Element

vs

Facebook Messenger

Signal is a cross-platform encrypted messaging application that has a strong focus on privacy. The application is developed by Signal Messenger LLC and provides users with features like one-to-one and group messages, which can include files, voice notes, images and videos. The software is famous for being used by the whistleblower and privacy advocate Edward Snowden who once said "I use Signal every day, it is the most scalable encryption tool we have".

With Telegram people can communicate and via instant messaging and voice over IP. Telegram is a cloud-based software and services that have a focus on privacy, speed and security. The client was initially created by the brothers Nikolai and Pavel Durov, the creators of the Russian social network VK back in 2013. Today the application is used cross-platform by over 400 million users world-wide.

Threema is a messenger application that puts security and privacy first. The application is designed to generate as little user data as possible. The service is fully GDPR-compliant and the company has its own servers hosted in Switzerland. With Threema you can keep in touch with friends, family and co-workers while enjoying privacy and rest assured that you personal data is not commoditized.

WeChat connects a billion people with voice calls, video calls, photo sharing, chats and payments. The multi-purpose application is developed by the Chinese company Tencent and is and in China, it is described as "the app for everything". WeChat is primarily developed for the mobile consumer, but is also avalible on desktop and in the browser.

Skype is a telecommunications application that specialize in providing video chat and voice calls between computers, tablets, mobile devices and consoles. The software allows you to connect with friends and business colleges worldwide. Skype provides free online calls, messaging, affordable international calling to mobiles or landlines and Skype for Business for effective collaboration among teams.

WhatsApp is free messenger app for chat and voice over IP, owned and managed by Facebook. The application allow users to send text and voice messages, make voice and video calls and share images, media files and user locations with friends and family.