Best Cinny Alternatives in 2026
The top Cinny alternatives are Signal, WhatsApp and Element: 15 secure messaging apps our editors would look at instead of Cinny, in our ranking order.
Cinny: A focused, self-hostable Matrix client with web and desktop apps. Where it falls short: account and messaging behavior depend on the selected matrix homeserver.
Switching from Cinny? For most secure messaging apps buyers the best Cinny alternative is Signal, built for most users wanting secure messaging. Telegram offers the most maximum group size (200000 members).
Why People Look for a Cinny Alternative
- Account and messaging behavior depend on the selected Matrix homeserver
- A narrower feature set than broader Matrix client alternatives
- Self-hosting requires serving Cinny's built application files
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallSignal9.4
Most users wanting secure messaging
Visit Signal - Lowest priceSignal9.4
Paid plans from $1.99/mo
Visit Signal - Best free optionSignal9.4
Has a free plan
Visit Signal - Most maximum group sizeTelegram8.4
200000 members
Visit Telegram
All 15 Cinny Alternatives, Ranked
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.
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Best forMost users wanting secure messaging
- Better than Cinny:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 6.7
Free, open-source messaging with encrypted calls, groups, and optional paid backups.
- Disappearing messages
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Signal -
Best forMainstream users and large groups
- Better than Cinny:
- Editor score 9.3 vs 6.7
A broadly available free messenger with strong everyday privacy features and wide platform support.
- Disappearing messages
9.3/10★★★★★Visit WhatsApp -
Best forTeams needing secure, extensible collaboration
- Better than Cinny:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 6.7
A secure, extensible collaboration app for teams that need control and interoperability.
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Element -
Best forSecure enterprise collaboration
- Better than Cinny:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 6.7
A broad secure workspace for enterprise messaging, calls, files, and administration.
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Wire -
Best forFree users needing a complete private messenger
- Better than Cinny:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 6.7
A free, private messenger with encryption by default and a broad feature set.
- Disappearing messages
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Delta Chat -
Best forPrivacy-focused users wanting anonymous accounts
- Better than Cinny:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 6.7
Private messaging with anonymous connections, encrypted calls, and no paid plan.
- Disappearing messages
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit SimpleX Chat -
Best forUsers wanting secure calls and conferencing
- Better than Cinny:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 6.7
A free, open-source choice for encrypted messaging, calls, and conferencing.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Jami -
Best forLarge communities and bot-enabled messaging
- Better than Cinny:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 6.7
A broad messaging app for large communities, multi-device chats and bot-enabled workflows.
- Encrypted backups
- Multi-device support
- Desktop apps
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Telegram -
Best forUsers comfortable with a one-time purchase
- Better than Cinny:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 6.7
A paid, open-source messenger with broad platform support and strong privacy features.
- Encrypted backups
- Multi-device support
- Desktop apps
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Threema -
Best forMainstream mobile-and-desktop messaging
- Better than Cinny:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 6.7
A versatile free messenger with strong chat privacy but unencrypted backups.
- Multi-device support
- Desktop apps
- Disappearing messages
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Viber -
Best forOffline and censorship-resistant messaging
- Better than Cinny:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 6.7
A free, open-source messenger for private communication without a central server.
- Disappearing messages
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Briar -
Best forAndroid XMPP users needing calls
- Better than Cinny:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 6.7
A focused Android XMPP client with encrypted chats, calls, and federated connectivity.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Conversations -
Best forSmall groups wanting managed XMPP hosting
- Better than Cinny:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 6.7
A private, open-source messenger for small groups, with hosting priced at $6 per month.
- Encrypted backups
- Multi-device support
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Snikket -
Best forApple users wanting mature XMPP messaging
- Better than Cinny:
- Editor score 7.8 vs 6.7
A capable free XMPP client for Apple users who want OMEMO encryption and calls.
- Disappearing messages
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Monal -
Best forSecure messaging with decentralized communities
- Better than Cinny:
- Editor score 7.7 vs 6.7
A free, privacy-focused messenger for decentralized communities, with a 20-member group limit.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Status
Cinny Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Cinny?
Signal: #1 in our Secure Messaging Apps ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. Free, open-source messaging with encrypted calls, groups, and optional paid backups.
Is there a free alternative to Cinny?
Yes. Signal, WhatsApp, Element, Wire and Delta Chat have a free plan or a free tier (13 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
What is the cheapest paid alternative to Cinny?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Signal starts lowest, at $1.99/mo.
Why do people look for Cinny alternatives?
Account and messaging behavior depend on the selected Matrix homeserver; A narrower feature set than broader Matrix client alternatives; Self-hosting requires serving Cinny's built application files.
Which Cinny alternative has the most maximum group size?
Telegram, with 200000 members.
How do I switch from Cinny?
Export your data from Cinny (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Cinny.
How to Switch from Cinny
- Export your data from Cinny (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Cinny.
Cinny vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Account requirement | Encrypted backups | Desktop apps | Maximum group size | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | Cinny | Yes | None | — | — | Yes | — | 6.7 |
| 1 | Signal | Yes | $1.99/mo | — | — | — | — | 9.4 |
| 2 | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | 9.3 | |
| 3 | Element | Yes | — | — | — | — | — | 9.1 |
| 4 | Wire | Yes | €7.45/user/mo | — | — | — | — | 8.9 |
| 5 | Delta Chat | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | 8.7 |
| 6 | SimpleX Chat | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | 8.6 |
| 7 | Jami | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | 8.5 |
| 8 | Telegram | Yes | — | Phone | Yes | Yes | 200000 members | 8.4 |
| 9 | Threema | No | $7.49/unit one-time | None | Yes | Yes | 256 members | 8.3 |
| 10 | Viber | Yes | — | Phone | No | Yes | 250 members | 8.2 |
| 11 | Briar | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | 8.1 |
| 12 | Conversations | Yes | — | — | — | — | — | 8.0 |
| 13 | Snikket | No | $6/mo | Username | Yes | No | 10 members | 7.9 |
| 14 | Monal | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | 7.8 |
| 15 | Status | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | 7.7 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update