Olvid

Olvid is an encrypted messaging app for people and organizations that want to communicate without tying the service to a phone number or email address. Its strongest case is privacy-conscious messaging across phones and computers, with enterprise controls for managed deployments.

Overview

Olvid combines text messaging and attachments with group discussions, disappearing messages, and encrypted audio and video calls. It says it does not require identifying details such as a name or date of birth to operate, and that it cannot determine who is talking to whom because messages and metadata are end-to-end encrypted. That goes beyond protecting message contents and makes Olvid appealing to users who also want to limit the personal information and relationship data associated with an account.

Messages and files use single-use ephemeral keys, intended to protect message history if a key is compromised later. Olvid says it has received two ANSSI Security Visas under CSPN certifications. Those credentials strengthen its security case, but do not make the paid-feature split irrelevant: core messaging is free, while initiating calls and multi-device use are included in a separately billed in-app purchase.

Key features

The Free plan includes unlimited messages and attachments, secure group discussions, ephemeral messages, and multiple profiles. There are no message or attachment quotas to manage, making it a substantial option for everyday text-based communication. Secure audio and video calls are end-to-end encrypted; video calls support up to two contacts, while group audio calls have no participant limit.

Call access is asymmetric. Receiving secure audio and video calls remains free, but initiating them is free only during a one-month trial, after which the trial ends without billing or automatic subscription. The purchase also includes multi-device use, unlimited messages, and unlimited attachments.

Olvid synchronizes across Android, iPhone, iPad, Mac, Windows, and Linux without requiring a master device. That makes it more flexible for people moving between devices than a setup anchored to one primary phone. Encrypted backups are part of its encryption coverage, and the product is also available on the web.

For organizations, Olvid Enterprise can connect to Keycloak for SSO and integrate OpenID Connect, SAML 2.0, LDAP, or Active Directory directories. Its management console supports MDM distribution; Enterprise adds automated license management, managed groups, and instant revocation. Olvid Bots can run in Docker or on a Linux server and expose a gRPC API, offering an integration route for teams with the technical capacity to deploy and manage them.

Pricing

Olvid is freemium, with a Free plan and a 30-day trial. The Free plan costs nothing, billed forever. It covers unlimited messages and attachments, secure group discussions, ephemeral messages, multiple profiles, and inbound calls. It is the clearest fit for individuals whose needs center on messaging and receiving calls; outbound calls and multi-device use are not included in that plan.

The In-app purchase is billed monthly through the App Store or Google Play and includes outbound audio and video calls, multi-device use, unlimited messages, and unlimited attachments.

Business costs €990 a year, billed annually, and includes a business license deployment, manual license management, and partial MDM deployment. It suits organizations that need a managed business rollout but can handle licenses manually and do not need the fuller enterprise toolset.

Enterprise costs €990.50 a year, billed annually. It includes turnkey integration, SSO, automated license management, MDM deployment, a management console, managed groups, and instant revocation; Olvid Bots are optional. The additional capabilities make it the more suitable listed plan for organizations that need centralized identity and device administration. Both business plans are priced annually, unlike the monthly in-app purchase, so they serve distinct personal and organizational use cases.

Platforms

Olvid supports Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows, including phones, tablets, and desktop computers. Synchronization does not depend on a master device, which is useful for people who switch among supported devices. Its broad platform coverage does not change the plan distinction: multi-device use is included in the in-app purchase rather than the Free plan.

Who it's for

Olvid is a strong fit for individuals who want encrypted messaging without registering a phone number or email address, and who can get by with free inbound calls or pay separately to initiate calls and synchronize devices. Organizations that need SSO, directory integration, MDM, license controls, or revocation have a clearer case for Business or Enterprise. It is less suited to someone who wants free outbound calling and multi-device use with no separate monthly purchase.

Pros and cons

• Pros: No phone number, email address, or other personal details are required to operate, and Olvid says it encrypts metadata as well as content.
• Pros: Free messaging includes unlimited messages and attachments, group discussions, multiple profiles, and ephemeral messages.
• Pros: Broad phone and desktop support includes synchronization without a master device.
• Pros: Enterprise offers SSO, directory integration, MDM deployment, managed groups, and instant revocation.
• Cons: Free calling is limited to receiving calls after the one-month trial; initiating calls requires the monthly in-app purchase.
• Cons: Video calls are limited to two contacts, although group audio calls have no participant limit.

Alternatives

Browse secure messaging apps for more options in the category.

• Wire is worth considering if independently verifiable, fully open-source code is a priority; it also has a free plan and supports Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows.
• Delta Chat is a free alternative for readers who want free and open-source software across mobile and desktop platforms.
• Session may suit users who prioritize independently auditable open-source code; its free plan allows attachments up to 10 MB.
• Signal is a free messaging and calling alternative, though desktop use requires a mobile account.
• SimpleX Chat is a free alternative with open-source licensing terms for alternative client applications.
• Telegram offers free unlimited cloud storage, groups, and channels for readers looking for those capabilities alongside messaging.
• Viber provides free messaging and calls to other Viber users; Viber Out uses prepaid credit or a subscription.
• Zangi is another free-plan messaging option for Android and iOS.

Verdict

Choose Olvid if minimizing account-identifying information and protecting metadata matter as much as encrypting message content, or if your organization needs managed encrypted communications across supported platforms. Its unlimited free messaging makes it practical for text-first use, while enterprise controls address needs that consumer plans do not. Look elsewhere if free outbound calls and multi-device synchronization are essential: Olvid places both behind a separately billed in-app purchase.