Common questions

Are these apps really free?

Yes — everything linked here is free to use. Some offer paid extras, but the core chatting, video and community features cost nothing.

Which is best for privacy?

Signal is the strongest pick: free, end-to-end encrypted by default, run by a non-profit, with no ads or tracking. WhatsApp is also end-to-end encrypted.

Which works best for really big groups?

For large groups and communities, Telegram, Discord and Matrix scale well — from a handful of friends to thousands of people.

Do I need to create an account?

Each service handles its own sign-up (usually a phone number or email) on its own site. This page doesn't run any of them — it just points you to the official apps, and never asks you to log in or hand over any details here.

Is this page affiliated with these apps?

No. It's an independent guide; the links simply go to each service's official website.