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.
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.
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.
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.
Where Threema stands out
Verified capabilities most alternatives don't have.
Why people leave Threema
Dashed reasons are sourced facts; the rest are opinions. Vendors can dispute.
Sign in to add a reason — new reasons go through moderation before appearing.
Ranked alternatives
Ordered by Alt Score. Click any score to see the breakdown.
Feature comparison
Rows come from the Personal messaging checklist (16 rows). Human-verified cells only. ? means the value has not been verified.
| Personal messaging checklist | Threema | Delta Chat | Jami | SimpleX Chat | Telegram | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | ||||||
| Starts at | ||||||
| License | ||||||
| Platforms | ||||||
| E2E encryption by default | ||||||
| E2E optional | ||||||
| Voice calls | ||||||
| Video calls | ||||||
| Phone number required | ||||||
| Username-only signup | ||||||
| Federation / decentralized | ||||||
| Message editing & deletion | ||||||
| Disappearing messages | ||||||
| Reactions | ||||||
| Multi-device without phone | ||||||
| Backup & export of history |
Every fact and feature listed for Threema is verified against its own pages. Each alternative is sourced on its own page.
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License AGPL-3.0 verified 2026-07-11
GNU AFFERO GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE Version 3, 19 November 2007
https://github.com/threema-ch/threema-android/blob/main/LICENSE.txt -
Pricing model One-time verified 2026-07-11
No, once the app has been purchased, there are no recurring costs.
https://threema.com/en/faq/cost -
Starts at $6.99 verified 2026-07-11
$6.99
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/threema-the-secure-messenger/id578665578 -
Platforms iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, Web verified 2026-07-11
The desktop app is available for macOS, Windows, and Linux.
https://threema.com/en/threema-desktop-landingpage -
Status active verified 2026-07-11
With the new availability status, you can see at a glance who's available.
https://threema.com/en/blog/availability-status -
E2E encryption by default Yes verified 2026-07-11
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.
https://threema.com/en/faq -
E2E optional No verified 2026-07-11
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.
https://threema.com/en/faq -
Voice calls Yes verified 2026-07-11
Place calls without revealing your phone number. Threema calls are end-to-end encrypted and thus tap-proof.
https://threema.com/en/features -
Video calls Yes verified 2026-07-11
Invite the members of a group chat to join an end-to-end encrypted audio/video group call by tapping a single button.
https://threema.com/en/features -
Phone number required No verified 2026-07-11
In contrast to other messengers, your identity in Threema does not depend on a phone number.
https://threema.com/en/faq -
Username-only signup Yes verified 2026-07-11
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.
https://threema.com/en/why-threema/privacy -
Federation / decentralized No verified 2026-07-11
ISO 27001"-certified data center in Zurich, comprehensive data security is ensured."
With its own servers in an
https://threema.com/en/why-threema/security -
Message editing & deletion Yes verified 2026-07-11
If you have made a typing error, you can easily edit sent messages or delete them on the recipient's end.
https://threema.com/en/features -
Disappearing messages Partial verified 2026-07-11
Automatically delete messages, media, and files after a specified amount of time (1 week to 1 year)
https://threema.com/en/faq/storage-management -
Reactions Yes verified 2026-07-11
React to chat messages with emojis without triggering a push notification on the recipient's end.
https://threema.com/en/features -
Multi-device without phone Yes verified 2026-07-11
it can be used even if the associated device happens to be offline.
https://threema.com/en/faq/multideviceexpl -
Backup & export of history Yes verified 2026-07-11
the chat as text file and, optionally, all media files
https://threema.com/en/faq/chatexport
FAQ
Yes. Delta Chat, Jami and Telegram have a free tier or are fully free. Free-tier limits in the comparison table are verified and dated.
Delta Chat, Jami and SimpleX Chat — every license claim links its source.