European alternatives to iMessage
Apple's messaging service, locked to iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
About iMessage
- Company
- Apple Inc.
- HQ
- United States
- Zone
- Outside Europe
Key concerns
Olvid
100 · Certified EuropeanFrench end-to-end encrypted messenger certified by ANSSI, the French national cybersecurity agency. Unlike Signal, requires no phone number or personal data to register. Used by the French government, recommended by French Prime Minister for ministerial communications.
Threema
95 · Certified EuropeanSwiss encrypted messaging app requiring no phone number or email to register. End-to-end encrypted messages, calls, and groups. One-time purchase of CHF 4.99, with no subscription, no ads, and no data mining. Used by Swiss government and military.
Wire
82 · Strongly EuropeanSwiss end-to-end encrypted messaging and collaboration platform for enterprise and government use. Backed by Schwarz Group (Lidl/Kaufland), hosted in the EU, and used by security-conscious organisations across Europe.
Element
75 · Strongly EuropeanEuropean secure communications platform built on the open Matrix protocol. Used by NATO, the EU, French and German governments, and 47M+ users across 80,000+ deployments. Self-hostable with full end-to-end encryption.
Signal
44 · Not Very EuropeanThe gold standard for encrypted messaging. Open-source and non-profit.
Looking for all European Messaging & chat alternatives? Browse the full list →
Why avoid United States-owned services?
CLOUD Act
Allows US authorities to compel American companies to hand over data stored anywhere in the world.
FISA Section 702
Permits mass surveillance of non-US persons' data held by US tech providers, without a warrant.
GDPR vs US law
Transferring personal data to US companies may conflict with EU data protection rules under GDPR.