Best Secure Messaging Apps in 2026
Updated
In short: Wire is ranked #1 of 36 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Olvid and Telegram. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Olvid. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Threema at $3/mo.
When choosing a messaging app, consider how it handles accounts, conversations across devices and control over message history. Wire, Signal and Element appear among the first entries, followed by Olvid and Delta Chat. Compare account requirements with desktop app availability and multi-device support to see whether the setup fits the devices you use. Disappearing messages and encrypted backups offer further points to assess, while maximum group size matters if you host larger conversations. The listed free-plan availability and paid-from price can help you weigh access and cost. The ranking order gives context, but your priorities around devices, group size and message retention can guide which details deserve the closest look.
36 secure messaging apps ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
#1 Wire Top pick · 7.7 Free plan · €7.45/mo
#2 Olvid Runner-up · 7.5 Free plan · €82.50/mo
#3 Telegram Also great · 7.5 Free plan · Free
- Free plan AndroidiOSLinuxmacOSWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms€7.45/mofirst paid tier About WireVisit site - Free planFree trial AndroidiOSLinuxmacOSWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms€82.50/mofirst paid tier About OlvidVisit site - Free plan AndroidapiiOSLinuxmacOSWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Account requirement
- phone
- Encrypted backups
- Yes
- Desktop apps
- Yes
- Maximum group size
- 200,000 members
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan AndroidiOSLinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Account requirement
- phone
- Encrypted backups
- No
- Desktop apps
- Yes
- Maximum group size
- 250 members
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan AndroidiOSLinuxmacOSself-hostedWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan AndroidiOSLinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan AndroidapiiOSLinuxmacOSself-hostedWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - AndroidiOSLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free trial AndroidapiiOSLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- No
- Account requirement
- none
- Encrypted backups
- Yes
- Desktop apps
- Yes
- Maximum group size
- 256 members
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$3/mofirst paid tier About ThreemaVisit site - Free plan AndroidiOS
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$5/mofirst paid tier About ZangiVisit site - AndroidiOSLinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WebWindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroid
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WebWindowsmacOSiOSAndroid
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroid
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WebWindowsmacOSiOSAndroid
- Free plan
- Yes
- Desktop apps
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroid
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Account requirement
- none
- Desktop apps
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WebWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroid
- Free plan
- Yes
- Desktop apps
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - AndroidiOSLinuxmacOSWebWindowsRecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms
- WindowsmacOSLinuxAndroid
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WebWindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Desktop apps
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WindowsmacOSLinuxAndroid
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Account requirement
- username
- Desktop apps
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Android
- Free plan
- Yes
- Account requirement
- username
- Encrypted backups
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - macOSiOS
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which secure messaging app is ranked first on Everything Xiaomi?
Wire is ranked #1 of 36 with a score of 7.7. Olvid is second and Telegram third.
How many of these have a free plan?
8 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, Threema has the lowest first paid tier we found: $3/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes: documentation depth, a free tier and the platforms it runs on. Paid placements never change a rank.