Wire

Overview

Wire is a communications and collaboration service for organizations that need messaging, calls, conferences and file sharing in one workspace. It suits teams with demanding security or deployment requirements best. Its standout advantage is the choice of cloud, private cloud or on-premises operation, including offline environments; the trade-off is that its paid team plan charges per person.

Key features

Messaging, meetings and files

Group messages include search, reactions, sketches, file sharing, and audio and video messages. That breadth gives teams ways to handle routine coordination without splitting conversations across separate tools. Conferences support up to 150 participants and include screen sharing and moderation, a useful range for team meetings but a firm ceiling for larger gatherings.

Wire also provides file management and online document collaboration. Files remain in conversations associated with verified group membership, keeping collaboration tied to the relevant team context. The service says messages, conference calls and files are end-to-end encrypted, with decryption limited to conversation participants.

Security and deployment

Wire says it holds ISO 27001, ISO 27701 and Cyber Essentials certifications, and that its source code is fully open source and available on GitHub for verification. Its servers are in Germany and Ireland. Organizations can choose cloud, private cloud or on-premises deployment; offline and air-gapped on-premises environments make Wire a particularly relevant candidate where connectivity or deployment control is a requirement.

Use is listed on up to eight devices, with up to three accounts on one device. Standard support is included; optional premium support has first replies within 16 hours during business hours, premium+ within four hours, and optional platinum support is available 24/7. Linux is available, but its binary is described as experimental and community-supported, so Linux-dependent teams should account for that qualification.

Pricing

Wire uses a freemium model. Wire for Free costs nothing and is billed Free. It covers up to five people, up to eight devices and collaboration essentials. That makes it a practical way for a very small team to start, but the five-person cap rules it out as a lasting option for larger groups.

Wire for SMB costs €7.45 a month per person with annual payment, or €8,94 per person/month with monthly payment. It supports up to 100 people and adds conferences of up to 150 participants, SSO and SCIM, and administrative controls. The annual rate is the lower stated price, while monthly payment avoids an annual commitment at a higher per-person rate. The plan’s 100-person limit makes it suitable for small and midsize teams, not larger deployments.

Wire for Enterprise is for more than 100 people and has custom pricing. Wire for Partners also has custom pricing and includes partner-specific pricing, marketing support, opportunity support and deal registration. The partner plan is aimed at partners rather than teams selecting a communications workspace for their own staff.

Platforms

Wire supports web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android, and also lists API support. That spread accommodates mixed desktop and mobile teams, though Linux carries the experimental and community-support caveat.

Who it's for

Wire is a strong fit for organizations that need encrypted communication combined with administrative controls and deployment choice. Its stated customer base includes governments, parliaments, military organizations and global enterprises with strict security requirements; its offline and air-gapped options distinguish it for environments where standard cloud deployment is unsuitable. Smaller teams can use the free plan, while teams needing SSO, SCIM or administration controls must step up to SMB. It is less compelling for a personal-messaging need or a large group that exceeds the SMB plan’s 100-person limit.

Pros and cons

• Pros: End-to-end encryption covers messages, conference calls and files, rather than chat alone.
• Pros: Cloud, private cloud and offline or air-gapped on-premises deployments give organizations meaningful control over operation.
• Pros: Meetings support up to 150 participants, while the SMB plan adds SSO, SCIM and administrative controls.
• Cons: The free plan stops at five people, so growing teams need a paid plan.
• Cons: SMB is priced per person and its annual price requires annual payment; monthly billing costs more.
• Cons: Linux is experimental and community-supported, which weakens its case for teams relying on that platform.

Alternatives

For a focused comparison, browse Secure messaging apps, Secure Team Chat Software, Team Collaboration Software or Team chat apps.

• Olvid is worth considering for free secure group discussions, unlimited messages and attachments, and ephemeral messages across desktop and mobile platforms.
• Crypho may suit personal use with encrypted calls and video calls, but its free plan limits users to one group and files up to 3mb.
• Delta Chat is a free and open-source alternative with Linux and self-hosted platform options.
• Session is an option for encrypted messaging with attachments up to 10mb; its code is open source and can be independently audited.
• Signal offers free messaging and calling, with a mobile account required for desktop.
• SimpleX Chat is a free option with API and self-hosted platform support.
• Telegram offers unlimited cloud storage, groups and channels, alongside a free tier.
• Viber provides free messaging and calls to other Viber users.

Verdict

Choose Wire if your organization wants end-to-end encrypted messaging, meetings and file collaboration with the option to run the service on-premises, including in an air-gapped environment. The free plan is a useful entry point for teams of five or fewer; larger teams should weigh the per-person SMB cost and its 100-person cap. For personal messaging or a team that does not need Wire’s security and deployment controls, a more focused alternative may be a better fit.