Alternatives to Wire
End-to-end encrypted messaging, calls and file sharing for organisations. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Wire
End-to-end encrypted messaging, calls and file sharing for organisations.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Wire.
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 with no paid tiers, run by a nonprofit and focused on individuals, requiring a phone number and offering no self-hosted server.
Element
The reference Matrix client: end-to-end encrypted chat on a network you can host yourself.
Element provides encrypted chat on federated Matrix servers you can self-host, with bridges to Slack and IRC, though key management can confuse new users.
Threema
Swiss encrypted messenger that works without a phone number or email.
Threema is a Swiss encrypted messenger needing no phone number or email, but is sold as a one-time purchase per platform.
Mattermost
A self-hosted team chat platform with a desktop client, aimed at organisations that want Slack without the cloud.
Mattermost is self-hosted team chat for organisations with Boards and Playbooks, but the listing does not describe end-to-end encryption or calls.
Microsoft Teams (free)
The free edition of Microsoft Teams for chat, file sharing and video meetings.
Microsoft Teams (free) bundles chat, file sharing and meetings for up to 100 people, but is proprietary and tied to Microsoft accounts.
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, uses no user identifier, and supports self-hosted relays, but lacks an organisational focus and needs link-based contact exchange.
Session
An encrypted messenger with no phone number and no account, routed through an onion network.
Session is free and needs no phone number or email, routing messages through an onion network, but offers no organisational features.
Olvid
An end-to-end encrypted messenger that works without a phone number, email address or other personal data.
Olvid provides end-to-end encrypted chat without a phone number or email and never reads the address book, but it is not open source.
Also worth comparing
These listings name Wire 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.
Wire provides encrypted messaging, calls and file sharing aimed at organisations with a self-hostable server, but requires an account tied to email or phone.
Keybase
An end-to-end encrypted messaging and file-sharing app for individuals, teams, families and groups.
Wire offers encrypted messaging, calls and file sharing with open-source clients and a self-hostable server, focused on paid business plans for organisations.
LINE
A popular messaging app with free text messages, voice and video calls, and stickers.
Wire is an open-source end-to-end encrypted messenger for calls and files, focused on paid business plans, with a self-hostable server.
Messenger
Meta's messaging and video calling service for chatting with Facebook friends and family.
Wire is an open-source end-to-end encrypted messenger with calls and file sharing, though its free personal tier is limited.
Molly
A security-hardened fork of Signal for Android with an encrypted local database and Tor support.
Wire is an open-source end-to-end encrypted messenger with calls and file sharing, requiring an account tied to an email address or phone number.
Rocket.Chat Desktop
Connect to Rocket.Chat workspaces from a desktop client.
Wire offers end-to-end encrypted messaging, calls and file sharing for organisations, with a self-hostable server and a free tier that is limited.
Telegram Desktop
The official Telegram client for the desktop, with open source code and chats that are not end-to-end encrypted.
Wire encrypts messages and calls end to end and can be self-hosted, with a focus on organisations and a limited free personal tier.
Viber
A messaging and calling app with group chats, stickers and public communities, synced across devices.
Wire provides open source end-to-end encrypted messaging and calls with a self-hostable server, but its focus is on paid business plans and the free tier is limited.
WhatsApp
An end-to-end encrypted messaging and calling app for phones, desktop computers and the web.
Wire provides open source, end-to-end encrypted messaging and calls with a self-hostable server, focused on paid business plans with a limited free tier.
Zulip
Team chat organised by topic inside each channel, so conversations stay readable when you come back hours later.
Wire provides end-to-end encrypted messaging and calls for organisations with a self-hostable server, focusing on paid business plans.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Jitsi Meet
Open-source WebRTC video meetings that run in the browser or in mobile apps.
Slack
A team chat platform organized into channels, with huddles, file sharing, app integrations and AI features.
Webex
Cisco's collaboration suite for video meetings, calling, team messaging, webinars and whiteboarding.
