The eternal quest for a truly private messaging app!

While there isn't a single "better" alternative to Telegram, there are some other encrypted messaging apps that prioritize user privacy. Keep in mind that even with these apps, no encryption is perfect, and there may be vulnerabilities or backdoors that could compromise your data.

Here are a few options you might consider:

1. **Signal**: Signal is widely regarded as one of the most secure messaging apps available. It uses end-to-end encryption for all communications, and its open-source codebase has been audited by security experts. Signal also supports groups, file sharing, and voice/video calls.

2. **Wire**: Wire is a encrypted messaging app that focuses on security and transparency. It uses the ZRTP protocol for secure communication and provides detailed information about its encryption process. Wire also offers group conversations, video conferencing, and screen sharing.

3. **Threema**: Threema is a Swiss-based encrypted messaging app that prioritizes user privacy. It uses end-to-end encryption for all communications and doesn't store any metadata or content on their servers. Threema also supports groups, file sharing, and voice/video calls.

4. **WhatsApp (with some caveats)**: WhatsApp has made significant strides in improving its security features in recent years, including the implementation of end-to-end encryption for all messages. However, it's worth noting that WhatsApp is owned by Facebook, which has faced criticism for its data collection practices. If you're concerned about Facebook's privacy policies, you may want to consider one of the other options.

5. **Matrix**: Matrix is an open-source communication platform that allows users to communicate securely over the internet. It uses end-to-end encryption and doesn't store any metadata or content on their servers. Matrix supports multiple messaging apps, including Riot and Element.

When evaluating these alternatives, keep in mind the following factors:

* **End-to-end encryption**: Ensure that the app encrypts messages between your device and the recipient's device only.

* **Open-source codebase**: Look for apps with open-source codebases that have been audited by security experts to ensure there are no backdoors or vulnerabilities.

* **No metadata collection**: Check if the app collects any metadata, such as message timestamps or location data.

* **Transparency and accountability**: Research the company's transparency and accountability policies regarding user data.

Ultimately, while these alternatives may offer more robust security features than Telegram, it's essential to remain vigilant and regularly review an app's policies and practices.