Sustainable Substitutes for WhatsApp

A widespread messaging app owned by Meta, collecting vast amounts of metadata.

whatsapp logo

Reasons to avoid WhatsApp

Avoid WhatsApp due to its invasive data sharing with Meta (Facebook), persistent privacy concerns, lack of transparency and security flaws. WhatsApp collects and shares user data, including phone numbers and metadata, with Meta’s ecosystem, enabling targeted advertising and surveillance.

Meta showed support for US-President Trump, for example by rolling back DEI-rules and removing unfavourable search results.

Move to an ethical alternative and get your contacts to come along. If you want to preserve chat histories, you can export/migrate relevant WhatsApp data.

Ethical and Sustainable WhatsApp Alternatives

Element (Matrix)

An open-source, federated messaging app based on the Matrix protocol.

Element is fully open-source, including both client and server code, allowing for independent audits and community contributions.
Element uses end-to-end encryption by default for all communications, ensuring user privacy.
Element is ad-free and does not engage in data mining or targeted advertising.
Element does not use third-party trackers, it also has its own push notification infrastructure and does not depend on Google's service on Android.
Element operates on a decentralized network (Matrix), reducing reliance on single points of control and enhancing user privacy.
Element can be self-hosted, giving users full control over their data and communication infrastructure.
Element offers a free tier, though there are optional paid features for organisations.
Website
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Molly

An independent Signal fork for Android with improved features.

Signal is free to use for all users, with no premium features locked behind paywalls.
Molly is fully open-source, allowing for independent audits and community contributions to its codebase. Unlike Signal it doesn't use any proprietary blobs by Google.
Molly uses end-to-end encryption by default for all communications. On device preferences will be encrypted by passphrases. Push Notifications can be done Google-free with Unfied Push.
Molly is ad-free and does not engage in data mining or targeted advertising.
Molly does not use third-party trackers, it also has its own push notification infrastructure and does not depend on Google's service on Android.
Website

Signal

A privacy-focused messaging app with end-to-end encryption and open-source transparency.

Signal uses end-to-end encryption by default for all communications, ensuring user privacy. It uses Google's notification system fro Push Notification on Android of course, which can be problematic.
Signal is mostly open-source, allowing for independent audits and community contributions to its codebase. Only some of the code is from Google and proprietary.
Signal is ad-free and does not engage in data mining or targeted advertising.
Signal is free to use for all users, with no premium features locked behind paywalls (yet).
Website

Olvid

A French secure messaging app with no phone number required.

Olvid offers free use of its basic features. For individuals it costs 4.99€ per month if they want secure audio/video calls and multi-device support.
Olvid does not require a phone number or email address for registration, allowing anonymous use.
Olvid is based in France, ensuring compliance with EU privacy laws.
Olvid is ad-free and does not engage in data mining or targeted advertising.
Olvid client apps are fully open-source, allowing for independent audits and reproducible builds.
Olvid uses end-to-end encryption by default for all communications, ensuring user privacy.
Website

Wire

A Swiss secure messaging and video conferencing platform with end-to-end encryption.

Wire offers end-to-end encryption for all communications and does not perform data mining for advertisement, ensuring user privacy and security.
Wire is free and open-source software, allowing anyone to inspect, modify, and enhance the code.
Wire is based in Switzerland, ensuring compliance with GDPR and strong European privacy laws.
Wire can be self-hosted, giving organizations full control over their data and privacy.
Wire offers a free tier, mainly for messaging. For video conferencing one has to opt for one of the paid tiers.
Wire's service is ad-free for all its free and paid tiers, it's funded through enterprise plans.
Website
threema logo

Threema

A Swiss end-to-end encrypted messaging app with a focus on privacy and metadata minimization.

Threema client apps are fully open-source, allowing for independent audits and reproducible builds.
Threema does not require a phone number or email address for registration, allowing anonymous use.
Threema is based in Switzerland, ensuring compliance with strict Swiss privacy laws.
Threema does not use third-party trackers, it also has its own push notification infrastructure and does not depend on Google's service on Android.
Threema is ad-free and does not engage in data mining or targeted advertising.
Threema uses end-to-end encryption by default for all communications, ensuring user privacy.
Website

Session

A decentralised, anonymous messaging app with a focus on privacy.

Session is available for free, with optional premium features (Session Pro) that require payment.
Session does not require a phone number or email address for registration, allowing anonymous use.
Session operates on a decentralized network, reducing reliance on single points of control and enhancing user privacy.
Session does not use third-party trackers, it also has its own push notification infrastructure and does not depend on Google's service on Android.
Session is ad-free and does not engage in data mining or targeted advertising.
Session uses end-to-end encryption by default for all communications, ensuring user privacy.
Session is fully open-source, allowing for independent audits and community contributions.
Website

The 6 main issues with WhatsApp

Lack of Transparency - Opacity in operations, data handling, or supply chains, making it difficult for users to understand practices.

WhatsApp lacks transparency in its data collection, sharing, and security practices. The platform has been criticized for not disclosing how user data is used, shared, or protected, and for failing to provide clear, accessible information about its privacy policies and security vulnerabilities. Regulatory actions and whistleblower reports have further exposed WhatsApp’s opaque operations.Source: The Register: WhatsApp’s lack of transparency in security reportsThe Verge: WhatsApp banned by US House for lack of transparency

Data Monopolies - Control of vast amounts of user data, creating risks for privacy and potential misuse.

WhatsApp shares extensive user data, including phone numbers, device information, and metadata, with Meta/Facebook. This data is used for targeted advertising and to enhance Meta’s data monopoly. Despite claims of end-to-end encryption for messages, WhatsApp’s integration with Meta’s ecosystem allows for widespread data collection and sharing, often without clear user consent or transparency.Source: WIRED: WhatsApp has shared your data with Facebook for yearsThe Verge: WhatsApp links accounts to Meta’s ecosystem

Privacy Concerns - User data is likely to be stored and used against users' best interest.

Users’ metadata is used by authorities, such as ICE, to identify and locate individuals and organisations. WhatsApp's privacy practices have been repeatedly criticised for sharing user data, including phone numbers and metadata, with Meta/Facebook. The platform’s use of phone numbers as unique identifiers exposes users to enumeration attacks, allowing bad actors to harvest billions of phone numbers. WhatsApp’s privacy settings and security measures have been found inadequate by regulators and researchers alike. Source: Forbes: How ICE Spies On WhatsApp (2025)WIRED: WhatsApp security flaw exposed 3.5 billion phone numbersThe Register: WhatsApp ex-security head reveals privacy shortcomings

Big Tech - Big Tech companies do not nourish people and planet. This is especially true in times of political tension.

WhatsApp has been acquired by Meta (Facebook) in 2014, one of the largest tech companies. Meta’s acquisitions of WhatsApp and Instagram have been scrutinised for anti-competitive practices, with regulators arguing that these deals were designed to eliminate competition and consolidate Meta’s control over user data and social networking.Source: TechCrunch:Facebook Closes WhatsApp Acquisition (2014)The Verge: FTC v. Meta antitrust trial over WhatsApp

Misinformation / Manipulation - Spread of false or misleading information, often through algorithmic amplification, which can harm public discourse and trust.

Meta retired fact checks for user generated content on their social media platforms. The company also profits from scam ads that harm its users. Sources: Techspot: Meta knowingly took in billions from scam adsArsTechnica: Meta axes third-party fact-checkers in time for second Trump term

Support of Authoritarian Regimes - Companies actively supporting, financing and legitimising regimes and unethical policies.

Trumps was not even inaugurated when Meta showed hasty obedience to his political agenda by removing fact checks. Meta also manipulated search results on its social media platforms.Sources:Wired: No Fact-Checking and More Hate Speech: Meta Goes MAGA (2025)Forbes: Meta Faces Backlash As Democrat-Related Terms Disappear From Instagram (2025)