Wire

Wire is a Swiss secure collaboration platform that combines the functionality of messaging apps, video conferencing tools, and team collaboration software - all with end-to-end encryption. Founded in 2012 by a team that includes former Skype executives, Wire is headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, benefiting from the country's strong privacy laws and neutral jurisdiction. The platform has established itself as a serious alternative to Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom for organizations that prioritize security.

Swiss Jurisdiction and Privacy

Wire Swiss GmbH is incorporated in Switzerland, placing it under Swiss privacy law - one of the most protective legal frameworks in the world. Switzerland is not part of the EU but maintains an adequacy agreement for data protection. More importantly, Switzerland is not a member of intelligence-sharing alliances like Five Eyes, providing additional protection against mass surveillance.

Wire's servers are located within the European Union (specifically Germany and Ireland), ensuring that data remains within jurisdictions with strong data protection laws. This dual Swiss-EU structure provides users with both the legal protections of Swiss law and the practical benefits of EU data residency, making Wire suitable for organizations with strict compliance requirements.

Proteus Encryption Protocol

Wire uses its own Proteus encryption protocol, which is based on the Signal protocol but extended to better support multiple devices and group conversations. Every message, call, file, and screen share is end-to-end encrypted. The encryption keys are generated on users' devices and never shared with Wire's servers, meaning that Wire cannot access the content of communications even if legally compelled to do so.

The Proteus protocol has been independently audited by multiple security firms, including Kudelski Security and X41 D-Sec. These audits found Wire's implementation to be sound, and the company has published the audit reports publicly. Wire also offers a bug bounty program, encouraging security researchers to find and report vulnerabilities responsibly.

Guest Rooms for External Collaboration

One of Wire's standout features for business users is Guest Rooms, which allow organizations to collaborate securely with external parties without requiring them to have Wire accounts. A guest can join a conversation via a link, participate in discussions and calls, and receive the same end-to-end encryption protection as registered users. This is invaluable for working with clients, contractors, or partners.

Guest Rooms solve a common problem with secure collaboration tools: the need to communicate with people outside your organization who may not use the same platform. Unlike solutions that fall back to unencrypted email or require external parties to create accounts, Wire maintains security while reducing friction. Guests can participate via web browser without installing any software.

Video Conferencing and Screen Sharing

Wire provides built-in video conferencing with end-to-end encryption for up to 50 participants (on the Teams plan). This positions Wire as a secure alternative to Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams meetings. Screen sharing is also encrypted, allowing teams to present documents and share their screens without exposure to eavesdropping.

The video quality and reliability have improved significantly since Wire's early days. While it may not match the advanced features of dedicated video conferencing platforms (like virtual backgrounds or breakout rooms), Wire provides a solid, secure alternative for organizations that prioritize confidentiality. The integration with messaging means you can seamlessly transition from text chat to video call.

Open Source and Transparency

Wire has been open source since 2016, with both client and server code available on GitHub under the GPLv3 license. This transparency allows anyone to audit the code, verify the encryption implementation, and build confidence in the platform's security claims. Wire was one of the first secure messengers to open-source its entire codebase, including server components.

The open-source nature also means organizations can potentially self-host Wire if they require complete control over their infrastructure. Wire has released Wire Server, allowing on-premises deployment. This is particularly valuable for government agencies, financial institutions, and other organizations with strict data sovereignty requirements.

Business Features and Administration

Wire Pro and Wire Enterprise plans add features designed for organizational use. Team administrators can manage users, control settings, and enforce security policies. Single sign-on (SSO) integration with SAML 2.0 allows organizations to use their existing identity providers. Device management helps ensure that Wire is only used on approved devices.

Compliance features include the ability to configure data retention policies and export conversation data for archival purposes (though this requires user consent and can only export data the user is party to). These features make Wire suitable for regulated industries that need to maintain records while still benefiting from end-to-end encryption.

Pricing Structure

Wire offers a free personal plan that includes core messaging and calling features for individual users. This makes Wire accessible for personal use and allows people to try the platform before committing to a paid plan. The free plan supports one-on-one and group conversations but lacks the business features needed by organizations.

Wire Pro, designed for small teams, starts at 5.83 euros per user per month (when billed annually) and includes guest rooms, professional support, and admin controls. Wire Enterprise adds advanced features like SSO, device management, and custom data retention policies, with pricing available on request. For organizations requiring on-premises deployment, Wire Server licensing is also available.

Considerations and Limitations

Wire's smaller user base compared to mainstream platforms means that personal users may have difficulty convincing contacts to switch. The platform is primarily focused on business collaboration, and some features like integrations are less developed than on Slack. Wire does not have the extensive app marketplace that Slack offers.

There have been some concerns about Wire's ownership structure after receiving venture capital funding, though the company has reaffirmed its commitment to privacy and the platform's security architecture remains unchanged. The open-source nature means the community can monitor for any problematic changes. Wire has also clarified that its holding company structure doesn't affect the Swiss jurisdiction of operations.

Who Should Use Wire

Wire is ideal for businesses and teams that need secure collaboration with external parties through guest rooms. Organizations in regulated industries like finance, healthcare, and legal will appreciate the compliance features and audit trail capabilities. Government agencies and NGOs that handle sensitive information benefit from Wire's strong encryption and Swiss jurisdiction. Teams that need to replace multiple tools (chat, calls, file sharing) with a single secure platform will find Wire's integrated approach appealing. If you're looking for a European alternative to Slack or Teams with genuine end-to-end encryption for all communications, Wire is an excellent choice.