The Best Signal AlternativesTop Instant Messengers & Video Calling Apps like Signal
Signal is described as 'An encrypted messaging app focused on privacy, supporting texts, calls, photos, videos, files, and group chats, with no ads or trackers' and is a leading instant messenger in the social & communications category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Signal for a variety of platforms, including Android, iPhone, Mac, Windows and Linux apps. The best Signal alternative is Element, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Signal are Tox, Wire, Matrix protocol and Session.
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Signal alternatives are mainly Instant Messengers but may also be Video Calling Apps or Group Chat Apps. Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Signal.- Instant Messenger
- Free • Open Source
705 likes299 Element alternativesProvides secure collaboration with end-to-end encryption, supporting chat, voice, and video calls. Available on all major platforms, it enables digital sovereignty with a decentralized design and interoperability through bridges to systems like Slack and Teams. Includes enterprise-grade SaaS.
License model
- Freemium • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Self-Hosted
- Matrix.org
- Flathub
- F-Droid
- Cloudron
Element VS Signal
Is Element a good alternative to Signal?
546 likes212 Tox alternativesWith the rise of widespread government monitoring programs, Tox is an easy to use application that allows you to connect with friends and loved ones without anyone else listening in.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- Android Tablet
- BSD
- F-Droid
Tox VS Signal
Is Tox a good alternative to Signal?Comments about Tox as an Alternative to Signal
naught101Tox is decentralised, so messages don't travel via a single server.
7Schnatt_Appsimple, easy to use, no phone number required
1iomezkTox is P2P, so you don't need to watch ads or pay for servers with your private data
2
306 likes279 Wire alternativesWire is the most secure collaboration platform featuring messenger, voice, video, conference calls, file-sharing, and external collaboration –all protected by the most secure end-to-end-encryption.
+2
License model
- Free Personal • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Self-Hosted
- F-Droid
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
Wire VS Signal
Is Wire a good alternative to Signal?Comments about Wire as an Alternative to Signal
jamiegrayBeautiful user interface, recommended by security researchers, open source
1Works fairly similarly, easy to use, very smooth for the most part, seems actually a little less buggy than signal at times.. I still prefer signal because of the fact that it's from openwhisper systems and I believe it to be the most secure of all the secure private messengers
2
349 likes160 Matrix alternativesMatrix defines a set of open APIs for decentralised communication, suitable for securely publishing, persisting and subscribing to data over a global open federation of servers with no single point of control.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Self-Hosted
- WebRTC
- Python
- JavaScript
- Go (Programming Language)
- Cloudron
- Java
- Perl
Matrix VS Signal
Is Matrix a good alternative to Signal?Comments about Matrix as an Alternative to Signal
cadetdc1t8xMatrix is a protocol that Element uses. Matrix does not replace the functionality that element offers
5James BrowneIts NOT alternative t signal. It is great and I love the Matrix protocol but not a messenger. Its a protocol a messenger could use... those are two distinctly different things.
3Melody MyszkowskaMatrix is a terrible and bloated protocol, and apart from this, it is not a good alternative to Signal. It is not a messenger that you could expect as an alternative and it is not viable for many reasons.
1
98 likes69 Session alternativesSession is the world's first open-source, decentralised private messenger to use industry-leading Signal Protocol encryption — without asking for your phone number.
+2
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- iPhone
- iPad
- F-Droid
Session VS Signal
Is Session a good alternative to Signal?Comments about Session as an Alternative to Signal
Comment summary: Session is often praised for its decentralized nature and not requiring a phone number, unlike Signal which is still centralized. Users appreciate the enhanced privacy features of Session, including its open-source nature and similar functionality to Signal. Some mention minor issues with sending pictures on Windows. While Signal is respected for its security, concerns exist about its centralized platform.Open SourceSession doesn't require your phone number. Also decentralized - the big advantage.
4It lacks Perfect Forward Secrecy which makes it not applicable to be a Signal competitor as it makes it vulnerable to Key Compromise Impersonation attacks.
-2Melody MyszkowskaIt is a great alternative, forked from Signal and also not requiring a phone number.
2
116 likes122 Threema alternativesThreema is a new mobile messaging app that puts security first. With true end-to-end encryption, you can rest assured that only you and the intended recipient can read your messages.
+5
License model
- Paid • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- HUAWEI AppGallery
- iPad
- F-Droid
Threema VS Signal
Is Threema a good alternative to Signal?Comments about Threema as an Alternative to Signal
aljasserUser keys are not generated by an algorithm, but by the user. You don't need to register a phone number or an email. A pin will be given to you and that will be enough to connect.
2Melody MyszkowskaA very good alternative, albeit paid. It requires you to buy it, which might not be a big issue to some, but it is a compromise. However, the app itself is open source, meaning you are not buying a cat in the bag.
0konsumschafIt is secure, the business plan is clear and it respects you privacy
0
253 likes145 Jitsi Meet alternativesGo ahead, video chat with the whole team. In fact, invite everyone you know. Jitsi Meet is a fully encrypted, 100% open source video conferencing solution that you can use all day, every day, for free.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Self-Hosted
- Apple Watch
- F-Droid
Jitsi Meet VS Signal
Is Jitsi Meet a good alternative to Signal?Comments about Jitsi Meet as an Alternative to Signal
Melody MyszkowskaJitsi is more focused, if not completely, on the video calling functionality. Signal is primarily for messaging. This is not a good alternative for Signal, but only for its video calls.
0saviour-simplesignal desktop should not be used due to massive vulnerabilities existing since 2018
-1
Comments about Element as an Alternative to Signal
No phone number. You can choose a good server, but communicate with all. You can run it over Tor. The app is easy to use but full of features, that Signal still dreams of. There are Apps for every platform, in every Form.
Decentralization and promotes home-servers
Element is decentralized, which makes it less conducive to honeypot scheme. compare to Signal (centralized, us-based servers, closed source server code, US govt funding)