Comparison of the messaging apps Threema and Signal: which is safer and more private?
In this article you will discover the most secure messaging app, Threema or Signal, which are two of the safest options when it comes to sharing your information. Find out which of the two options is the best option for you, and realize all the differences with apps like WhatsApp, which we now use every day.
- What makes a messaging app secure?
When choosing a messaging app, security goes beyond just encrypting messages. Aspects such as anonymity, metadata protection, and privacy policy are also very important.
Signal and Threema meet these criteria, but in different ways. While Signal is known for its strong encryption and open source, Threema stands out for its focus on complete anonymity. Let's see how they work and what makes them different.
- Threema: Privacy without identity
Threema is an encrypted messaging app developed in Switzerland, with a radical focus on privacy. You don't need a phone number or email to register, which means you can communicate anonymously. This anonymity is ideal for those who value keeping their personal data completely isolated from the network.
Another advantage of Threema is how it handles data: it doesn't store messages on its servers. All messages and contacts are on your device, and the minimum metadata you need to work once it serves its purpose is deleted. As for security, Threema uses end-to-end encryption and conducts third-party audits to ensure its code remains secure.
However, not everything is well. Threema is a paid app, and its popularity outside of Switzerland and Germany is not very high. This may limit the number of contacts you can communicate with through the app.
-Advantages:
- No phone number or email required.
- Carefully handle metadata, and delete it after delivery.
- End-to-end encryption and security audits.
-Defects:
- Payment is required.
- A smaller user base outside the German-speaking world.
- Signal: privacy and simplicity
Signal is one of the most recommended messaging apps by security experts. Although it requires a phone number to register, Signal doesn't store any additional information about you or your contacts. Open source and ongoing security audits provide great confidence in the security of the application.
In the Signal app, all messages, calls, and files are encrypted end-to-end by default, and the app has many useful features, such as messages that disappear after a while. In addition, there are no ads or tracking of activities on Signal because it is a nonprofit organization funded by donations. The Signal app is also free and very popular, making it easy to find contacts that actually use it.
-Advantages:
- End-to-end and open source encryption.
- Funded without profit, without ads or tracking.
- Wide and free popularity.
-Defects:
- Phone number is required to register.
- So which one should you choose?
The decision between Threema and Signal depends on your priorities. If you're looking for complete anonymity and don't mind paying a one-time price, Threema is the ideal choice, especially if you'd rather not be linked to your identity at all. On the other hand, if you prefer a free, accessible, and also secure option, Signal may be the right choice for you, even if it requires your phone number. Both apps offer a high level of security and privacy, and each has its own strengths.
Whatever you choose, you'll use a secure app to protect your conversations and preserve your privacy in an age where this is becoming increasingly necessary.