15 rules in 6 groups, worth 100 points in all. They were set before any product was scored and apply the same way to all 12.
Version 1, published 8 Oct 2026
In short
Each rule is a yes-or-no fact, a list (such as the systems with an app) or a number with published thresholds, read from the vendor's own pages.
A fact the vendor does not publish earns nothing. A feature in beta or preview does not count.
The list follows the points. A tie goes to the lower price on "cost for one person", then to the name.
Messaging apps for individuals and families with a generally available official Windows app or web app (beta does not count). Team chat, work messengers, email and phone-built-in apps are left out. A line that reads "on at least one plan" counts only plans for individuals.
Encryption 20 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
End-to-end encrypted by default
The vendor documents that one-to-one chats and group chats are end-to-end encrypted without the user turning anything on or opening a special chat type.
12
Post-quantum key exchange
The vendor documents post-quantum or hybrid post-quantum key exchange for messages in its generally available apps.
4
Encrypted backups
The vendor documents that chat backups, or a synced chat history, can be end-to-end encrypted with a key the vendor does not hold. A product with no backups of messages at all earns nothing here.
4
Source and audits 26 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Open-source apps
The source code of the apps is public under an open-source licence.
8
Independent audit since 2022
A named outside firm or university team audited the app or its encryption, and the vendor publishes the report or a summary dated 2022 or later.
10
Public bug bounty
A public bug bounty programme, run by the vendor or on a platform such as HackerOne or Bugcrowd.
4
Transparency report
The vendor publishes a transparency report of government data requests that covers 2025 or later.
4
Sign-up and identity 16 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
No phone number needed
You can create an account without giving a phone number or a SIM card, using a username, an ID or an email address instead.
12
Contacts by username
Contacts can add you through a username, ID or link that does not reveal your phone number, in a generally available app.
4
Chats and calls 14 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Disappearing messages
A timer removes messages after a set time in one-to-one chats and in groups, without special chat types.
5
Largest group chat
The most members the vendor says one group chat can have, not counting broadcast channels. 10,000 or more earns 4 points, 1,000 or more 3, 250 or more 2, 100 or more 1.
4
Encrypted voice and video calls
The vendor documents that voice and video calls are end-to-end encrypted by default, generally available and not beta.
5
Systems 16 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Apps
A generally available (not beta) official app for each system, or an official web app for Web. Each one earns 2 points.
12
Windows works without the phone
The vendor documents that the Windows app or web app keeps sending and receiving messages while your phone is off or offline (a time limit does not matter), or that it is a full account with no phone link.
4
Price 8 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Cost for one person
What one person pays in the first year for full use of text messaging and calls, in US dollars, before tax, ignoring optional extras such as Telegram Premium. A free app counts as $0 and a one-time purchase counts once. $0 earns 8 points, $10 or less 6, $30 or less 4, $60 or less 2.