When comparing Instagram Direct vs Threema, the Slant community recommends Threema for most people. In the question“What are the best messaging apps for Android?” Threema is ranked 6th while Instagram Direct is ranked 47th. The most important reason people chose Threema is:
Registration is handled by random generated IDs. No phone number needed.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Video & photo messages
Photos have to be cropped to be square.
Pro Filters
That can be applied to photos and videos.
Pro Group messages
With up to 15 people.
Pro Registration without phone number
Registration is handled by random generated IDs. No phone number needed.
Pro Encrypted communication
Provides complete end-to-end encryption.
Pro Company behind Threema is based in Switzerland
Pro Servers in Switzerland
Privacy laws protect the data Threema has.
Pro Supports encrypted group chats
Pro Provides a web client
You can control and message with friends via Threema Web, the official web client for Threema.
Pro Ability to send pics and videos
Threema supports sending media messages such as video, pics and even voice messages.
Pro Group chat polls
Pro Allows verification of contacts identity via QR Code
Cons
Con Walled garden
Can't communicate with people outside of Instagram.
Con Not free
Unlike many other options Threema is not free as it costs $1.99 for the app.
Con Single device only
You cannot use multiple devices to send messages. However, it does have message mirroring on a web client.
Con No cloud sync
E2E encryption means no cloud syncing of messages.