Compare
Which encrypted messenger for your computer?
An honest look at the desktop apps — including where others are better. Checked November 2026; apps change, so tell us if something's out of date.
| Desktop app | Jump.AFRICA | Signal | Telegram | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| End-to-end encrypted by default in the desktop app | Yes | Yes | Yes | NoNormal chats are cloud chats; secret chats are not available on Telegram Desktop |
| Burn mode: never saved, destroyed after opening | Yes | Disappearing timers; not memory-only | View-once for photos, videos & voice | Self-destruct in secret chats (mobile only) |
| Disappearing messages | Yes | Yes | Yes | Secret chats / auto-delete timer |
| Blocks screenshots of the desktop window | YesWindows & Mac | Windows“Screen security”, on by default on Windows 11 | — | — |
| Phone number required to sign up | NoEmail account | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Everyone who can message you is ID-verified | Yes | No | No | No |
| Messages from strangers held in Requests | Yes | Message requests | Partial | Partial |
| Open source & independently audited | Not yet — audit planned | Yes | Uses the Signal protocol; app closed source | Clients open source |
| Group chats | Coming soon | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Live FX rates, money transfer & diaspora network on the same account | Yes | No | No | No |
Choose Signal if…
you want the most scrutinised encryption available and your contacts are already there. It's open source, independently audited and run by a non-profit. We'd rather you use Signal than an unencrypted app.
Avoid Telegram for private chats on desktop
Telegram's normal chats are stored on Telegram's servers and aren't end-to-end encrypted. Its encrypted “secret chats” only exist on phones — Telegram Desktop doesn't support them.
Choose Jump.AFRICA if…
- you want burn-after-reading that is never written to disk;
- you need the window blocked from screenshots on Mac as well as Windows;
- you'd rather not hand over a phone number, but want to know everyone messaging you is ID-verified;
- you're part of — or want to join — a network of Africans at home and in the diaspora, with FX, events and services on the same account.
Private messages, on your computer.
Free for Windows and Mac. Your Jump.AFRICA account comes with it.