Wire is a secure communications platform combining instant messaging, file sharing, voice calls and video conferencing. It is designed for individuals and organisations that need confidential communication across multiple devices.
The application uses end-to-end encryption to protect messages, calls and shared content. Its Messaging Layer Security (MLS) implementation provides a standards-based approach to managing encryption keys in group conversations, while supporting communication between participants using different devices.
Wire provides applications for desktop and mobile platforms, together with browser-based access. The Linux desktop client is built using Electron and provides comparable functionality to its Windows and macOS counterparts. However, Wire describes the Linux application as an experimental build and does not provide official support for it.
The platform can be deployed using Wire’s hosted service or, for organisations with appropriate infrastructure, within a self-hosted environment.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- End-to-end encrypted individual and group messaging.
- Voice calls and video conferencing with encrypted communication between participants.
- Messaging Layer Security (MLS) for efficient cryptographic key management in group conversations.
- Share documents, images, videos and other files within conversations.
- Screen sharing during supported voice and video calls.
- Group conversations, channels and collaboration spaces for teams.
- Self-deleting messages with configurable expiration periods.
- Multi-device messaging with synchronisation between compatible clients.
- Guest access for collaboration with external participants.
- Device identity verification and controls for managing trusted communication endpoints.
- Administrative facilities for organisations, including identity and access management.
- Support for hosted and self-managed deployments.
Website: wire.com
Support:
Developer: Wire Swiss GmbH
License: GNU General Public License v3.0

Wire is written in TypeScript and JavaScript. Learn TypeScript with our recommended free books and free tutorials. Learn JavaScript with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| VoIP Software | |
|---|---|
| Jitsi | Innovative open source voice and video conferencing |
| Mumble | Voice chat application for groups |
| Jami | SIP-compatible softphone and SIP-based instant messenger |
| GNU Gatekeeper | Feature-rich project that implements an H.323 gatekeeper. |
| Fluxer | Instant messaging and VoIP platform |
| Kamailio | Build large platforms for VoIP and realtime communications |
| FreeSWITCH | Telephony platform for voice and chat driven products |
| Asterisk | Complete PBX system |
| Wire | Encrypted instant messaging client |
| Galene | Easy to deploy videoconference server |
| Linphone | Voice over IP softphone, SIP client and service |
| Janus | General purpose WebRTC server |
| Baresip | Modular SIP user-agent |
| OpenSIPS | Mature SIP server |
| GOnnect | Easy to use VoIP client |
| Calls | Make phone and SIP calls |
| Ekiga | VoIP and video conferencing application for GNOME |
| qTox | Chat, voice, video, and file transfer IM client |
| Empathy | Instant messaging and voice over IP client |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
Explore our carefully curated directory of recommended free and open source software, covering every major software category.The directory forms part of our extensive collection of articles for Linux enthusiasts. It includes hundreds of detailed reviews, together with free and open source alternatives to proprietary software from companies such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Cisco, Oracle, and Autodesk. LinuxLinks also covers interesting projects worth exploring, Linux-compatible hardware, free programming books and tutorials, and much more. Know a useful free and open source Linux application that we haven’t covered? Tell us about it using our submission form. |


Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.