Since June 2025, a new law has been in effect in Russia: : banks and government agencies are no longer allowed to use foreign messengers like WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber to communicate with clients. This is done to protect citizens from fraudsters who often disguise themselves as bank employees.
Therefore, all banks now urgently need to switch to Russian solutions. And here an important question arises: which messenger to choose? After all, it must be convenient, safe, and meet all legal requirements. In this article, we will consider 8 domestic messengers that are suitable for the banking sector.
Why do banks need messengers?
Bank clients have long been accustomed to fast service. No one wants to call the call center and wait 15 minutes for an answer. It is much easier to write in the chat and get help right away. Messengers help:
- Quickly respond to clients;
- Connect chatbots and automate routine tasks;
- Reduce support costs;
- Provide internal communication between employees.
But for all this to work and not violate the law, the messenger must be included in the register of domestic software.
Using Russian messengers allows banks to:
- comply with legal requirements;
- ensure a high level of personal data protection;
- control communication channels with clients;
- reduce the risks of information leaks and cyber threats.
Let's see which platforms are capable of completing these tasks.
8 russian messengers for banks
eXpress — a corporate super app for business and banks
This is one of the most popular corporate messengers in Russia. Large and medium-sized companies, from government agencies to banks, choose eXpress. Messenger users include Russian Railways, Rosatom, the Investment Fund, the United CUPIS and other companies from the TOP-20 of the RBC-500.
Advantages:
Enhanced security. The platform is FSTEC certified, included in the register of domestic software, supports end-to-end encryption and protection of all data transmission channels. Can be installed on your servers (On-Premise). Integrated DLP leak control systems and SIEM incident monitoring systems. There is three-factor authentication, user activity auditing, and the ability to manage access at all levels via the Role Model.
Functionality: supports chats, channels, groups, as well as voice and video calls, file sharing, video conferences for 250+ participants, built-in mail, and Smart Apps. You can create automated scenarios — from FAQ bots to IT requests. The platform is suitable for both internal communication and communication with clients.
Usability: intuitive interface, mobile and desktop clients. Quickly implemented, easily adapted. There is a free version and a corporate one.
Scalability: Suitable for both small banking organizations and corporations with 100,000+. Supports the Federation model - you can combine branches, contractors, temporary participants into one network, but with full control.
Features: The functionality covers the needs of internal IT, customer support, and regulatory requirements. System updates are released stably every 2 weeks.
VK WorkSpace - a platform for communications and teamwork
This is an ecosystem from VK - chat, video conferences, tasks, documents.
Security: supports hosting on Russian servers, there is an option for On-Premise deployment. Built-in access control, encryption, and two-factor authentication tools.
Functionality: chats, calls, video calls, documents, calendars, tasks, and collaboration in one interface. Easily integrated with other VK products. There are APIs and automation tools.
Usability: the interface is familiar to users of VKontakte and other popular platforms, so adaptation is quite quick. There are mobile and desktop versions.
Scalability: works well in teams of 100 to 10,000 people.
Limitations: Partial dependence on the general VK ecosystem.
TrueConf — a platform for video conferencing with chats
Russian platform with an emphasis on video conferencing — VKS allows you to gather up to 1,500 participants.
Security: support for completely autonomous operation without the Internet, local installation, traffic encryption.
Functionality: the platform is based on video conferencing. There are chats, screen sharing, call recording, group meetings.
Convenience: the interface is simple, but it is designed for video communication, not for chats. Requires server resources and administration.
Scalability: good for large meetings, webinars, training.
Limitations: chats on this platform are secondary.
MTC Link — a domestic platform for business communications
MTS Link is a cloud messenger from MTS, focused on business. It offers basic communication functions: chats, video calls, channels and file sharing. It has a simple interface and quick installation.
Security: data is stored in the Russian MTS cloud. Basic security methods, HTTPS, authentication are used.
Functionality: chats, group and personal dialogues, video calls, channels, file sharing. There is centralized administration.
Convenience: works in the browser and through applications, the interface is simple. Quick to implement.
Scalability: Suitable for small and medium-sized banks, launches quickly and does not require serious IT support.
Limitations: No On-Premise, limited protection.
Bitrix24 — tasks, communication, automation
Bitrix24 is a universal business management platform that includes CRM, tasks, chats, video conferencing and automation. The messenger is only part of the system. It has wide capabilities and deep integrations, but requires time to master.
Security: Supports installation on your own servers, has access control tools, the ability to log and encrypt data. Compatible with external DLPs upon modification.
Functionality: a huge set — CRM, tasks, chats, calls, video communication, corporate portal, automation. There are tools for analytics, reports, notifications.
Convenience: a rich interface, available on all devices.
Scalability: suitable for companies of any size, but requires thoughtful setup and support.
Limitations: high cost of licenses, complexity for novice users. Ineffective if you only need a messenger.
Pachka is a messenger for small and medium teams
Pachka is called the Russian analogue of Slack. The platform is designed for teamwork and communication in projects.
Security: a cloud platform with basic encryption and authorization, runs on Russian servers, without On-Premise and advanced security systems.
Functionality: chats, video conferencing, channels, folders, task management, integration via API, a simple messenger with automation capabilities.
Convenience: quick registration, minimal entry threshold. Clear interface.
Scalability: suitable for small teams, startups and medium-sized businesses.
Limitations: no On-Premise, no integration with DLP.
Yandex Messenger — for communication in the Yandex ecosystem
Yandex Messenger is part of the Yandex 360 for business package. Provides chats, video calls, file sharing and integration with Yandex services (disk, mail, calendar).
Security: all data is stored in Yandex.Cloud in the Russian Federation. Standard encryption, HTTPS, login control.
Functionality: chats, video calls, documents, calendar, integration with Yandex services.
Usability: clear interface, quick access from the browser, support for mobile devices.
Scalability: works well in medium and large teams when using Yandex 360.
Limitations: only cloud hosting, no On-Premise, limited information protection, not suitable for banks with high information security requirements.
Time is a messenger built into business processes
Time is a corporate messenger developed by T-Bank (formerly Tinkoff). It is also used by more than 50,000 employees of this bank.
Advantages and key parameters:
Security: All data is encrypted, there is two-factor and single authorization, the ability to deploy On-Premise.
Functionality: Support for chats (including threads), channels, groups; there are deferred and regular messages, as well as built-in Workflow automation: support requests, HR processes, HR feedback, automatic reminders.
Interface convenience: users note the quick adaptation to the interface.
Scale and stability: Optimized use of resources under high loads is declared, there are cases for 300 users, 1500, and also for 50 thousand users.
Limitations: No video calls (only planned), no FSTEC certification.
How to choose a messenger bank: important criteria
The choice of messenger in the bank depends on the security of data, compliance with the law and the efficiency of internal processes. After the adoption of the law of June 1, 2025, the key requirement is the choice of a domestic platform that is included in the register of domestic software and supports hosting on its own servers (On-Premise). This allows you to meet the requirements of regulators, reduce the risk of leaks and ensure full control over the data.
It is also important to take into account the level of information security. Financial organizations work with sensitive information, so end-to-end encryption, user activity audit, DLP and SIEM support, and the ability to flexibly manage access are necessary. These mechanisms help prevent leaks by promptly identifying suspicious activity.
In addition to protection, the messenger must be able to effectively integrate into business processes: integrate with CRM, Service Desk, internal systems, support bots and automation of routine tasks. It should cope with high load, be accessible from both mobile devices and office workstations, and the interface should be intuitive for employees of all levels. If the platform is regularly updated and supported by technical support, it will be a reliable tool in the bank's IT infrastructure.
