Ranking updated
Best messaging apps in 2026
For everyday chats and calls, WhatsApp encrypts messages and calls end to end and needs only your phone number. Telegram keeps your history in the cloud on every device and runs groups of up to 200,000 members. Viber is built for free audio and video calls. Signal puts privacy first and is run by a nonprofit. All four are free to message.
How we picked: a messenger has to be free to use, work on phone and computer, and say plainly how it protects your messages. We checked each app’s own App Store description for encryption, group size, calls and devices.
Which messenger is the most private?
Signal is built around privacy: its open source Signal Protocol encrypts every message and call end to end, it says it knows nothing about who you talk to, and it is a nonprofit funded by donations, not advertisers. WhatsApp also encrypts personal messages and calls end to end, and Viber has end-to-end encryption on by default for chats and calls. Telegram uses end-to-end encryption only in Secret Chats; regular chats live in its cloud so they sync across devices.
Groups, channels and communities
Telegram groups hold up to 200,000 members, and channels and bots make it the tool for big communities. Signal groups go up to 1,000 people with admin permissions. Viber groups hold up to 250 members and it has Communities and Channels too. WhatsApp keeps groups end-to-end encrypted and adds call links and screen sharing.
Voice and video calls
Viber was made for calling: free calls with up to 60 people and paid Viber Out for ordinary phone numbers. Signal supports encrypted group calls for up to 50 people, and WhatsApp free voice and video calls for up to 32 people. Telegram describes itself as pure messaging, so calls are not its focus.
Using it on a computer and several devices
Telegram apps are standalone: phone, tablet and computer read the cloud history at once, without the phone online. WhatsApp links your other devices, including an iPad, to your phone number. All four have desktop apps.
Which one to choose
Pick WhatsApp if your contacts are already there. Pick Telegram for news channels, big groups and several devices. Pick Viber for calls. Pick Signal when privacy matters most. Head to head: WhatsApp vs Telegram and Telegram vs Viber.
| App | Best for | Platforms | Price | End-to-end encryption |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WhatsAppApp StoreGoogle Play | everyday chats and calls | iOS, Android, desktop | free | yes, for messages and calls |
| TelegramApp StoreGoogle Play | cloud sync, big groups, channels, bots | iOS, Android, desktop | free | in Secret Chats |
| ViberApp StoreGoogle Play | free audio and video calls | iOS, Android, desktop | free, Viber Out paid | yes, on by default |
| SignalApp StoreGoogle Play | privacy first | iOS, Android, desktop | free | yes, Signal Protocol |
Frequently asked questions
What is the most secure messaging app?
Signal is built for privacy with end-to-end encryption on everything and is run by a nonprofit. WhatsApp and Viber also encrypt chats and calls end to end by default; Telegram does so only in Secret Chats.
Telegram or Viber?
Telegram is better for several devices, big groups, channels and bots; Viber is better for free calls and default end-to-end encryption. Full comparison: Telegram vs Viber.
Which messenger has the biggest groups?
Telegram, with groups of up to 200,000 members. Signal allows up to 1,000 and Viber up to 250.