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Open Source Signal Alternatives

The best open source alternative to Signal is Element. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Signal and loads of them is open source so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to Signal are Tox, Wire, Jitsi Meet and Matrix.org.

Signal alternatives are mainly Instant Messengers but may also be Encrypted Chat Apps or Group Chat Apps. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Signal.
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Signal iconSignal
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  • Flathub
  • Ubuntu
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Signal is a messaging app with an unexpected focus on privacy, combined with all the features expected from a modern IM...

Learn more about Signal
  1. Element icon

    Element

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    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Matrix.org
    • Cloudron
    • F-Droid
    • FLATHUB
    261 alternatives to Element 

    Element is a secure collaboration and messaging app based on the Matrix protocol. It’s decentralised to deliver digital sovereignty, and based on an open standard for easy connections and interoperability. It is end-to-end encrypted by default.

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  DecentralizedElement is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
    2.  End-to-End EncryptionElement has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
    3.  Privacy focusedElement is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
    4.  VoiP CallsElement allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
    5.  Support for MarkDownElement supports MarkDown for document formatting.
    6.  File VersioningElement has a version system that lets you view and go back to older versions of the project/file/document.
    7.  No TrackingElement will not track you or use your personal data.
    8.  Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Element simultaneously.
    9.  DRM FreeNo Digital rights management (DRM), i.e. no copy protection.
    Video calls for desktop and mobile
    Collaboration widgets
    Collaboration and screen sharing
    Element vs Signal opinions
    Almost everyone thinks Element is a great alternative to Signal.
    CatarinaTeles

    Decentralization and promotes home-servers

    Positive comment• ago
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    4
    LinuxDoge

    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.

    Positive comment• ago
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  2. Tox icon

    Tox

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    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    179 alternatives to Tox 

    With 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.

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  DecentralizedTox is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
    2.  Privacy focusedTox is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
    3.  End-to-End EncryptionTox has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
    4.  No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Tox without registration.
    5.  Screen SharingYou can use Tox to share your screen with your colleages or friends.
    6.  LightweightTox consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
    7.  No TrackingTox will not track you or use your personal data.
    8.  Dark ModeTox supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
    9.  AES-256 EncryptionTox has AES-256 Encryption, i.e. very strong security.
    The Universal Tox Client. A Tox client that runs on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac OSX, Linux, FreeBSD & the web. Written in JS using React & React Native / electron.
    qTox. A Tox client developed in C++ with the Qt framework
    uTox. A Tox client written in C using OS primitives to draw it's interface
    Tox vs Signal opinions
    Most users think Tox is a great alternative to Signal.
    iomezk

    Tox is P2P, so you don't need to watch ads or pay for servers with your private data

    Positive comment• ago
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    naught101

    Tox is decentralised, so messages don't travel via a single server.

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    5
  4. Wire icon

    Wire

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    • Mac
    • Windows
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    • Online
    • Android
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    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    256 alternatives to Wire 

    Wire 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.

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  End-to-End EncryptionWire has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
    2.  VoiP CallsWire allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
    3.  Screen SharingYou can use Wire to share your screen with your colleages or friends.
    4.  Privacy focusedWire is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
    5.  Multiple Account supportWire support multiple accounts without the need to logout and login
    Screenshot
    Screenshot
    Screenshot
    Wire vs Signal opinions
    Most users think Wire is a great alternative to Signal.
    Guest

    Works 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

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    1
    jamiegray

    Beautiful user interface, recommended by security researchers, open source

    Positive comment• ago
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  5. Jitsi Meet icon

    Jitsi Meet

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    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Apple Watch
    • F-Droid
    121 alternatives to Jitsi Meet 

    Go 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 — with no account needed.

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Jitsi Meet without registration.
    2.  End-to-End EncryptionJitsi Meet has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
    3.  Screen SharingYou can use Jitsi Meet to share your screen with your colleages or friends.
    4.  Ad-freeJitsi Meet doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
    5.  No TrackingJitsi Meet will not track you or use your personal data.
    6.  LightweightJitsi Meet consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
    Screenshot
    Screenshot
  6. Matrix.org icon

    Matrix.org

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    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
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    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • WebRTC
    • Python
    • JavaScript
    • Go (Programming Language)
    • Cloudron
    • Java
    • Perl
    130 alternatives to Matrix.org 

    Matrix 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.

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  DecentralizedMatrix.org is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
    2.  End-to-End EncryptionMatrix.org has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
    3.  VoiP CallsMatrix.org allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
    4.  Multiple Account supportMatrix.org support multiple accounts without the need to logout and login
    5.  Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Matrix.org simultaneously.
    Main Page
    Matrix.org vs Signal opinions
    Most users think Matrix.org is a great alternative to Signal.
    cadetdc1t8x

    Matrix is a protocol that Element uses. Matrix does not replace the functionality that element offers

    Negative comment• ago
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    Pachem

    Its 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.

    Negative comment• ago
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    0
  8. Session icon

    Session

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    • Mac
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    • Linux
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    • F-Droid
    • iPad
    47 alternatives to Session 

    Session is the world's first open-source, decentralised private messenger to use industry-leading Signal Protocol encryption — without asking for your phone number.

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  DecentralizedSession is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
    2.  End-to-End EncryptionSession has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
    3.  Privacy focusedSession is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
    4.  No TrackingSession will not track you or use your personal data.
    Screenshot
    Screenshot
    Screenshot
    Session vs Signal opinions
    Almost everyone thinks Session is a great alternative to Signal.
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    Pachem

    Its super secure.. Its easy to use. Its a good alternative.

    Top positive comment• ago
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    1
    rikich

    Session doesn't require your phone number. Also decentralized - the big advantage.

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    1
    zzu

    It checks all the boxes. it is THE private messaging platform.

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    0
    Guest

    I like the app because it routes you like what Tor does with its browser.

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    1
    Guest

    It's more secure and it's decentralised. Also you don't need a mobile phone to register, which is great.

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    1
    kylepiira

    It's basically Signal but without phone numbers

    Positive comment• ago
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    1
    alexblinton

    Doesn't requite a phone number

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    7 of 11 comments
  9. Jami icon

    Jami

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    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    138 alternatives to Jami 

    Jami (formerly GNU Ring, SFLphone) positions itself as a potential free Skype replacement

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  DecentralizedJami is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
    2.  Privacy focusedJami is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
    3.  Ad-freeJami doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
    4.  End-to-End EncryptionJami has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
    5.  Screen SharingYou can use Jami to share your screen with your colleages or friends.
    Jami video conference OS X
    Jami conference call Linux
    Jami screensharing Linux
    Jami vs Signal opinions
    pros, cons and recent comments
    Guest

    It's versatile and safer!

    Positive comment• ago
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  10. Keybase icon

    Keybase

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    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Ruby
    • JavaScript
    • Go (Programming Language)
    • Java
    • Tor
    • iPad
    61 alternatives to Keybase 

    Keybase is a new and free security app for mobile phones and computers. For the geeks among us: it's open source and powered by public-key cryptography.

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  End-to-End EncryptionKeybase has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
    2.  PGP EncryptionKeybase supports PGP, an encryption system used for sending encrypted emails and files.
    3.  Git SupportKeybase supports Git, a free and open source distributed version control system.
    4.  Self Destructing MessagesKeybase supports the use of private messages that will be auto deleted according to a specified time or action.
    5.  Encrypted BackupKeybase uses encryption algorithms to keep your files safe as well as prevent unauthorized access.
    6.  GPG EncryptionKeybase supports GPG (aka GnuPG) for encryption of things like emails, messages, files, etc.
    7.  Ad-freeKeybase doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
    Screenshot
    Screenshot
    Screenshot
    Keybase vs Signal opinions
    Almost everyone thinks Keybase is a great alternative to Signal.
    Guest

    It doesn't need telephone number

    Positive comment• ago
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    5
  11. Zulip icon

    Zulip

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    • Mac
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    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
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    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    219 alternatives to Zulip 

    Zulip is a group chat app in which messages are threaded by topic, helping you have long-running, organized conversations. Zulip's threading makes it easy for people not always on chat (like managers, remote team members, contractors, part-time workers, etc) to weigh in on...

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  Support for MarkDownZulip supports MarkDown for document formatting.
    2.  Syntax HighlightingZulip supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
    Screenshot
    Screenshot
  12. Threema icon

    Threema

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    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    97 alternatives to Threema 

    Threema 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.

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  End-to-End EncryptionThreema has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
    2.  Privacy focusedThreema is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
    3.  No TrackingThreema will not track you or use your personal data.
    4.  Ad-freeThreema doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
    5.  Encrypted BackupThreema uses encryption algorithms to keep your files safe as well as prevent unauthorized access.
    Screenshot
    Screenshot
    Screenshot
    Threema vs Signal opinions
    Most users think Threema is a great alternative to Signal.
    aljasser

    User 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.

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    Guest

    Threema's web component is open source.

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    -1
    Guest

    You don’t need to associate your account with a number or email.

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    konsumschaf

    It is secure, the business plan is clear and it respects you privacy

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    -1
Showing 10 of 91 alternatives
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