audio and video quality can be unreliable, but considering the number of ways you can contact someone, this is a small blip on an otherwise great service.
Key Takeaways
- Abundance of features, including instant messaging, screen sharing, group chats, and more.
- Extra quality-of-life features such as auto-answer and typing indicators.
- Accessible on all platforms and devices.
6. Tox
Tox was created by a group of volunteer developers in 2013 following the Snowden leaks who wanted to provide an encrypted messaging app that was completely decentralized but still easy to understand.
Therefore, Tox prides itself on simplicity in terms of its interface and offers everything from instant messaging and video conferences to screen sharing and group calls. To keep users safe, Tox requires each person to create a unique Tox ID so that nobody’s IP address is ever exposed to the public.
No central servers make it impossible to shut down Tox completely, and considering it’s free of charge and has garnered a sizable community, it’s certainly not an app to be ignored.
Key Takeaways
- Streamlined interface.
- Tox ID to protect user IP addresses.
- Large community after having been around for more than a decade.
Decentralized Messengers Pros and Cons
It’s clear that being able to freely chat with friends and colleagues without being linked to a central server has many advantages. However, that shouldn’t suggest that decentralized apps don’t also possess some drawbacks that users should be aware of.
Pros
- Enhanced Privacy: Decentralized messaging services’ biggest and most important advantage is the privacy provided through end-to-end encryption. This prevents unwanted data breaches, ensuring users feel safe and confident when exchanging messages and videos.
- Censorship-Resistant: Since no single entity lays down ground rules, users are free to discuss any topic without being censored.
- Worldwide Access: Decentralized messengers don’t use central servers, meaning communication pools aren’t separated between regions.
- Token Economy: Some services, such as Session, will incorporate tokens as an incentive. This adds more interactivity to the platform, where users can gain passive rewards over time through staking .
- Immutability: Blockchain technology ensures messages cannot be altered or deleted. This can be very useful for professionals and in legal contexts where keeping a record is important.
Cons
- Losing Messages: Sending messages to offline users can sometimes cause them to be lost. Some messengers will allow this but must go through a clunky process to ensure the messages appear. Additionally, some chats can self-destruct after a few seconds, which is good for security but not great for bad replies.
- Lack of Customer Support: Since there isn’t a single centralized entity running these services, customer support is either difficult to find or non-existent.
- Accessibility: Some messengers cannot be found on certain app stores because of background checks and legal requirements. Additionally, the interfaces are rougher around the edges than mainstream apps.
On the Flipside
- Telegram’s controversy shows that, no matter how private a service can claim to be, this isn’t always guaranteed.
- Decentralized messengers can always flip the switch later down the line to become centralized, and centralized apps can never ensure full privacy due to being connected to a central entity.
Why This Matters
Whether you’re a business leader hoping to set up some group calls, a journalist looking to speak to some contacts, or just someone who enjoys chatting to friends and family, privacy is extremely important.
Rather than sticking with mainstream services such as Telegram, we have the power to seek out alternatives that will prioritize our privacy while also allowing us to communicate with friends and family in a secure environment.
FAQs
The popular messaging platform Whatsapp does not embrace decentralization. The same applies to Discord which is divided into smaller servers of communities.
Web3 is the concept of a decentralized internet. This would create an ecosystem where messaging applications and communication platforms would be entirely decentralized and safeguarded from data breaches and hackers.
Public blockchains, such as the Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) networks, are entirely decentralized.
Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.