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Privacy-focused instant messaging alternatives

Browse privacy-focused instant messaging alternatives curated from awesome-privacy, with editorial guidance for choosing tools that respect your data.

Privacy Risk

Why people switch

*Check out this site for comparisons.

Subtopics Covered

What this category includes

  • Decentralized
  • Centralized
  • P2P
Popular Apps To Replace

Default choices that deserve a second look

Editorial Shortlist

Privacy-focused options worth evaluating

These are not every option in the source list. They are the clearest starting points for people who want better privacy, portability, and control.

Decentralized

Matrix (Protocol)

An open network for secure, decentralized communication.

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Decentralized

Element

All-in-one secure chat app for teams, friends and organisations. Keeps conversations in your control, safe from data-mining and ads. End-to-end encryption.

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Decentralized

Cinny

A Matrix client focusing primarily on simple, elegant and secure interface.

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Decentralized

Jabber / XMPP (Protocol)

The universal and open messaging standard. Tried and tested. Independent. Privacy-focused. E2E encrypted.

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Decentralized

🤖 Conversations

Jabber/XMPP client for Android 4.0+ smartphones that has been optimized to provide a unique mobile experience.

Decentralized

DeltaChat

Chat over encrypted e-mail.

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Decentralized

Session

Extreme focus on privacy and anonymity. Blockchain technology.

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Evaluation Criteria

What to look for

  • Prefer products with clear data ownership, export options, and transparent retention policies.
  • Look for local-first, end-to-end encrypted, or self-hosted options when the workflow handles sensitive material.
  • Check whether the product depends on trackers, mandatory accounts, or hidden cloud processing before rolling it out broadly.
Where Basil Fits

Keep the meeting layer private too

This category is broader than Basil AI, but the same principle applies: the less sensitive work you ship to third-party clouds, the lower your privacy exposure. For meetings, interviews, and voice notes, Basil keeps that processing on-device.

Explore Basil's private transcription approach →

Keep Your Meetings Private with Basil AI

100% on-device processing. No cloud. No data mining. No privacy risks.

Download on the App Store

Free to try • 3-day trial for Pro features