--- title: WhatsApp canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/whatsapp/ category: Secure Messaging Apps points: 51 rank: 10 of 12 facts_checked: 2026-10-08 --- # WhatsApp Free messenger from Meta with default end-to-end encryption for chats and calls, tied to a mobile number. 51 points out of 100. #10 of 12 secure messaging apps. Vendor: Meta. Website: https://www.whatsapp.com/ - WhatsApp is free to use, though data charges may apply [1]. - Meta's February 2026 white paper says all messages, voice calls and video calls between users are end-to-end encrypted, with no off switch [2]. - Apps: Windows from the Microsoft Store, Mac, iOS, Android and WhatsApp Web; no Linux app is listed [3][4][9]. - An account needs your current mobile number [6]. - Bugs are handled through the Meta Bug Bounty Program [5]. Verdict: WhatsApp suits people who want default encryption on a messenger that is free and widely used [1][2]. It covers Windows, Mac, mobile and web [3][4][9]. The catch: the account depends on a mobile number, the apps are not open source, and Meta's pages do not document post-quantum keys [2][6]. Best for: People who need a messenger their contacts already use and accept a phone-number account. ## Points | Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note | |---|---|---|---|---| | Encryption | End-to-end encrypted by default | Yes | 12/12 | White paper: all messages and calls between users are end-to-end encrypted and 'encryption has no off switch', groups included [2]. | | Encryption | Post-quantum key exchange | Not published | 0/4 | Not published in the vendor's February 2026 encryption white paper [2]. | | Encryption | Encrypted backups | Yes | 4/4 | Vendor blog: optional end-to-end encrypted backups for Google Drive or iCloud, locked by your password or a 64-digit key [10]. | | Source and audits | Open-source apps | Not published | 0/8 | Not published on the vendor's pages; the white paper says only that the protocol library it uses is based on open-source code [2]. | | Source and audits | Independent audit since 2022 | Not published | 0/10 | Not published on the vendor's security page or white paper [2][7]. | | Source and audits | Public bug bounty | Yes | 4/4 | The security advisories page says external researchers work through the Meta Bug Bounty Program [5]. | | Source and audits | Transparency report | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the vendor's pages read [7]. | | Sign-up and identity | No phone number needed | No | 0/12 | The terms say you provide your current mobile phone number to register [6]. | | Sign-up and identity | Contacts by username | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the vendor's home or features pages [1][4]. | | Chats and calls | Disappearing messages | Yes | 5/5 | Groups page: messages can disappear after set times; the privacy page says the same for messages generally [12][13]. | | Chats and calls | Largest group chat | 1000 | 3/4 | Groups page: invite up to 1000 people to a group [12]. | | Chats and calls | Encrypted voice and video calls | Yes | 5/5 | White paper: personal voice and video calls, and group calls, are end-to-end encrypted; the features page says calls always are [2][4]. | | Systems | Apps | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Web | 10/12 | Windows app from the Microsoft Store; Mac app for macOS 11 or later; iOS, Android and browser use named on the features page [3][4][11]. | | Systems | Windows works without the phone | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the vendor's features page, which says the primary phone is needed to register and link devices [4]. | | Price | Cost for one person | $0 | 8/8 | The home page offers private messaging and calling for free; data charges may apply [1]. | ## Plans | Plan | Price | Per month (USD) | |---|---|---| | WhatsApp | Free [1] | $0 | ## Strengths - Messages and calls use the Signal protocol with no off switch, per the white paper [2]. - Group calls are end-to-end encrypted, with keys reset when someone joins or leaves [2]. - Apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android and the web [3][4][9]. - Part of the Meta Bug Bounty Program [5]. - Groups hold up to 1,000 people [12]. ## Limits - You must give a current mobile number to register [6]. - Chats with businesses that use a vendor-run Business API are not end-to-end encrypted [2]. - No Linux app is listed on the download pages [3][9]. - In 2021 Ireland's regulator fined WhatsApp €225 million after an inquiry into its GDPR transparency duties [8]. ## Vendor claims (not scored) - WhatsApp says only you and the person you are talking to can read or listen to your personal messages and calls [1]. ## Concerns - On 2 September 2021 Ireland's Data Protection Commission fined WhatsApp €225 million after an inquiry into whether it met its GDPR transparency obligations, and ordered it to bring its processing into compliance [8]. ## Sources 1. [WhatsApp](https://www.whatsapp.com/), WhatsApp, accessed 2026-10-08 2. [WhatsApp Encryption Overview, version 9 (February 2026)](https://www.whatsapp.com/security/WhatsApp-Security-Whitepaper.pdf), WhatsApp, accessed 2026-10-08 3. [Download WhatsApp for Windows](https://www.whatsapp.com/download/windows), WhatsApp, accessed 2026-10-08 4. [WhatsApp features](https://www.whatsapp.com/features), WhatsApp, accessed 2026-10-08 5. [WhatsApp security advisories](https://www.whatsapp.com/security/advisories), WhatsApp, accessed 2026-10-08 6. [WhatsApp Terms of Service](https://www.whatsapp.com/legal/terms-of-service), WhatsApp, accessed 2026-10-08 7. [WhatsApp security](https://www.whatsapp.com/security/), WhatsApp, accessed 2026-10-08 8. [Data Protection Commission announces decision in WhatsApp inquiry](https://www.dataprotection.ie/en/news-media/press-releases/data-protection-commission-announces-decision-whatsapp-inquiry), Data Protection Commission (Ireland), accessed 2026-10-08 9. [Download WhatsApp](https://www.whatsapp.com/download), WhatsApp, accessed 2026-10-08 10. [End-to-End Encrypted Backups on WhatsApp](https://blog.whatsapp.com/end-to-end-encrypted-backups-on-whatsapp), WhatsApp, accessed 2026-10-08 11. [Download WhatsApp for Mac](https://www.whatsapp.com/download/mac), WhatsApp, accessed 2026-10-08 12. [WhatsApp groups](https://www.whatsapp.com/groups), WhatsApp, accessed 2026-10-08 13. [WhatsApp privacy](https://www.whatsapp.com/privacy), WhatsApp, accessed 2026-10-08