| Feature | SimpleX | |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Meta (Facebook) | Open-source (independent) |
| Account Requirement | Phone number mandatory | No phone number or email needed |
| Encryption | End-to-end encrypted (Signal Protocol) | End-to-end encrypted (NaCl crypto) |
| Metadata Privacy | Collects some metadata | No metadata stored |
| Decentralization | Centralized (Meta's servers) | Decentralized (user chooses servers) |
| User Identity | Tied to phone number | Anonymous (random contact addresses) |
| Calls | Voice & video calls | Voice messages (no video calls yet) |
| File Sharing | Yes (up to 2GB) | Yes (smaller files, no official limit) |
| Disappearing Msgs | Yes (24hrs to 90 days) | Yes (user-configurable) |
| Open-Source | Partially (server code closed) | Fully open-source |
| Ads/Tracking | Ties to Meta's ad ecosystem | No ads, no tracking |
Use WhatsApp if: You want convenience, broad adoption, and video calls.
Use SimpleX if: You prioritize maximum privacy, anonymity, and avoiding Meta.
SimpleX is like a more private alternative to WhatsApp, but with fewer users and some missing features.