secure messaging app · Rakuten Viber

Viber

Free messenger and calling app with end-to-end encryption on by default, tied to your phone number.

41/100

#12 of 12 secure messaging apps
Facts checked 8 Oct 2026

In short

Viber says it uses end-to-end encryption by default for one-to-one and group chats².
You must register with your mobile phone number^6,4.
Apps exist for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android; the download page lists no web app¹.
Viber's EU transparency report covers February 18 to December 31, 2025, with 254 requests for user information⁵.
Chat backups kept with Google or Apple are no longer protected by Viber's encryption⁴.

Viber suits people who want a free app with default end-to-end encryption and are fine giving a phone number^2,6. It lists apps for five systems and publishes an EU report on government orders^1,5. The catch: it requires a phone number, group calls and backups fall outside its end-to-end encryption, and its security pages name no outside audit or bug bounty^2,3,4,10.

Best for: People who need a free app that their contacts already use.

Where the points come from

Encryption12 of 20

Source and audits4 of 26

Sign-up and identity0 of 16

Chats and calls7 of 14

Systems10 of 16

Price8 of 8

Encryption 12 of 20 points

Rule	What is published	Points
End-to-end encrypted by default	YesViber says end-to-end encryption is on by default for one-to-one and group chats; Communities and Channels are excluded^2,4,10.	12 / 12
Post-quantum key exchange	Not publishedNot published on the vendor's security pages^2,3.	0 / 4
Encrypted backups	NoPrivacy policy: backups kept with Google or iOS are no longer protected by Viber's end-to-end encryption⁴.	0 / 4

Source and audits 4 of 26 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Open-source apps	Not publishedNot published on the vendor's security pages or download page^1,2,3.	0 / 8
Independent audit since 2022	Not publishedNot published on the vendor's security pages^2,3.	0 / 10
Public bug bounty	Not publishedNot published on the vendor's security pages or terms page^2,3,6.	0 / 4
Transparency report	YesThe DSA report covers Feb 18 to Dec 31, 2025, EEA only, with orders and information requests from authorities⁵.	4 / 4

Sign-up and identity 0 of 16 points

Rule	What is published	Points
No phone number needed	NoTerms of use: you must register with your current mobile phone number⁶.	0 / 12
Contacts by username	Not publishedNot published on the vendor's security pages or privacy policy^2,4.	0 / 4

Chats and calls 7 of 14 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Disappearing messages	YesHelp centre: a timer for 1-on-1 and group chats, set per chat, from 10 seconds to 1 day^12,9.	5 / 5
Largest group chat	250Help centre: groups hold up to 250 members; Communities and Channels are unlimited and counted separately¹¹.	2 / 4
Encrypted voice and video calls	NoHelp centre: one-to-one calls are end-to-end encrypted, but group voice and video calls are not¹⁰.	0 / 5

Systems 10 of 16 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Apps	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, AndroidDownload page lists desktop apps for Windows, macOS and Linux, plus iOS and Android; no web app is listed¹.	10 / 12
Windows works without the phone	Not publishedNot published on the vendor's download page, which says desktop is synced to your mobile account¹.	0 / 4

Price 8 of 8 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Cost for one person	$0Viber describes free calls and messages; paid services are optional extras^6,7.	8 / 8

The rule behind each line: how we score secure messaging apps.

Plans and prices

As the vendor lists them, before tax. Prices are in US dollars unless the plan shows euros; the points use US dollars, with euros converted at the ECB rate.

Plan	Price as listed	Per month	Notes
Viber1 person	Free^6,7	$0	Messages and calls between Viber users; Viber Out and Viber Plus are paid extras

Optional paid services such as Viber Out and Viber Plus are not counted⁶.

Strengths

End-to-end encryption is on by default for one-to-one and group chats².
Native apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android¹.
Messaging and calls between Viber users are described as free⁷.
The EU transparency report counts orders from authorities in 2025⁵.
Disappearing-message timers work in one-to-one and group chats¹².

Limits

A mobile phone number is required to register⁶.
Backups kept with Google or iOS are no longer protected by Viber's end-to-end encryption⁴.
The security pages name no outside audit and no bug bounty^2,3.
Russia's regulator blocked access to Viber in December 2024⁸.
Group voice and video calls are not end-to-end encrypted¹⁰.

Concerns on record

Vedomosti reported on 13 December 2024 that Russia's regulator Roskomnadzor blocked access to Viber, saying it did not follow Russian law⁸.

Other secure messaging apps

1
SimpleX ChatPeople who want a messenger that holds no account identifier or phone number
86/100
$0cost for one person
2
ThreemaPeople who want a messenger with no phone number and no subscription
79/100
$6/yrcost for one person
3
WirePeople who want default encryption and open-source apps without handing over a phone number
78/100
$0cost for one person
4
ElementPeople who want open-source apps on every platform and no phone number
69/100
$0cost for one person

All 12 secure messaging apps

Sources

Download Viber, Viber. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Viber security, Viber. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Viber security overview, Viber. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Viber Privacy Policy, Viber. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
EU Digital Services Act transparency report, Viber. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Viber Terms of Service, Viber. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Viber home page, Viber. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Viber restricted in Russia for violations, Vedomosti. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Viber features, Viber. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Understanding end-to-end encryption, Viber. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Groups knowledge base, Viber. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Chat knowledge base, Viber. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.

Website: www.viber.com · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with Rakuten Viber.