WhatsApp alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data
Common reasons people leave WhatsApp: owned by Meta, which collects usage metadata, and requires a phone number to sign up. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces WhatsApp, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Signal currently ranks first.
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Show all 6 alternativesThe best WhatsApp alternative for…
The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.
Best WhatsApp alternative for most people
SignalThe same easy chat experience with end-to-end encryption, run by a nonprofit that collects almost no metadata.
Best WhatsApp alternative for a free option
SimpleX ChatNo phone number or user ID at all, for those who want to cut ties with account-based messengers.
Best WhatsApp alternative for a free plan you can upgrade
TelegramCloud-synced chats on every device, huge groups and public channels, without a phone-tethered setup.
Best WhatsApp alternative for open source
ThreemaSwiss, paid once, and usable without a phone number for people leaving over privacy concerns.
Best WhatsApp alternative for self-hosting
SimpleX ChatNo phone number or user ID at all, for those who want to cut ties with account-based messengers.
Best WhatsApp alternative for Mac
ViberAnother free, encrypted mass-market messenger with good desktop apps and cheap calls to landlines.
Best WhatsApp alternative for Windows
SignalThe same easy chat experience with end-to-end encryption, run by a nonprofit that collects almost no metadata.
Best WhatsApp alternative for Linux
SignalThe same easy chat experience with end-to-end encryption, run by a nonprofit that collects almost no metadata.
Best WhatsApp alternative for iPhone and Android
Facebook MessengerMeta's other messenger, useful if your contacts are mainly Facebook friends rather than phone contacts.
Best WhatsApp alternative for working in the browser
TelegramCloud-synced chats on every device, huge groups and public channels, without a phone-tethered setup.
WhatsApp alternatives: common questions
What is the best alternative to WhatsApp?
Signal ranks first right now. The same easy chat experience with end-to-end encryption, run by a nonprofit that collects almost no metadata. Telegram and Viber follow it in our ranking.
Is there a free alternative to WhatsApp?
Yes. Signal (free), Telegram (free plan + paid), Viber (free plan + paid) and SimpleX Chat (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.
Is there an open-source alternative to WhatsApp?
Yes: Signal, Threema and SimpleX Chat. SimpleX Chat can also be self-hosted.
Which WhatsApp alternatives work on Linux?
Signal, Telegram, Viber, Threema and SimpleX Chat run on Linux.
Why do people switch from WhatsApp?
The complaints we hear most: owned by Meta, which collects usage metadata; requires a phone number to sign up; ads and Meta AI are creeping into the app.
How is this list ranked?
Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces WhatsApp, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.