European alternatives to Facebook Messenger

Meta's messaging app, tightly integrated with Facebook.

Meta Platforms Inc. · Outside Europe

About Facebook Messenger

Company: Meta Platforms Inc.
HQ: United States
Zone: Outside Europe

Key concerns

Non-European ownershipSubject to US CLOUD Act

Olvid

100 · Certified European

France · Messaging & chat

French 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.

See Olvid details

Freemium · from Free Free tier Partly open source 🇪🇺 EU

Threema

95 · Certified European

Switzerland · Messaging & chat

Swiss 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.

See Threema details

Paid · from CHF 4.99 Partly open source EFTA

Signal

44 · Not Very European

United States · Messaging & chat

The gold standard for encrypted messaging. Open-source and non-profit.

See Signal details

Free · from Free Free tier Open source

Looking for all European Messaging & chat alternatives? Browse the full list →

Did you know? Storing data on European servers does not protect you from US law if the company is American-owned.

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.

These concerns apply to all United States tech companies — see our full analysis →