# Alternatives to Threema Paid Swiss messenger usable without a phone number. Threema ranks #6 of 11 in Personal messaging, with an Alt Score of 74. It is licensed under AGPL-3.0, sold as a one-time purchase from $6.99 and available on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux and Web. 12 of 12 checklist rows are verified against a public source. Source: https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/threema/ Category: Personal messaging ## Where Threema stands out - **Username-only signup** — 3 of 10 apps with a verified answer have this ## Overview - **Who it's for**: Privacy-conscious individuals and organizations (including healthcare, government, and legal sectors) who want a secure messenger that doesn't require handing over a phone number or email address. - **What you get**: End-to-end encrypted messaging, voice/video calls, and file sharing, all tied to an anonymous Threema ID instead of personal contact details. Messages are deleted from Threema's Swiss-based servers once delivered, and contact lists stay on your device. The app and its cryptography are open source and independently audited. It's a paid, one-time-purchase app with no ads and no data sales. - **How it works**: You install the app, which generates a random Threema ID and a key pair on your device with no phone number or email needed. You add contacts by scanning QR codes, sharing your ID, or an optional address-book sync, then message and call through the end-to-end encrypted channel. ## Profile - **License**: AGPL-3.0 (verified 2026-07-11) - **Pricing model**: One-time (verified 2026-07-11) - **Starts at**: $6.99 (verified 2026-07-11) - **Platforms**: iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, Web - **Status**: active (verified 2026-07-11) ## Ranked alternatives | # | App | Alt Score | Licence | Platforms | |---|-----|-----------|---------|-----------| | 1 | [Delta Chat](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/delta-chat.md) | 81 | GPL-3.0 | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS | | 2 | [Jami](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/jami.md) | 81 | GPL-3.0 | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS | | 3 | [SimpleX Chat](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/simplex-chat.md) | 78 | AGPL-3.0 | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS | | 4 | [Telegram](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/telegram.md) | 78 | GPL-3.0 | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS | | 5 | [WhatsApp](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/whatsapp.md) | 78 | Proprietary | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS | | 6 | [Signal](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/signal.md) | 74 | AGPL-3.0 | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS | | 7 | [Viber](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/viber.md) | 74 | Proprietary | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS | | 8 | [Session](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/session.md) | 66 | GPL-3.0 | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS | | 9 | [Wire](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/wire.md) | 66 | GPL-3.0 | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS | | 10 | [Beeper](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/beeper.md) | 51 | Proprietary | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS | Alt Score = Verified coverage (90%) + Visibility (10%). See https://altcatalog.com/how-alt-score-works/ ## Feature comparison Legend: Yes / No / Partial / ? (not verified). | Personal messaging checklist | Threema | Delta Chat | Jami | SimpleX Chat | Telegram | WhatsApp | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Pricing model | One-time | Free | Free | ? | Freemium | Free | | Starts at | $6.99 | ? | ? | ? | $4.99/month | ? | | License | AGPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 | Proprietary | | Platforms | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, Web | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, Web | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Web | | E2E encryption by default | Yes | Partial | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | | E2E optional | No | Partial | No | No | Yes | No | | Voice calls | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Video calls | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Phone number required | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | | Username-only signup | Yes | Partial | Yes | Partial | No | No | | Federation / decentralized | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | ? | ? | | Message editing & deletion | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Disappearing messages | Partial | Yes | Partial | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Reactions | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Multi-device without phone | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial | Yes | Yes | | Backup & export of history | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ## Sources Sources for Threema. Each alternative is sourced on its own page. - **License**: AGPL-3.0 — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “GNU AFFERO GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE Version 3, 19 November 2007” - **Pricing model**: One-time — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “No, once the app has been purchased, there are no recurring costs.” - **Starts at**: $6.99 — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “$6.99” - **Platforms**: iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, Web — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “The desktop app is available for macOS, Windows, and Linux.” - **Status**: active — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “With the new availability status, you can see at a glance who's available.” - **E2E encryption by default**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “All your communication is end-to-end encrypted – not just text messages and voice and video calls but also group chats, media files, and even status messages.” - **E2E optional**: No — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “All your communication is end-to-end encrypted – not just text messages and voice and video calls but also group chats, media files, and even status messages.” - **Voice calls**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “Place calls without revealing your phone number. Threema calls are end-to-end encrypted and thus tap-proof.” - **Video calls**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “Invite the members of a group chat to join an end-to-end encrypted audio/video group call by tapping a single button.” - **Phone number required**: No — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “In contrast to other messengers, your identity in Threema does not depend on a phone number.” - **Username-only signup**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “To use Threema, no phone number or email address is required. Your unique Threema ID ensures that you remain anonymous to both your communication partners and us.” - **Federation / decentralized**: No — (verified 2026-07-11) - Note: ISO 27001"-certified data center in Zurich, comprehensive data security is ensured." - Quote: “With its own servers in an ” - **Message editing & deletion**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “If you have made a typing error, you can easily edit sent messages or delete them on the recipient's end.” - **Disappearing messages**: Partial — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “Automatically delete messages, media, and files after a specified amount of time (1 week to 1 year)” - **Reactions**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “React to chat messages with emojis without triggering a push notification on the recipient's end.” - **Multi-device without phone**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “it can be used even if the associated device happens to be offline.” - **Backup & export of history**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-11) - Quote: “the chat as text file and, optionally, all media files” --- Ranked by verified data, never by who paid. https://altcatalog.com/trust/