Secure messaging Tools
Encrypted messaging, calls, and secure collaboration.
12 tools evaluated. Ratings backed by published methodology.
Briar
P2P encrypted messaging over Tor. Works when the internet doesn't.
Element
Decentralized encrypted messaging on the Matrix protocol. No single server to compromise.
Jitsi Meet
Open-source encrypted video conferencing — self-host for full control, or use meet.jit.si for quick calls.
Proton Mail
E2E encrypted email under Swiss jurisdiction — but Swiss privacy protections are eroding, and Proton is moving infrastructure to the EU.
Session
Decentralized encrypted messenger that requires no phone number, no email, and routes messages through onion paths. The most metadata-resistant messenger available — if it survives its funding crisis.
Signal
E2E encrypted messaging. No ads, no tracking, no compromises.
Slack
Team messaging platform. Not end-to-end encrypted — your employer and Salesforce can access messages.
Telegram
Cloud-based messaging. NOT end-to-end encrypted by default. Not recommended for journalist-source communication.
Threema
Swiss encrypted messenger with no phone number required. Paid, private, and metadata-minimal — the privacy-first alternative to Signal for journalists who want to stay off the grid entirely.
E2E encrypted messaging owned by Meta. Strong encryption, hostile metadata environment. Use Signal instead.
Wire
E2E encrypted messaging with MLS protocol, enterprise group features, and European data sovereignty. Now backed by Schwarz Group.
Zoom
Video conferencing with optional E2E encryption. Free tier: 40-minute group meetings.
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