It seems like I constantly see “X secure messaging option is actually bullshit because it was purchased by Dr. Evil and Y is actually just e-mailing your messages directly to Xi Jinping.”
Is there an authoritatively “best” one I can just…download and setup easily? Is Signal good? Or do I need to solder a Raspberry Pi to the flux modulator of my home Linux NAS GUI, etc…?
Its best not to use a phone at all honestly. The keyboard app on most phones that are default still gives info to apple/google. So even if you use signal, the data goes over. You can side-load apps that take that over (even better if you don’t use base android OS at all). But I dont know your situation.
I know your joking but the most secure that is still usable is probably an encrypted home server and using something like irc/XMPP. A pi with yunohost can do wonders.
Security is a spectrum so you have to chose how much inconvenience is best for your situation.
The question says “for my phone”.
Also by your logic why use a PC, just don’t use the internet at all.
All of my suggestions are for the phone? I don’t understand the confusion.