Signal
Signal is the privacy benchmark: open-source, non-profit, end-to-end encrypted for everything, and it collects almost no metadata.
- Brand
- Signal Foundation
- Category
- Messaging Apps
- Released
- 2014
- Price
- Free (donation-funded)
- VersusAnything Score
- 25/100
Key features
- Non-profit and open source
- Minimal metadata collection
- Encrypted calls and groups
Best for journalists, activists and anyone who puts privacy first.
Signal specifications
| End-to-end encryption | Yes, everything by default (Signal Protocol) |
|---|---|
| Owned by | Signal Foundation (non-profit) |
| Ads in the app | No ads |
| Max group size | 1,000 members |
| Max file size | 0.1 GB |
| Voice and video calls | Yes, group calls up to 50 |
| Chat backup | Local encrypted backup (Android); secure backup optional |
| Monthly active users | 70 million |
| Platforms | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Price | Free (donation-funded) |
Score breakdown
- Overall (100%)
Scored against every messaging app in our database using the messaging apps weighting.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Non-profit and open source
- Minimal metadata collection
- Encrypted calls and groups
Cons
- Weaker overall score (25/100 within messaging apps)
Compare Signal against
Alternatives to Signal
- WhatsApp 75/100
- Telegram 79/100
- Facebook Messenger 29/100
- Discord 42/100
Sources
- Signal: Signal Foundation official (manufacturer)
Specifications last verified: 2026-10-01. Prices are launch or official list prices in US dollars unless stated. See our sources and data policy.