Quick Overview
| Company | ginlo.net Gesellschaft für Datenkommunikationsdienste mbH |
|---|---|
| Category | Messaging Apps |
| Headquarters | Munich, Germany |
| Founded | 2020 |
| EU Presence | EU (Germany) |
| Data Location | Germany, in an ISO 27001 (IT-Grundschutz) data centre; operator not named |
| Open Source | No |
| Pricing | ginlo Private free / ginlo Business from €3.57/user/month incl. 19% VAT (education €1.19) |
| Free Option | Free (Private); 30-day free trial (Business) |
| Replaces | WhatsApp, Microsoft Teams chat |
Detailed Review
ginlo is a messenger from ginlo.net Gesellschaft für Datenkommunikationsdienste mbH in Munich, offered as two editions: ginlo Private, a free app for personal use, and ginlo Business, a managed edition for schools, practices and firms.
ginlo Business costs from €3.57 per user per month including 19% VAT, with an education price of €1.19, and comes with a 30-day free trial. Administrators handle ginlo Business licences in a Management Cockpit. ginlo keeps its servers in Germany only, in an ISO 27001 (IT-Grundschutz) certified data centre.
The caveat with ginlo is who runs that data centre. ginlo does not name the operator anywhere on its site, so a buyer can confirm the country and the certificate but not the company operating the hardware. ginlo does not publish its source code either, so the ginlo apps have to be taken on the vendor's description.
What ginlo does well
- A free private app alongside a paid business edition
- Servers in Germany only, in an ISO 27001 (IT-Grundschutz) data centre
- ginlo Business from €3.57 per user per month including VAT
- Education pricing at €1.19
- Management Cockpit for licences, and a 30-day Business trial
Where ginlo falls short
- The operator of ginlo's data centre is not named
- The hosting chain can be checked as far as country and certificate, not provider
- Not open source
- Prices include 19% VAT, so compare them with care against net prices elsewhere
Standout feature. Private and business in one product line: ginlo gives private users a free app and gives schools, practices and firms a managed business edition, with servers only in Germany.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- A free private app alongside a paid business edition
- Servers in Germany only, in an ISO 27001 (IT-Grundschutz) data centre
- ginlo Business from €3.57 per user per month including VAT
- Education pricing at €1.19
- Management Cockpit for licences, and a 30-day Business trial
Cons
- The operator of ginlo's data centre is not named
- The hosting chain can be checked as far as country and certificate, not provider
- Not open source
- Prices include 19% VAT, so compare them with care against net prices elsewhere
Alternatives to ginlo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ginlo?
ginlo is a messenger from ginlo.net Gesellschaft für Datenkommunikationsdienste mbH in Munich, offered as two editions: ginlo Private, a free app for personal use, and ginlo Business, a managed edition for schools, practices and firms.
Where is ginlo based?
ginlo operates from Munich, Germany, which places it under EU (Germany).
What does ginlo cost?
ginlo Private free / ginlo Business from €3.57/user/month incl. 19% VAT (education €1.19). Free (Private); 30-day free trial (Business).
Who is ginlo best for?
Schools, practices and firms that want a managed messenger with servers only in Germany. Private and business in one product line: ginlo gives private users a free app and gives schools, practices and firms a managed business edition, with servers only in Germany.
What are the drawbacks of ginlo?
The operator of ginlo's data centre is not named. The hosting chain can be checked as far as country and certificate, not provider. Not open source. Prices include 19% VAT, so compare them with care against net prices elsewhere.
Is ginlo a good alternative to WhatsApp?
ginlo is built as a European alternative to WhatsApp: Munich messenger with a free private app and a managed business edition. It will not be a like-for-like feature match in every respect, so check the review above for where the two genuinely differ before switching.
How does ginlo compare to other Messaging Apps?
ginlo is one of several European Messaging Apps we cover. It is most often compared with WhatsApp, Microsoft Teams chat.