Client data and business conversations require advanced security features that not all messaging apps can provide. Fortunately, a long list of options is now available for teams.
Here is a round-up of this year’s top five reliable and secure team chat solutions:
Top 5 Secure Team Chat Applications:
1. Rocket.chat
Rocket.chat is an open-source software focusing on data privacy and security for business communications. Aside from being ISO 27001 certified, it is GDPR, HIPAA, FINRA, and FedRAMP compliant. Rocket.chat gives you the flexibility to customize your team chat platform while protecting data.
If you need an on-premise and SaaS solution, this chat application has all the essential features to help keep your team conversations private and secure.
Features:
- End-to-end encryption
- Data loss prevention
- Message tracking and exporting
- ID-only push notifications
- Customizable roles and permissions
- On-premise or cloud deployment
- Integrates with SSO services
Price:
- Free for small teams
- $4 monthly for growing teams (maximum of 500 users)
2. Signal
If you’re looking for a reliable messaging app with basic features, look no further than Signal. The app doesn’t have bells and whistles that complicate texting. It gets the most important job done, which is to send secure text messages, make video calls, and share files with your team using the Signal Private Group System.
Like Rocket.chat, Signal is open-source and completely free.
Features:
- End-to-end encryption using the Signal protocol
- Encrypted stickers
- Ad and tracking-free
- Doesn’t keep records of group information, including avatars and memberships
- Group calling for up to 40 participants
Price: Free
3. Slack
Slack is a popular messaging platform that enables secure team chats. Aside from being FedRAMP authorized and having a long list of ISO certifications, it can be configured for HIPAA and FINRA compliance.
What is great about Slack is its rich features and options, making it highly customizable. However, its paid options with more features are also expensive.
Features:
- Create and organize Slack channels for group messaging
- Post audio, video, and screen recordings
- Direct messages are private by default
- Start external DM conversations using Slack Connect
- Integrates with third-party apps, including Zoom, Google Workspace, and Asana
Price per month:
- Free
- Pro: $7.25
- Business: $12.50
- Enterprise Grid: Contact sales
4. Microsoft Teams
If you’re using Microsoft 365, try Microsoft Teams for team chat. Aside from providing team chats, the app offers excellent audio and video calling features. A Microsoft Teams account is connected to one organization. You can invite users in your company and break them up into channels or teams for group chats. Each group chat consists of multiple threads, which can look confusing or cluttered.
However, you can be assured that the app is reliable and secure.
Features:
- Protects data using OAuth, TLS, SRTP, and
- AES-256 encryption
- Runs Azure DDOS network protection
- Web conferencing
- Audio and video calling
- Manage virtual appointments in a central hub
- Minimum of 10 GB cloud storage per user
- File sharing and polling
- Collaborative apps
- Configurable for HIPAA compliance
Price per month:
- Microsoft Teams Essentials: $4.00
- Microsoft 365 Business Basic: $6.00
- Microsoft 365 Business Standard: $12.50
5. Element
Another open-source app, Element, offers a free self-hosted and secure team chat solution. You can also choose a paid, fully-managed deployment and customize your network configurations and permissions.
Element uses the Matrix open standard, which enables secure and sovereign real-time communication. Sovereignty means that you keep ownership and control over your data, regardless of the type of deployment you choose.
Features:
- End-to-end encryption
- Group chat rooms for individuals or teams
- Admins can set chats to connect with internal-only, multiple organizations, or the public
- Decentralized network, giving you complete control over your data
- Self-hosting available
- Access permissions
- Device verification guards against untrusted devices joining group chats
- Collaborative tools
Price per month:
- Starter: free up to 200 users
- Business: $5 per user
- Enterprise: $10 per user
- Sovereign: Custom
Importance of Having a Secure Team Chat
Secure team chat is important in professional settings, especially when dealing with sensitive information. The chat app should ensure only team members can access and share the data in the group chats. Moreover, some secure team chat apps are on this list, like Rocket.chat, Microsoft Teams, and Slack can be configured to enable users to follow HIPAA healthcare standards. HIPAA laws are strict and require covered entities to safely handle protected health information (PHI) even while using electronic and cloud apps.
Furthermore, secure team chat platforms offer a centralized hub where team members can collaborate, share updates, and coordinate tasks in real time. These apps often include features such as message threads, file sharing, searchable message archives, and integrations with other productivity apps.
Ultimately, team chat apps help improve team communication while minimizing the costs of collaborating and holding meetings. It provides a secure and centralized platform for team members to work together regardless of their physical locations and time zones.
