Wire vs sipgate
Both Wire and sipgate are European-built, GDPR-compliant solutions in the video conferencing space. This comparison breaks down their features, pricing, compliance posture, and data residency so you can make an informed choice for your team.
Quick Overview
Wire
EU- Headquarters
- Zug, CH
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- Yes
sipgate
EU- Headquarters
- Dusseldorf, DE
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- No
Key Differences
- Wire is open source, meaning you can audit the code, self-host, and avoid vendor lock-in. sipgate is proprietary, which often means a more polished out-of-the-box experience and dedicated support, but less flexibility for customisation.
- Data residency differs: Wire hosts data in Germany, EU, while sipgate hosts in Germany. If your organisation requires data to stay in a specific EU country, this distinction matters for compliance.
- Wire holds ISO 27001 certification, providing third-party assurance of its security practices. sipgate does not currently hold these certifications, which may matter if your organisation requires them for vendor approval.
- sipgate was founded in 2004, giving it a 10-year head start over Wire (founded 2014). More time in market often means a larger user community and more mature integrations, though newer entrants may offer more modern architectures.
- Each product has unique strengths: Wire offers End-to-end encrypted messaging and Encrypted voice and video calls, while sipgate provides VoIP telephony and Virtual phone numbers. Your choice depends on which capabilities matter most for your workflow.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Wire | sipgate |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Wire | sipgate |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Free Tier | ||
| GDPR | ||
| ISO 27001 | ||
| Open Source | ||
| Headquarters | Zug, CH | Dusseldorf, DE |
| Data Centers | DE, EU | DE |
| End-to-end encrypted messaging | ||
| Encrypted voice and video calls | ||
| Group video conferencing | ||
| File and screen sharing | ||
| Ephemeral messages | ||
| Guest rooms for external users | ||
| Cross-platform apps | ||
| Federation support | ||
| Open source clients and server | ||
| VoIP telephony | ||
| Virtual phone numbers | ||
| Team messaging | ||
| Video conferencing | ||
| Fax | ||
| IVR menus | ||
| Call routing | ||
| API access |
Pricing Comparison
Wire
Freefreemium
sipgate
Freefreemium
Compliance Comparison
Wire
GDPRISO 27001DPA
sipgate
GDPRDPA
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How to Choose
You need code transparency or self-hosting
Choose Wire
You want a fully managed, turnkey solution
Choose sipgate
Your procurement requires ISO 27001 certification
Choose Wire
You need enterprise-grade support and stability
Choose Wire
You prefer a nimble provider with personalised support
Choose sipgate
Wire vs sipgate — FAQ
What is the main difference between Wire and sipgate?
Both Wire and sipgate are European video conferencing solutions with full GDPR compliance. The key differences lie in their approach: Wire is open source while sipgate is proprietary. Wire is headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, while sipgate is based in Dusseldorf, Germany. Your choice should depend on your specific requirements for features, pricing, and data residency.
Which is more affordable, Wire or sipgate?
Both Wire and sipgate offer free tiers, so you can try either without cost. Both use freemium pricing, so compare the tiers that match your team size and feature needs.
Are both Wire and sipgate GDPR compliant?
Yes. Both Wire and sipgate are European companies that store data within the EU/EEA and offer Data Processing Agreements. Neither is subject to the US CLOUD Act or FISA surveillance. Additionally, Wire holds ISO 27001 certification. For GDPR purposes, either option eliminates the legal risks associated with using US-based services.