WhatsApp vs Signal
Messaging Apps comparison: specs, VersusAnything Score, key differences and a clear recommendation.
WhatsApp and Signal are two of the most cross-shopped messaging apps right now, and the gap between them is narrower in some rows and wider in others than the marketing suggests. WhatsApp is the world's most-used messaging app, with end-to-end encryption by default, large communities and support on every major platform. Signal is the privacy benchmark: open-source, non-profit, end-to-end encrypted for everything, and it collects almost no metadata.
Quick verdict
WhatsApp scores 75 to Signal's 25 on our category weighting, making it the stronger overall pick for anyone who needs to reach the most people with encrypted chats. Signal remains the right call for journalists, activists and anyone who puts privacy first.
VersusAnything Score
Scores are calculated from measurable specifications normalised within the messaging apps category and weighted by the factors above. Text-only rows (such as chipset or operating system) are explained but not scored. How the score works.
Side-by-side overview
WhatsApp is the world's most-used messaging app, with end-to-end encryption by default, large communities and support on every major platform.
Best for anyone who needs to reach the most people with encrypted chats
Signal
Signal is the privacy benchmark: open-source, non-profit, end-to-end encrypted for everything, and it collects almost no metadata.
Best for journalists, activists and anyone who puts privacy first
Key differences
- End-to-end encryption: WhatsApp Yes, by default (Signal Protocol) vs Signal Yes, everything by default (Signal Protocol) — a preference, not a scored win
- Owned by: WhatsApp Meta vs Signal Signal Foundation (non-profit) — a preference, not a scored win
- Ads in the app: WhatsApp Status ads introduced 2025 vs Signal No ads — a preference, not a scored win
- Voice and video calls: WhatsApp Yes, up to 32 participants vs Signal Yes, group calls up to 50 — a preference, not a scored win
- Chat backup: WhatsApp Google Drive / iCloud, optional encrypted backup vs Signal Local encrypted backup (Android); secure backup optional — a preference, not a scored win
Specification comparison table
| Specification | Signal | |
|---|---|---|
| End-to-end encryption | Yes, by default (Signal Protocol) | Yes, everything by default (Signal Protocol) |
| Owned by | Meta | Signal Foundation (non-profit) |
| Ads in the app | Status ads introduced 2025 | No ads |
| Max group size | 1,024 members | 1,000 members |
| Max file size | 2 GB | 0.1 GB |
| Voice and video calls | Yes, up to 32 participants | Yes, group calls up to 50 |
| Chat backup | Google Drive / iCloud, optional encrypted backup | Local encrypted backup (Android); secure backup optional |
| Monthly active users | 3,000 million | 70 million |
| Platforms | iOS, Android, Web, Windows, macOS | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Price | Free | Free (donation-funded) |
Overall: WhatsApp vs Signal Score: WhatsApp 75 · Signal 25
The two differ on end-to-end encryption (Yes, by default (Signal Protocol) against Yes, everything by default (Signal Protocol)), and only true end-to-end encryption keeps the provider itself from reading your messages. The two differ on owned by (Meta against Signal Foundation (non-profit)), and ownership shapes privacy policy and business model. The two differ on ads in the app (Status ads introduced 2025 against No ads), and ads usually mean data is being used for targeting. WhatsApp leads on max group size with 1,024 members versus 1,000 members, a margin of 24 members. In practice group limits matter for communities, classes and events. The max file size row goes to WhatsApp: 2 GB against 0.1 GB. The file cap decides whether you can send full videos and large documents.
For voice and video calls, WhatsApp uses Yes, up to 32 participants whereas Signal goes with Yes, group calls up to 50. This is a preference rather than a scored win: call quality and group call size matter for families and remote teams. The two differ on chat backup (Google Drive / iCloud, optional encrypted backup against Local encrypted backup (Android); secure backup optional), and backup method decides whether your history survives a phone change and who can read it. WhatsApp leads on monthly active users with 3,000 million versus 70 million, a margin of 2,930 million. In practice an app is only useful if the people you know are on it. The two differ on platforms (iOS, Android, Web, Windows, macOS against iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux), and cross-platform support decides whether your whole family can use it. WhatsApp: Free. Signal: Free (donation-funded). Neither is scored, but most are free, but premium tiers unlock extras.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Over 3 billion users
- Encrypted by default
- Communities and Channels
- Better max group size (1,024 members)
- Better max file size (2 GB)
- Better monthly active users (3,000 million)
Cons
- No scored row lost in this matchup
Signal
Pros
- Non-profit and open source
- Minimal metadata collection
- Encrypted calls and groups
- Better max group size (1,000 members)
- Better max file size (0.1 GB)
- Better monthly active users (70 million)
Cons
- No scored row lost in this matchup
Which one should you buy?
Choose WhatsApp for…
Anyone who needs to reach the most people with encrypted chats. It stands out for over 3 billion users, encrypted by default, communities and channels.
Choose Signal for…
Journalists, activists and anyone who puts privacy first. It stands out for non-profit and open source, minimal metadata collection, encrypted calls and groups.
Final verdict
On the VersusAnything Score, WhatsApp finishes ahead, 75 to 25. It is the better buy for anyone who needs to reach the most people with encrypted chats; for journalists, activists and anyone who puts privacy first, Signal still makes more sense. The VersusAnything Score is a transparent starting point, not a command; weight the rows you care about and the right answer for you may differ.
Compare with another messaging app
Frequently asked questions
Is WhatsApp better than Signal?
On the VersusAnything Score, WhatsApp finishes ahead 75 to 25. That makes WhatsApp the better overall pick for anyone who needs to reach the most people with encrypted chats, while Signal is still the right choice for journalists, activists and anyone who puts privacy first.
What is the biggest difference between WhatsApp and Signal?
The largest gap is end-to-end encryption: WhatsApp lists Yes, by default (Signal Protocol) while Signal lists Yes, everything by default (Signal Protocol). Only true end-to-end encryption keeps the provider itself from reading your messages.
Who should choose Signal over WhatsApp?
Signal is the better fit for journalists, activists and anyone who puts privacy first. Its strongest points are non-profit and open source, minimal metadata collection, encrypted calls and groups.
Sources
- WhatsApp: Meta official (manufacturer)
- 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.