Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Encrypted Messaging Apps

WhatsApp vs Olvid

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score WhatsApp #2 in Encrypted Messaging Apps 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit WhatsApp
Olvid #20 in Encrypted Messaging Apps 7.2/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Olvid

WhatsApp leads on 0 checks, Olvid 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 scoreWhatsApp · 9.3/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Olvid

WhatsApp scores higher on our rubric for encrypted messaging apps: 9.3 against 7.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #20.

WhatsApp is the better fit for free mainstream messaging with encryption. Olvid is the better fit for organizations needing identity-free secure chat.

  • WhatsApp fits best

    Free mainstream messaging with encryption

  • Olvid fits best

    Organizations needing identity-free secure chat

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. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature WhatsApp 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Olvid 7.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 7.2
Ranking #2 in Encrypted Messaging Apps #20 in Encrypted Messaging Apps
Best for Free mainstream messaging with encryption Organizations needing identity-free secure chat
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan €4.99/user/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — 30 days
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Docs Email, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features WhatsApp 3/3 · Olvid 3/3
Desktop app ✓ ✓
Voice and video calls ✓ ✓
Disappearing messages ✓ ✓
Specs
Encryption coverage Default Default
Maximum group size 1024 members Not checked yet
Linked device limit 4 devices Not checked yet
Encrypted backups End_to_end End_to_end
Our review
Pros
  • End-to-end encryption covers personal messages and calls by default
  • Supports web, desktop, iOS, Android, and linked devices
  • Combines chats, calls, groups, backups, and screen sharing
  • No phone number or email required
  • Encrypted messaging, calls, backups, and ephemeral messages
  • Apps for Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux
Cons
  • The app is closed source rather than open source
  • Facebook and Instagram integrations may not suit privacy-focused users
  • Meta AI features add an optional Meta-connected experience
  • Outbound calls require a paid plan
  • Multi-device use is not included in the Free plan
  • Advanced enterprise controls require the Enterprise plan
Our verdict

WhatsApp is a free messaging and calling application for individuals, groups, and organizations. It brings text messaging, voice notes, photo and video sharing, documents, status updates, group chats, and one-to-one or group voice and…

Read the review →

Olvid is an encrypted messaging application for individuals, teams, and organizations that want private communication without linking an account to a phone number or email address. The Free plan includes messaging and attachments, secure…

Read the review →
  1. WhatsAppEncrypted Messaging Apps 9.3Free plan
  2. OlvidEncrypted Messaging Apps 7.2Free plan · 30-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • WhatsApp — where it wins

    • End-to-end encryption covers personal messages and calls by default
    • Supports web, desktop, iOS, Android, and linked devices
    • Combines chats, calls, groups, backups, and screen sharing

    Where it doesn't

    • The app is closed source rather than open source
    • Facebook and Instagram integrations may not suit privacy-focused users
    • Meta AI features add an optional Meta-connected experience
  • Olvid — where it wins

    • No phone number or email required
    • Encrypted messaging, calls, backups, and ephemeral messages
    • Apps for Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux

    Where it doesn't

    • Outbound calls require a paid plan
    • Multi-device use is not included in the Free plan
    • Advanced enterprise controls require the Enterprise plan

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update