Wire vs Teamwire

Both Wire and Teamwire are European-built, GDPR-compliant solutions in the messaging & chat 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

Headquarters: Zug, CH
Pricing: Free
Open Source: Yes

Teamwire

Headquarters: Munich, DE
Pricing: From €3/mo
Open Source: No

Key Differences

Wire offers a free tier, while teamwire starts at €3/month. This makes Wire more accessible for individuals and small teams exploring their options before committing.
Wire is open source, meaning you can audit the code, self-host, and avoid vendor lock-in. Teamwire 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 Teamwire hosts in Germany. If your organisation requires data to stay in a specific EU country, this distinction matters for compliance.
Each product has unique strengths: Wire offers End-to-end encrypted messaging and Encrypted voice and video calls, while Teamwire provides End-to-end encryption and Group messaging. Your choice depends on which capabilities matter most for your workflow.

Feature Comparison

Feature	Wire	Teamwire
Name	Wire	Teamwire
Pricing	Free	From €3/mo
Free Tier
GDPR
ISO 27001
Open Source
Headquarters	Zug, CH	Munich, 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
End-to-end encryption
Group messaging
Status messages
File sharing
Admin dashboard
MDM integration
On-premises option
Compliance archiving

Pricing Comparison

Wire

Free

freemium

Teamwire

From €3/mo

subscription

Compliance Comparison

Wire

GDPRISO 27001DPA

Teamwire

GDPRISO 27001DPA

Get Started

Try Wire

End-to-end encrypted collaboration platform

Visit Wire

Try Teamwire

Secure enterprise messenger made in Germany

Visit Teamwire

How to Choose

You need code transparency or self-hosting

Choose Wire

You want a fully managed, turnkey solution

Choose Teamwire

You're a startup or individual on a budget

Choose Wire

You need enterprise-grade support and stability

Choose Wire

You prefer a nimble provider with personalised support

Choose Teamwire

Wire vs Teamwire — FAQ

What is the main difference between Wire and Teamwire?

Both Wire and Teamwire are European messaging & chat solutions with full GDPR compliance. The key differences lie in their approach: Wire is open source while Teamwire is proprietary, and Wire uses freemium pricing while Teamwire uses subscription. Wire is headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, while Teamwire is based in Munich, Germany. Your choice should depend on your specific requirements for features, pricing, and data residency.

Which is more affordable, Wire or Teamwire?

Wire offers a free tier, while teamwire starts at €3/month. Pricing models differ (freemium vs. subscription), so compare based on your usage pattern rather than just the starting price.

Are both Wire and Teamwire GDPR compliant?

Yes. Both Wire and Teamwire 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 and Teamwire hold ISO 27001 certification. For GDPR purposes, either option eliminates the legal risks associated with using US-based services.