Olvid

Olvid is a secure messaging app for people who want to exchange text and attachments without providing personal details such as a phone number or email address. It suits privacy-conscious individuals and organizations that need encrypted communications across supported devices. Its privacy-focused design is compelling, but check the paid terms carefully: initiating calls and multi-device use sit behind a separately billed in-app purchase.

Overview

Olvid combines messaging, attachments, group discussions, disappearing messages, and encrypted audio and video calls. It says it does not need a phone number, email address, or other personal details to operate, and that it cannot know who is talking to whom because data and metadata are end-to-end encrypted. That is a strong fit for people who want to limit identifying information and relationship metadata, rather than merely protect message contents.

Each message and file uses a single-use ephemeral key, which helps protect past messages if a key is later compromised. Olvid also says it holds two ANSSI Security Visas under CSPN certifications. These are meaningful security credentials, though they do not remove the need to consider which features require payment.

Key features

Messaging includes unlimited messages and attachments on the Free plan, plus secure group discussions, multiple profiles, and ephemeral messages. That gives personal users a broad core without a message or attachment quota. Encrypted audio and video calling extends the app beyond text: receiving calls remains free, while initiating them is free only during a one-month trial. Video calls support up to two contacts; group audio has no participant limit.

Olvid supports synchronization across devices without requiring a master device. However, multi-device use is tied to the monthly in-app purchase, so the cross-device advantage comes with an extra cost beyond the free messaging tier. For organizations, Enterprise can connect to Keycloak for SSO and integrate OpenID Connect, SAML 2.0, LDAP, or Active Directory. Its management console can support MDM distribution. Optional Olvid Bots run in Docker or on Linux and expose a gRPC API, a more specialized capability for teams building integrations.

Pricing

Olvid uses a freemium model, with a 30-day trial. Free costs nothing, billed forever, and includes unlimited messages and attachments, secure group discussions, ephemeral messages, multiple profiles, and inbound calls. It is the natural starting point for personal messaging, but does not include ongoing outbound calling or multi-device use.

The in-app purchase is billed monthly through the App Store or Google Play and covers outbound audio and video calls, multi-device use, unlimited messages, and unlimited attachments. The one-month call trial ends without billing or automatic subscription; after that, initiating calls requires the purchase. Its price is custom pricing, so compare the recurring charge against how often you will use calls or synchronized devices.

Business costs €990 a year, billed annually. It includes a business license deployment, manual license management, and partial MDM deployment, making it the lower-cost organizational tier for teams that can manage licenses themselves and do not need the full management stack.

Enterprise costs €990.50 a year, billed annually. It adds turnkey integration, SSO, automated license management, MDM deployment, a management console, managed groups, and instant revocation; Olvid Bots are optional. The small price difference from Business makes Enterprise the clearer fit when centralized administration and identity integration matter. The listed annual plan prices do not state a seat count, so organizations should confirm deployment scope before choosing.

Platforms

Olvid supports Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows, including phones, tablets, and desktop computers. Its device synchronization does not depend on a master device, but multi-device use requires the in-app purchase. The range suits households and workplaces mixing mobile and desktop systems, while the paid condition weakens the appeal for users expecting synchronization as part of free messaging.

Who it's for

Olvid is a strong choice for privacy-conscious individuals who want encrypted messaging, attachments, group conversations, and multiple profiles without giving the service personal contact details. It also suits organizations seeking directory integration, SSO, managed devices, or optional bot integrations. It is less suitable for anyone who needs free outbound calls or expects multi-device synchronization at no added monthly cost.

Pros and cons

• Pro: No phone number or email address is required, and Olvid says it cannot identify who is talking to whom; this directly addresses identity and relationship privacy.
• Pro: The Free plan includes unlimited messages and attachments, group discussions, ephemeral messages, and multiple profiles, giving personal users a substantial messaging tier.
• Pro: Enterprise administration spans SSO, directory integration, MDM, managed groups, and instant revocation, with optional bots for technical integrations.
• Con: Initiating calls is free only for a one-month trial, then requires a monthly in-app purchase; receiving calls remains free.
• Con: Multi-device use also requires the in-app purchase, limiting the usefulness of Olvid's broad platform support for free users.
• Con: Business and Enterprise are annual plans, and the listed terms do not state seat counts; teams should verify scope before committing.

Alternatives

Wire is worth considering if open-source code that can be checked on GitHub is a priority; like Olvid, it has a free plan and supports mobile, desktop, and web platforms.

Session is another free-plan option for readers who value independently auditable open-source code and do not need Olvid's iOS-adjacent tablet or web platform range.

Signal suits readers who want free messaging and calling, but its desktop account requires a mobile account; Olvid instead makes outbound calls and multi-device use paid after the trial.

SimpleX Chat is an option for readers looking for a free app across mobile, desktop, API, and self-hosted platforms.

Delta Chat is a free alternative for readers who prefer free and open-source software.

Cyph is an alternative to consider for larger teams seeking a paid telehealth plan with encrypted cloud storage and voice and video calling.

Zangi is a free-plan alternative for readers whose needs are limited to Android and iOS.

Element may suit organizations comparing community and enterprise options, with plans organized by user scale.

Browse more options in Encrypted Messaging Apps and Secure Messaging Apps.

Verdict

Choose Olvid if encrypted messaging with minimal personal information, unlimited free attachments, and organizational controls are your priorities. Its strongest case is the combination of privacy claims and practical enterprise features. Look elsewhere if free outbound calls or free multi-device synchronization are essential, since both require a separate monthly in-app purchase after the call trial.