Wire

Overview

Wire is an encrypted communication platform that goes beyond messaging to include voice calls, video conferencing, screen sharing, and file transfer, all protected by end-to-end encryption. Founded in 2014 and based in Berlin, Wire targets both individual users and enterprise teams needing secure collaboration without sacrificing functionality.

Unlike Signal, Wire does not require a phone number to register. You can sign up with just an email address, and the business tier supports SSO integration.

Collaboration Features

Wire's strength is its breadth of encrypted collaboration tools. Group video calls with screen sharing make it suitable as a Zoom or Teams replacement for security-conscious organisations. Guest rooms allow external participants to join conversations without creating an account. The self-hosting option gives organisations complete control over their data and infrastructure.

Who Should Use It

Wire is best suited for teams and organisations that need a complete encrypted collaboration suite. If you only need messaging, Signal offers stronger privacy with a larger user base. But if you need encrypted video conferencing, screen sharing, and team management features, Wire fills a niche that few other privacy-focused tools address.