HuddleA private alternative to Marco Polo — actually encrypted.
Marco Polo stores your videos on its own servers. Huddle is end-to-end encrypted, so only your people can ever see them. Made in Germany, free forever.
The difference that matters: encryption
By its own account, Marco Polo does not use end-to-end encryption — it encrypts data in transit and at rest, which means the provider can access your videos on its servers. Huddle is end-to-end encrypted with the Signal Protocol: everything is encrypted on your device before it ever reaches us, so only you and your circle hold the keys. Not even we can see your memories.
Side by side
| Huddle | Marco Polo | |
|---|---|---|
| End-to-end encrypted | ✓ Signal Protocol | ✗ in transit / at rest only |
| Who can read your content | Only your circle | The provider can |
| Video messages | ✓ | ✓ |
| Photos, voice notes, lists | ✓ | Video-first |
| Memories timeline & albums | ✓ | ✗ |
| Circle size | Up to 7 | Groups |
| Made in | Germany · GDPR | USA |
| Price | Free · optional storage | Free + paid plan |
More than video
Marco Polo is built around video walkie-talkie messages. Huddle keeps your whole shared life — photos in original quality, voice notes, videos, notes and lists, on a memories timeline you can actually come back to — for up to seven of your closest people.
Common questions
Is Marco Polo end-to-end encrypted?
No. Marco Polo has said it doesn't use end-to-end encryption so it can recover your videos from its servers if you lose your phone — which also means the provider can access them. Huddle is end-to-end encrypted with the Signal Protocol.
What's a private alternative to Marco Polo?
Huddle — end-to-end encrypted, made in Germany, ad-free and free forever. It keeps video, photos, voice notes and memories for your closest circle of up to seven.
Does Huddle have video?
Yes — share videos, plus photos in original quality, voice messages, notes and lists, all end-to-end encrypted.
Is Huddle free?
Every feature is free forever; only extra storage is optional. No ads, no tracking, no selling your data.