Nowadays almost every famous chat apps available for Android supports encrypted messaging. However, some of them are owned by tech giants like Facebook tends us to doubt the extent of the credibility of those apps over our privacy and security.
With the rise of monitoring programs by the government and other major tech giants, the need for a super-secure open-source encrypted messaging app for Android is essential now to protect our privacy.
About 50% of people are concerned about their privacy while using messenger or VoIP apps in Android. Although, what most of us didn’t know that there are a handful of encrypted messaging apps are available for Android from open source community — which we can trust 100%.
There are many free and open-source Android apps are available in the market but we have picked a few of the best mobile encrypted messaging and VoIP apps available right now for Android. All these listed open source messengers and VoIP apps support end-to-end encryption and download links are also provided. And all of them are the best alternatives for WhatsApp, Viber, Facebook Messenger, Skype, etc.
Best Open-Source Encrypted Messaging Android Apps:
1. Signal
Signal is an end-to-end encrypted open source messenger. They run their own server and the cryptography is similar to the proven OTR and done by specialists. Group chat is supported and you can send media files. VoIP is also supported. There is also an iOS version.
Source code: GitHub
2. Telegram
Maybe the favorite open-source encrypted messaging Android app of the majority of people. Telegram is an encrypted messenger just like WhatsApp and supports end-to-end encryption when choosing the “secret chat” option. It also has all the other things you would want from a messenger like group chats and photo/video sharing.
Source code: GitHub
3. Conversations
Conversations is a free and open-source Jabber/XMPP client for Android. Easy to use, reliable, battery friendly. With built-in support for images, group chats. Supports end-to-end encryption using OTR or OpenPGP.
Since the app is priced $2.99 on Google Play but you can download it as free from F-Droid.
Source code: GitHub
4. Xabber
Xabber — another open-source encrypted messaging app with Jabber (XMPP) client with multi-account support and clean and simple modern material interface. In Google Play you can find two versions of Xabber — a free version and a supported version priced $2.99. It is also freely available in F-Droid.
Source code: GitHub
5. Antox
Antox is a new kind of open-source encrypted messaging Android app that uses the Tox protocol which is Peer to Peer to connect you with friends and family without anyone else listening in. Because of the use of Tox protocol, there will be high data usage and battery drain and for now WiFi only mode is recommended by the developer. Tox is completely free and comes without advertising — forever. Remember Antox is still on alpha stage and there may be some bugs.
Source code: TokTok Project
6. Kontalk Messenger
Kontalk is an end-to-end encrypted messenger, based on Open Standards (XMPP and OpenPGP). It automatically encrypts all messages and media without any user intervention.
Source code: GitHub
7. Linphone
Linphone — another VoIP Android app with easy to use SIP client with video and end-to-end encryption support. It also features audio conference calls with various participants.
Source code: GitHub
8. Briar
Briar is an open-source messaging app designed for activists, journalists, and anyone else who needs a safe, easy and robust way to communicate. In Briar, messages are synchronized directly between the users’ devices. Messages are sync via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi when the internet is down and when the internet is up, messages are sync via the Tor network.
Source code: GitLab
9. Wire — Secure Messenger
Wire messenger is a secure open-source platform comes with video calling and video conferencing for teams feature. It also allows inviting partners, customers, and suppliers to collaborate through the unique guest rooms. Cross-platform support of Wire messenger lets you collaborate whether in the office or on the road.
Source code: GitHub
10. Delta Chat
Delta Chat is a decentralized and open communication system that uses the existing e-mail server network. Delta Chat requires no additional server-side infrastructure — chat with anyone if you know their e-mail address, no need for them to install DeltaChat.
Source code: GitHub
11. Silence
Silence is a full replacement for the default text messaging application because all messages are encrypted locally and messages to other Silence users are encrypted over the air. So it is a perfect SMS/MMS application that allows you to protect your privacy while communicating with friends.
Source code: GitLab
12. Q-municate
Q-municate is a cross-platform open-source app bundled with a wide range of communication features including free messaging, file transfer, push notifications, audio/video calls.
Source code: GitHub
13. Element
Element is a flexible open-source chat app for Android with decentralized communication. It’s kind of like an open-source discord without focusing gaming community. It’s really easy to use while also being secure, as it supports the end-to-end encryption. Also, you can even run your own server and connect to everyone else.
Source code: GitHub
Use these open-source encrypted messaging and VoIP Android apps and be sure no one else can see your messages. Because these apps make it confirm — everything you send can only be read by the person you sent it to.
So which private messenger app are you going to use? And don’t forget to share the information with your dear ones. And comment if you know any other similar messenger.
I have been using Signal Private messenger for almost two years and it never disappoints, i keep reading about stuff that how secure the signal private messenger is.
Recently they have extra level of security called sealed sender which is very unique and Signal messenger is first and only messenger to offer such kind of extra layer of security.
Did I see a list where there is not only Telegram, Signal and other popular messengers, but also many other interesting, although I would add Utopia here. I just started using it myself, but I already like it.
Frankly As a User I Would Give My Vote to Signal App The Best Messaging App of 2020 , using From just Last 5 to 6 Month its Good , Thanks Signal
Yes, I found my personal data privacy and security with Signal private messenger
Thanks to Signal team, they made privacy easy
“I’m really Conscious about my privacy and I always use a different apps to chat online. After extensive research, I found the Signal Private Messenger app which has been consistently ranked as one of the best messaging app so I decided to try it. It’s easy to use .
I agree with you, it’s the same everywhere. I also like Utopia, I hope it has a great future
There are no new messengers like Utopia in this list. To date, this is the best for me
Signal is a highly recommend encrypted messaging app for privacy-centric people. It runs on world’s best encryption protocol i.e. Signal Protocol.
The real concern for the safety of users is only in the ecosystem of utopia. It was created with conscience.