--- title: LINE canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/line/ category: Secure Messaging Apps points: 42 rank: 11 of 12 facts_checked: 2026-10-08 --- # LINE Free messenger with default end-to-end encrypted chats, but calls in groups are not covered. 42 points out of 100. #11 of 12 secure messaging apps. Vendor: LY Corporation. Website: https://line.me/ - LINE's basic features are free to use [5]. - Letter Sealing, its end-to-end encryption, is on by default and cannot be turned off [2]. - Group voice and video calls are outside Letter Sealing; only one-to-one calls are covered [2]. - A group holds up to 500 members, or 100 when members join automatically [6]. - In Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Thailand, signing up needs phone number verification [3]. Verdict: LINE suits people who need a free messenger that their contacts already use, with encrypted chats on by default [2][5]. It has desktop apps for Windows and Mac and groups of up to 500 [4][6]. The catch: group calls are not end-to-end encrypted, chat encryption is documented only for groups of up to 50, and sign-up needs a phone number in LINE's main markets [2][3][7]. Best for: People who chat with contacts in Japan, Taiwan or Thailand. ## Points | Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note | |---|---|---|---|---| | Encryption | End-to-end encrypted by default | Yes | 12/12 | Letter Sealing is on by default and cannot be disabled; it covers 1-to-1 chats and group chats of up to 50 members [2][7]. | | Encryption | Post-quantum key exchange | Not published | 0/4 | Not found in the vendor's pages or its 2024 encryption report [2][7]. | | Encryption | Encrypted backups | No | 0/4 | The 2024 encryption report says messages are not end-to-end encrypted when a third-party cloud backup is used [7]. | | Source and audits | Open-source apps | Not published | 0/8 | Not published on the vendor's pages [1][2]. | | Source and audits | Independent audit since 2022 | Not published | 0/10 | No named outside auditor in the vendor's pages or its 2024 encryption report [2][7]. | | Source and audits | Public bug bounty | No | 0/4 | LY Corporation's bug bounty page says the programme was suspended on December 3, 2025 and pays no rewards after that date [8]. | | Source and audits | Transparency report | Not published | 0/4 | Not found on the LINE pages read [1][2]. | | Sign-up and identity | No phone number needed | Yes | 12/12 | Outside Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Thailand, sign-up uses an Apple or Google account with no phone number step; those five countries need one [3]. | | Sign-up and identity | Contacts by username | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the vendor's pages [3]. | | Chats and calls | Disappearing messages | Not published | 0/5 | Not published on the vendor's pages [2][5]. | | Chats and calls | Largest group chat | 500 | 2/4 | Up to 500 members including the creator; 100 when members join automatically [6]. | | Chats and calls | Encrypted voice and video calls | No | 0/5 | One-to-one calls are covered, but group voice and video calls use only transport-layer encryption [2]. | | Systems | Apps | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | 8/12 | Help article offers LINE for Windows or Mac; home page links iOS and Android. LINE for Chrome is an extension [1][4]. | | Systems | Windows works without the phone | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the vendor's pages; first login needs a code entered on the main phone [4]. | | Price | Cost for one person | $0 | 8/8 | Basic features are free to use [5]. | ## Plans | Plan | Price | Per month (USD) | |---|---|---| | LINE | Free [5] | $0 | Paid items such as stickers, emoji and Coins are listed in LINE's help centre and are not counted; mobile data fees may apply [5]. ## Strengths - Letter Sealing is on by default, with no option to disable it [2]. - Basic features are free [5]. - Groups can reach 500 members [6]. - Desktop apps exist for Windows and Mac, with email and password login [4]. ## Limits - Group voice and video calls, meetings, albums and notes are not covered by Letter Sealing [2]. - Letter Sealing is documented for group chats of up to 50 members, while groups can reach 500 [6][7]. - Photos, videos, voice messages and files may be unencrypted, depending on version [2]. - Phone number verification is required in Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Thailand [3]. - A first PC login needs a code entered on your main phone [4]. ## Sources 1. [LINE](https://line.me/en/), LINE, accessed 2026-10-08 2. [About Letter Sealing](https://help.line.me/line/smartphone?contentId=50000087&lang=en), LINE Help Center, accessed 2026-10-08 3. [Creating a new LINE account](https://help.line.me/line/smartphone?contentId=20001192&lang=en), LINE Help Center, accessed 2026-10-08 4. [How to download, log in, and log out of LINE on a PC](https://help.line.me/line/smartphone?contentId=50001182&lang=en), LINE Help Center, accessed 2026-10-08 5. [Can I use LINE for free?](https://help.line.me/line/smartphone?contentId=10002428&lang=en), LINE Help Center, accessed 2026-10-08 6. [Creating, joining and inviting others to groups](https://help.line.me/line/smartphone?contentId=20008159&lang=en), LINE Help Center, accessed 2026-10-08 7. [LINE Encryption Report (2024)](https://www.lycorp.co.jp/en/privacy-security/security/transparency/encryption-report/2024/), LY Corporation, accessed 2026-10-08 8. [LINE Bug Bounty](https://bugbounty.linecorp.com/en/), LY Corporation, accessed 2026-10-08