86points
Signal
©Signal
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Signal review: 59 facts and highlights
After making headlines in early 2021 as a safer alternative to WhatsApp, Signal has gained quite a bit of traction in the world of messaging apps. What’s the difference between Signal and WhatsApp in terms of safety? We’ve got the details.
First and foremost, Signal is a secure messaging app that focuses on offering maximum privacy to prevent third parties from intercepting your communications. Signal’s proprietary end-to-end encryption protocol (Open Whispers Systems) means that they’re in control of the security features they’re offering. The protocol ensures that messages are already encrypted from your phone and are only decrypted when they reach the destination mobile. Furthermore, Signal is an open-source app. The Signal code is available to any developer, meaning that the app’s creators are pretty transparent about the safety and security level they’re offering.
Now, how does Signal compare to WhatsApp? It offers all of the same features you can expect to get out of WhatsApp and more. This includes the ability to send videos, voice messages, GIFs, and even your live location. What it adds to its offerings that WhatsApp doesn’t, however, is the ability to send temporary images and text messages.
Perhaps the biggest difference between Signal and WhatsApp in terms of safety is the fact that Signal does not collect your data when you use the app; it only collects your phone number. Add that to a few other cool features such as face-blurring antisurveillance tools and blank notification pop-up for your privacy, and it’s easy to see why Signal is the winner.
Signal
Why is Signal better than the average?
- Rating on Google Play?
4.5vs4.17 - Rating on Apple's App Store?
4.7vs4
User reviews
Overall Rating
Features
Reliability
9.7/10
3 votes
Speed
8.3/10
3 votes
Popularity
6.0/10
3 votes
User-friendly interface
9.7/10
3 votes
Privacy
9.7/10
3 votes
General info
Available on PC
✔Signal
These services are ideal if you want to use the app while sat down at your computer, as well as on-the-go.
Free app
✔Signal
You can download the app for free, from platforms such as Google Play or the App Store.
Ad-free
✔Signal
Adverts can be distracting and obtrusive. Apps and blogs without ads are more aesthetically pleasing, nicer to use, and make the content stand out.
Is compatible with Android
✔Signal
It is compatible with a range of Android devices such as smartphones and tablets.
Is compatible with iOS
✔Signal
It is compatible with a range of iOS devices such as iPhones, iPads and the iPod Touch.
The app has a higher rating on Google Play, showing the overall quality of the app and user satisfaction. The lowest score is 1, with 5 being the highest.
The app has a higher rating on Apple’s App Store. The rating measures the overall quality of the app and user satisfaction. The score ranges from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest).
Can be personalised
✔Signal
You can personalize the appearance of the app - for example, choosing a different theme or colors.
The app is business oriented
✖Signal
This means that it has been designed especially for professional use. It offers a more serious design, often with tailored features and increased security.
Security
Has end-to-end encryption
✔Signal
End-to-end encryption protects data between two communicating parties and ensures that only the intended receiver can access the unencrypted information.
End-to-end encryption is enabled on all chats by default. This differs from other apps which only encrypt messages if the user specifically turns it on.
has screenshot detection
✔Signal
Screenshot detection is a safety feature that allows users to receive notifications when someone screenshots their messages. Often used in secure messaging apps, screenshot detection ensures that your messages and data stay safe.
has encrypted group chats
✔Signal
The app supports end-to-end encryption in group chats.
Has Facebook sign-in option
✖Signal
Signing in with your Facebook account can be faster and easier if you don’t want to spend time filling in a registration page.
Has Twitter sign-in option
✖Signal
Signing in with your Twitter account can be faster and easier if you don’t want to spend time on a registration page.
Has privacy options
✔Signal
You can change your privacy settings so that not all content is available for public viewing.
The app is not connected to your phone number, so you can use it on devices such as tablets without needing a SIM card.
Doesn’t require account
✖Signal
The app doesn't require you to make an account in order to log in and use the app.
Messaging features
You can see when someone has opened your message, so you know whether or not it has been read yet.
Shows that someone is typing
✔Signal
You can see when someone is typing a reply, which can prevent confusion.
You can see the activity history – e.g., “User last active yesterday at 9:30.”
You can delete past messages, for example if they contain confidential or private information.
You can show that you are, for instance, busy or away. This is ideal if you are working but want to stay available for important messages.
Send audio voice clips
✔Signal
You can send a pre-recorded voice message.
Has temporary text messages
✔Signal
You can send a text message which will delete itself after a short time, so that it won't be saved on the other person’s device.
Has temporary images
✔Signal
You can send an image which will delete itself after a short time, so that it won't be saved on the other person’s device.
Has two-way video chat
✔Signal
You can have a one-on-one conversation with video.
Content sharing
You can send documents
✔Signal
You can send documents using the app.
Has search option
✔Signal
If you need to find something specific, you can search your data for certain keywords.
Has image preview
✔Signal
You can see a small thumbnail of an image before opening it.
You can send videos
✔Signal
You can send videos with the app.
You can send music files
✔Signal
You can share music files with your friends.
can draw on photos
✔Signal
You can create and share fun pictures with your own doodles on.
Captioning
✔Signal
You can add captions and titles to your photos.
Can archive your old data
✔Signal
When you archive old data, it will go into a special folder in case you ever need it. This means it is out of the way, but not deleted forever.
Has fun stickers
✔Signal
Stickers are a quick and fun way to communicate.
Contacts
It uses “two-way opt-in”
✖Signal
This means that you have to add or accept contacts before being able to message. It prevents strangers sending you unwanted messages.
This means you can easily access and communicate with contacts from your existing phonebook.
You can send a contact stamp
✔Signal
You can quickly and conveniently forward a person’s contact details on. This is a lot easier than finding their number and typing it into a message.
Contact any app user
✖Signal
You can browse and contact any of your fellow app users.
Has favorite contacts
✔Signal
With favorite contacts you have quick access to the people who you communicate with most.
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Comments
John
10 months ago
10 / 10
Signal is the best because it's privacy focused.
John
10 months ago
10 / 10
I use signal because YOUR privacy is their number 1 priority. They only collect your phone number, time of registration and the last time you connected to their service. they don't collect anything else. they encrypt all your messages and even they can't read them.
Pros
Cons
Max
5 months ago
9 / 10
Sehr guter Messenger!
Max
5 months ago
9 / 10
Sehr gut Ich finde aber nicht so schön, dass mir manche Nachrichten erst angezeigt werden, wenn ich in die App reingehe.
Zachary
1 month ago
10 / 10
LOVE THERE PRIVACY
Zachary
1 month ago
10 / 10