A WhatsApp alternative for business
Many teams use WhatsApp for work because everyone already has it. But WhatsApp is made for personal use. OpenIM gives your team a secure chat app on your own domain, like name@chat.yourcompany.com. And you manage the accounts.
Why WhatsApp is awkward for work
Private phone numbers
Everyone needs a phone number. In groups everyone sees each other's number, including customers and outside people.
No central management
The accounts belong to your employees, not to your company. You can't add people, block them or reset their password.
Chats leave with people
When someone leaves, their chats with colleagues and customers stay on their own phone.
Your address book goes along
With contact upload, WhatsApp receives the phone numbers in your address book. On a work phone, that includes your customers.
To be fair: WhatsApp messages are end-to-end encrypted. The problem isn't the encryption, it's who manages the accounts and where your data goes. The GDPR doesn't ban WhatsApp, but as a company you are responsible for the personal data your team shares.
WhatsApp and OpenIM side by side
| OpenIM | ||
|---|---|---|
| Account | Phone number | Address on your own domain |
| Who manages accounts | Each employee | You, in the domain portal |
| Someone leaves | Chats stay on their phone | You disable the account |
| End-to-end encryption | Yes | Yes (OMEMO) |
| Where data is stored | Meta, a US company | European Union or your own on-premise location |
| Data processing agreement | Not for the regular app | On the Business plan |
| Price | Free | From €60 a year per domain |
Moving from WhatsApp to OpenIM
- Pick a plan. You set up the own domain plan yourself. For larger teams there's Business.
- Create accounts for your team in the domain portal.
- Install an app. For example Conversations on Android or Monal on iPhone. People sign in with the address and password you give them.
- Create group chats for your teams and projects. Then the WhatsApp group can go.
When WhatsApp fits better
Do you mainly want to talk to customers who are already on WhatsApp? Then OpenIM is not the right tool, because your customers would need to install an XMPP app. OpenIM is meant for chat within your team and with partners you give an account.
Frequently asked questions
Ready to move your team off WhatsApp?
Tell us about your team and we'll help you get started.