Viber vs SecureChat
When comparing Viber vs SecureChat, the Slant community recommends SecureChat for most people. In the question“What is the best team chat software?” SecureChat is ranked 22nd while Viber is ranked 38th. The most important reason people chose SecureChat is:
Supports threads to organise conversations into topics.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Desktop apps allow texting, calling and enables transferring calls between devices
Viber has native apps for both Windows and Mac that allow you to send and receive messages from your desktop. You can also use the desktop to make and receive calls. Synchronizes between all devices you are using Viber on. Allows transferring calls between devices.
Pro Supports voice calls
Viber has really well implemented voice tech. It has comparable quality to Skype and you can even tranfer calls from your phone to your desktop seamlessly.
Pro Completely free
Viber uses data connection and the app is free.
Pro Clean interface
The interface is simple, functional and intuitive.
Pro See who of your contacts is using Viber quickly
Viber is tied to your phone number so it can quickly see who else in your contacts list is using the application.
Pro Android Wear support
Viber includes Android Wear support on Android 4.3 or higher and Viber 5.3 or higher.
Pro Same protocol as used in Signal
Viber's protocol uses the same concepts of the "double ratchet" protocol used in Open Whisper Systems Signal application.
Pro Public chats
It's possible to be a fly on the wall on other group or one-to-one chats that have been opened up to the public. These public chats are often promotional chats with celebrities.
Pro Supports video calling over WiFi and data.
Can call friends using voice or video options.
Pro Combines cellular and data messaging
This has an advantage in that if you text someone who uses Viber it will be free, if not it will just revert to SMS. This means you can replace your standard messaging app with Viber as well.
Pro Keys only on device
Starting with Viber 6.0 the encryption keys are stored only on the clients themselves, not even Viber itself has access to them.
Pro No need to create an account or add contacts
One of the best things about Viber is how it handles setup and sending messages. Viber uses your existing number as your ID, so you don't need to create a separate Viber account.
Pro Supports 200 person group chat
Viber allows creating groups of up to 200 people on the Android version of Viber. It also has a cool "smart notifications" feature to prevent being overwhelmed with notifications if a lot of people are active in a chat group.
Pro Insight and well documented encryption
Viber has made a documentation available, explaining in great details their encryption system and giving good insight on how it works.
Pro Threads to organize conversations
Supports threads to organise conversations into topics.
Pro Expiring messages
Channels can be configured to have expiring messages that get automatically deleted after a pre-defined time.
Pro Guaranteed delete
Ensures messages are fully deleted and removed from backup.
Pro Servers 100% hosted in Switzerland
Protected by Swiss data privacy - some of the highest data privacy laws in the world.
Pro Encryption
Strong end-to-end encryption of messages and files.
Pro Drag and drop files
Drag and drop documents, photos, videos into the chat.
Pro Integrates with other tools
Built in integrations for Zendesk, Trello, Github, SupportBee, etc.
Cons
Con The company evades U. S. tax
The company uses the common practice of tax haven addresses in order to avoid paying US taxes despite being registered in Delaware.
Con Proprietary Software
Not Open Source.
Con No web client
You cannot login from the web to send and receive messages.
Con Constantly on
Need apps like Greenify to stop it from being constantly on and active, even if you don't use it.
Con Constant reminders of messages
If you don't check your messages (say your in a group chat and simply don't check all of them), it will flood your notifications.
Con Doesn't sync well
Sync awfully between Phone and PC clients.
Con Non-free / Propritary Software
The code base isn't free/libre and cannot be self-hosted, therefore there is no proof that encryption or "guaranteed delete", actually work. There is no reason to think this application is secure.