What does it mean for messaging to be secure? Usually, it means that the free messenger apps allow you to send messages that are encrypted before they leave your device. Encrypted messages can’t be read by anyone, only you and the intended recipient can see the exchange. To know which messenger download is right for you, look over this list.

No messaging app is totally foolproof, but privacy-conscious users and businesses would be wise to check out these six secure messengers, all available for messenger download for Android and Apple users:

KakaoTalk

There have been reports that the South Korean government was spying on KakaoTalk messages and near 400,000 users abandoned KakaoTalk for the same reason. But this messenger has been added to this list because they have started to become more security — conscious. KakaoTalk’s Secret Chat is a chat room that requires messages to be read with a decryption key stored in the user’s smartphone. You can choose to have a regular chat or switch to a secret mode.

WhatsApp

WhatsApp is one of the most popular alternatives to text-messaging. Since being acquired by Facebook, WhatsApp has been forced to clean up its approach to security and privacy, which resulted in new encryption measures. With Whatsapp’s end-to-end encryption and their partnership with Open Whisper Systems has been improving the security of the app. Messenger download is available for iOS and Android.

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Wanna learn more about free messenger apps and how to use them for your communications or business? Check out this tech blog for more.

Telegram Chat App

A mobile messaging app for the post-Snowden age, Telegram is aimed squarely at the security conscious user. Telegram features fast, encrypted chat messaging, with client-server encryption for standard chats. A Secure Chat mode provides end-to-end encryption so that only you and your intended recipient can read it. You can even set messages to self-destruct. You can share videos, documents and participate in group chats of up to 200 users.

einricht Safe Messenger

einricht Messenger’s unique systems architecture built from the ground is up to meet the vision of delivering communications without compromise to privacy, experience or freedom. Their new-era technologies make einricht the most safe and trustworthy free messenger apps. The app doesn’t store communication history on any servers and is decentralized. In addition, einricht’s low bandwidth consumption saves you tons of money. You can make quality calls, send messages, and work collaboratively with anyone and still be fully protected.

Signal

Signal is the pioneering secure mobile messaging platform endorsed from Edward Snowden. Signal-to-Signal phone calls are free (domestic and international). With the app you can send text, images, videos and chat in groups. All messages are end-to-end encrypted, SMS messages can also be sent and received but these are unencrypted. The best thing about the app is that it is open source. Hence, the experts can freely inspect the app’s code for any flaws in its security. Messenger download is available for iOS and Android.

[RELATED: Why It’s Time To Replace SMS Text Messages With Safe Messaging Apps]

Wikr

To sign up to Wickr you don’t even need to provide personal info like email address or phone number — both are optional. You just need to type in your Wickr ID and password. Wickr includes multiple tools like removing all deleted images and other data from your device, making your deleted items unrecoverable (with a timer, which deletes after a set amount of time.) The app is end-to-end encrypted and it removes all metadata such as geotags or other identifying info from your attachments. Wikr messenger download is available for iOS and Android.

Dust

Dust is not like standard free messenger apps where everything you say is stored on the phones or servers. Messages sent on Dust are automatically erased after 24 hours and all messages are encrypted and not accessible by any others. You can also automatically delete or “dust” messages in a shorter time, immediately after the recipient opens and reads your messages. Dust also detects and notifies you if a screenshot is taken.