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Secure messaging app reviews

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Last updated: 30 June 2017

We test and review 14 of the most popular smartphone messaging apps for security, usability and helpful features like multimedia messaging.

Our messaging app security buying guide will help you decide which type of messaging app you need, and how we test explains how we picked the best apps.

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Our test covers Facebook Messenger encryption and security features, along with Chat Secure, Confide, iMessages, Signal, Silent Phone, Snapchat, Telegram, Threema, Tunnel X, Viber, WeChat, WhatsApp and Wickr rated for security features.

Our expert testers give each iOS and Android smartphone messaging app a thorough workout to help find the apps that:

  • are easiest to use
  • have the most security features
  • have extra features such as multimedia messaging and message previews.

Our interactive comparison tool helps you find out which messaging apps have the most security features and are the easiest to use. Our Recommended picks will help you quickly see which apps come out on top.

Ros Page
By Ros Page
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Brand

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List of brands we tested in this review.

Price

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Price paid in May 2017. $0 means the app is free. Some apps may have in-app purchases.

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Recommended products

Can save attachments

Always logged in

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If the user can stay logged in to the app without having to log in each time.

Message copying and forwarding allowed

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Whether the program allows copying and/or forwarding of messages.

Multi-device support

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If the app supports use on multiple devices.

Scores

Overall score

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The Overall score is based on the weighted ease of use (55%), security features (40%) and versatility/features (5%) scores.

enter value/s in increments of 1 between 50 and 78

Ease of use score

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Ease of use score is based on a series of tests performed in normal operation of the app.

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Security features score

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Security features score is based on a checklist of tests performed by the tester including encryption, logging and message integrity.

enter value/s in increments of 1 between 45 and 70

Versatility score

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Versatility score is based on what the program can do and the features it supports.

enter value/s in increments of 1 between 40 and 67

Included in this review

Members-only access
  • Recommended
  • Price
  • Overall score
  • Ease of use score
  • Security features score
  • Versatility score
  • Encryption type
  • Endpoint encryption
  • In-transit encryption
  • Personal encryption key
  • User data collected
  • Zero access from vendor
  • Server location
  • Server data retention time
  • Government data request policy available
  • Conversation log encryption
  • Message copying and forwarding allowed
  • Screenshots allowed
  • Message storage location
  • Message destruction
  • Metadata collection
  • Metadata encryption
  • Security audit
  • Open source
  • Attachment file types supported
  • Can save attachments
  • File permissions requested
  • Login type
  • Message limits
  • User managed data retention
  • Idle time lock
  • User alert and notification types
  • User typing alert
  • Message previews
  • Multi-device support
  • Always logged in
  • Account termination method
  • Good points
  • Bad points
  • Brand
  • Model
  • Availability
  • Android
  • iOS
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