Freedom251 › Secure Team Chat Software
Threema
What Threema is
Threema is a paid messaging service for private and business communication. It supports text and voice messages, voice and video calls, group calls, media sharing, file transfers, and desktop use. Registration does not require a phone number or email address, and contact synchronization is optional. End-to-end encryption covers messages, media, calls, profile pictures, group names, and member lists. Groups can contain up to 256 members, with up to two linked devices. Apps are open source for Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux, and Threema Web. The regular desktop app and web client require an activated mobile installation. Threema says its apps receive regular security audits, including Cure53 audits in 2020 and 2024. Its servers operate in Zurich data centers of an ISO 27001-certified colocation partner. Business tools include Gateway, Work APIs, and Broadcast features. Private use costs $6, paid once, depending on app store and country. Core costs $3 a month billed annually; Professional costs $5 a month billed annually. A 30-day trial is listed.
Who it suits
Threema suits users who want encrypted messaging without providing a phone number or email address. Businesses can use its APIs, directory connector, broadcast tools, and self-hosted option.
What it does well
- No phone number or email required
- End-to-end encryption by default
- Open-source apps across major platforms
- Supports voice and video calls
- Business APIs and broadcast tools
What to know first
- No free plan
- Desktop requires an activated mobile app
- OnPrem users communicate only within that instance
- Private price varies by store and country
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Core | Annual payment · maximum 200 users · central user management · GDPR-compliant | $3 a month |
| Professional | Annual payment · unlimited employees · Threema Broadcast · automation and API access · premium support | $5 a month |
| Private | private use only · price depends on app store and country | $6, paid once |
| OnPrem | self-hosted · full infrastructure and data control · white-labeling · premium support | On request |
As threema.com lists them, read 1 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Threema combines encrypted messaging, open-source clients, and business integration options. Its paid plans cover private, team, and self-hosted use, with the mobile-app requirement applying to regular desktop and web access.
Facts from Threema's own pages
- Broadcast
- Threema Broadcast provides feeds, distribution lists, bots and centrally managed group chats, and is included in the Professional plan. · threema.com, 1 Oct 2026
- Business APIs
- Threema Work provides Work API, Broadcast API and an Entra ID connector for directory synchronization, administration and user management. · threema.com, 1 Oct 2026
- Compliance
- Threema states that it is GDPR-compliant, subject to Switzerland’s Federal Act on Data Protection, and not subject to the US CLOUD Act. · threema.com, 1 Oct 2026
- Desktop requirement
- The regular desktop app and web client require a mobile device with Threema installed and activated. · threema.com, 1 Oct 2026
- Encryption
- Threema provides end-to-end encryption for messages, media, calls, profile pictures, group names and group-member lists. · threema.com, 1 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2012 · threema.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Pfäffikon SZ, Switzerland · threema.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Infrastructure
- Threema operates its own servers in data centers of an ISO 27001-certified colocation partner in Zurich, Switzerland. · threema.com, 1 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Threema Gateway lets companies integrate Threema into existing software to send, receive and process messages. · threema.com, 1 Oct 2026
- Messaging
- Threema supports text and voice messages, voice and video calls, group calls, media sharing, file transfers and desktop use. · threema.com, 1 Oct 2026
- Open source
- The Threema apps are open source, with source repositories for Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux and Threema Web. · threema.com, 1 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- Threema can be used without providing a phone number or email address, and contact synchronization is optional. · threema.com, 1 Oct 2026
- Security audits
- Threema says its apps undergo regular audits by recognized security experts, including Cure53 audits in 2020 and 2024. · threema.com, 1 Oct 2026
- Self-hosting limit
- Threema OnPrem users can communicate only with users of the same OnPrem instance. · threema.com, 1 Oct 2026
- Support
- Threema provides support forms for the private app and management-cockpit support for Threema Work, plus dedicated Gateway and Broadcast support addresses. · threema.com, 1 Oct 2026
Where Threema stands on Freedom251
- Secure Team Chat Software#19 of 30
- Business Instant Messaging - Enterprise Software#17 of 21
- Encrypted Messaging Apps#40 of 43
- Instant Messaging Software#28 of 30
- Secure messaging apps#35 of 36