Quick guide

Start with your need, then check the caveat. These are starting points, never guarantees.

• Signal: Everyday security; peer-facing pseudonymity with hardened settings.
  Mandatory number known to the provider and telecom layer. Conditions
• SimpleX: Pseudonymous online contacts; minimising account identifiers.
  More multi-device friction; relays and notifications require care. Conditions
• Olvid: Avoid sharing a number with the contact; verify cryptographic identity.
  No network anonymity; calls and multi-device require a licence. Conditions
• Threema: Peer-facing pseudonymity without a mandatory number.
  Desktop beta limits, account data and linkable purchases. Conditions

Session remains downgraded for high assurance; Cwtch and Briar have no official iOS client established here.

Decision guide · By use case

Pseudonymity

Use an identity different from your civil identity. It can still be linked to you. Learn more

End-to-end encryption — E2EE

Participants’ devices control content keys. The transport server should not read ordinary messages. Learn more

Network anonymity

Reduce the ability to link traffic to your network address or its destination. Learn more

Report 1.0 · 14 October 2026. No network lab, controlled forensic testing or bit-for-bit reproduction of binaries. Unknown remains Unknown.