--- title: Threema canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/threema/ category: Secure Messaging Apps points: 79 rank: 2 of 12 facts_checked: 2026-10-08 --- # Threema Messenger you buy once and use with a random Threema ID instead of a phone number. 79 points out of 100. #2 of 12 secure messaging apps. Vendor: Threema GmbH. Website: https://threema.com/ - Threema Private for individuals costs a one-time $6; the price varies by app store and country [1]. - You can use it without giving a phone number or email address; contacts reach you by Threema ID [5][6]. - Cure53 audited the new desktop app in 2024, and the full report is published [4]. - Threema's transparency report covers 2014 to 2026, including 444 authority requests in 2026 [7]. - The desktop app and web client work through your phone, which must be connected to the internet [2]. Verdict: Threema suits people who want a one-time purchase and an account that is not tied to a phone number [1][5]. Its code is public, it publishes audit reports, and it lists government requests each year [3][4][7]. The catch: the usual desktop app and web client need your phone online, and only a beta works without it [2][13]. Group chats are capped at 256 members [14]. Best for: People who want a messenger with no phone number and no subscription. ## Points | Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note | |---|---|---|---|---| | Encryption | End-to-end encrypted by default | Yes | 12/12 | Threema says end-to-end encryption protects all communication, including messages, media, calls and group names and member lists [3][11]. | | Encryption | Post-quantum key exchange | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the vendor's security page or encryption FAQ [3][11]. | | Encryption | Encrypted backups | Not published | 0/4 | A data backup is protected by a password you choose, but its encryption is not described [10]. | | Source and audits | Open-source apps | Yes | 8/8 | Threema says the app source code is public; the Android repository uses AGPL-3.0 [3][8]. | | Source and audits | Independent audit since 2022 | Yes | 10/10 | Cure53 audited the new desktop app in 2024; the full report is linked [4]. | | Source and audits | Public bug bounty | Yes | 4/4 | Threema runs a bug bounty on GObugfree, with published rewards from CHF 50 to 10,000 [15][16]. | | Source and audits | Transparency report | Yes | 4/4 | The report shows authority requests for 2025 and 2026, last updated 2026-06-30 [7]. | | Sign-up and identity | No phone number needed | Yes | 12/12 | FAQ: you can use Threema without a phone number and email address [5]. | | Sign-up and identity | Contacts by username | Yes | 4/4 | Each user gets a random 8-digit Threema ID not tied to a phone number [6]. | | Chats and calls | Disappearing messages | Not published | 0/5 | Support FAQ lists an auto-delete setting (1 week to 1 year) but does not say it covers one-to-one chats and groups [14]. | | Chats and calls | Largest group chat | 256 | 2/4 | Support FAQ: "Groups can contain up to 256 members." Group calls are limited to 16 people [14]. | | Chats and calls | Encrypted voice and video calls | Yes | 5/5 | The calls FAQ says Threema calls are end-to-end encrypted, with video as an option in a call [9]. | | Systems | Apps | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web | 12/12 | Desktop app for macOS, Windows and Linux, a web client, and Android and iOS apps; no beta is named [2]. | | Systems | Windows works without the phone | No | 0/4 | The desktop app and web client need the phone connected to the internet; only a beta works offline [2][12][13]. | | Price | Cost for one person | $6/yr | 6/8 | Threema Private, one-time $6 for an individual [1]. | ## Plans | Plan | Price | Per month (USD) | |---|---|---| | Threema Private | $6 one-time [1] | - | The price page says the amount depends on the app store and country; business plans are priced separately and not counted [1]. ## Strengths - No phone number or email address is needed to register [5]. - Cure53 audited the new desktop app in 2024 and a university team analysed the Ibex protocol in 2023, both with published reports [4]. - Voice and video calls are end-to-end encrypted [9]. - The apps' source code is public, and the Android app is under AGPL-3.0 [3][8]. - A bug bounty runs on GObugfree, with rewards up to CHF 10,000 [15][16]. ## Limits - It is a paid app; the pricing page lists only a one-time purchase [1]. - The generally available desktop app and web client need your phone connected to the internet [2]. - Offline desktop use exists only in a beta [13]. - Group chats hold up to 256 members, and group calls up to 16 people on Threema Private [14]. ## Sources 1. [Threema pricing](https://threema.com/en/pricing), Threema, accessed 2026-10-08 2. [Threema Web and desktop](https://threema.com/threema-web), Threema, accessed 2026-10-08 3. [Threema security](https://threema.com/en/security), Threema, accessed 2026-10-08 4. [Security audits](https://threema.com/en/faq/code-audit), Threema, accessed 2026-10-08 5. [Using Threema without a phone number](https://threema.com/en/faq/nosms), Threema, accessed 2026-10-08 6. [Threema FAQ](https://threema.com/en/faq), Threema, accessed 2026-10-08 7. [Transparency report](https://threema.com/en/transparency-report), Threema, accessed 2026-10-08 8. [threema-ch/threema-android](https://github.com/threema-ch/threema-android), GitHub, accessed 2026-10-08 9. [Threema calls](https://threema.com/en/faq/calls-info), Threema, accessed 2026-10-08 10. [Data backup](https://threema.com/en/faq/data_backup), Threema, accessed 2026-10-08 11. [Why Threema is secure](https://threema.com/en/faq/why-secure), Threema, accessed 2026-10-08 12. [Multi-device and desktop explained](https://threema.com/en/faq/multideviceexpl), Threema, accessed 2026-10-08 13. [Threema desktop beta with multi-device support](https://threema.com/en/download-md), Threema, accessed 2026-10-08 14. [Threema Private support](https://threema.com/en/support/private), Threema, accessed 2026-10-08 15. [Is there a bug bounty program?](https://threema.com/en/faq/bug-bounty), Threema, accessed 2026-10-08 16. [Threema bug bounty program](https://gobugfree.com/programs/threema), GObugfree, accessed 2026-10-08