With the recent addition of a new privacy policy to [company name] and the constant update of social media policies, many users are wondering how to protect their information online.
As online privacy becomes a rising issue for consumers, users are looking for new apps that will help them keep their data safe.
The following list contains some of our recommended apps as well as why we like them:
Best Apps For Privacy
Data breaches around the world have shown how important it is to preserve your privacy. Here’s a list of top Android apps that’ll assist you in doing so.
OSMAN HUSAIN TECH JOURNALIST, VPN AND STREAMING EXPERT
@osman_husain UPDATED: January 19, 2022
Best Android app protect privacy online
With a slew of high-profile cybersecurity hacks and data breaches around the world, it’s easy to see why consumers in the digital age are worried about privacy. The Snowden revelations from a few years ago added to these worries by confirming our worst fears about the existence of an extensive surveillance machine.
Incidents like the Cambridge Analytica and Equifax hacks are real concerns. And our smartphones contain an incredible amount of data; they store our emails, phone contacts, personal photos, banking information, text messages, and more. If these were compromised it would lead to an immense amount of stress and worry.
Thankfully, for most common operating systems, there is a wide range of privacy apps available. If you’re an Android user, you have a great selection to choose from, an overwhelming number in fact. As such, we’ve handpicked some of the top privacy apps for Android that you might want to consider downloading. Let’s jump in!
Here’s our list of the best Android apps to protect your privacy online:
- NordVPN
NordVPN Apr 2022
APPS AVAILABLE:
PC
Mac
IOS
Android
Linux
FireTV
Website: www.NordVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
If you’re not browsing the web with a Virtual Private Network (VPN) installed, now’s a good time to get with the program. There are countless free VPNs out there but this is one area where it really is worth going for a reputable paid service.
VPNs work by encrypting all the traffic flowing to and from your device and routing it via an intermediary server outside your current location. This hides your digital footprint and keeps it away from nosy surveillance agencies, hackers, and other intrusive bodies that want to spy on your web activity.
VPNs have other advantages too; they can unlock geo-restricted content such as , Disney+, Hulu, ESPN, and more. But it’s their encryption aspect which should appeal most to privacy-conscious users.
NordVPN makes the cut due to its powerful security and privacy tools, robust speeds, and vast server network. We’ve reviewed dozens of VPNs and NordVPN has consistently remained one of the fastest. Unlike most free VPNs, this service follows a true no-logs policy, meaning it can’t reveal what you do online under any circumstances.
BEST VPN FOR ANDROID PRIVACY:NordVPN is our #1 choice. With a vast server network that is optimized for high-speed connections, it’s perfect for Android devices. User-friendly apps for all operating systems. Hard to beat on privacy and security. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free.
Read our full review of NordVPN.
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- Signal Private Messenger
Signal Private Messanger AppEnd-to-end encryption is now somewhat of a default standard across messaging apps with the likes of WhatsApp and LINE catching on. But privacy enthusiasts can do better than WhatsApp; it’s owned by the data-hungry leviathan Facebook and rumors of a backdoor continue to persist.
Signal Private Messenger by Open Whisper Systems is a messaging service with a strong focus on privacy. With an open-source code and end-to-end encryption for all messages, it has become a favorite of journalists and activists around the world. Additionally, because it’s open-source, it’s possible for anyone to verify its security by auditing the code.
In addition to using peer-reviewed cryptographic protocols, Signal keeps your information safe by storing no logs. There’s no retention of metadata, such as lists of members, group icons, or names. These are all examples of data that may be tracked by other messaging apps.
Download Signal for Android.
- Hushed
Hushed – 2nd Phone Number AppMillennials might tend to forget that their smartphones actually double up as phones too where voice calls are initiated over wireless telecommunication networks and not just WhatsApp. Having said that, it’s a pain when you hand out your phone number to a sales rep and are then inundated with sales calls.
Hushed enables you to create burner (temporary) phone numbers so your real one will remain hidden. It’s perfect for when you’re posting an advertisement on Craigslist or filling out a webform. It can also be handy for creating alternate caller IDs, managing multiple lines for personal and business use, and eliminating the need to carry a second phone.
Download Hushed for Android.
- DuckDuckGo
DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser AppGoogle is an incredible tool and without it we’d be worse off, but it does collect a staggering amount of personal data. That’s what allows it to deliver those pesky targeted advertisements every time we visit a website or track our daily commute for better travel recommendations. Of course, some of Google’s policies are downright invasive and many users sign up without understanding that they’re pretty much agreeing to constant monitoring of their digital footprints.
DuckDuckGo is an alternative search engine that stores no data and goes out of its way to limit the information that websites or apps can collect about you. Its privacy protection features block advertising networks from tracking you to the effect that you’re essentially tracking who’s trying to track you. It also tries to compel sites to use an encrypted connection whenever available, although we maintain that a VPN should be your first recourse in that area.
Download DuckDuckGo for Android.
- ProtonMail
ProtonMail – Encrypted Email AppGoogle’s invasive tracking features don’t just extend to search. Algorithms are at work within Gmail too, so that Google can serve more highly targeted ads and tailored recommendations. But the most worrying part about Gmail and many other popular email providers is that they’re not end-to-end encrypted.
ProtonMail is a far more secure alternative to Gmail and its peers. It was engineered by scientists at CERN and remains open source so that its code can be audited whenever needed.
The app enables you to send password-protected emails and messages that self-destruct after a certain timeframe. Since all messages are encrypted, even the company cannot figure out the content of your communications.
Download ProtonMail for Android.
- LastPass
LastPass Password Manager AppWe have a tendency of using the same password across multiple sites and apps. After all, constantly generating new ones is a pain and the process of recovery can be quite cumbersome. But the problem with this approach is that it leaves you susceptible to an egregious hack; one compromised password means all your social media and email accounts are at risk.
LastPass doubles up as a password manager and generator that stores your personal information in a secure vault. It can even be set up to automatically change passwords for select sites from time to time.
Download LastPass for Android.
- Find My Device
Find My Device AppFind My Device is a proprietary app from Google and works in a similar vein to Find My iPhone. It helps by locating your Android device when lost, or disabling it if you think it has been stolen. You can set it up to view location information, as well as play a sound in case it’s within earshot.
If the phone is lost, you can use the app to leave a callback number on the screen. So if a good samaritan comes across it, they’ll have no trouble returning it to you. Best of all, this service is completely free to use and can be accessed through the web as well as the app.
Download Find My Device for Android.
- Norton Security and Antivirus
Norton Security And Antivirus AppAntivirus apps aren’t just for securing privacy. They also have the capability of detecting and removing malware and spyware that’ll potentially lock you out of your phone in the future or spy on your data.
Norton’s a well-known name in the antivirus industry and its Android app comes packed with a bunch of great features. Other than routinely scanning your device, it also enables users to block unwanted calls and text messages, remotely lock devices, and locate the device on a map if lost or stolen.
Download Norton Security and Antivirus for Android.
- Smart AppLock
Smart AppLock (Privacy Protect) App
Swipe patterns and numeric pin codes only serve to lock the front screen of our phones. After that, individual apps and folders can be accessed with a tap of our finger. That’s not great for security or practicality. For example, you might need to hand your phone to someone to view a document but would feel uncomfortable with them sifting through personal data. Or you might allow your kids to play games on your phone but don’t want them accessing certain applications.
Smart AppLock enables you to alter permission settings for individual apps on your phone. This means a third-party can’t open your WhatsApp, Facebook, or Twitter apps unless they input another password.
Download Smart AppLock for Android.
Other than these apps, it’s also recommended that you follow prudent security principles. These include strong alphanumeric passwords, disabling lock screen notifications, and trying to limit individual app permissions. Privacy is something you’ll have to constantly strive for.
best privacy app for chat
From WhatsApp to Snapchat, messaging apps provide a free and easy-to-use service to communicate with friends, family, and co-workers.
Before you search on the app stores or ask your friends about their messaging app of choice, be sure to take a step back and examine each app’s practices when it comes to protecting your privacy. One feature to look for is end-to-end encryption (E2EE).
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Without encryption, private messages can be read by the company behind the app, as well as third parties such as governments that collect private data on their citizens. Not even using the best VPN would help you if you’re using a messaging service that stores identifiable metadata about your conversations on its server.
Encryption makes societies freer, despite government efforts to undermine it, and thankfully several messaging apps use E2EE to prevent anyone except you and the intended recipient from reading the messages you send.
What is encrypted messaging?
End-to-end encryption (E2EE) is a method of encrypting data that only allows the sender and receiver of the message to decrypt and read messages passed between them. More importantly, encryption prevents apps from storing copies of your messages on its servers, which would put them within reach of government authorities.
Apps that don’t have E2EE for messaging by default, if at all, as of writing are:
Twitter
Snapchat (has E2EE for photos and videos)
Kik
Instagram
Google Hangouts
WeChat
KakaoTalk
Line (opt-in E2EE)
Skype (opt-in E2EE)
Facebook Messenger (opt-in E2EE)
Telegram (opt-in E2EE)
Privacy and security review of encrypted messaging apps
With many good options available, here’s our take on some of the most widely used and secure messaging apps, in no particular order. We also want to note that while some of these apps have enterprise (paid) versions, we’ll mostly be focusing on the features they have in the free versions of these apps.
Messages (formerly iMessage)
Wickr
Viber
Signal
Jabber/OTR
Telegram
Wire
Threema
WhatsApp
- Messages (formerly iMessage)
iMessage logo.
Compatible operating systems: MacOS, iOS
Price: Free (on Apple devices)
Apple’s Messages is only available on Apple devices, but it packs a punch with its security features.
The good
On top of offering end-to-end encryption between users, Messages allows users to control how long the message stays up and how many times the recipient can view the message (although this feature is only available to those who have iOS 10 and above).
Regardless of which Apple device you’re using, whether it’s iOS, watchOS, or iPadOS, your messages are end-to-end encrypted and cannot be accessed without a passcode. Users of Apple’s FaceTime can also rest easy knowing that their video calls are E2EE too.
The bad
Messages is only available on Apple devices, meaning any message you send via Messages to a non-Apple device will not be encrypted. One major security loophole is the option to backup your Messages to iCloud. On the cloud, messages are encrypted by keys controlled by Apple, meaning that if your iCloud were ever hacked or subpoenaed, those messages could be revealed.
Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, has said that Apple “believe(s) that privacy is a fundamental human right,” and at least in its Messages and Facetime it appears to take this commitment seriously. Just avoid storing your messages on web-based platforms like iCloud—toggle off messages in settings so they’re not stored on the cloud.
Would we recommend this app? Only if you know the other person is receiving the message on an Apple device. You should avoid using Messages if you’re communicating with people who do not have it on their devices.
- Wickr
Wickr logo.
Compatible operating systems: Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Price: Free, or up to 25 USD/month for an enterprise account
Founded by privacy and security advocates in San Francisco in 2012, Wickr was one of the first messaging apps to adopt end-to-end encryption. Messages are encrypted by default, and the company undergoes regular security audits. As of 2017, Wickr is also open source.
There is a free version of the Wickr app, which allows up to 10 users, and three paid tiers that charge up to 25 USD/month, and allow unlimited users.
Wickr has several features that make the app secure, including screenshot detection, blocking third-party keyboards on iOS, and ensuring any deleted files are completely unrecoverable.
The good
The app’s free and paid versions both have plenty of security features, such as self-destructing messages, content shredding, and an inability to take screenshots (on Android only).
The bad
Unfortunately, Wickr doesn’t have as many users as WhatsApp, Viber, and Signal, so you might have to recruit people to talk to.
The messages are also bound to both your account and your device, and the app won’t sync your messages across devices. That could amount to multiple separate conversations with your contacts—which makes it seems like they’ve made the app secure to a fault.
Would we recommend this app? Yes, if you can find more people who also use it.
- Viber
Viber logo.
Compatible operating systems: Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, HarmonyOS
Price: Free
Viber has about 260 million monthly active users and is primarily positioned as a competitor to the less-secure Skype on mobile. It’s enabled end-to-end encryption since April 2016.
The good
The app has end-to-end encryption on all its available platforms (Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android) and also color codes your chats based on how secure they are: Gray denotes encrypted communication, green means an encrypted communication with a trusted contact, and red means the authentication key has an issue. Viber also supports self-destructing messages in its secret-chats feature.
The bad
The one big limitation to Viber is that it only supports end-to-end encryption for one-on-one chats—group chats are not offered the same level of security as individual conversations. It also requires a phone number to sign up.
Would we recommend this app? Only if you’re using the app for directly messaging and individual video calls. Group chats will not be encrypted, so if you want an app that encrypts both, don’t use Viber.
- Signal
Signal logo.
Compatible operating systems: Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Price: Free
Née RedPhone, Signal has become the darling of the information security community since its release in 2014, and has grown in popularity among ordinary users too. It still has nowhere near the same number of active users as WhatsApp, though.
The good
By default, Signal provides end-to-end encryption for all voice calls, video calls, and instant messages with its own protocol.
This technology is 100% open source, which means its security is vetted by cybersecurity experts and its technology has been adopted by other messaging services like WhatsApp and Skype as well.
To verify that your conversation with another person is private, each Signal conversation has a unique device safety number to verify the security of your messages and calls with specific contacts. This is especially useful for preventing man-in-the-middle attacks—if a safety number changes more frequently than you’d expect for someone switching devices or reinstalling Signal, for instance, it may indicate that something is awry.
Signal also allows you to secure the app with a password so you can protect your messages if they fall into the wrong hands. There is an option to send self-destructing messages too.
The bad
You’ll need to provide a phone number to sign up, although you can opt to use a “burner” phone or SIM card. Signal’s aware of this limitation and is currently experimenting with PINs to reduce reliance on phone numbers. This Signal PIN will allow users who may have lost their devices or had them stolen to recover their data on a new device without starting from scratch, or having to use a phone number. It’s a start, but it’s not quite there yet.
Would we recommend this app? Yes—Signal is one of the best messaging apps you can use for secure communication. If you don’t want to use your phone number, you can resort to a burner phone. The company aims to reduce its reliance on phone numbers anyway, so this small irritant may also go away soon.
- Jabber/OTR
Jabber logo.
Compatible operating systems: Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Price: Free
Jabber and OTR are different from the rest of the pack: Technically speaking, they’re not messaging apps. They are two protocols that when stacked on top of each other provide a free, secure, open-source, decentralized platform. Plenty of apps support Jabber with OTR, such as Pidgin for Windows/Linux or Adium for Mac. You can also download Tor Messenger and Chat Secure for your mobile phone, both of which support Jabber.
The good
Jabber/OTR can be set up anonymously. This means they don’t require a phone number or personally identifiable information during the sign up and registration process.
The bad
Sadly, Jabber/OTR does not function very smoothly on mobile compared to others on the list, as the protocol needs an almost continuous connection between you and your peer. The lack of supporting features, even as basic as sending attachments, can also be a frustrating limitation.
Would we recommend this app? If you need a protocol that can be trusted to keep out even the most powerful of adversaries, Jabber/OTR is the best choice.
Read more: ExpressVPN’s guide to anonymous messaging
- Telegram
Telegram logo.
Compatible operating systems: Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Price: Free
Telegram was built by brothers Nikolai and Pavel Durov, exiled Russian-born billionaires, previously famous for the Facebook clone Vkontakte (now VK). Pavel Durov had to leave VK in 2014 over a dispute about handing over Ukrainian protesters’ user data. Consequently, the brothers left Russia for Berlin and founded Telegram.
Telegram has recently gained popularity for organizing protests largely because it allows large chat groups of up to 10,000 members. This has in turn drawn the attention of state actors.
The good
The messaging app gives you the option to encrypt your messages, which you can enable with “Secret Chats” to encrypt them. When enabled, you can set messages to self-destruct across all your devices automatically or at a set time.
The bad
If you don’t encrypt your chat, then your data is stored on Telegram’s servers, which puts the security of your messages at risk.
Telegram also does not have E2EE by default—you’ll need to use its secret chats feature to enable it.
The client-side code for Telegram is open-source, but its server-side code is not. Telegram uses its own protocol, MTProto, to encrypt your messages, and they have not yet revealed the coding behind it. The app also leaks a lot of metadata. A security researcher found a way for an attacker to know when a user is online or offline, therefore allowing them to work out who is talking to who, and when. And just this year, Telegram’s ”People Nearby” feature has been demonstrated to show precise location data to hackers, which they don’t plan to fix.
Would we recommend this app? We can’t recommend Telegram for secure messaging. Consider deleting Telegram if you’re using it for secure messaging.
- Wire
Compatible operating systems: Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Price: Free, or up to 9.50 USD/month for an enterprise account
Wire is an open-source and collaborative messaging app that has both a free version and plenty of useful features: fully encrypted video calls, secure file sharing, synced messages between devices, and others. Wire also offers a paid corporate subscription plan.
The good
On top of having E2EE for text messages, Wire also offers the same level of encryption for its video calls. It is open source, and if you want the convenience, you can transfer your messages across any device that you’re signed in to. It also has self-destructing messages, session verification to make sure you’re talking to the person you want to talk to, and a password lock for your app.
The bad
While Wire has E2EE and security features, it retains some significant metadata on its servers, including timestamps and participants lists. In fact, a 2018 report from the CrySP team at the University of Waterloo found that the app “…does not attempt to hide metadata, other than the central server promising not to log very much information.” It also keeps server-side logs for up to 72 hours “for the sole purpose of facilitating troubleshooting, improving the service and preventing abuse,” but it’s not clear what specific metadata is logged.
Would we recommend this app? Not until it stops collecting personally identifiable metadata.
- Threema
Compatible operating systems: Android, iOS
Price:
2.99 USD per device/one-off for consumer license
1.55 USD per device/per month for business license
2.10 USD per device/per month for enterprise license
10.06 USD per device/one-off for education license
Unlike a lot of apps on this list, Threema is a paid chat service that uses E2EE to encrypt calls and texts. It is partly open source and has been audited several times.
The good
Threema generates a unique key that allows you to use the app anonymously. It’s also open source, which often means it’s more secure.
The bad
Threema says that it deletes the messages you send from its servers once delivered, but it’s not clear whether that actually happens. If you do use Threema, bear in mind that the app collects significant amounts of metadata that it will provide to government authorities if a request is made.
Would we recommend this app? No.
Compatible operating systems: Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, KaiOS
Price: Free
Brian Acton and Jan Koum founded WhatsApp in 2009 originally for people to publish status updates, not dissimilar to Facebook’s statuses. It was the messaging feature, however, that saw its popularity skyrocket, and Facebook bought it in 2014. WhatsApp is end-to-end encrypted, but its ownership has raised concerns about how it could be used in future.
The good
Security-wise, WhatsApp’s default E2EE enhances its privacy and security from malicious actors (which could arguably include its Facebook owners too). Security flaws have appeared in the past, but if cybercriminals breached WhatsApp today, they couldn’t decrypt your conversations. It also has a lot of what may now be considered standard features like video calling, voice messaging, and file sharing.
The bad
It’s owned by Facebook. ’Nuff said.
Would we recommend this app? Not with better alternatives in the market. Like with Telegram, if you want secure messaging, consider deleting WhatsApp.
What is the best secure messaging app?
There are a lot of messaging apps to choose from, but Signal is really your best bet, in terms of reach, security, and privacy-enabled features. WhatsApp may be used by more people, but its ties to Facebook are worrying. Jabber is certainly the most secure, but its reach and lack of features make it challenging for everyday use.
However, keep in mind that end-to-end encryption is not the catch-all security feature to protect yourself from surveillance. Even if you use a secure messaging app, an unsecured device will allow anyone access to your messages. Protect your messaging apps with a password, and practice basic mobile security to ensure no one can gain entry to your device.
Conclusion
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