A guide for choosing the best messaging app for you
What you shouldn't use
Before I introduce you to the best available chat apps, you should be aware of the spyware you should never use.
- Discord
- Telegram
- Facebook Messenger
- imessage
Neither of these apps has an open code, or is actually encrypted. Meaning anyone can see your messages, access other data of your phone and use them for marketing, etc.
Use these instead
All of these apps bellow are encrypted, as well as free and open source, so I won't be mentioning these as pros.
Jami
Pros
- No indentification required, not even a username.
- Decentralization. The app doesn't make use of servers, meaning as long as there is a usable path between users, jami will deliver your messages. Can be used on a local network with no connection to the internet.
- Easy account management, all you have to do is type in a one time code in order to log into another device.
- Supports every feature you would expect, including screen sharing.
- Can edit messages
- Available on every platform (Windows, GNU/Linux, iOS, Android, Mac, Android TV)
Cons
- Both of you have to stay online for the messages to be sent. If one user goes offline, the other device will wait until it comes back online, and will send the message then.
Who is it for?
Personally I can reccomend Jami for long sessions during which you are sure the other person is online. This way you will use Jami up to its full potential. If neither you or your friends are online often, this app will only cause you headache.
Matrix
Not a chat app, but a protocol just like e-mail. If you want to use it, you will have to choose from one of the clients that support it, and choose a provider, just like you would with email.
Pros
- Registration requirements depend on each homeserver. Mine only requires a username, while some might require an email.
- The most popular clients support everything except for screen sharing. As far as I am aware, only element can do this.
- Can edit messages
- Available on every platform as well, since it is a protocol. Anyone can make an app for any platform, with different features.
Cons
- Decentralization of servers can lead to issues, such as your homeserver being faulty. However, you shouldn't be put off by this as switching them is a matter of creating a new account and inviting it to your old chats. (Yes, every chat is treated as a room, and anyone whom you allow can join it. Never loose your conversations again!)
Who is it for?
I've been using matrix for over a year now, and can confidently say that there isn't anyone I couldn't recommend matrix to. It is just a well made platform.
Honorable mentions
A brief summary of the other available chat apps if none of these interest you.
XMPP
- Simmilar to matrix. It is only a protocol, and you can choose whatever provider and client you wish.
- I have no experience with it but it is definitelly a valid option. You can start by choosing from one of the clients that support it, and choose a provider, just like with matrix.
SimpleX
- A new messaging app with supposedly no users identifiers. Its code has been audited, so you might give it a shot
- However I cannot reccomend it as it currently only supports Android 10+ devices, and the desktops are left with a command line version of the app.
Briar
- A standard for protesters. Connects directly to the TOR network, and can send messages via the local network, bluetooth and the internet.
- Sadly Briar offers almost no features, besides texting and sending images in low resolution. Not ideal for a day to day use case, but that's not Briar's reason for existing.
I've not mentioned Signal intentionally, as it is a centralized platform requiring a phone number. Even if secure, I just can't reccomend it to anyone.