Many mainstream messaging apps are owned by large advertising or data companies. Even when message contents are encrypted, they can still log who you talk to, when, how often, and from where.
See how theSHFT stacks up against most mainstream messaging apps on the things that actually matter for privacy.
| Feature | Most mainstream messaging apps | theSHFT |
|---|---|---|
| End-to-end encrypted | Often | Yes |
| No phone number required | Often required | Yes |
| No email required | Often required | Yes |
| PIN-locked private vault | Rarely | Yes |
| Screenshots come out blank | Rarely | Yes |
| Duress PIN (Pro) | Rarely | Yes |
| Self-destruct timers | Limited | Yes |
| Minimal metadata collected | Often extensive | Yes |
| Post-quantum encryption (1:1) | iMessage yes (PQ3); WhatsApp, Messenger and Telegram no | Yes |
| Owned by an advertising or data company | Often | No |
Encryption is just the starting point. Real privacy requires much more.
Many mainstream messaging apps collect metadata: who you talk to, when, how often, your phone number, contacts, IP, and device info. When the owner is an advertising or data company, that profile can fuel ad targeting. theSHFT asks for no phone number and no email, and it minimizes metadata.
Most messaging apps sit open on the home screen. Open one and all conversations are visible. theSHFT lives behind a PIN-locked vault, so your private messages stay protected by your PIN. You can use Face ID or Touch ID too.
Many messaging apps back chats up to the cloud and leave screenshots unrestricted. On theSHFT, screenshots and screen recordings come out blank by default. If a screenshot is taken, the other party is notified. Self-destruct timers, 10 or 30 seconds free and 5 seconds to 24 hours with Pro delete the message from both devices.
Switch to an app that protects more than just message content. No phone number, no email, minimal metadata.
Download on the App Store