Threema
Swiss end-to-end encrypted messenger for individuals, companies and authorities
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Pricing
From $3/mo
Free trial
Yes
API
Yes
Open source
Yes
Company
Threema AG
Founded
2012
Platforms
What is Threema?
Threema is an end-to-end encrypted instant messenger for messages, voice and video calls, and file sharing. Threema AG has built it in Switzerland since 2012. You can use it without a phone number or email address because each account gets a unique Threema ID. Messages are deleted from Threema's servers after delivery, and contact lists stay on the device.
There are three main editions. Threema Private is a one-time purchase for personal use. Threema Work is a business messenger with a central management cockpit for user permissions. Threema OnPrem is a self-hosted version for organizations that need full control over their infrastructure, including air-gapped operation and white-labeled apps.
The code is open source, the apps support reproducible builds, and the servers run in Switzerland. The service is GDPR-compliant. It suits privacy-minded individuals, regulated industries, public authorities, healthcare providers and enterprises that want an alternative to WhatsApp or a complement to MS Teams.
Key features
- End-to-end encrypted chats, voice and video calls, and files
- Perfect Forward Secrecy
- Anonymous use via Threema ID, no phone number needed
- Messages deleted from servers after delivery
- Central management cockpit for business users
- Threema Broadcast for one-to-many messaging
- Self-hosted OnPrem with air-gapped operation
- Open source code with reproducible builds
Use cases
Who it's for
Private messaging without a phone number
Individuals can chat with friends and family using a Threema ID instead of a phone number or email address.
GDPR-compliant company messenger
Businesses can use Threema Work instead of consumer messengers and manage user permissions centrally.
Out-of-band communication
Organizations can keep a separate, independent channel for business continuity if their main systems are compromised.
High-security self-hosting
Authorities and security-critical companies can run Threema OnPrem on their own infrastructure, including air-gapped setups.
Threema pricing
From the vendor's site, checked Nov 8, 2026. Prices change — confirm on their pricing page.
| Plan | Private | Work Core | Work Professional | OnPrem |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paid monthly | $6.00 one-timeprice depends on app store and country | yearly onlyper user, billed annually | yearly onlyper user, billed annually | Custom |
| Paid yearly | — | $3/mo | $5/mo | — |
| Maximum users | — | 200 | Unlimited | — |
| SLA | — | 99.5% | 99.9% | — |
| Also |
|
| — |
|
| Cost for a team, per month | 1 person | 5 people | 20 people |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work Coreper seat, up to 200 | $3 | $15 | $60 |
| Work Professionalper seat | $5 | $25 | $100 |
Billed yearly where the plan offers it. — means the plan doesn't allow that many people.
Get an email when Threema changes its prices
One mail per change, a stop link in each. Nothing else.
Threema in numbers
- Entry price
- $6.99
- Free to use
- No
- E2EE by default
- Yes
- Encryption protocol
- Threema's own protocol (Ibex, NaCl-based: Curve25519, XSalsa20)
- Phone number required
- No
- Open source
- Clients only
- Latest security audit
- Cure53, 2024
- Jurisdiction
- Switzerland
- Max group size
- 256
- Self-hosting / federation
- Yes
- Disappearing messages
- Yes
Threema costs a one-time $6.99, self-hosting is only through the business product Threema OnPrem, and its auto-delete timer (1 week to 1 year) is off by default. From Threema's own pages, checked Nov 8, 2026. Each figure links to the page it is from; fields the vendor doesn't state are left out.
How Threema compares
- Threema has the weakest entry price of the 3 services here: $6.99.
| Tool | E2EE by default | Phone number required | Entry price | Latest security audit | Open source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TThreema | Yes | No | $6.99 | Cure53, 2024 | Clients only | |
S Signal | Yes | Yes | $0.00 | — | Clients and server | Threema vs Signal |
E Element | No | No | $0.00 | Least Authority, 2022 | Clients and server | Threema vs Element |
Figures from each vendor's own pages; — means the vendor doesn't state it. The closest alternatives in our directory by category. “Starts at” is the cheapest paid plan per month, as each vendor lists it.
Pros and cons
Strengths
- No phone number or email required to sign up
- Open source code with external audits and reproducible builds
- 30-day Work trial for 30 users without payment details
- Servers and development based in Switzerland
Limitations
- Private app is a paid one-time purchase, with no free tier
- Work Core plan is limited to 200 users
- API access and Broadcast require the Professional plan
Threema FAQ
How much does Threema cost?
Threema Private is a one-time $6.00 purchase (the price depends on the app store and country). Threema Work costs $3.00 (Core) or $5.00 (Professional) per user per month, billed annually. OnPrem pricing is custom.
Is there a free trial?
Yes. You can try Threema Work for 30 days with 30 users. No payment details are required, and the trial does not renew automatically.
Do I need a phone number to use Threema?
No. Threema assigns each user a unique Threema ID, so you don't have to provide a phone number or email address.
Can Threema be self-hosted?
Yes. Threema OnPrem runs on your own infrastructure and supports air-gapped operation and white-labeled apps.
Is Threema open source?
Yes. The code is open source, and reproducible builds let you check that the installed apps match it.
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Threema
From $3/mo