Messenger

At a glance

• Editor score
  8.7 / 10
• Pricing
  Free plan
• Best for
  Free social messaging with encrypted chats
• Free plan
  Yes
• Paid from
  None
• Encryption coverage
  Default
• Founded
  2011 · Menlo Park, California, United States
• Facts checked
  20 Sep 2026

• Where it wins

  • End-to-end encryption is enabled by default for personal messages and calls
  • Free messaging, group chats, voice and video calls, and media sharing
  • Disappearing messages, Secure Storage, editing, unsending, and shared albums

• Where it doesn't

  • Not open source
  • Social features can make it less focused on encrypted messaging
  • Secure Storage keys in iCloud or Google Drive are outside Messenger's encryption

Our verdict on Messenger

Messenger is Meta’s consumer messaging app for connecting with friends, family, communities and creators. It combines text messaging, group chats, photo and video sharing, file sharing, voice and video calls, shared albums, message editing, unsending, reactions and broadcast channels. Personal messages and calls use end-to-end encryption by default, while disappearing messages are available in end-to-end encrypted chats. With web, iOS and Android access, Messenger suits people who want free social messaging with encrypted personal conversations rather than a narrowly focused private messenger.

The published offering is free, with no paid tiers described. Its feature set covers everyday communication broadly: high-definition photo and video sharing, files up to 100 MB, chat themes, stickers, GIFs, group conversations and communities. Secure Storage can preserve encrypted chat history, adding continuity for people who want to retain conversations across access points. The platform therefore works well for households, friend groups and communities that need calls, media and group features alongside encrypted chats without a subscription.

Messenger’s main trade-off is focus. It includes broadcast channels, communities and creator connections, so its identity extends beyond private encrypted messaging. It is also not open source, which may matter to buyers who prioritize publicly inspectable software. Backup handling deserves attention: Messenger documents Secure Storage as end-to-end encrypted, but a backup key stored in iCloud or Google Drive is not protected by Messenger’s end-to-end encryption. Choose Messenger for broad social communication with default encryption; choose a more specialized alternative if open-source software or a narrower encrypted-messaging experience is the priority.

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Messenger pricing

Messenger fact sheet

Alternatives to Messenger

• SignalA free, private messaging app with broad calling, sharing, and platform support.9.4
• WWhatsAppA free, feature-rich choice for encrypted everyday messaging and calls.9.3
• ElementEncrypted collaboration with flexible deployment, open source foundations, and broad platform support.9.1

See all Messenger alternatives →

Messenger vs the competition

• MMessenger vs Signal
• MWMessenger vs WhatsApp
• MMessenger vs Element
• MMessenger vs Wire
• MMessenger vs Delta Chat
• MMessenger vs SimpleX Chat

Compare Messenger with any tool side by side →

Featured on iTechGuides

Messenger is listed in our Encrypted Messaging Apps directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Guides on encrypted messaging apps

• What Is Signal? How to Use the Encrypted Messaging AppAug 2026
• The Best Encrypted Messaging Apps in 2025: Signal, SimpleX, WhatsApp, and MoreAug 2026
• 8 Best Encrypted Messaging Apps for Your iPhone to Unlock True PrivacyAug 2026

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update