--- title: Viber canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/viber/ category: Secure Messaging Apps points: 41 rank: 12 of 12 facts_checked: 2026-10-08 --- # Viber Free messenger and calling app with end-to-end encryption on by default, tied to your phone number. 41 points out of 100. #12 of 12 secure messaging apps. Vendor: Rakuten Viber. Website: https://www.viber.com/ - Viber says it uses end-to-end encryption by default for one-to-one and group chats [2]. - You must register with your mobile phone number [6][4]. - Apps exist for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android; the download page lists no web app [1]. - Viber's EU transparency report covers February 18 to December 31, 2025, with 254 requests for user information [5]. - Chat backups kept with Google or Apple are no longer protected by Viber's encryption [4]. Verdict: Viber suits people who want a free app with default end-to-end encryption and are fine giving a phone number [2][6]. It lists apps for five systems and publishes an EU report on government orders [1][5]. The catch: it requires a phone number, group calls and backups fall outside its end-to-end encryption, and its security pages name no outside audit or bug bounty [2][3][4][10]. Best for: People who need a free app that their contacts already use. ## Points | Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note | |---|---|---|---|---| | Encryption | End-to-end encrypted by default | Yes | 12/12 | Viber says end-to-end encryption is on by default for one-to-one and group chats; Communities and Channels are excluded [2][4][10]. | | Encryption | Post-quantum key exchange | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the vendor's security pages [2][3]. | | Encryption | Encrypted backups | No | 0/4 | Privacy policy: backups kept with Google or iOS are no longer protected by Viber's end-to-end encryption [4]. | | Source and audits | Open-source apps | Not published | 0/8 | Not published on the vendor's security pages or download page [1][2][3]. | | Source and audits | Independent audit since 2022 | Not published | 0/10 | Not published on the vendor's security pages [2][3]. | | Source and audits | Public bug bounty | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the vendor's security pages or terms page [2][3][6]. | | Source and audits | Transparency report | Yes | 4/4 | The DSA report covers Feb 18 to Dec 31, 2025, EEA only, with orders and information requests from authorities [5]. | | Sign-up and identity | No phone number needed | No | 0/12 | Terms of use: you must register with your current mobile phone number [6]. | | Sign-up and identity | Contacts by username | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the vendor's security pages or privacy policy [2][4]. | | Chats and calls | Disappearing messages | Yes | 5/5 | Help centre: a timer for 1-on-1 and group chats, set per chat, from 10 seconds to 1 day [12][9]. | | Chats and calls | Largest group chat | 250 | 2/4 | Help centre: groups hold up to 250 members; Communities and Channels are unlimited and counted separately [11]. | | Chats and calls | Encrypted voice and video calls | No | 0/5 | Help centre: one-to-one calls are end-to-end encrypted, but group voice and video calls are not [10]. | | Systems | Apps | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | 10/12 | Download page lists desktop apps for Windows, macOS and Linux, plus iOS and Android; no web app is listed [1]. | | Systems | Windows works without the phone | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the vendor's download page, which says desktop is synced to your mobile account [1]. | | Price | Cost for one person | $0 | 8/8 | Viber describes free calls and messages; paid services are optional extras [6][7]. | ## Plans | Plan | Price | Per month (USD) | |---|---|---| | Viber | Free [6][7] | $0 | Optional paid services such as Viber Out and Viber Plus are not counted [6]. ## Strengths - End-to-end encryption is on by default for one-to-one and group chats [2]. - Native apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android [1]. - Messaging and calls between Viber users are described as free [7]. - The EU transparency report counts orders from authorities in 2025 [5]. - Disappearing-message timers work in one-to-one and group chats [12]. ## Limits - A mobile phone number is required to register [6]. - Backups kept with Google or iOS are no longer protected by Viber's end-to-end encryption [4]. - The security pages name no outside audit and no bug bounty [2][3]. - Russia's regulator blocked access to Viber in December 2024 [8]. - Group voice and video calls are not end-to-end encrypted [10]. ## Concerns - Vedomosti reported on 13 December 2024 that Russia's regulator Roskomnadzor blocked access to Viber, saying it did not follow Russian law [8]. ## Sources 1. [Download Viber](https://www.viber.com/en/download/), Viber, accessed 2026-10-08 2. [Viber security](https://www.viber.com/security/), Viber, accessed 2026-10-08 3. [Viber security overview](https://chats.viber.com/security-overview), Viber, accessed 2026-10-08 4. [Viber Privacy Policy](https://www.viber.com/en/terms/viber-privacy-policy/), Viber, accessed 2026-10-08 5. [EU Digital Services Act transparency report](https://www.viber.com/en/terms/eu-digital-services-act-dsa-transparency-report/), Viber, accessed 2026-10-08 6. [Viber Terms of Service](https://www.viber.com/en/terms/viber-terms-use/), Viber, accessed 2026-10-08 7. [Viber home page](https://www.viber.com/en/), Viber, accessed 2026-10-08 8. [Viber restricted in Russia for violations](https://www.vedomosti.ru/technology/articles/2024/12/13/1081371-za-narusheniya-ogranichen-viber), Vedomosti, accessed 2026-10-08 9. [Viber features](https://www.viber.com/en/features/), Viber, accessed 2026-10-08 10. [Understanding end-to-end encryption](https://help.viber.com/hc/en-us/articles/8909167863453-Understanding-end-to-end-encryption), Viber, accessed 2026-10-08 11. [Groups knowledge base](https://help.viber.com/hc/en-us/articles/9303357265949-Groups-knowledge-base), Viber, accessed 2026-10-08 12. [Chat knowledge base](https://help.viber.com/hc/en-us/articles/9423180947869-Chat-knowledge-base), Viber, accessed 2026-10-08