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There are already plenty of overviews on the subject of “Messenger” that can help you make a decision: >> here <<
Basically, however, there is no “best” or “most secure” messenger, every system has strengths and weaknesses. Here is a very informative article on this:
https://www.kuketz-blog.de/kommentar-den-idealen-messenger-wird-es-nie-geben (external)
Every provider will always present “their” product, i.e. “their” messenger, positively in comparisons and there are hardly any useful comparisons and if there are, then important features are often missing. This was the reason for creating a separate, independent overview of messengers systems.
All the systems listed here are decentralized and free. Nevertheless, there are significant differences due to the different technical structure (protocols). This has the advantage that you can choose the right system for you or use several parallel - or as a supplement to your previous favorite messenger.
If the online status is to be transmitted and displayed.
If several different accounts are to be used at the same time
(e.g. for personal, private, anonymous or business contacts).
If groups are only to be administered by certain people.
Some participants should only have read access.
If “simply everyone ” is to be reached.
With an email messenger, significantly more recipients or contacts are possible than with WhatsApp, for example (all email addresses worldwide - and also very large groups at the same time via mailing lists).
If formless e-mails are to be exchanged.
Security note:
If you communicate with someone who does not have a compatible email chat messenger installed, the message is not encrypted (readable only for the recipient) but sent unencrypted. In the “worst case”, it is also routed via email servers to recipients who do not speak to each other in encrypted form (via TLS).
This means that messages to classic email contacts may be sent as a readable “postcard”.
…between Conversations (XMPP) and Delta Chat (IMAP):
Key differences | Conversations (XMPP) | Delta Chat (IMAP) |
Communication possible with … | Conversations and all other messengers based on XMPP (smaller user group) | Delta Chat and all e-mail programs (largest possible user group) |
Multiple accounts possible in the same messenger | yes | no |
Online status possible | yes | no |
Participant permissions in groups/conferences | Owner, administrator, member, reader | all equal |
Public groups | yes | no |
Contact storage location | with server operator | on end device |
When anonymous and maximum (data) secure communication is required
(e.g. in security-critical areas; in crisis and war zones; security-conscious users).
If communication without Internet access should be possible (e.g. in closed working areas, communities - or even if the infrastructure has been destroyed).
If no shared server is available locally (the users’ devices connect directly to each other via Bluetooth or WLAN).
If the Tor network is to be used (prerequisite here: Internet access).
Ideal for people with increased security needs such as activists and journalists.
To make a decision, you could also “sort” systems according to various criteria:
Data protection, privacy & security (from high to low)
Briar >> Chat standard XMPP with OMEMO >= Matrix with encryption >> Signal >> Telegram ~ Threema >> WhatsApp
Power consumption (mobile device - from low to high)
Chat standard XMPP, Signal >> Matrix >> Briar
Functionality (from high to low)
Matrix >> Chat standard XMPP, … >> Briar
Compatibility (present/not)
Chat standard XMPP <-> Matrix (Telegram conditional)
So it always depends on what you prioritize. For a more detailed and objective evaluation, a benefit analysis is therefore recommended.