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WhatsApp

WhatsApp stays dominant in many countries because nearly everyone is already there.

Messaging Meta United States Official site

Who owns it?

WhatsApp is owned by Meta.

The Facebook Company Is Now Meta
Meta

The announcement refers to apps like Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp as part of Meta.

Open source

What people say compared with alternatives

Secure-messaging roundups often say WhatsApp wins on network effects, while alternatives like Signal or Element are favored by people who care more about privacy, openness, or control.

Sources: The best secure messaging apps

Alternatives to look at

Signal
Element

Sources used on this page

The Facebook Company Is Now Meta
Meta

The announcement refers to apps like Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp as part of Meta.

Open source
The best secure messaging apps
PCMag

A messaging roundup used to summarize the tradeoff between reach and privacy.

Open source