Wire

Wire is a communication client that puts end-to-end encryption at the centre of messaging, calling and file sharing, rather than offering it as an optional mode. The desktop application for Windows is published under the GNU General Public License v3.0, while the hosted service is operated commercially by Wire Swiss with a free personal tier and paid team plans. That combination suits people who want verifiable client code and a single application for both chat and meetings.

What it does

Wire covers one-to-one and group conversations, voice and video calls, conference calls with a grid view, screen sharing, file and image transfer, and ephemeral messages that self-destruct after a set interval. Every conversation is encrypted end to end, including calls and shared files, and the client supports guest rooms so external collaborators can be invited without a full account. Devices can be verified against each other, and a conversation can be limited to verified devices only. Message search, mentions, reactions, replies and a shared file list round out the day-to-day features.

The workflow

Install the client, create an account with an email address or sign in to an existing one, then verify the new device by confirming a code sent to another logged-in session. The interface is a conversation list on the left and the active thread on the right, with call and file buttons in the conversation header. Group calls start from a conversation and can be upgraded to a conference, where participants appear in a grid and screens can be shared. Settings cover notification behaviour, media device selection, privacy options for read receipts and typing indicators, and account management for removing devices.

Practical settings and limits

The free personal plan is generous for individuals but the paid tiers carry features that teams grow into, such as larger conference sizes, administrative controls and compliance options, so a growing organisation should check the current plan matrix on the vendor's site before standardising. The hosted service keeps message history on Wire's servers, encrypted, which means there is no offline archive and no self-hosted server product for typical users. Video quality depends on network conditions, and conferences with many participants are a paid feature. Because the client code is open source but the service is not, the encryption model is verifiable while the infrastructure is not something you operate yourself.

Who should choose something else

Choose a different platform if you must self-host everything or need a free unlimited participant count for large meetings. Organisations deep inside a productivity suite may prefer that suite's chat and meetings to avoid a second account. If your main requirement is a telephone number and PSTN calling rather than secure team messaging, a SIP softphone is the more direct tool.