I'd like to advocate for a specific feature set that could make a Proton chat app genuinely competitive: WhatsApp interoperability with clear privacy disclosure.

Here's the strategic oppurtunity: The main reason privacy-focused chat apps struggle is network effects: people won't switch apps if they can't reach their existing contacts. But with DMA interoperability requirements now in place in Europe, a Proton chat app could solve this by offering:
- Full privacy between Proton chat users (end-to-end encrypted, metadata-protected communication within the app)
- WhatsApp bridge capability (users can message WhatsApp contacts directly from Proton chat, with a transparent disclosure that these messages specifically have WhatsApp's lower privacy standards)
- Honest framing (clearly communicate that messages sent to WhatsApp users have identical privacy outcomes to sending via WhatsApp itself, while messages between Proton chat users retain superior privacy)

This works because:
- Early adopters (privacy-conscious users) get what they want while still remaining reachable for WhatsApp users
- Users no longer need two apps installed to communicate with both groups
- Gradual user growth becomes possible because the app solves the network effect problem, all contacts can still be reached although with the clear disclosure that they use WhatsApp lower privacy standards
- There is not integrity compromise; you are not weakening privacy for users who want it, you are simply offering a pragmatic choice which allows a Proton chat app to become huge

Currently: Privacy-focused chat apps lose users because people say "I will switch to Signal or some other app, but I can't reach my WhatsApp contacts". This approach removes that objection entirely. The fact that messages to WhatsApp users have lower privacy isn't a flaw in your app, it's a feature of WhatsApp that allows other privacy-focused apps like a Proton chat app to become big, since users can choose in a pragmatic manner whether they want superior privacy for messages or not.

Sending a message to a WhatsApp user from a Proton chat app after having deleted the WhatsApp app is not worse in privacy compared to sending a message to a WhatsApp user on the actual WhatsApp app. You essentially finally allow people to gradually move away from WhatsApp.

I propose the development of Proton Send, a standalone zero-access encrypted messaging app designed to compete with WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal while completing the Proton privacy ecosystem.

Pricing Structure Recommendation:

As a loyal member who understands Proton's freemium model, I recommend this three-tier approach:

Tier: Proton Send Free
Cost: $0/day
Limits: Limited messages & files per day (e.g., 50 messages, 10MB uploads)
Target Audience: Casual users; entry point for ecosystem conversion

Tier: Proton Send Standalone
Cost: $9.99 ONE-TIME LIFETIME
Limits: Unlimited messaging + file sharing
Target Audience: Privacy-focused individuals who want ownership without recurring fees

Tier: Proton Send Integration
Cost: Yearly Subscription (~$4–8/mo depending on plan)
Limits: Full integration with Mail/Drive/Calendar/Lumo Pass; priority support
Target Audience: Power users and families seeking complete ecosystem

Why This Works:

1. Freemium Hook: The free tier removes friction for new users trying the service.

2. Lifetime Option: Appeals to those tired of "subscription fatigue" (proven by Proton's successful Lifetime ticket draws).

3. Ecosystem Incentive: Higher value when bundled encourages full suite adoption.

Core Features Needed:

Zero-Access Foundation: End-to-end encryption for all messages, media, and files. No server-side logs. No phone number required.

Viral Growth Mechanic: E2EE should only function between Proton Send users. This creates natural pressure for users to invite friends and family to "unlock true privacy," driving organic growth.

Daily Use Functionality: One-on-one/group chats, self-destructing messages, voice notes, video calls, and file sharing from Drive.

Platform Coverage: Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux.

Strategic Recommendation: A Cross-Country League of Protection

As a combat veteran, I see the ultimate defense for our privacy not as a single fortress, but as a distributed alliance of jurisdictions. Proton should formalize a "Cross-Country League" strategy where:

1. Infrastructure is spread across multiple neutral/EU nations (Switzerland, Germany, France, Finland, etc.).

2. Data sharding ensures no single nation holds complete access.

3. Legal frameworks are set up so that seizing one node triggers immediate defensive lockdowns in all others.

This creates a mutual defense pact for data. An attempt to compromise Proton in one country becomes an international legal and diplomatic crisis, raising the cost of attack to a level that deters state actors entirely. This is the digital equivalent of a mutual defense treaty, ensuring that the right to privacy cannot be crushed by a single government's pressure.

Force Protection Doctrine Architecture:

"As a combat veteran, I recommend Proton apply standard force protection principles: never store the key and the vault in the same building. Your encryption keys, data shards, and network nodes should be geographically, legally, and cryptographically separated across multiple sovereign jurisdictions. An attacker seizing one location should gain nothing without simultaneously breaching at least six others—which triggers automatic fail-safes and diplomatic consequences. This isn't paranoia; it's basic defensive doctrine applied to digital infrastructure."

Why Proton Should Build This Now:

Market Opportunity: Messaging has billions of active users. No current platform offers true zero-access encryption plus seamless integration with email, storage, and productivity tools. Proton uniquely qualifies for this gap.

Growth Flywheel Effect: Someone joins for Proton Send → discovers other services → becomes a lifetime supporter. Families invite family members → entire household converts off surveillance platforms. This could increase Proton's subscriber base dramatically—potentially millions to billions of new users over time—while staying true to the privacy mission.

My Commitment:

I am currently a Lumo+ Family Plan member and a Lifetime Supporter. I have convinced several family members to use Proton and mention its values to everyone who will listen. I am explicitly willing to purchase either the standalone lifetime option OR the yearly subscription if Proton Send launches. Many others like myself would do the same.

Final Thought:

Messaging is a daily-use necessity. Building Proton Send could be the key to unlocking the next phase of Proton's growth, turning casual users into lifelong members of the privacy ecosystem.

Thank you for considering this from a long-term community member who believes deeply in the Proton vision.

Basically all the functionality of Telegram, messaging, channels and video calling but with proper E2EE encryption.

So extend the Meeting app which gives you a start with video calling etc, then "borrow!" Telegrams source code ...hee hee ;)

Then you could integrate your new AI so it reads messages and does clever things with email and calendar. No one in the privacy savvy market could touch you with this feature set.

This is a must have for todays world :)

Please please please !..pretty please with a cherry on top!

I really need a Proton Messaging app - really !!

Really missing a messenger integrated into the ecosystem. UX Integrated with mail/calendar app similar to Gmail on web for convenience would be excellent. Now have to use a standalone Signal but there is a lot of friction - separate app, separate login, then whole friends & family circle needs separate accounts and installs for both. Also Signal lacks no-install web access on desktop.

Yes, we should create a messaging app. I've been waiting for this for years.

Why not, but first we definitely need a contacts app!

If you do this, please make it so we can download full chat history.

This feature to me is critical as the security of future communication becomes even more vulnerable.

Absolutely needed, specially now that we have Proton Meet. It is also crucial for the two to be connected.

Please!

Hey Proton, why not just try to acquire Threema? They already cover this and there seems to be a big overlap in how they see things concerning privacy and security. Would be a very logical expansion of the current business/enterprise offering you already have.

I use proton.me for all my major accounts; And since yahoo stopped the instant messenger service back in 2018, which was an asset. It will be very important, for business minded folks, that use their laptops/desktops & smartphones, along with having this app through proton.me, will again be an asset, not just an convenience.

Like many before me, I would love a messenger integration. But why not just cooperate with Signal?

From a naive outside view, that looks like a win-win: Proton wins because Signal already has a solid user base (we all know the issue of network effects—the switching costs are large for messaging apps), and Signal wins as it gets a privacy-first platform integration.

Please!!

I'm tired of the usual messaging apps pretending to provide privacy. I would like an instant messaging app from Proton, end to end encrypted. As only the Proton staff can do. Soooo.. what about a mobile phone app? :)

Could be a Proton Matrix instance or Proton Stoat instance to permit more, no ?

Similar to this idea: https://protonmail.uservoice.com/forums/945460-general-ideas/suggestions/50383545-proton-chat

Voting on this to voice the support for something like this, or a more "Discord Alternative".
If it is only chat, that is also fine, but with the Discord people looking for alternatives it could be a good option.

With Meet being in Early Access, something "new" combining video, voice, and chat into a single "Discord" style offering would be awesome.

I would love a chat app protecting the messages and I would instantly drop WhatsApp especially if there is group possibilities. The chat add could also be a great way to attract more Proton users.

Also add possibility to connect all other messaging apps... SMS, WhatsUp, Messenger... Well, you can always wish :)