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Head-to-head · Encrypted Messaging Apps

Messenger vs Delta Chat

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Messenger #5 in Encrypted Messaging Apps 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit Messenger
Delta Chat #6 in Encrypted Messaging Apps 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Delta Chat

Messenger leads on 0 checks, Delta Chat on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreMessenger · 8.7/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresDelta Chat · 3 of 3

Messenger scores higher on our rubric for encrypted messaging apps: 8.7 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #6.

On encrypted backups, Delta Chat gives you None where Messenger offers End_to_end.

Messenger is the better fit for free social messaging with encrypted chats. Delta Chat is the better fit for open-source messaging with email interoperability.

  • Messenger fits best

    Free social messaging with encrypted chats

  • Delta Chat fits best

    Open-source messaging with email interoperability

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Messenger 8.7/10 Visit ↗ Delta Chat 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 8.6
Ranking #5 in Encrypted Messaging Apps #6 in Encrypted Messaging Apps
Best for Free social messaging with encrypted chats Open-source messaging with email interoperability
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Messenger 2/3 · Delta Chat 3/3
Desktop app Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Voice and video calls ✓ ✓
Disappearing messages ✓ ✓
Specs
Encryption coverage Default Default
Maximum group size Not checked yet Not checked yet
Linked device limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Encrypted backups End_to_end None
Our review
Pros
  • End-to-end encryption is enabled by default for personal messages and calls
  • Free messaging, group chats, voice and video calls, and media sharing
  • Disappearing messages, Secure Storage, editing, unsending, and shared albums
  • Default end-to-end encryption across messages and attachments
  • Native apps for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Channels, calls, groups, disappearing messages, and Webxdc apps
Cons
  • Not open source
  • Social features can make it less focused on encrypted messaging
  • Secure Storage keys in iCloud or Google Drive are outside Messenger's encryption
  • Exported backups are not encrypted
  • Groups are practically recommended for no more than 150 members
  • Messaging depends on chatmail relays or compatible email servers
Our verdict

Messenger is Meta’s consumer messaging app for connecting with friends, family, communities and creators. It combines text messaging, group chats, photo and video sharing, file sharing, voice and video calls, shared albums, message…

Read the review →

Delta Chat is a free, open-source messaging app for private conversations, groups, channels, and one-to-one audio or video calls. It is designed for people who want default end-to-end encryption across mobile and desktop while retaining…

Read the review →
  1. MessengerEncrypted Messaging Apps 8.7Free plan
  2. Delta ChatEncrypted Messaging Apps 8.6Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Messenger — where it wins

    • End-to-end encryption is enabled by default for personal messages and calls
    • Free messaging, group chats, voice and video calls, and media sharing
    • Disappearing messages, Secure Storage, editing, unsending, and shared albums

    Where it doesn't

    • Not open source
    • Social features can make it less focused on encrypted messaging
    • Secure Storage keys in iCloud or Google Drive are outside Messenger's encryption
  • Delta Chat — where it wins

    • Default end-to-end encryption across messages and attachments
    • Native apps for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux
    • Channels, calls, groups, disappearing messages, and Webxdc apps

    Where it doesn't

    • Exported backups are not encrypted
    • Groups are practically recommended for no more than 150 members
    • Messaging depends on chatmail relays or compatible email servers

More comparisons

Guides on encrypted messaging apps

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update