What is the best messenger today?

N1b not having encrypted messages by default (and only for 1:1 conversations via very hidden secret messages functionality) destroys all usability for me. I can't trust a "private" family group chat that is out there for everyone to read, no matter what company is behind it.

Thanks a lot for your perspective, I agree with you. I have seen a trend of switching from WhatsApp to Telegram in my friend circle and after all I am not sure this changes anything for me, as both WhatsApp and Telegram are using closed-source encryption by default. As you pointed out, at least WhatsApp promises that it uses end-to-end encryption.

leo

N1b

Since you asked for my opinion, I'll respond by saying I completely agree with N1b in regards to Telegram. The lack of e2ee by default and lack of e2ee for group chats for anything other than 1:1 chats is a major dealbreaker for me and enough for me to not bother with it unless I'm forced to use it. I've also read that Telegram's encryption protocol is inferior to the Signal Protocol (WhatsApp uses the Signal Protocol).

Sbpr

The second part is them moving to Google Drive/iCloud for backups exclusively. While there have been attempts to backup and restore locally, I've never had luck.

Don't know about iOS but on Android it's still possible to have local backups and use these to restore WhatsApp. If you have backups enabled but don't configure a Google account it stores local backups in /Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp. I have been able to use these to transfer chats between phones without requiring Google Drive or the transfer chats feature.

sandfish786

if you concerned about phone number and want a private secure foss msgr product https://simplex.chat is your solution.

-uses signal protocol
-encrypted backups that can be exported and imported.
-zero phone number requirements
-security audited Nov 2022, July 2024, January 2025
-hidden profiles with separate passphrase
-multiple profiles, multi incognito profiles (per contact even)
-uni-directional msg relay routing
-random relay servers
-socks / tor routing possible
-desktop may have diffrent profiles, link up mobile device (docking), mobile device profile overlays desktop (like laptop docking into workstation); once undock, desktop profile reappears
-recent investment by Jack Dorsey, among others
-Global Village VC seed round

https://simplex.chat

Using matrix self hosted with wireguard vpn. Signal as a backup.

[deleted] Briar has a very annoying "feature" that reveal your last IPs and BT address to all of your contacts so your device will never be so anonymous

SpiderUser
A private messenger is only considered "good" when it has high adoption and user base, which will also
lead to broader peer reviews and community help to resolve issues.
No matter how "private decentralized quantum resistant _insert_gimmick_here" a new project will be, if
nobody is using it, and you would have to convince all your contacts to have it just for you, has no formal
reviews etc...No matter how good is it on paper and how good the team behind it.
When Signal (or what it is now) started, it was a small hobby project by a single person, it had many issues,
many crashes, was separated in 2 apps called RedPhone and TextSecure. I was one of the early adopters
but it really took time, patience and effort. Had terrible quality and frequent drops as well.
What I want to say if you have something proven, working, and battle tested, no need to jump on new shiny
stuff first, let it get some adoption and then decide.

SpiderUser GUI too much elementary and chaotic, the whole project received last update on February!

[deleted] They accept VoIP numbers, so yeah, I guess. And you don't have to share your phone number with any of your contacts, since they have user names.

Welcome to the unofficial GrapheneOS SimpleX group. Join us to discuss our favorite private and secure mobile operating system!

Use the following link to join the group GrapheneOS (unofficial): https://simplex.chat/contact#/?v=1-4&smp=smp%3A%2F%2Fhpq7_4gGJiilmz5Rf-CswuU5kZGkm_zOIooSw6yALRg%3D%40smp5.simplex.im%2F0MEV-ohQ4BH34753-02ilVD9TUoc6PIP%23%2F%3Fv%3D1-2%26dh%3DMCowBQYDK2VuAyEAhpoGv3YSJbSGuf2F7wsCMjjpPcLFkYvyvl6KQ0Ogxgg%253D%26srv%3Djjbyvoemxysm7qxap7m5d5m35jzv5qq6gnlv7s4rsn7tdwwmuqciwpid.onion&data=%7B%22type%22%3A%22group%22%2C%22groupLinkId%22%3A%22vuxRrSmp2NT_Fcp6uWVmUQ%3D%3D%22%7D

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Please keep discussion on topic, including: GrapheneOS, Android apps and services, privacy, and mobile security.

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I don't think there is a best. There are many good options, signal, telegram when used with e2ee chats, are not set up by default. Groups in telegram are not e2ee. Session has a good concept, but message delivery is not reliable. They are making improvements to the infrastructure. However, the big problem is, how many of your contacts use it? I have most on telegram, followed by whatsapp, and some are on signal. I have couple of people I can communicate with on session, but it's just not worth it. I also use protonmail with a few people that also have protonmail and we communicate that way, because those mails are e2ee.

sandfish786 i dont think signal is more difficult for eldery to use than whatsapp at all.

kebab_definite signal is good, just the phone number requirement sucks. but still seems best compromise of all

I don't know about best.. I like and use Threema. Signal is legit, but I will be damned if I am solving Google Captcha for them. Telegram is fun, but hardly private (it could be, but more as an afterthought).

Doesn't matter what I want to use, because nobody I really to cash be bothered to install a different app than their default iMessage to text. So, I'm stuck with QSMS and default GOS messenger. I use Session with my child, but they use an iPod and for some reason GOS hasn't been sending my notifications when they send me a message. Sucks.