SimpleX Chat vs Threema

SimpleX Chat8.5Visit Threema8.0Visit

Higher score SimpleX Chat #7 in Encrypted Messaging Apps 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit SimpleX Chat

vs

Threema #12 in Encrypted Messaging Apps 8.0/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Threema

• SimpleX Chat fits best

  Privacy-focused users avoiding phone numbers

• Threema fits best

  Users wanting anonymous, polished paid messaging

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Side by side

Feature	SimpleX Chat 8.5/10 Visit ↗	Threema 8.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.5	8.0
Ranking	#7 in Encrypted Messaging Apps	#12 in Encrypted Messaging Apps
Best for	Privacy-focused users avoiding phone numbers	Users wanting anonymous, polished paid messaging
Pricing model	Free	Paid
Starting price	Free plan	$3/user/mo
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	30 days
Deployment	Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Features SimpleX Chat 3/3 · Threema 3/3
Desktop app	✓	✓
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	2 devices
Encrypted backups	None	End_to_end
Our review
Pros	End-to-end encrypted messages, media, groups, and calls Open-source apps for mobile, desktop, Linux, and self-hosting Disappearing messages and portable encrypted database export	Anonymous account creation without a phone number or email Encrypted messaging, calls, backups, and automatic message deletion Apps and clients for web, desktop, iOS, and Android
Cons	The same profile cannot be used simultaneously on multiple devices Desktop linking is supported locally rather than across simultaneous devices Self-hosted relay support may require additional technical administration	No free plan for private users Threema Safe excludes message and media history Work plans use annual billing with per-user monthly pricing
Our verdict	SimpleX Chat is an open-source encrypted messaging application for people who want private conversations without user profile identifiers. It supports end-to-end encrypted one-to-one and group messaging, file, image, and video sharing,… Read the review →	Threema is a Swiss encrypted messaging application for individuals, companies, public authorities, and organizations. It combines end-to-end encrypted text and voice messaging with encrypted voice, video, and group calls, file sharing,… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• SimpleX Chat — where it wins

  • End-to-end encrypted messages, media, groups, and calls
  • Open-source apps for mobile, desktop, Linux, and self-hosting
  • Disappearing messages and portable encrypted database export

  Where it doesn't

  • The same profile cannot be used simultaneously on multiple devices
  • Desktop linking is supported locally rather than across simultaneous devices
  • Self-hosted relay support may require additional technical administration

• Threema — where it wins

  • Anonymous account creation without a phone number or email
  • Encrypted messaging, calls, backups, and automatic message deletion
  • Apps and clients for web, desktop, iOS, and Android

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan for private users
  • Threema Safe excludes message and media history
  • Work plans use annual billing with per-user monthly pricing

• SimpleX Chat8.5/10 · Free plan

  A privacy-focused, open-source messenger that avoids user profile identifiers.

  Visit SimpleX ChatFull verdict →
• Threema8.0/10 · 30-day trial

  A polished, anonymous messaging suite with strong privacy features and no free plan.

  Visit ThreemaFull verdict →