Messengers have become an integral part of our lives, allowing us to communicate with people all over the world. With a variety of apps available, such as WhatsApp, Telegram, SENDS, Signal, and Briar, choosing the perfect messenger depends on your needs. Here are the TOP 5 most popular messengers in the world.
Messengers have become an integral part of our lives, allowing us to communicate with people all over the world. With a variety of apps available, such as WhatsApp, Telegram, SENDS, Signal, and Briar, choosing the perfect messenger depends on your needs. Here are the TOP 5 most popular messengers in the world.
WhatsApp, owned by Meta, is one of the most popular messengers in the world. It is known for its ease of use and wide functionality. The status function, similar to Instagram’s «stories», and the version for the computer (WhatsApp Web) make it a universal tool for communication.
WhatsApp uses the Signal Protocol to encrypt messages and calls end-to-end, so only the sender and recipient can access the content. However, the app collects some metadata, such as when the message was sent and device information. WhatsApp’s privacy policy has been criticized for sharing some data with its parent company, Meta.
Telegram is a cloud-based messenger known for its high speed and flexible functionality. It allows you to create mass channels, groups of up to 200,000 members, and send large files up to 2 GB in size. Thanks to cloud synchronization, users can access their chats from any device. The platform has extensive capabilities for creating bots that automate various tasks.
The main security feature of Telegram is that end-to-end encryption is only active by default in «secret chats» and for calls. Regular cloud chats are encrypted between the client and Telegram servers, which theoretically gives the company access to the content of the chats.
SENDS is a security and privacy-focused messenger. It is gaining popularity in Ukraine and other countries in Europe and Asia due to end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for all messages and calls, which ensures that only the sender and recipient can see the content of the communication. SENDS claims no data sharing with third parties, which is important for users who want to avoid targeted advertising.
SENDS offers file sharing of any size, multi-device access, and secure cloud storage. The developers have announced payment integration, which will make it more versatile. SENDS Messenger will be useful for those looking for a more secure alternative to mainstream messengers, offering the strictest control over privacy and data protection.
Signal is considered the «gold standard» for secure communication and is often recommended by experts. As a non-profit project, it provides end-to-end (E2EE) encryption by default for all types of communications, using its own, widely recognized Signal Protocol. The app is designed to collect minimal metadata, making it one of the most private.
Signal’s entire code base, including both client and server components, is open source, allowing independent experts to verify its security and transparency.
Briar is a messenger designed to work without central servers. Messages are sent directly between users' devices (P2P), making it resistant to censorship and tracking. No phone number or email is required for registration, and contacts are added using QR codes or special links. This messenger is ideal for use in conditions of limited Internet access.
Briar integrates with the Tor network when connecting to the Internet, providing a high level of anonymity. All communications are end-to-end encrypted. Although it does not have the advanced functionality of mainstream messengers, its unique capabilities make it an indispensable tool for communication in extreme conditions.
