SimpleX vs. WhatsApp
WhatsApp says it uses encryption. But Meta still knows who you talk to and when. SimpleX is different. It has no user IDs at all. Not even the server knows who you are.
No phone number needed. No user ID exists.
Requires your phone number. Linked to your identity.
Your phone number is tied to your name, address, and government ID. WhatsApp knows exactly who you are. SimpleX has no identifier at all.
Server cannot see who talks to whom.
Meta knows your entire contact network.
WhatsApp uploads your contacts to their servers. They build a map of all your relationships. SimpleX servers have no idea who is talking.
No account. Nothing to hack or subpoena.
Your account can be hacked, locked, or demanded by courts.
With no account, there is nothing to steal or seize. You cannot be locked out of SimpleX. There is no profile to subpoena.
Fully open source. Anyone can verify the code.
Closed source. You trust Meta's promises.
Security researchers can read every line of SimpleX code. WhatsApp's encryption could have backdoors and nobody would know.
You can run your own server.
All messages go through Meta's servers.
With SimpleX, you can host your own relay server. Complete control. WhatsApp forces all traffic through their infrastructure.
The bottom line: WhatsApp is encrypted messaging owned by an advertising company. SimpleX is private messaging with no user identity at all.