Best Citadel Team Alternatives in 2026
The top Citadel Team alternatives are Signal, Threema and Wire: 15 encrypted calling apps our editors would look at instead of Citadel Team, in our ranking order.
Citadel Team: Free encrypted calls and conferencing across web, desktop and mobile. Where it falls short: group-call participant limit is not stated.
Switching from Citadel Team? For most encrypted calling apps buyers the best Citadel Team alternative is Signal, built for people seeking encrypted calls across phones and desktops.
Why People Look for a Citadel Team Alternative
- Group-call participant limit is not stated
- No verified customer self-hosting option
- No published paid-plan prices
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallSignal9.4
People seeking encrypted calls across phones and desktops
Visit Signal - Lowest priceSignal9.4
Paid plans from $1.99/mo
Visit Signal - Best free optionSignal9.4
Has a free plan
Visit Signal
All 15 Citadel Team 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. 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.
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Best forPeople seeking encrypted calls across phones and desktops
- Better than Citadel Team:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 7.6
Free encrypted calls and messaging, with optional paid encrypted media backups.
- Open source
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Signal -
Best forPrivacy-focused users wanting broad device support
- Better than Citadel Team:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 7.6
A paid, multi-device app for private calls, messaging, and encrypted backups.
- Open source
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Threema -
Best forOrganizations needing managed, secure team calling
- Better than Citadel Team:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 7.6
A secure team workspace with encrypted calls, guest access, and managed enterprise options.
- Open source
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Wire -
Best forFree, open-source calling across desktop and mobile
- Better than Citadel Team:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 7.6
Private messaging and calls with peer-to-peer architecture and SIP support.
- Open source
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Jami -
Best forSIP users needing encrypted calls and PBX support
- Better than Citadel Team:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 7.6
A free, open-source SIP client for encrypted calls and PBX-connected telephony.
- Open source
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Linphone -
Best forTeams needing self-hosted, integrated communications
- Better than Citadel Team:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 7.6
A self-hostable communications app with encrypted messaging and calling through Element Call and integrations.
- Open source
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Element -
Best forEncrypted meetings with clear participant limits
- Better than Citadel Team:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 7.6
Private audio, video, screen sharing, and chat, with plans for up to 100 participants.
- Open source
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Proton Meet -
Best forFree encrypted personal and group calls
- Better than Citadel Team:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 7.6
A free calling and messaging app for encrypted personal conversations across devices.
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit WhatsApp -
Best forSimple free encrypted calls on web and mobile
- Better than Citadel Team:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 7.6
A free way to make end-to-end encrypted personal calls alongside everyday messaging.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Messenger -
Best forFree calls with synchronized desktop and mobile chats
- Better than Citadel Team:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 7.6
A free calling and chat app with synchronized desktop and mobile conversations.
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Viber -
Best forFree, open-source calls with screen sharing
- Better than Citadel Team:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 7.6
A free, open-source calling app for encrypted calls, group chats, and screen sharing.
- Open source
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Tox -
Best forPrivate calls and messaging without user IDs
- Better than Citadel Team:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 7.6
Free, open-source messaging and calls built around identifier-free connections.
- Open source
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit SimpleX Chat -
Best forPrivacy-first users who value pseudonymous messaging
- Better than Citadel Team:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 7.6
A privacy-first messenger with broad platform support; calls are beta and not onion-routed.
- Open source
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Session -
Best forLarge communities prioritizing reach over default encryption
- Better than Citadel Team:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 7.6
A broad messaging app with calling and Secret Chats, but not default end-to-end encryption for calls.
- Open source
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Telegram -
Best forApple-oriented users wanting free group calls
- Better than Citadel Team:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 7.6
Free audio and video calls, with groups up to 32 and browser joining.
- Screen sharing
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Apple
Citadel Team Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Citadel Team?
Signal: #1 in our Encrypted Calling Apps ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. Free encrypted calls and messaging, with optional paid encrypted media backups.
Is there a free alternative to Citadel Team?
Yes. Signal, Wire, Jami, Linphone and Element have a free plan or a free tier (14 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
What is the cheapest paid alternative to Citadel Team?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Signal starts lowest, at $1.99/mo.
Why do people look for Citadel Team alternatives?
Group-call participant limit is not stated; No verified customer self-hosting option; No published paid-plan prices.
How do I switch from Citadel Team?
Export your data from Citadel Team (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 Citadel Team.
How to Switch from Citadel Team
- Export your data from Citadel Team (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 Citadel Team.
Citadel Team vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | Citadel Team | Yes | 7.6 | |
| 1 | Signal | Yes | $1.99/mo | 9.4 |
| 2 | Threema | No | $7.49/unit one-time | 9.2 |
| 3 | Wire | Yes | €7.45/user/mo | 9.1 |
| 4 | Jami | Yes | Free | 9.0 |
| 5 | Linphone | Yes | Free | 8.9 |
| 6 | Element | Yes | 8.8 | |
| 7 | Proton Meet | Yes | $7.99/user/mo | 8.7 |
| 8 | Yes | Free | 8.6 | |
| 9 | Messenger | Yes | Free | 8.5 |
| 10 | Viber | Yes | 8.4 | |
| 11 | Tox | Yes | Free | 8.3 |
| 12 | SimpleX Chat | Yes | Free | 8.2 |
| 13 | Session | Yes | $2.99/mo | 8.1 |
| 14 | Telegram | Yes | 8.0 | |
| 15 | FaceTime | Yes | Free | 7.9 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update