Top 5 Safest Messenger Apps in 2021

We live in a techno-savvy environment, and here connecting through messages is considered cool and happening, especially amongst the new generation.  Individuals are slowly becoming more comfortable with this communication form as talking on the phone is not so trendy anymore. The usage figures of global mobile messenger apps have reached new heights, and as per the latest predictions, instant messaging apps will break further records in the foreseeable future.

In January 2018, mobile messaging apps’ service users were 2.25 billion, which increased to 2.52 billion in 2019 and 2.7 billion in 2020. The projections for 2021 and 2022 are 2.87 billion and 3 billion, respectively.

The mobile messenger apps have proved a hit amongst the users as the usage penetration breaks all records day-after-day. 2020 was a year where outdoor activities were limited to a bare minimum. At such times messenger apps proved a blessing and helped the people remain active and maintain connectivity with friends, family, and acquaintances.

Some of the top 5 safest global mobile messenger apps in 2021 that are dominating the world scenario with a massive monthly active user base are mentioned below.

1. Signal

Here’s a secure messaging app that uses an encryption system and can keep your messages safe. Whisper Systems created Signal as a successor to two separate apps dedicated to encrypted voice calling and encrypted texting.

Encryption was always at the core of the company’s products. When Twitter acquired it in 2011, the goal was to improve the security in the microblogging platform.

Its encryption engine is open source, which means is available for everyone to inspect.

Signal is used by notorious figures in cybersecurity and data privacy, such as Edward Snowden and Bruce Schneier. That’s because in Signal all communication is encrypted end-to-end by default (and it’s one of the few encrypted messaging apps which employ this default system).

Recently, the app received a $50 million investment from the WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton which is supporting the non-profit Signal Foundation’s mission of “making private communication accessible and ubiquitous”.

Signal is also WIRED’s secure messaging recommendation to use it because “it’s free, it works on every mobile platform, and the developers are committed to keeping it simple and fast by not mucking up the experience with ads, web-tracking, stickers, or animated poop emoji.”

2. iMessage

Apple Messages is an app used only on Apple devices, but it is perfect when it comes to security features. In addition to offering end-to-end encryption between users, Apple Messages enables users to control how long the message stays up and how many times the receiver can see the message. This feature is only available to those who have iOS 10 and above.

Core features of iMessage, available on all supported platforms, include sending texts, images, videos, and documents; getting delivery and read statuses (read receipts).

No matter what Apple device you’re using, whether it’s iOS, watchOS, or iPadOS, your messages are end-to-end encrypted and a password is required in order to be accessed. Users of Apple’s FaceTime can also rest easy knowing that their video calls are also E2EE-empowered.

iMessage also allows sending location data and stickers. On iOS and iPadOS, third-party developers can extend iMessage capabilities with custom extensions, an example being quick sharing of recently played songs.

3. WhatsApp

With 2,000 million monthly active users, WhatsApp occupies the number 3 spot in the list of top 5 safest global mobile messenger apps in 2021. It is straightforward to use as the user has to log in with his phone number. As per the recent statistics, WhatsApp is delivering more than 1 billion messages in one single day.

The indisputable leader amongst the global messenger apps is no doubt WhatsApp. It was initially released in the year 2003, more and more users have come abroad because of its high-end features. In 2019 it was the most downloaded app with an estimated 850 million downloads. In Q2 2020 and Q3 2020, it was downloaded 175 million and 140 million times, respectively.

As per the available statistics, WhatsApp has an estimated 340 million active users in India, its highest number. It is followed by 99 million active users in Brazil and 1 million in the USA.

WhatsApp is an American app whose ownership in 2014 cost Facebook Inc just 19 billion US dollars. This freeware messaging and VoIP service software has essential features like sending voice messages and text messages, sharing images, locations, and documents, and making video and voice calls. One of the most critical features of the app is end-to-end encryption to ensure maximum security.

WhatsApp is available in 60 Android and 40 iOS languages and is accessible on mobile devices and desktop computers. A standalone business app named WhatsApp Business was launched in 2018 to communicate with customers who were using the standard app easily.

WhatsApp has had three funding rounds. In October 2009, private investors played a significant role in seed funding, with an estimated investment amount of 250,000 pounds. In April 2011, Sequoia invested 8 million dollars in Series A funding, and in July 2013, it again invested 52 million dollars in Series B funding.

4. Theema

Here’s another secure texting app that we suggest giving a try. Everything you communicate while using Threema is encrypted end-to-end: not only messages but also group chats, voice calls, media files, and even status messages. Your messages can be read only by the intended recipient, so nobody else can interfere and have access to them.

The app makers also boast that they delete the messages you send from their servers once they’ve been delivered.

The Threema app has a “Private Chats” feature that can help users protect individual chats with a PIN code. This way, confidential chats are protected from malicious actors.

Another great thing about this app is the QR code and key fingerprint available for user verifications to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks.

5. Telegram

In their own words: “Telegram is a messaging app with a focus on speed and security.” The app has reached 200 million active users in March 2018 and continues to grow.

Similar to other messaging apps, Telegram offers end-to-end encryption as well, being considered one of the most secure messaging platforms. For users who want more privacy, they can turn on “Secret Chats” from the app’s advanced settings. Read more details about this feature:

“And when you delete messages on your side of the conversation, the app on the other side of the secret chat will be ordered to delete them as well.

You can order your messages, photos, videos and files to self-destruct in a set amount of time after they have been read or opened by the recipient. The message will then disappear from both your and your friend’s devices.”

All secret chats in Telegram are device-specific and are not part of the Telegram cloud, meaning that you can only access messages in a secret chat from their device of origin. If your device is safe, your secret chats are safe as well.