Viber vs Threema

Viber8.8Visit Threema8.5Visit

Higher score Viber #4 in WhatsApp Alternatives 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 5 features Visit Viber

vs

Threema #7 in WhatsApp Alternatives 8.5/10 30-day trial ✓ 2 of 5 features Visit Threema

• Viber fits best

  People who want free messaging, calls and group chats

• Threema fits best

  People willing to pay once for private messaging

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Side by side

Feature	Viber 8.8/10 Visit ↗	Threema 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.8	8.5
Ranking	#4 in WhatsApp Alternatives	#7 in WhatsApp Alternatives
Best for	People who want free messaging, calls and group chats	People willing to pay once for private messaging
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	Free plan	$7.49/unit one-time
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support	Docs, Tickets, Live chat · 24/7	Tickets, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Viber 1/5 · Threema 2/5
Default E2E encryption	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Desktop apps	✓	✓
Multi-device support	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Voice and video calls	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Open source	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Specs
Max group size	250 members	256 members (best)
Our review
Pros	Free messaging and calls between Viber users End-to-end encryption for one-to-one and group chats Apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android	Create an account without a phone number or email address Encrypted messages, calls, backups, and chats for up to 256 members Use the service on mobile, desktop, and the web
Cons	An account requires a phone number Group chats are limited to 250 members Backups are not encrypted	The listed Threema Private price is a one-time $7.49 purchase Android purchase is available through the Threema Shop A paid entry cost may deter people comparing free alternatives
Our verdict	Viber brings messaging and calling together across mobile and desktop, with one-to-one chats, group conversations, voice and video calls, and communities and channels. It suits people who want a familiar messenger for personal… Read the review →	Threema is a secure messaging app for individuals, organizations, and teams that want encrypted communication without account creation by phone number or email. Instead, users can register with a randomly generated Threema ID. Its features… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Viber — where it wins

  • Free messaging and calls between Viber users
  • End-to-end encryption for one-to-one and group chats
  • Apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android

  Where it doesn't

  • An account requires a phone number
  • Group chats are limited to 250 members
  • Backups are not encrypted

• Threema — where it wins

  • Create an account without a phone number or email address
  • Encrypted messages, calls, backups, and chats for up to 256 members
  • Use the service on mobile, desktop, and the web

  Where it doesn't

  • The listed Threema Private price is a one-time $7.49 purchase
  • Android purchase is available through the Threema Shop
  • A paid entry cost may deter people comparing free alternatives

• Viber8.8/10 · Free plan

  A free messenger with calls, group chats and synced desktop and mobile apps.

  Visit ViberFull verdict →
• Threema8.5/10 · 30-day trial

  A paid messaging app with encrypted calls, groups, backups, and desktop access.

  Visit ThreemaFull verdict →