Compare
How SeTalk compares
Two objective questions for each messenger: how the content of your messages is protected, and what you need to sign up. No scores, and no column that is green everywhere. Each cell links to the source we checked.
Researched on October 11, 2026. Services change; check each source for the current version.
| Messenger | Message content | To sign up |
|---|---|---|
| End-to-end encryption for personal messages and calls, as stated by WhatsApp1 | A phone number, verified with a code2 | |
| Signal | End-to-end encryption for every message and call, as stated by Signal3 | A phone number4; a sign-up option without a phone number is in beta on Android5 |
| Telegram — cloud chats | Server-client encryption; not end-to-end6 | A phone number (each number is a separate account); a username can let people reach you without seeing your number6 |
| Telegram — secret chats | An additional layer of end-to-end (client-client) encryption6 | Same account as above6 |
| SimpleX | End-to-end encryption, with a quantum-resistant layer in direct conversations; groups don't have that layer yet7,8 | No account and no user identifiers; you connect through a one-time invitation link or QR code9,10 |
| Session | End-to-end encryption, with messages sent over onion-routed paths, as stated by Session11 | No phone number or email; an Account ID11 |
| Threema | End-to-end encryption for chats, calls and files, as stated by Threema12 | No phone number or email required; a Threema ID12 |
| SeTalk | End-to-end encryption from its SimpleX v7.0.3 base, with the quantum-resistant layer in direct conversations; groups don't have it yet7,8 | A SeTalk account with username, password and an authenticator app; no phone number or email. Contacts connect through an invitation link or QR code13,10 |
Sources
- WhatsApp, home page. Checked on October 11, 2026↩
- WhatsApp Help Center, “How to verify your phone number”. Checked on October 11, 2026↩
- Signal, home page. Checked on October 11, 2026↩
- Signal Support, “Register a phone number”. Checked on October 11, 2026↩
- Signal Support, “Phone Numberless Registration for Android (beta)”. Checked on October 11, 2026↩
- Telegram, FAQ. Checked on October 11, 2026↩
- SimpleX Chat v5.7, quantum resistance by default in direct conversations; groups not yet↩
- SimpleX Chat v7.0.3, app texts on end-to-end encryption↩
- SimpleX, home page. Checked on October 11, 2026↩
- SimpleX Chat v7.0.3, README↩
- Session, home page. Checked on October 11, 2026↩
- Threema, home page. Checked on October 11, 2026↩
- SeTalk internal document, not public: how the account service and the license work↩
- SeTalk internal document, not public: research notes on the SimpleX Chat base↩
- SeTalk internal document, not public: the site and its security contact↩
- SimpleX Chat v7.0.3, server configuration↩
- SimpleX Chat v7.0.3, privacy policy↩
- SimpleX Chat v7.0.3, security audits and reporting channel↩
SeTalk isn't the only way to message without a phone number. SimpleX, Session and Threema don't need one to sign up either, and Signal has a beta option without one on Android.9,11,12,5
What is specific to SeTalk
- Built on SimpleXSeTalk is a fork of SimpleX Chat v7.0.3. If you prefer the original SimpleX apps, that remains a valid choice.14
- A paid serviceUS$99 per person per 30 days, or US$285 for 90 days, or US$950 for a year, paid in Monero on setalk.app, renewed manually.13
- Android firstPlanned for Google Play and as a direct APK, coming soon. iPhone is planned for a later phase.15
- SeTalk serversMessages go through relay servers that SeTalk operates. planned Messages are removed from SeTalk servers once delivered, or after 21 days at most; we'll confirm it once our servers are live.16,17
- Not audited on its ownThe Trail of Bits audits cover the upstream SimpleX project, not SeTalk.18
SeTalk is in development. Anything that depends on SeTalk's own build or servers and hasn't been tested yet is marked planned.