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Keybase alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 8, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rankAll messaging apps

Top picks

  • Signal logo

    Best overall

    Signal

    Free

  • Element logo

    Best free option

    Element

    Open source

  • Session logo

    Best open source

    Session

    Starting price: From $2.99 a month (Session Pro)

Common reasons people leave Keybase: few new features since the Zoom acquisition in 2020, and small user base compared with mainstream messengers. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Keybase, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Signal currently ranks first.

Keybase has been acquired. Acquired by Zoom on 7 May 2020, according to the Keybase blog.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingVerified priceOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Signal logoSignalFree—YesWindows, macOS, Linux +25 of 583.8
2Element logoElementOpen source—YesWeb, Windows, macOS +44 of 470.6
3Session logoSessionFree plan + paidFrom $2.99 a month (Session Pro)YesWindows, macOS, Linux +27 of 765.2
4Threema logoThreemaPaid—YesWeb, Windows, macOS +36 of 663.3
5Wire logoWireFree plan + paid€7.45 per person/month billed annuallyYesWeb, Windows, macOS +36 of 663.1
  1. Signal logo

    1. SignalTop pick

    Best for: Anyone who wants the strongest mainstream privacy without giving up a familiar chat app

    FreeOpen sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    83.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Keybase

    Actively developed, widely used encrypted messenger with calls; far easier to get friends and family onto.

    Pros

    • Everything end-to-end encrypted by default, including groups
    • Collects almost no metadata
    • No ads, tracking or paid tier; open source

    Cons

    • Needs a phone number to register
    • Desktop app only works linked to a phone
    • Smaller network than WhatsApp in most countries
    Visit Signal Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Signal a good Keybase alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    License
    AGPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Organisation
    Independent nonprofit
    Checked Nov 8, 2026signal.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Ads and tracking
    None
    Checked Nov 8, 2026signal.org(opens source in a new tab)
    End-to-end encryption
    Always on
    Checked Nov 8, 2026signal.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Desktop app
    Requires Signal on your phone
    Checked Nov 8, 2026signal.org(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Element logo

    2. Element

    Best for: Communities and organisations that want open, federated, encrypted chat they can run themselves

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted

    70.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Keybase

    Matrix-based encrypted chat with rooms and spaces, and you can self-host the server for a team.

    Pros

    • Federated: talk across servers, or host your own
    • Encrypted by default for private chats
    • Open source, with bridges to other networks

    Cons

    • More complex than mainstream messengers
    • Key backup and device verification confuse newcomers
    • Self-hosting a homeserver takes real admin work
    Visit Element Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.1539
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Element a good Keybase alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    AGPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Self-hosting
    Free community edition
    Checked Nov 8, 2026element.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Enterprise pricing
    Per seat/month
    Checked Nov 8, 2026element.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Certification
    ISO/IEC 27001:2022
    Checked Nov 8, 2026element.io(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Session logo

    3. Session

    Best for: People who want an anonymous messenger with no phone number and minimal metadata

    Free plan + paidOpen sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    65.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Keybase

    Signs you up without a phone number or email and routes messages through an onion network.

    Pros

    • No phone number or email needed
    • Onion routing hides who talks to whom
    • Open source and audited

    Cons

    • Slower delivery and less reliable calls
    • Lost recovery password means a lost account
    • Network is tied to a cryptocurrency token
    Visit Session Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.1539
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Session a good Keybase alternative?

    Verified facts

    7 of 7 verified
    License
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Phone number
    Not required
    Checked Nov 8, 2026getsession.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Routing
    Onion routing network
    Checked Nov 8, 2026getsession.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Session Pro price
    From $2.99/month
    Checked Nov 8, 2026getsession.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Steward
    Session Technology Foundation
    Checked Nov 8, 2026getsession.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    From $2.99 a month (Session Pro)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026getsession.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Free plan
    Yes, private messaging stays free
    Checked Nov 8, 2026getsession.org(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Threema logo

    4. Threema

    Best for: Privacy-minded people who want an anonymous messenger and are happy to pay once

    PaidOpen sourceWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    63.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Keybase

    Swiss encrypted messenger that also needs no phone number, with a separate work edition.

    Pros

    • No phone number or email needed
    • Open-source apps, independently audited
    • One-time price, no ads or data harvesting

    Cons

    • Costs money, which deters friends from joining
    • Much smaller network than WhatsApp or Signal
    • Desktop app depends on the phone app
    Visit Threema Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.1539
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Threema a good Keybase alternative?

    Verified facts

    6 of 6 verified
    Price
    One-time purchase (about 6 CHF/EUR/USD)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026threema.ch(opens source in a new tab)
    Phone number
    Not required
    Checked Nov 8, 2026threema.ch(opens source in a new tab)
    Country
    Switzerland
    Checked Nov 8, 2026threema.ch(opens source in a new tab)
    License
    AGPL-3.0 (Android app)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    6 CHF/EUR/USD one-time
    Checked Nov 8, 2026threema.ch(opens source in a new tab)
    Threema Work plan
    From 3 CHF/EUR/USD per user/month
    Checked Nov 8, 2026threema.ch(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Wire logo

    5. Wire

    Best for: Small teams and organisations that want an encrypted European messenger they can audit or self-host

    Free plan + paidOpen sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    63.1

    score / 100

    Why switch from Keybase

    Encrypted messaging with team and business plans, a close fit for Keybase's teams feature.

    Pros

    • End-to-end encryption with the MLS standard
    • Sign up with email, no phone number required
    • Open source, with on-premises deployment

    Cons

    • Few personal contacts use it
    • Product direction centres on businesses
    • Free plan limited to small teams
    Visit Wire Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.1539
    Freshness ×0.1570
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Wire a good Keybase alternative?

    Verified facts

    6 of 6 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, up to 5 people
    Checked Nov 8, 2026wire.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    €7.45 per person/month billed annually
    Checked Nov 8, 2026wire.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Devices
    Up to 8
    Checked Nov 8, 2026wire.com(opens source in a new tab)
    License
    GPL-3.0 (web app)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Encryption
    MLS, end-to-end by default
    Checked Nov 8, 2026wire.com(opens source in a new tab)
    SMB monthly price
    €8.94 per person/month billed monthly
    Checked Nov 8, 2026wire.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Keybase alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Signal logo

Best Keybase alternative for most people

Signal

Actively developed, widely used encrypted messenger with calls; far easier to get friends and family onto.

Element logo

Best Keybase alternative for a free option

Element

Matrix-based encrypted chat with rooms and spaces, and you can self-host the server for a team.

Session logo

Best Keybase alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Session

Signs you up without a phone number or email and routes messages through an onion network.

Threema logo

Best Keybase alternative for open source

Threema

Swiss encrypted messenger that also needs no phone number, with a separate work edition.

Wire logo

Best Keybase alternative for self-hosting

Wire

Encrypted messaging with team and business plans, a close fit for Keybase's teams feature.

Signal logo

Best Keybase alternative for Mac

Signal

Actively developed, widely used encrypted messenger with calls; far easier to get friends and family onto.

Signal logo

Best Keybase alternative for Windows

Signal

Actively developed, widely used encrypted messenger with calls; far easier to get friends and family onto.

Signal logo

Best Keybase alternative for Linux

Signal

Actively developed, widely used encrypted messenger with calls; far easier to get friends and family onto.

Signal logo

Best Keybase alternative for iPhone and Android

Signal

Actively developed, widely used encrypted messenger with calls; far easier to get friends and family onto.

Element logo

Best Keybase alternative for working in the browser

Element

Matrix-based encrypted chat with rooms and spaces, and you can self-host the server for a team.

Keybase alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Keybase?

Signal ranks first right now. Actively developed, widely used encrypted messenger with calls; far easier to get friends and family onto. Element and Session follow it in our ranking.

Keybase vs Signal: what's the difference?

Both Keybase and Signal are free to use. Both run on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android.

Is Keybase free?

Keybase is free to use.

How much do Keybase alternatives cost?

Verified prices for the top-ranked Keybase alternatives: Session, From $2.99 a month (Session Pro); Wire, €7.45 per person/month billed annually. Each price was checked on the app's own site; see each card below for the date and source.

Is there a free alternative to Keybase?

Yes. Signal (free), Element (open source), Session (free plan + paid) and Wire (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Keybase?

Yes: Signal, Element, Session and Threema, plus 1 more in the list above. Element and Wire can also be self-hosted.

Which Keybase alternatives work on Linux?

Signal, Element, Session, Threema and Wire run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Keybase?

The complaints we hear most: few new features since the Zoom acquisition in 2020; small user base compared with mainstream messengers; server is closed and can't be self-hosted.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Keybase, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.