Threema
Encrypted messages, calls and files, with an identity independent of your phone number.
Strengths
- Encrypted messages, calls and files, with an identity independent of your phone number.
Limitations
- Paid access.
- Group calls may use relays outside Switzerland.
These notes concern product use. The sovereignty score follows its own rubric.
Popularity
App Store storefronts checked (7)
- France ↗142
- Germany ↗8,187
- Spain ↗117
- Italy ↗166
- Switzerland ↗2,667
- United Kingdom ↗155
- United States ↗709
About these numbers
The default ranking adds public rating counts collected from Google Play and the App Store storefronts checked. It includes both Android and iOS. This volume is a popularity signal, not a count of downloads or people.
Google Play provides its public counter. For Apple, we add available counters from France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. Each profile shows this scope, which does not cover all countries. If one platform is missing, only the documented count is used. Android download thresholds and publisher-reported users have separate sorts and are never added to ratings. One person can rate on several platforms. Ties are sorted by name; profiles without figures follow.
The essentials
| Publisher based in | Switzerland |
|---|---|
| Access model | Paid service |
| Source consulted on | Oct 2, 2026 |
| Legal headquarters | 25/25 |
| Hosting | 25/25 |
| Ownership | 18/25 |
| Technical dependencies | 18/25 |
Access models are indicative. Refer to the official website for current prices and terms.
Check before choosing
A publisher’s country does not establish its independence. Ownership, subprocessors, data location and technical dependencies need a separate assessment.
Plan your switch
Test with non-sensitive data first. Check import and export options, essential features and plan terms before migrating.
How the score is calculated
Messaging servers are stated to be in Switzerland. Since 2026 Threema belongs to Germany’s Comitis Capital, so control is not exclusively Swiss.
The score covers documented criteria. For each of four dimensions, earned points are divided by the maximum for reviewed criteria, scaled to 25 and rounded. The four results form the score out of 100. Unknown items are excluded and reduce the separately displayed documentation coverage. Publication requires at least 60% of the rubric reviewed and 10 weight points in every dimension. A high score does not rule out dependencies in unchecked items.
Initial review of public documents. Publisher statements are identified in the dossier; they are not an independent audit.
Legal headquarters25/25
Calculation: 20/20 × 25 → 25/25
1.1 · Principal establishment
12/12The contracting entity is established in Switzerland.
1.2 · Chain of control
8/8The disclosed control structure is European. Ultimate beneficiaries have not been checked against a registry.
1.3 · Legal exposure to document
—/5To document Not established in the sources reviewed.
Hosting25/25
Calculation: 16/16 × 25 → 25/25
2.1 · Production data
10/10Messages and individual calls use Swiss servers or direct links. Group calls are outside scope.
2.3 · Infrastructure operator
6/6Threema states it operates its own hardware at a colocation partner near Zurich.
2.4 · Delivery and edge
—/3To document Not established in the sources reviewed.
Ownership18/25
Calculation: 14/19 × 25 → 18/25
3.1 · Ownership control
10/12The publisher names Comitis Capital GmbH as owner since early 2026.
3.2 · Structural transparency
4/7The publisher names its main holders and structure. The beneficial-owner registry still needs checking.
3.3 · Protection against a change of control
—/6To document Not established in the sources reviewed.
Technical dependencies18/25
Calculation: 11/15 × 25 → 18/25
4.1 · Critical service dependencies
—/10To document Not established in the sources reviewed.
4.2 · Distribution and access
5/5Direct Android distribution is offered via Threema’s shop; desktop clients are available.
4.3 · Openness and portability
4/6Chats export as text and media in a ZIP. This export cannot be imported back into Threema; the complete Private server is not self-hostable.
4.4 · Independent verification
2/4A public Cure53 desktop-client audit covers January 2024, more than 24 months before this review.
