Best Status Alternatives in 2026
The top Status alternatives are Signal, WhatsApp and Element: 15 encrypted messaging apps our editors would look at instead of Status, in our ranking order.
Status: A private, phone-free messenger for decentralized communities and smaller groups. Where it falls short: group chats support up to 20 members.
Switching from Status? For most encrypted messaging apps buyers the best Status alternative is Signal, built for most people wanting private messaging. WhatsApp offers the most maximum group size (1024 members).
Why People Look for a Status Alternative
- Group chats support up to 20 members
- Backups are optional and stored only on the device
- Voice and video calling are not part of the verified feature set
- Maximum group size: 20 members — up to 1024 members with WhatsApp
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallSignal9.4
Most people wanting private 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 sizeWhatsApp9.3
1024 members
Visit WhatsApp
All 15 Status 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 people wanting private messaging
- Better than Status:
- Maximum group size: 1000 members vs 20 members
- Editor score 9.4 vs 5.9
A free, private messaging app with broad calling, sharing, and platform support.
- Disappearing messages
- Voice and video calls
- Desktop app
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Signal -
Best forFree mainstream messaging with encryption
- Better than Status:
- Maximum group size: 1024 members vs 20 members
- Editor score 9.3 vs 5.9
A free, feature-rich choice for encrypted everyday messaging and calls.
- Disappearing messages
- Voice and video calls
- Desktop app
9.3/10★★★★★Visit WhatsApp -
Best forTeams needing encrypted, extensible collaboration
- Better than Status:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 5.9
Encrypted collaboration with flexible deployment, open source foundations, and broad platform support.
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Element -
Best forEnterprise encrypted collaboration
- Better than Status:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 5.9
A broad encrypted workspace with free essentials and enterprise administration options.
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Wire -
Best forFree social messaging with encrypted chats
- Better than Status:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 5.9
A broad free messenger with default encryption for personal chats and calls.
- Disappearing messages
- Voice and video calls
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Messenger -
Best forOpen-source messaging with email interoperability
- Better than Status:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 5.9
A free, open-source messenger that combines default encryption with email interoperability.
- Disappearing messages
- Voice and video calls
- Desktop app
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Delta Chat -
Best forPrivacy-focused users avoiding phone numbers
- Better than Status:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 5.9
A privacy-focused, open-source messenger that avoids user profile identifiers.
- Disappearing messages
- Voice and video calls
- Desktop app
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit SimpleX Chat -
Best forLong-established free peer-to-peer calling
- Better than Status:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 5.9
A mature free communication app with broad calling features and a focused integration set.
- Voice and video calls
- Desktop app
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Jami -
Best forAnonymous encrypted messaging with onion routing
- Better than Status:
- Maximum group size: 100 members vs 20 members
- Editor score 8.3 vs 5.9
A privacy-focused messenger with broad platform support and a 10 MB attachment limit.
- Disappearing messages
- Voice and video calls
- Desktop app
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Session -
Best forManaged secure communications for enterprises
- Better than Status:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 5.9
A managed secure communications suite for organizations handling sensitive conversations.
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Silent Phone -
Best forKeeper users wanting secure private and group chats
- Better than Status:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 5.9
A free personal chat app with encrypted messaging and a business add-on for Keeper accounts.
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit KeeperChat -
Best forUsers wanting anonymous, polished paid messaging
- Better than Status:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 5.9
A polished, anonymous messaging suite with strong privacy features and no free plan.
- Disappearing messages
- Voice and video calls
- Desktop app
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Threema -
Best forOffline and censorship-resistant messaging
- Better than Status:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 5.9
A free, open-source choice for private messaging when centralized servers are a concern.
- Disappearing messages
- Desktop app
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Briar -
Best forAndroid XMPP users needing encrypted calls
- Better than Status:
- Editor score 7.8 vs 5.9
A focused Android XMPP client with encrypted calls, groups, files, and account support.
- Voice and video calls
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Conversations -
Best forFree peer-to-peer calls and file sharing
- Better than Status:
- Editor score 7.7 vs 5.9
A free open-source choice for encrypted calls, groups, screen sharing, and file transfers.
- Voice and video calls
- Desktop app
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Tox
Status Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Status?
Signal: #1 in our Encrypted Messaging Apps ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A free, private messaging app with broad calling, sharing, and platform support.
Is there a free alternative to Status?
Yes. Signal, WhatsApp, Element, Wire and Messenger have a free plan or a free tier (13 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
What is the cheapest paid alternative to Status?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Signal starts lowest, at $1.99/mo.
Why do people look for Status alternatives?
Group chats support up to 20 members; Backups are optional and stored only on the device; Voice and video calling are not part of the verified feature set.
Which Status alternative has the most maximum group size?
WhatsApp, with 1024 members.
How do I switch from Status?
Export your data from Status (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 Status.
How to Switch from Status
- Export your data from Status (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 Status.
Status vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Encryption coverage | Maximum group size | Linked device limit | Desktop app | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | Status | Yes | None | Default | 20 members | — | Yes | 5.9 |
| 1 | Signal | Yes | $1.99/mo | Default | 1000 members | 5 devices | Yes | 9.4 |
| 2 | Yes | None | Default | 1024 members | 4 devices | Yes | 9.3 | |
| 3 | Element | Yes | — | — | — | — | — | 9.1 |
| 4 | Wire | Yes | €7.45/user/mo | — | — | — | — | 8.9 |
| 5 | Messenger | Yes | None | Default | — | — | — | 8.7 |
| 6 | Delta Chat | Yes | None | Default | — | — | Yes | 8.6 |
| 7 | SimpleX Chat | Yes | None | Default | — | — | Yes | 8.5 |
| 8 | Jami | Yes | None | Default | — | — | Yes | 8.4 |
| 9 | Session | Yes | $2.99/mo | Mixed | 100 members | — | Yes | 8.3 |
| 10 | Silent Phone | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8.2 |
| 11 | KeeperChat | Yes | — | — | — | — | — | 8.1 |
| 12 | Threema | No | $3/user/mo | Default | — | 2 devices | Yes | 8.0 |
| 13 | Briar | Yes | None | Default | — | — | Yes | 7.9 |
| 14 | Conversations | Yes | — | Default | — | — | — | 7.8 |
| 15 | Tox | Yes | None | Default | — | — | Yes | 7.7 |
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
Last updated · How we research and update