Best free alternatives to WhatsApp for Windows, Mac and Linux
Updated · FPTWaze editors
Compare the best WhatsApp alternatives: Signal, Telegram, Element and Viber. Find a messenger for encryption, groups, open source and desktop use.
Quick answer: The best alternatives to WhatsApp are Signal (open source, Win, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS), Telegram Desktop (open source, Win, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Web), Element (open source, Win, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Web) and Viber (free, Win, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS).
The best alternatives to WhatsApp are Signal, Telegram, Element and Viber. WhatsApp is a freeware messenger from Meta that sends messages, voice notes, photos and documents and makes voice and video calls, all end-to-end encrypted. People look for another messenger when they want open source software or a desktop app for Linux, since WhatsApp is not listed for Linux. The four apps below cover those needs and run on Windows, macOS and Linux.
Private messenger with end-to-end encryption for every message and call.
Signal suits users who want end-to-end encryption for every message and call and a messenger run by a non-profit foundation. It is open source under AGPL-3.0, funded by donations, and runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS / iPadOS. The desktop app links to the mobile app, and Signal is not listed for the web.
Cloud-based messenger with large groups, channels and bots.
Telegram Desktop suits people who need large groups, broadcast channels and bots. Groups can hold up to 200,000 members, and chats are kept in the cloud so they are available on every device. It is open source under GPL-3.0 and runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. Optional secret chats are end-to-end encrypted.
Secure messenger on the open, decentralized Matrix network.
Element suits users who want open source software on a decentralized network. It is a Matrix client with end-to-end encrypted chats, rooms and calls. It is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS / iPadOS and the web. Organizations can run their own Matrix server.
Messenger with free calls, communities and stickers.
Viber suits users who want encrypted chats and calls, group chats and communities, and a desktop app for Linux. It is freeware with a proprietary license. Viber Out calls regular phone numbers for a fee, so paid calling is optional.
To choose among these messengers, start with your main need. If privacy and open source matter most, pick Signal or Element. If you need large groups, channels or bots, pick Telegram. If you want an encrypted messenger with calls and communities and you do not need open source software, Viber is an option. Check the license and platform list for each app before you install it from its official download page.
Frequently asked questions
Which WhatsApp alternatives run on Linux?
Telegram Desktop, Signal, Element and Viber all run on Linux. Telegram Desktop, Signal and Element are open source, and Viber is freeware with a proprietary license.
Which WhatsApp alternative is open source?
Signal, Telegram Desktop and Element are open source. Signal and Element use AGPL-3.0, and Telegram Desktop uses GPL-3.0.
Does Signal need a phone to use the desktop app?
The Signal desktop app links to the Signal mobile app. Signal runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS / iPadOS, but it is not listed for the web.
Does Viber offer encrypted chats and calls?
Yes. Viber offers encrypted chats and calls, along with group chats and communities. Viber runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS / iPadOS.
Still prefer WhatsApp? The most used messenger worldwide, with end-to-end encryption.
How this guide was made: written with AI assistance from the facts in our catalog (license, platforms, what each program does) and checked by an editor before publication.
