saasrankedSoftware, ranked on the facts

secure messaging app · Meta

WhatsApp

Free messenger from Meta with default end-to-end encryption for chats and calls, tied to a mobile number.

51/100

#10 of 12 secure messaging apps
Facts checked 8 Oct 2026

In short

WhatsApp suits people who want default encryption on a messenger that is free and widely used1,2. It covers Windows, Mac, mobile and web3,4,9. The catch: the account depends on a mobile number, the apps are not open source, and Meta's pages do not document post-quantum keys2,6.

Best for: People who need a messenger their contacts already use and accept a phone-number account.

Where the points come from

Encryption16 of 20
Source and audits4 of 26
Sign-up and identity0 of 16
Chats and calls13 of 14
Systems10 of 16
Price8 of 8

Encryption 16 of 20 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
End-to-end encrypted by defaultYesWhite paper: all messages and calls between users are end-to-end encrypted and 'encryption has no off switch', groups included2.12 / 12
Post-quantum key exchangeNot publishedNot published in the vendor's February 2026 encryption white paper2.0 / 4
Encrypted backupsYesVendor blog: optional end-to-end encrypted backups for Google Drive or iCloud, locked by your password or a 64-digit key10.4 / 4

Source and audits 4 of 26 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Open-source appsNot publishedNot published on the vendor's pages; the white paper says only that the protocol library it uses is based on open-source code2.0 / 8
Independent audit since 2022Not publishedNot published on the vendor's security page or white paper2,7.0 / 10
Public bug bountyYesThe security advisories page says external researchers work through the Meta Bug Bounty Program5.4 / 4
Transparency reportNot publishedNot published on the vendor's pages read7.0 / 4

Sign-up and identity 0 of 16 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
No phone number neededNoThe terms say you provide your current mobile phone number to register6.0 / 12
Contacts by usernameNot publishedNot published on the vendor's home or features pages1,4.0 / 4

Chats and calls 13 of 14 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Disappearing messagesYesGroups page: messages can disappear after set times; the privacy page says the same for messages generally12,13.5 / 5
Largest group chat1000Groups page: invite up to 1000 people to a group12.3 / 4
Encrypted voice and video callsYesWhite paper: personal voice and video calls, and group calls, are end-to-end encrypted; the features page says calls always are2,4.5 / 5

Systems 10 of 16 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
AppsWindows, macOS, iOS, Android, WebWindows app from the Microsoft Store; Mac app for macOS 11 or later; iOS, Android and browser use named on the features page3,4,11.10 / 12
Windows works without the phoneNot publishedNot published on the vendor's features page, which says the primary phone is needed to register and link devices4.0 / 4

Price 8 of 8 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Cost for one person$0The home page offers private messaging and calling for free; data charges may apply1.8 / 8

The rule behind each line: how we score secure messaging apps.

Plans and prices

As the vendor lists them, before tax. Prices are in US dollars unless the plan shows euros; the points use US dollars, with euros converted at the ECB rate.

PlanPrice as listedPer monthNotes
WhatsApp1 personFree1$0Data charges may apply

Strengths

  • Messages and calls use the Signal protocol with no off switch, per the white paper2.
  • Group calls are end-to-end encrypted, with keys reset when someone joins or leaves2.
  • Apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android and the web3,4,9.
  • Part of the Meta Bug Bounty Program5.
  • Groups hold up to 1,000 people12.

Limits

  • You must give a current mobile number to register6.
  • Chats with businesses that use a vendor-run Business API are not end-to-end encrypted2.
  • No Linux app is listed on the download pages3,9.
  • In 2021 Ireland's regulator fined WhatsApp €225 million after an inquiry into its GDPR transparency duties8.

Concerns on record

  • 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 compliance8.

What Meta says

Vendor claims. We show them, but they earn no points.

  • WhatsApp says only you and the person you are talking to can read or listen to your personal messages and calls1.

Other secure messaging apps

  1. 1
    SimpleX ChatPeople who want a messenger that holds no account identifier or phone number
    86/100
    $0cost for one person
  2. 2
    ThreemaPeople who want a messenger with no phone number and no subscription
    79/100
    $6/yrcost for one person
  3. 3
    WirePeople who want default encryption and open-source apps without handing over a phone number
    78/100
    $0cost for one person
  4. 4
    ElementPeople who want open-source apps on every platform and no phone number
    69/100
    $0cost for one person

All 12 secure messaging apps

Sources

  1. WhatsApp, WhatsApp. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  2. WhatsApp Encryption Overview, version 9 (February 2026), WhatsApp. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  3. Download WhatsApp for Windows, WhatsApp. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  4. WhatsApp features, WhatsApp. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  5. WhatsApp security advisories, WhatsApp. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  6. WhatsApp Terms of Service, WhatsApp. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  7. WhatsApp security, WhatsApp. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  8. Data Protection Commission announces decision in WhatsApp inquiry, Data Protection Commission (Ireland). Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  9. Download WhatsApp, WhatsApp. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  10. End-to-End Encrypted Backups on WhatsApp, WhatsApp. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  11. Download WhatsApp for Mac, WhatsApp. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  12. WhatsApp groups, WhatsApp. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  13. WhatsApp privacy, WhatsApp. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.

Website: www.whatsapp.com · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with Meta.