Artezio, a subsidiary of the Russian IT group Lanit, has released its annual ranking of the most secure messaging applications for 2025. The study evaluates over 40 platforms across 60 technical parameters, including encryption standards, metadata policies, and resistance to social engineering attacks1. This report provides critical insights for organizations prioritizing secure communications.
Key Findings from Artezio’s Research
Signal maintains its top position despite geopolitical challenges. The open-source platform scored highest due to its implementation of the Double Ratchet Algorithm with PQ3 post-quantum resistance and delayed encryption features that rotate keys after compromise9. However, its 2024 ban in Russia and the March 2025 Pentagon data leak incident involving classified information shared through group chats have raised operational concerns10.
French-developed Olvid ranked second, notable for its zero-trust architecture that eliminates phone/email requirements for registration. The ANSSI-certified solution has seen adoption by EU financial institutions for internal communications1. Switzerland’s Threema took third place with its QR-code-based anonymous onboarding and “Isolated Spaces” feature that separates work and personal communications – a functionality particularly valued by journalists and NGOs9.
| Rank | Messenger | Key Security Feature | Notable Vulnerability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Signal | Post-quantum PQ3 encryption | Group chat metadata exposure in Pentagon incident |
| 2 | Olvid | ANSSI-certified zero-trust model | Limited third-party integration support |
| 3 | Threema | Onion routing via LokiNet | Centralized payment system for premium features |
Technical Considerations for Enterprise Deployment
The Matrix Protocol-based Element messenger (ranked #4) offers federated server options that allow organizations to maintain control over communications infrastructure. This has led to adoption by the German and Belgian governments1. Session’s blockchain-based decentralized node network provides metadata protection through onion routing, resulting in 300% user growth following Telegram’s 2024 privacy policy changes9.
For security teams evaluating these platforms, Artezio’s methodology included simulated phishing tests and analysis of encryption implementations. Signal’s delayed encryption mechanism, for example, provides post-compromise security through automatic key rotation – a feature that could mitigate damage from credential theft incidents.
Regional and Policy Impacts
The study notes significant regional divergence in secure messenger adoption. Russian organizations are increasingly directed toward domestic alternative TamTam, while EU entities favor GDPR-compliant options like Olvid1. Telegram’s fall from the top 5 stems from its non-default end-to-end encryption and data-sharing agreements with French authorities following the 2024 Durow arrest case1.
WhatsApp retained position #9 due to its Signal Protocol implementation, though Meta’s metadata collection practices continue to draw criticism. The platform’s new “Advanced Data Protection” mode (opt-in) has mitigated some concerns but requires manual activation by users10.
Security Recommendations
For organizations managing secure communications:
- Prioritize messengers with automatic key rotation and post-quantum cryptography
- Evaluate metadata retention policies through GDPR/CCPA compliance audits
- Consider federated or self-hosted options for sensitive communications
- Implement training to prevent social engineering attacks regardless of platform choice
The complete Artezio study provides additional technical parameters including forward secrecy implementation details and resistance to specific attack vectors like the January 2025 “FLOOD” attack that exploited Telegram’s non-encrypted group chats4.
References
- “Artezio Study on Secure Messengers,” Kommersant, 2025.
- “Session’s User Growth Metrics,” Finfax, 2025.
- “Analysis of Signal’s Pentagon Leak Incident,” Sostav, 2025.
- “Telegram FLOOD Attack Technical Details,” IT-World, 2025.
