# Best Messaging Apps for Windows in 2026

Source: https://listme.name/best/messaging-apps/windows

Messaging apps differ on encryption by default, who you can reach, whether they run on your platform and whether the code is public. This ranking weighs privacy and encryption first, then reach and platforms, then cost.

## 1. Signal (score 92.5)

Encrypts chats and calls by default, publishes its client apps under AGPL-3.0 and runs on Linux, Windows and Mac. Reaching a contact means they must install it, so its reach is smaller than WhatsApp's.

- Best for: Private one-to-one and group messaging
- Free | Android, iOS, iPadOS, Windows, macOS, Linux | open source (AGPL-3.0)
- Website: https://signal.org/
- Page: https://listme.name/software/signal

## 2. WhatsApp (score 90.0)

Encrypts personal chats and calls by default and has the broadest contact reach of this list, with free voice and video calls. The client is closed source, so the code cannot be checked as Signal's can.

- Best for: Messaging family, friends and groups already on it
- Free | Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, Web
- Website: https://www.whatsapp.com/
- Page: https://listme.name/software/whatsapp

## 3. Telegram (score 85.0)

Offers large groups, public channels and sync across phone, desktop and web with no limit on media size. Regular chats are not end-to-end encrypted by default, which Signal and WhatsApp do provide.

- Best for: Large groups, channels and cross-device sync
- Free | Android, iOS, iPadOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, Web | open source (GPL-2.0)
- Website: https://telegram.org/
- Page: https://listme.name/software/telegram

## 4. Element (score 82.0)

Encrypted, open and self-hostable on the Matrix network, with apps for every major platform. Its personal app is less familiar than WhatsApp, and organization features sit behind paid plans.

- Best for: Self-hosted or organization chat on Matrix
- Free plan, paid upgrades | Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, Web | open source (AGPL-3.0)
- Website: https://element.io/
- Page: https://listme.name/software/element

## 5. Session (score 79.5)

An open-source messenger that routes traffic through onion-routed paths on a decentralized network, with desktop apps for Windows, macOS and Linux. Most contacts are not on it yet, unlike WhatsApp, so it suits privacy-first groups.

- Best for: Private messaging with metadata protection
- Free and open source | Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux | open source (GPL-3.0)
- Website: https://getsession.org/
- Page: https://listme.name/software/session

## 6. Discord (score 78.5)

Community chat with voice channels, roles and bots, free for most use. Messages are not end-to-end encrypted by default, unlike Signal or WhatsApp, so it suits communities rather than private talk.

- Best for: Communities that want text and voice channels
- Free plan, paid upgrades | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web
- Website: https://discord.com/
- Page: https://listme.name/software/discord

## 7. SimpleX Chat (score 78.0)

An open-source messenger with no user IDs: contacts connect through links or QR codes, and the apps are AGPL-3.0 with reproducible builds. Its user base is far smaller than WhatsApp or Telegram, and each new contact needs a link.

- Best for: Messaging with no account identifiers
- Free and open source | Linux, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Command line | open source (AGPL-3.0)
- Website: https://simplex.chat/
- Page: https://listme.name/software/simplex-chat

## 8. Jami (score 76.5)

A GNU project messenger for chat and calls with end-to-end encryption and no advertising, licensed GPL-3.0 or later and available on five platforms. Its user base is small, so it works best when a whole group installs it.

- Best for: Free software messaging with calls on desktop and mobile
- Free and open source | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | open source (GPL-3.0-or-later)
- Website: https://jami.net/
- Page: https://listme.name/software/jami