Safest Video Calling Apps with End-to-End Encryption

With most of the world working from home these days, video conferencing and calling apps are all the rage. With thousands of users logging in every hour, the biggest concern that pops up is, how secure is the video calling platform that you’re using.

The FBI has officially stated that you may get “Zoom bombed” while using video conferencing tools that are not secure enough or end-to-end encrypted.

Before we take a look at some of the safest video calling apps, let’s learn what the term “end-to-end encryption” means and how it works.

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What is end-to-end encryption?

E2EE or End-to-end encryption is basically a communication system where only the users communicating can read the messages or media.

Here’s an image showcasing how E2EE works:

How-end-to-end-encryption-works
By ProtonMail

1. Signal Private Messenger

Signal Private Messanger - Safest Video Calling App

What makes Signal Messenger one of the most secure video calling platforms is the technology they use apart and end-to-end encryption.

Signal uses a “Sealed Sender” token which basically facilitates the anonymous delivery of messages and calls between users where a minimal amount of information is disclosed or available to the platform’s servers. For example, in order to deliver a message, the server would require some information about the recipient and some information from the sender. This sealed sender process eliminates all of that to ensure only users can see the media be it calls, videos, documents, or messages.

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The caveat for using this secure video calling app is that the maximum number of participants is 2. That means you can’t video call more than 1 person at a time.

The group chat functionality makes up for that by allowing an unlimited number of users in a group chat. It even allows a non-Signal user to join the group.

One of the major reasons why Signal is trusted by so many business users is because CIA’s ex-employee and NSA whistleblower, Edward Snowden believes Signal is the safest and most secure app.

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Devices supported Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android
Instant messaging features Yes
Maximum number of participants in a video call 1
Pricing Free
Media Sharing Capabilities Supports all types of media with size limits for each of them

Also read: How to login on Gmail without a password [Passkeys]

 2. Wire Platform

Wire is known as the most secure open-source collaboration platform for B2B users. It offers a whole suite of tools with features like instant messaging, video calls, group chats, and file-sharing capabilities.

Wire uses one of the most advanced methods for end-to-end encryption for video calling, and data sharing with a unique key for each message. Moreover, it is compliant with the prominent laws of the land including GDPR and California’s Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).

The award-winning video conferencing tool also offers end-to-end encryption for collaborating with guest users who don’t need to sign up for the platform. This is done by inviting a guest user through a link.

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Devices supported Web, iOS, Android
Instant messaging features Yes
Maximum number of participants in a video call 12 (earlier 6)
Pricing Paid – Starts at $5 USD
Media Sharing Capabilities Supports all types of media with size limits for each of them

3. Facetime & iMessage

facetime safest video calling app

Apple is probably the first name that comes to anybody’s mind when we’re talking about user privacy. Apple also scored points for protecting the privacy of the users during the FBI- Apple encryption dispute

Moreover, people don’t need an introduction to Facetime and iMessage. They’re one of the widely used instant messaging and video calling platforms.

For those wondering, no Police or even the Government agencies can tap your Facetime calls. Also, Apple doesn’t log whether your call was answered, and can’t access the content of your calls. Here’s a quick brief:

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Devices supported Mac, iOS, iPadOS
Instant messaging features Yes
Maximum number of participants in a video call 32 
Pricing Free
Media Sharing Capabilities Supports Images, Audio notes.

 4. Linphone – Open Source VOIP Project

As the name suggests, Linphone is an open-source end-to-end encrypted video calling and instant messaging platform. It uses state-of-the-art ciphering key exchanges to prevent Man in the middle attacks from hackers.

Linphone also provides the core engine along with the SDK if an organization wants to customize and deploy it according to their needs.

Devices supported Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android
Instant messaging features Yes
Maximum number of participants in a video call Can be configured by developer
Pricing Free
Media Sharing Capabilities Supports most media formats by default

 5. Google Duo (Now Google Meet)

Please note, back in 2022 Google announced that it will be merging Google Duo with Google Meet

Google Duo is a very famous video-calling app. In fact, it comes pre-installed in some Android devices. Although, Google might not have the best image when it comes to user privacy because of the highly targeted ads but they only use an anonymised version of the users’ data for making money from their own platforms. It sounds bad but it is still better than the data getting leaked or being sold to a potential anti-social element. 

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One major challenge with Google products is that they’re known for dropping out products frequently. For example, Google Neighbourly is the latest product to get under the knife for lack of performance. 

Although, in performance and user experience areas, Google Duo does not disappoint at all. I personally prefer to use this for video calls because of the following reasons:

  • Full HD calling
  • Google Integration 
  • Intuitive UI
  • Knock knock feature (allows you to see caller’s video without even picking up the call)
Devices supported Web, iOS, Android
Instant messaging features No
Maximum number of participants in a video call 32 (earlier 12)
Pricing Free
Media Sharing Capabilities Only quick video messages are supported

6. Whatsapp

With over 1.6 Billion active users worldwide, Whatsapp is the most used instant messaging app. But what most people don’t know is that video calls are also end-to-end encrypted. The E2EE is enabled by default and there’s no need to set up hidden chats either.

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Whatsapp uses the Signal protocol for End-to-end encryption, making it one of the safest and secure video calling and instant messaging platforms.

Please note that video calling via desktop on Whatsapp isn’t officially supported yet. In order to use video calling features on a PC, you’ll have to install an Android emulator and then run the Android version of the Whatsapp on it.

As of January 2020, Whatsapp is testing video calling via Whatsapp Web. There is no confirmation whether video calls made via Whatsapp web will be end-to-end encrypted. 

Devices supported Web, iOS, Android
Instant messaging features Yes
Maximum number of participants in a video call 8
Pricing Free
Media Sharing Capabilities Supports all types of media with size limits for each of them

7. Viber

Viber - Secure Video Calling Platform

Viber is another commonly used end-to-end encryption instant messaging and video calling platform. Viber also values users’ privacy concerns and removes users’ data from their servers once the messages are delivered.

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The end-to-end encryption is turned on by default so a user does not have to delve into the settings to enable it.

Viber also offers business solutions like Whatsapp for communicating with users in a more secure way.

Devices supported Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android
Instant messaging features Yes
Maximum number of participants in a video call 2
Pricing Starts $8.99/month
Media Sharing Capabilities Supports most media formats by using chat extensions

8. Line

Line Video Calling Platform

Line is a famous video conferencing platform used by both business and casual users for communicating securely. Line Corp uses Letter Sealing as their end-to-end encryption protocol for transferring media, messages and calls between users.

It is also the fastest growing mobile messenger. But the end-to-end encryption is not turned on by default so you’ll have to turn it on manually.

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Devices supported Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Nokia, Blackberry
Instant messaging features Yes
Maximum number of participants in a video call 2
Pricing Free
Media Sharing Capabilities Supports most media formats

9. Zoom

Zoom-End-to-End Encryption

Back in May 2020, Zoom announced it will be building a safe video conferencing platform that will support end-to-end encryption. After months of waiting, it is finally here. Zoom has officially rolled out the first version which allows secure video calls with end-to-end encryption for up to 200 participants! That’s a big number and it does come at a cost. When you join an E2EE video call on Zoom, some functionalities like screen recording, joining before the host, private chats etc. will not be available.  You can learn more about those FAQs here. Zoom’s security chief has also mentioned that they’re already working on a second version that will offer more features. This makes it one of the most secure video-calling apps of this year.

Devices supported Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, 
Instant messaging features Yes
Maximum number of participants in a video call 200
Pricing Free & Paid
Media Sharing Capabilities Supports most media formats

All these end-to-end encryption video calling apps are used by thousands of business and casual users on a daily basis for communicating. So, it’s time to move out of your current unprotected video calling platform and switch to a more safe and secure video calling app.



Neeraj Bhateja
Neeraj Bhateja

Neeraj is the heart and soul behind everything camera, here at TechieTechTech. He is the guy behind Camera Setup Club and showers his knowledge on this humble blog from time to time.