Best Encrypted Messaging App For Android Of 2023
The best encrypted instant messaging apps for Android provide a simple way to keep your chats, calls, and videos private and secure.
Messaging apps have been common in Android smartphones since their release, but while there are an increasing number of privacy apps available, there are also a growing number of encrypted chat apps.
These aim to better protect users in an internet world where marketing companies are increasingly trying to not just track users but also read their messages. Additionally, private messaging traditionally involves copies of your chat sessions to be saved on the company servers, which could be exposed and published online by a successful hack attack.
Encrypted instant messaging ensures privacy and security by making sure that only the person you are sending your messages to can actually read them. Powerful Encryption software built into the messaging apps means that any third-party intercepting those messages will not be able to read them.
With the ever-increasingly popularity of Android phones, encrypted apps have become increasingly popular. Here we feature the best encrypted instant messaging apps currently available.
We've also featured the best privacy tools and anonymous browsers.
Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you're buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
(Image credit: Element)A super-secure, decentralized messaging platform
Reasons to buy +Strong security features
+Open source software
+Plenty of hosting flexibility
Reasons to avoid -Could use some more polish
-Some aspects more technical
-Occasional mobile bug
Element is a genuinely interesting and appealing secure messaging platform that will appeal to individual users and businesses alike. It's reliable, it comes with just about all the features that you're likely to need, it's simple to set up, and it has some of the best security and privacy features in the business – if you want to escape the clutches of the big tech giants, this is well worth a look.
For consumers, the biggest problem might be getting all your friends and family to switch over to something new – Element doesn't have quite the same polish as the likes of iMessage, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Slack and the rest, and of course it's not as widely used. The best fit for Element might be those who have the time and resources to really invest in it, including servers and bridges to other apps.
Overall, the Element messenger platform scores highly for its approach to security and its commitment to decentralization, and it's definitely going to be of interest to businesses wanting control over their own chats – as well as plenty of individual users as well.
Pricing starts with the Business plan at $5 per user per month when billed annually.
Read our full Element secure messenger review.
(Image credit: Google)The gold standard of encrypted messaging
Reasons to buy +Open source, industry-leading encryption
+Supports disappearing messages too
Signal is widely regarded as the gold standard of encrypted messaging apps, not least because its encryption engine is open source and available for anyone to inspect. That doesn't make it any easier to hack, but it does mean there are a lot more pairs of eyes looking at the robustness of the encryption methods.
Besides the industry-leading encryption on offer here, the app itself is fairly plain and basic in terms of visuals and appearance. It does support group chats though, as well as the sending of files and photos in addition to text, so you're going to be pretty well covered no matter what your needs.
Signal can replace the default SMS app if you want it to, but basic SMS texts aren't encrypted – you and the person you're chatting with both need to have Signal installed for the encryption feature to function properly, otherwise Signal doesn't have enough control over both ends of the conversation.
The app also includes several other useful features on top of the tight security, such as video calling, and disappearing messages that vanish after a certain time period (perfect for those conversations you don't want to stay on the record).
Read our full Signal review.
(Image credit: Google)The fully featured instant messenger
Reasons to buy +Your contacts probably already use it
+Very secure encryption standard
You're no doubt already familiar with WhatsApp as one of the best messaging apps out there, but you might not have realized that it offers end-to-end encryption for your messages – in fact, it uses the super-strong encryption protocol developed by Signal.
There's very little that WhatsApp can't do. As well as the standard text-based conversations, it's able to handle video calls, group chats, location sharing, and the transferring of files of various types. You can ping a lot of people at once with the Broadcast feature, leave voice memos, and more besides.
WhatsApp's immense popularity works in its favor as well, because the chances are that the people in your contacts list already have it installed to keep in touch with friends and family. All those chats are fully encrypted by default – there's no way to turn this off.
What might give you pause when it comes to using this app is that it is, of course, owned by Facebook, which means you're contributing to the data collection practices of the world's biggest social network. Facebook can't read your messages (the end-to-end encryption prevents that), but it can log other data about you for marketing purposes, like the location of your phone.
Read our full Whatsapp review.
(Image credit: Google)Keep your chats securely locked
Reasons to buy +Offers all the key IM features
+Polished and intuitive interface
Reasons to avoid -End-to-end encryption isn't default
Telegram is almost as well-respected as Signal is, although its encryption methods aren't open source and thus haven't been as well audited by third-party security experts. What it does have in its favor is a slicker interface, if that's important to you.
Another caveat about Telegram is that end-to-end encryption isn't enabled by default, so you need to make sure the Secret mode is activated before you can be sure that no one else is going to tap into your communications. Other types of chat and file transfer are encrypted, but only for part of their journey to other parties.
Those issues aside, Telegram impresses in most areas, with features like chat backups and disappearing messages (messages with expiry times attached). You can load up group chats, make video calls and more, and in use it's just as responsive and intuitive as the other messaging apps out there.
If you need all the bells and whistles of an instant messenger, like stickers and audio memos, and even basic photo and video editing software, Telegram is a solid choice. Just be sure to enable the Secret mode for the most secure messaging.
Read our full Telegram review.
(Image credit: Google)The extra secure private messaging app
Reasons to buy +Secure connection
+Minimum data use
+Anonymous messaging
Threema is another secure messaging app that aims to keep your data out of the hands of corporations and governments. The app can be used anonymously, and it's not just messages but also phone calls that can be securely encrypted.
While secure connections are the mainstay of many messengers, Threema goes one further by ensuring no contact details are saved on their servers, and any messaging data that goes through them is immediately deleted once sent.
The result is that local files remain on your phone, rather than in the open on third-party servers where the information could be intercepted by hackers or data-collection agencies.
For all its security considerations, Threema is still a fully-functional messaging app, that allows you to send images, files, videos, and locations, as well as create groups and set up polls among trusted users.
There's no need to sign in with an email or other personally identifiable information, reducing the amount of data required to use it. All in all, Threema offers a very secure experience with security and anonymity in mind.
Read our full Threema review.
We've also featured the best mobile payment apps.
Which encrypted messaging app is best for you?When deciding which encrypted messaging app to use, first consider what your actual needs are, as budget software may only provide basic options, so if you need to use advanced tools you may find a more expensive platform is much more worthwhile. Additionally, higher-end software can usually cater for every need, so do ensure you have a good idea of which features you think you may require from your encrypted messaging app.
How we tested the best encrypted messaging appTo test for the best encrypted messaging app we first set up an account with the relevant software platform, then we tested the service to see how the software performed when accessed by different devices, as well as testing any additional tools that were provided. The aim was to push each encrypted messaging app platform to see how useful its basic tools were and also how easy it was to get to grips with any more advanced tools.
Read more on how we test, rate, and review products on TechRadar.
5 Best Zip, Rar, And Unzip Apps For Android
One of the more common types of files that we have to deal with are archived files. You've seen them before and they come in zip, rar, 7z, tar, and other file types. The point of using archives is to put a lot of files into a single spot that takes up less digital space. If you've got some of these files that you need to deal with, here are the best zip, rar, and unzip apps for Android!
MiXplorer SilverPrice: $4.49
MiXplorer Silver is a file manager app. Technically, any file manager app has basic archiving abilities. Thus, if you just need one for ZIPs or RARs, anything should work. However, MiXplorer Silver makes the list because it handles so many more than that. The list of unpacking and packing is a little different. However, overall, the app supports about two dozen archive file types. Additionally, it's just a good file browser with all of the basics along with expanded functionality. The price is a bit higher than the $1.99 for Solid Explorer, but those who work with archives often don't have a better choice than this one for zipping and unzipping files. Check out the Play Store listing for the full list of supported archive types.
RAR is from RARLAB, the same developers who developed Winrar which makes this literally the Winrar for Android. As you'd expect, it comes with support for tons of file types, including the bigger ones like rar, zip, tar, 7z, and many others. There is also the usual array of encryption and password options. With this app you can also run your archives through benchmarks to see how they stack up and even run commands to repair damaged archive files (with varying degrees of success). It's a powerful app and probably the one you should go for.
WinZipPrice: Free / $9.99 per year
Joe Hindy / Android Authority
Many people remember Winzip and the app has made its way onto Android as well. It carries with it the pedigree of its desktop counterpart which means it's either going to work wonderfully for you or not work at all. If it does work for you, you'll be treated to a decent experience and the app supports all the common and popular types of archive files. What makes this one unique is that it has support for Dropbox and Google Drive. It's a feature many others have begun to mimic. The design is also surprisingly modern considering the other apps in this space. We'll be honest, it's probably the weakest option on the list despite having the massive name drop. Plus, it requires a subscription and it's surprisingly difficult to unsubscribe from this app.
ZArchiver is a totally free tool and one that has been around on Android for many years. It provides a decent user experience with generally easy controls and it comes with support for plenty of archive file types. There are also the usual options for encryption, password protection, and split archives if you need that as well. There really isn't any razzle-dazzle with this application, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. It's great for those who just want to get in, get it done, and get out. It'll do what you need it to do.
Zee Archiver is a simple, open-source archiver and decompressor app. It works with all of the major formats, including 7z, APK, TAR, ZIP, RAR, and more. It even works with multi-part RAR archives so you can get all of your files back correctly. Some other features includes the ability to password protect 7z and ZIP archives, encrypted archive support, and options for when you want to encrypt things. It's pretty good, completely free, and open source. Those are three good boxes to have ticked.
If we missed any of the best zip, rar, and unzip apps for Android, tell us about them in the comments! You can also click here to check out our latest Android app and game lists.Thank you for reading. Try these out too:
CommentsThe Best File Sharing Apps In 2023
The best file sharing apps enable increased cooperation across hybrid workforces in homes and in offices. They help make workflows more efficient, secure, and simple. Many of the top providers offer the best cloud storage as well as file-sharing capabilities, and this combination of services can be a boost to individual or business-level collaboration.
In a world where friends, family, and colleagues can be spread far and wide, your choice of the best cloud storage can make all the difference between easy and safe file transfers and insecure services that risk a loss of data or important files.
We've extensively tested the most popular file sharing apps on the market. Below, we've reviewed and ranked the best file sharing apps currently available, with a particular focus on each service's security tools as well as the amount of free data storage and transfer available. Read on to find your file-sharing provider.
Our deals on the best file sharing apps The top 3 file sharing apps right now The best file sharing apps of 2023 in full (Image credit: Google)The best file sharing app
SpecificationsFree tier: 15GB
Security specialty: Extensive backup options
Operating systems: iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux
Reasons to buy +Generous free plan
+Third-party integrations
+Affordable prices
Reasons to avoid -Few password protection options
-Backup not available on Linux
Google Drive offers nearly all of the same functionality as Microsoft OneDrive, but its free plan goes further in providing an impressive 15GB of free storage, which may be plenty for smaller enterprises. And like OneDrive, it allows you to share, create, and edit files with ease.
Google is a huge multinational firm with top-level security capabilities, so your data is in good hands during transfers. However, privacy could be a concern, and they will probably collect some of your online activity for advertising reasons. It is also an oversight that the service offers no password protection options when sharing a file.
Overall, we like Google Drive's extensive support for its third-party applications, affordable pricing, and extensive set of backup options. Its apps also work well on a wide range of platforms.
Read our Google Drive review and our Drive Enterprise review.
(Image credit: Dropbox)The most reliable file sharing app
SpecificationsFree tier: 2GB
Security specialty: 256-bit encryption
Operating systems: iOS, Android, Linux, macOS, Windows
Reasons to buy +Good selection of price levels
+Easy to use
+Strong encryption
Reasons to avoid -Expensive
-Limited storage on free tier
Dropbox was one of the earliest file-sharing platforms to become a household name, and it has had time to hone its offering. Several pricing plans under both its Individual and Business tranches means you can find the right setup to suit your needs. If you're not entirely sure, they also offer a free 30-day trial.
In terms of security, there are a couple of concerns. Firstly, Dropbox has a huge market share, and so—along with its rivals—it is naturally an obvious target for malicious attacks. And secondly, the firm has reserved the right to decrypt any file that is stored on its servers, as well as disclose that information to a third party.
Thankfully, Dropbox has recently beefed up its security measures. At rest, files are protected with 256-bit encryption, and during transfers, they are encased in an SSL/TSL tunnel. If you are not looking for a specialist option, but one that is still thoroughly reliable, Dropbox is a solid way to go.
Read our Dropbox cloud storage review and our Dropbox Business review.
(Image credit: Box)The best file sharing app with manual encryption keys
SpecificationsFree tier: 10GB
Security specialty: Two-factor authentication
Operating systems: iOS, Android, macOS, Windows
Reasons to buy +Rapid uploading
+Large free storage
+Several useful integrations
Reasons to avoid -Confusing design choices
-Basic security
Box has been Dropbox's biggest rival for some time. Previously, the former was geared towards businesses and the latter SMEs and individuals, but no longer. Both now aim to capture every part of the file-sharing market, and Box's offering is impressive.
It has four pricing plans to choose from, but its free tier has significantly more space than Dropbox's. Like its rival, it can be integrated with Google Workspace and Slack. It also offers a useful Keysafe feature, allowing admins to easily manage encryption keys.
In terms of usability—often a concern for Box—a recent upgrade improved things, but the platform could be streamlined further as some convoluted aspects remain.
Box is great for rapidly sharing files with friends or colleagues. You get a lot of space in the free tier, and two-factor authentication is available for improved security.
Read our Box review and our Box for Business review.
(Image credit: Microsoft)The best all-round file sharing app for teams
SpecificationsFree tier: 5GB
Security specialty: Individually encrypted files
Operating systems: iOS, Android, macOS, Windows
Reasons to buy +Great for collaboration
+Huge functionality
+App is easy to use
Reasons to avoid -Limited syncing capacity
-Low free storage options
Microsoft OneDrive is packed with features, incredibly usable, and beautifully designed. In some ways it surpasses expectations. Desktop users, for example, are able to access files that they didn't specifically decide to upload—an incredibly handy feature that shows how much time Microsoft has spent getting OneDrive right.
Being a Microsoft product, much of the advanced functionality available for OneDrive is tied to the Windows operating system, but there are also useful OneDrive apps for iOS, Android, and macOS.
In terms of security, OneDrive has never been the focus of any concerns or controversy, unlike many of its rivals, which speaks to the software's reliability. Individual users can also individually encrypt their files locally on a hard drive, adding an additional layer of protection.
Read our Microsoft OneDrive review and our OneDrive for Business review.
(Image credit: Apple)The best file sharing app for Apple users
SpecificationsFree tier: 5GB
Security specialty: Keychain passwords
Operating systems: iOS, macOS
Reasons to buy +5GB free with every Apple device
+Beautiful design
+Seamless integration with Apple services
Reasons to avoid -No Android compatibility
-Limited free plan
Apple, too, has a cloud file sharing platform in the form of iCloud. ICloud is an attractive file-sharing option, and likely the best fit if you are already deeply integrated with the Apple ecosystem. Although the free tier offers very little space, those with an iPhone, Mac, or iPad are given 5GB free.
Aside from the 2017 phishing attack, which appears to be a one-off, Apple has steered clear of security problems with iCloud. It should therefore be a safe choice for sharing files easily over iOS and macOS.
In our testing, we were impressed at the 24-hour online chat technical support and how easy it is to get two-factor authentication working in iCloud. However, iCloud is a poor option if you primarily use Windows on your desktop computer or the Android OS on your phone, as there are no dedicated iCloud apps for these platforms.
Read our iCloud review.
(Image credit: SpiderOak)The best file sharing app for security
SpecificationsFree tier: N/A
Security specialty: No knowledge encryption
Operating systems: iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux, Fedora
Today's Best Deals
SpiderOak One Backup 150 GB
SpiderOak One Backup 400 GB
SpiderOak One Backup 2 TB
Reasons to buy +Excellent security
+Easy to use
+Real-time document editing
Reasons to avoid -Expensive
-Slow performance
SpiderOak One is a cloud storage solution with end-to-end encryption, meaning you are in charge of your encryption keys so even SpiderOak employees can't decrypt the files stored on the platform.
SpiderOak One is still a consumer-facing product at heart, without too many business-focused features of which to speak.
We found that SpiderOak One has massively prioritized security, leading to weaknesses in other areas. The design, whilst handily integrated with SpiderOak's other products, has a few of the additional features some teams may require, such as synced, real-time document editing.
It is also a relatively expensive way to go—after the free 21-day trial, the cheapest tier is $69 for 150GB of space for a year. One benefit, however, is that every user can have unlimited devices, so it's certainly worth checking out SpiderOak One..
Read our SpiderOak review.
(Image credit: WeTransfer)The best no-registration file sharing app
SpecificationsFree tier: 2GB
Security specialty: All uploads encrypted
Operating systems: iOS, Android, Linux
Reasons to buy +Incredibly simple
+No registration needed
+Intuitive design
Reasons to avoid -Partial encryption
-Premium plan features lacking
WeTransfer is a hugely popular filer sharer and for good reason. It's easy to use and doesn't require registration. Further, it is secure—all uploads are encrypted, as is the link that is sent to recipients. One caveat is its partial encryption, which means that third parties could theoretically intercept emails and gain access to files, so it's not ideal for the most sensitive data.
WeTransfer offers a storage app called Collect that works on Android, iOS, and in your web browser. With Collect, you can gather together related content on boards. These boards can be shared with others and teams can collaborate together on boards.
WeTransfer complies with all GDPR laws and everything is encrypted with TLS and AES-256 encryption. We also found WeTransfer's customer support to be responsive and helpful.
Read our WeTransfer review.
(Image credit: pCloud)The most affordable file sharing app
SpecificationsFree tier: 10GB
Security specialty: TLS/SSL encryption
Operating systems: iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux
Today's Best Deals
Premium 500 GB Lifetime
$175
Reasons to buy +Good prices
+Unlimited file sizes
+Additional encryption available
Reasons to avoid -No editing capabilities
-Limited collaboration features
pCloud provides a generous 10GB free storage as standard, and its premium plans are similarly generous.
pCloud is relatively unique in that you can make a single payment to get cloud storage for like. For one-off payments of $199 or $399 you can get 500GB or 2TB respectively, which is fantastic value if you utilize the service long-term.
In terms of security, pCloud is impressive. It covers most bases with 256-bit and TLS/SSL protection, but another layer of encryption is available for $5 a month.
Sadly, its editing and collaboration capabilities don't compare to much of the competition. This may not be important if you're only looking to share or store files online, but it makes working together on documents as a team more challenging than with some other solutions.
Read our full pCloud review.
(Image credit: Send Anywhere)Send Anywhere
The best free file sharing app
SpecificationsFree tier: 50GB (transfer only)
Security specialty: QR code scanning
Operating systems: iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux
Reasons
