In 2026, the corporate communications market continues to move toward more convenient, secure and personalized tools. Users prioritize fast, protected communication, flexible interfaces and the ability to complete work tasks within one platform. These principles guide eXpress, a Russian platform combining messaging, video conferencing, SmartApps mini-applications and information security.
In 2026, the eXpress Federation surpassed 3.5 million users. This secure network uses a dedicated communication protocol that enables employees to communicate with colleagues on trusted corporate servers, whether within their group of companies or at other organizations, and securely connect with external eXpress users such as contractors, customers and partners, even when they do not use the corporate edition.
The eXpress team has focused on everyday convenience, attention management and expanded AI capabilities. Here are the platform's key updates.
Redesign and a new user experience
In spring 2026, eXpress unveiled redesigned web and desktop versions. A major outcome was a complete design system for consistent, large-scale product updates. It brought together visual elements and rules that had previously been fragmented and helped unify all platform services, from messaging and calls to SmartApps, email, calendar and internal file storage.
The redesign also changed several workflows. A new start hub offers buttons for creating chats and channels, scheduling conferences and starting an instant conference. A dedicated reminders interface allows users to configure how reminders appear, disappear and are grouped.
The chat list became more structured and intuitive, with clearer highlighting of discussion-starting messages. The redesign therefore improved both the appearance of the platform and how users interact with it.
A public beta version is also available, enabling users to try new features early and contribute to product development.
Security and performance
An additional warning now appears in chats between corporate and public users, helping prevent accidental interaction with phishing content and malicious attachments.
Corporate administrators can configure watermarks on media files saved to mobile devices or shared through the Share button. The watermark identifies the user who saved the file, its source and the time it was retrieved, improving control over sensitive materials.
The desktop version now offers performance settings for less powerful PCs. Users can optimize animations, graphics, memory and other parameters while retaining functionality.
Messaging and search improvements
Users can now mark chats as read with a single tap on the unread-message filter, making accumulated notifications easier to manage. They can also quote selected fragments of their own or other users’ messages in the current chat or in a direct conversation with the message author.
Users can share links to individual messages in chats or threads and search for messages by creation date directly from a date divider in a chat. Global search is now faster and more accurate, with filtering by date and author.
On mobile devices, multi-selection now enables bulk downloading, sharing, forwarding and deletion of messages.
Notification and content management
Mobile eXpress apps now allow users to mute individual chats for a set period and configure a global schedule for receiving notifications. This setting is also expected to reach the web and desktop versions soon, helping people manage their attention and maintain work–life balance.
The platform also allows links to chats, channels and conferences to be managed in one place. Administrators can control access to reduce the risk of uncontrolled sharing.
Calls and video conferencing updates
In 2026, eXpress significantly expanded its video conferencing capabilities, turning meetings into a source of structured work information as well as a communication tool.
Calls and conferences can now be recorded, and the system automatically generates transcripts, key takeaways and meeting minutes. Participants no longer need to take all their notes manually: discussions and agreements are documented for later reference.
Conference settings now include a virtual waiting room, or lobby. Guests following a meeting link enter the lobby first, and the organizer decides when to admit them. This separates possession of the link from actual conference access and helps prevent uninvited participants from joining.
Another major update is remote desktop control during a call. A participant sharing their screen can grant control to a colleague or request it, making document collaboration, employee training and troubleshooting easier without switching services.
New communication formats
In autumn 2026, eXpress introduced video circles: short video messages that can be recorded and sent from mobile devices directly in a chat and viewed in a convenient player on the web or desktop. They add emotion and visual context when text or voice is not enough.
The platform also introduced scheduled messages. Users can plan messages in channels and chats for a specific time, so a work question arising outside business hours reaches its recipient when they are ready to read and respond.
Upcoming features
eXpress plans to introduce the following features before the end of the year:
- transcribing voice messages into text,
- pinning multiple messages in chats and channels,
- reminders on mobile devices (already useful to desktop users),
- adding contacts to a blocklist,
- a presenter mode in conferences,
- threads in one-to-one chats.
eXpress continues to evolve into a complete secure workspace rather than just a messenger. The 2026 updates make everyday work more comfortable, offer greater control over information and attention, and lay the groundwork for intelligent support of workplace communication.