Alternatives to Signal
The reference E2E encrypted messenger, nonprofit-run
Signal ranks #8 of 11 in Personal messaging, with an Alt Score of 74. It is licensed under AGPL-3.0, free and available on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS and Linux. 11 of 12 checklist rows are verified against a public source.
People who want private conversations with friends, family, or colleagues without their messages, calls, or metadata being surveilled or monetized — anyone who wants privacy to be the default, not an opt-in setting.
End-to-end encrypted text messaging, voice and video calls, group chats, and file/photo/video sharing, all secured by the open-source Signal Protocol. There are no ads, no trackers, and no data sold to third parties. Calls run over data instead of carrier minutes, and Signal is built and maintained by an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit funded by grants and donations rather than advertising revenue. Available on Android, iPhone, iPad, Windows, Mac, and Linux with messages synced across devices.
Install the app and register with a phone number, then message or call other Signal users directly over your data connection — every conversation is end-to-end encrypted automatically, with no separate setting to turn privacy on.
Where Signal stands out
Verified capabilities most alternatives don't have.
Why people leave Signal
Dashed reasons are sourced facts; the rest are opinions. Vendors can dispute.
Sign in to add a reason — new reasons go through moderation before appearing.
Ranked alternatives
Ordered by Alt Score. Click any score to see the breakdown.
Feature comparison
Rows come from the Personal messaging checklist (16 rows). Human-verified cells only. ? means the value has not been verified.
| Personal messaging checklist | Signal | Delta Chat | Jami | SimpleX Chat | Telegram | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | ||||||
| Starts at | ||||||
| License | ||||||
| Platforms | ||||||
| E2E encryption by default | ||||||
| E2E optional | ||||||
| Voice calls | ||||||
| Video calls | ||||||
| Phone number required | ||||||
| Username-only signup | ||||||
| Federation / decentralized | ||||||
| Message editing & deletion | ||||||
| Disappearing messages | ||||||
| Reactions | ||||||
| Multi-device without phone | ||||||
| Backup & export of history |
Every fact and feature listed for Signal is verified against its own pages. Each alternative is sourced on its own page.
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Platforms iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux verified 2026-07-11
Signal for Mobile Android iPhone or iPad
https://signal.org/download/ -
License AGPL-3.0 verified 2026-07-11
GNU AFFERO GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE Version 3, 19 November 2007
https://github.com/signalapp/Signal-Android/blob/main/LICENSE -
Pricing model Free verified 2026-07-11
Signal is free to use and there are no ads, no affiliate marketers, and no tracking in Signal.
https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/5286774014362-Cost-to-use-Signal -
Status active verified 2026-07-11
As Signal is an independent nonprofit, development is supported by grants and donations from people like you.
https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/5286774014362-Cost-to-use-Signal -
E2E encryption by default Yes verified 2026-07-11
Signal conversations are always end-to-end encrypted, which means that they can only be read or heard by your intended recipients.
https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/360007320391-Is-it-private-Can-I-trust-it -
E2E optional No verified 2026-07-11
Privacy isn’t an optional mode — it’s just the way that Signal works. Every message, every call, every time.
https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/360007320391-Is-it-private-Can-I-trust-it -
Voice calls Yes verified 2026-07-11
Like all Signal messages, voice and video calls are private too.
https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/360007060492-Voice-or-Video-Calling -
Video calls Yes verified 2026-07-11
Like all Signal messages, voice and video calls are private too.
https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/360007060492-Voice-or-Video-Calling -
Phone number required Yes verified 2026-07-11
Signal uses your existing phone number. The number must be able to receive an insecure SMS or phone call.
https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/360007318691-Register-a-phone-number -
Username-only signup Partial verified 2026-07-11
Create a username to share instead of or in addition to using your phone number to connect on Signal.
https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/6712070553754-Phone-Number-Privacy-and-Usernames -
Message editing & deletion Yes verified 2026-07-11
You can edit any message you have originally sent up to 10 times within 24 hours of sending.
https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/6255134251546-Edit-Message -
Disappearing messages Yes verified 2026-07-11
Use disappearing messages to keep your message history tidy. The message will disappear from your devices after the timer has elapsed.
https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/360007320771-Set-and-manage-disappearing-messages -
Reactions Yes verified 2026-07-11
Quickly reply to messages with emoji reactions.
https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/360039929972-Message-Reactions -
Multi-device without phone Partial verified 2026-07-11
You can link Signal Desktop or Signal iPad to your phone. After linking, your phone does not have to be online for the linked device to work.
https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/360007320551-Linked-Devices -
Backup & export of history Partial verified 2026-07-11
On-device backups , available on Android and Desktop only, create encrypted backup files stored locally on your device and protected by a passphrase.
https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/10074659364122-Backups-and-Device-Transfers-on-Signal
FAQ
Yes. Delta Chat, Jami and Telegram have a free tier or are fully free. Free-tier limits in the comparison table are verified and dated.
Delta Chat, Jami and SimpleX Chat — every license claim links its source.