Hi, in the last weeks I’ve started switching to alternative apps to better protect my privacy. Regarding instant messages I’ve started using Signal: I know it’s not the best one but it’s still better than Whatsapp. I’m trying to find a better alternative to Whatsapp, hopefully decentralized, but I’m having trouble, could you guys help me?

The app needs to have end-to-end encryption, one-to-one call and video call support and possibly easy to use (to make switching easier for family members and friends).

  • predator8bit
    5·
    5 years ago

    I recommend Telegram, it might not tick all the boxes you are looking for. But it has in my experience a big advantage over any other app/service I have tried. That advantage being on-boarding, I can just tell people to download the app and if they have my number there is nothing else for them to do, I’m already added as a contact.

    No registration process to speak of, which helps a lot with the less tech savvy friends. Even if you want to use it on the PC as well as on a phone, you can just install it, punch in a code which you get in a message automatically and you are up and running.

    For me the friend list of people I have on alternative messaging apps, quite literally multiplied several times over since I started recommending telegram. Even reconnected with some people who had my number from ages ago and had the app installed.

    • Defcon1OP
      2·
      5 years ago

      I’ve tried XMPP (using conversations) and found it pretty good. Hopefully they’ll add call support soon so I can make a definitive switch. Thanks a lot for all the info, I didn’t knew that much about XMPP

    • Shura
      1·
      4 years ago

      Thank you for your so detailed post. I see you are involved in xmpp, so maybe you know good manuals how to run own prosody server on raspberrypi with all modern xmpp features enabled? Like chat history, calls, muc, file transfer and so on? For family purpose.

  • BusyBoredom
    4·
    5 years ago

    +1 for XMPP. I use it almost exclusively now, and run my own small ejabberd server for my friends and family. Some clients even have video call support, but I’d say the lack of video call support in most clients is probably the biggest drawback (hopefully that will change this year).

    • k_o_tM
      4·
      5 years ago

      lol, I’ve recently read a story about some criminals who were arrested, because they were communicating in snapchat, and thinking that because messages disappear they’re actually deleted :)