Alternatives to Threema
Swiss encrypted messenger that works without a phone number or email. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Threema
Swiss encrypted messenger that works without a phone number or email.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Threema.
Signal
An end-to-end encrypted messenger for calls and chats on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux, run by a nonprofit.
Signal is free and nonprofit-run with a larger user base, but requires a phone number to register and the desktop app needs a phone first.
Session
An encrypted messenger with no phone number and no account, routed through an onion network.
Session is free, also needs no phone number, and adds onion routing, but losing the recovery phrase means losing the account.
SimpleX Chat
A messenger with no user identifiers at all, not even a random one, so there is no account to correlate.
SimpleX Chat is free and uses no identifier at all, with self-hostable relay servers, but connecting requires exchanging a link or QR code.
Wire
End-to-end encrypted messaging, calls and file sharing for organisations.
Wire is a freemium encrypted messenger with a self-hostable server aimed at organisations, requiring an email address or phone number.
Element
The reference Matrix client: end-to-end encrypted chat on a network you can host yourself.
Element is free and federated on Matrix with self-hosting and bridges, but asks you to choose a homeserver and manage encryption keys.
Molly
A security-hardened fork of Signal for Android with an encrypted local database and Tor support.
Molly is a free hardened Signal fork for Android only, with an encrypted local database, requiring a phone number or linking to Signal.
Olvid
An end-to-end encrypted messenger that works without a phone number, email address or other personal data.
Olvid needs no phone number or email and never reads the address book, but it is not open source and pricing is not stated on the homepage.
Telegram Desktop
The official Telegram client for the desktop, with open source code and chats that are not end-to-end encrypted.
Telegram Desktop is free and syncs cloud chats across devices, but ordinary chats are not end-to-end encrypted and a phone number is required.
Also worth comparing
These listings name Threema as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
Delta Chat
A messenger that sends over email, so anyone with an address can be reached without installing it.
Threema uses a random ID without phone number or email and is Swiss-based, but requires a one-time purchase per platform and a Threema install on both ends.
Keet
A peer-to-peer chat app for encrypted messages, audio and video calls, and file transfers.
Threema is a paid Swiss messenger with open-source apps and a random ID instead of a phone number, using servers rather than peer-to-peer delivery.
Keybase
An end-to-end encrypted messaging and file-sharing app for individuals, teams, families and groups.
Threema is a Swiss encrypted messenger with open-source apps and random IDs instead of phone numbers, but requires a one-time purchase per platform.
LINE
A popular messaging app with free text messages, voice and video calls, and stickers.
Threema is a paid Swiss encrypted messenger with open-source apps and no phone number required, across mobile, desktop and web.
Messenger
Meta's messaging and video calling service for chatting with Facebook friends and family.
Threema is a paid Swiss messenger with open-source apps and no phone number or email required, instead of a Meta account.
Status
A decentralised private messenger combined with a self-custodial crypto wallet and web3 browser.
Threema is a Swiss messenger with a random ID and no wallet features, requiring a one-time purchase on each platform.
Viber
A messaging and calling app with group chats, stickers and public communities, synced across devices.
Threema needs no phone number or email, has open source apps from a Swiss company, and requires a one-time purchase for each platform.
WeChat
Tencent's messaging app with chats, voice and video calls, Moments and mobile payments.
Threema needs no phone number or email, has open source apps and a Swiss base, and requires a one-time purchase per platform.
WhatsApp
An end-to-end encrypted messaging and calling app for phones, desktop computers and the web.
Threema needs no phone number or email and has open source apps from a Swiss company, but requires a one-time purchase per platform.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Jami
A fully peer-to-peer communication platform with no servers relaying your data and no personal information needed to sign up.
Cwtch
Metadata-resistant messaging over Tor with no central servers.
MySudo
A privacy app suite for creating separate digital identities with their own phone numbers, emails and cards.
