The Best Open Source Signal AlternativesTop Instant Messengers & Video Calling Apps like Signal

The best open source alternative to Signal is Element. It's not free, so if you're looking for a free alternative, you could try Element or Tox. 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 Matrix, Threema, Session and SimpleX Chat.

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Signal alternatives are mainly Instant Messengers, but if you're looking for Encrypted Chat Apps or Group Chat Apps you can filter on that. Other popular filters include EU, Open Source, Blackberry, Encrypted Chat, Apple Watch, Instant Messaging and Android Tablet. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Signal.
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Alternatives list

  1. Element icon

    Element

     784 likes

    Provides 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.

    311 Element alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Matrix.org
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Cloudron
    • Snapcraft
    Video calls for desktop and mobile
     
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    4
    Element vs Signal Comments
    LinuxDoge
    Positive
    3

    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.

    CatarinaTeles
    Positive
    8

    Decentralization and promotes home-servers

    Guest
    Positive
    0

    It offers encrypted communication with a bonus of decentralized infrastructure.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 4 comments
    • Element is Free Personal and Open SourceSignal is Free and Open Source
  2. Tox icon

    Tox

     560 likes

    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.

    216 Tox alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • F-Droid
    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.
     
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    4
    Tox vs Signal Comments
    naught101
    Positive
    7

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

    Schnatt_App
    Positive
    1

    simple, easy to use, no phone number required

    Guest
    Negative
    0

    It doesn't have Perfect Forward Secrecy which makes it not applicable to be a Signal competitor as it makes it vulnerable to Key Compromise Impersonation attacks. It also requires those who want to communicate to be online at the same time. Also it is no longer truly multi platform, as there is no client for iOS.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 4 comments
    • Tox is Free and Open SourceSignal is also Free and Open Source
  4. Wire icon

    Wire

     319 likes

    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.

    284 Wire alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Flathub
    • Snapcraft
    Wire screenshot 1
     
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    2
    Wire vs Signal Comments
    jamiegray
    Positive
    1

    Beautiful user interface, recommended by security researchers, open source

    Guest
    Positive
    2

    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

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Wire is Free Personal and Open SourceSignal is Free and Open Source
  5. Matrix icon

    Matrix

     390 likes

    Open standard protocol enabling decentralized, encrypted instant messaging, VoIP signaling, IoT device connectivity, and persistent data management across federated servers without central control or single points of failure, bridging communication platforms.

    170 Matrix alternatives

    Cost / License

    • 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
    Main Page
     
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    4
    Matrix vs Signal Comments
    cadetdc1t8x
    Negative
    5

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

    James Browne
    Negative
    3

    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.

    RemovedUser
    Negative
    1

    Matrix 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.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 4 comments
    • Matrix is Free and Open SourceSignal is also Free and Open Source
  6. Threema icon

    Threema

     137 likes

    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.

    125 Threema alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • F-Droid
    • Flathub
    Threema screenshot 1
     
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    5
    Threema vs Signal Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    aljasser
    2

    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.

    RemovedUser
    Positive
    0

    A 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.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    konsumschaf
    Positive
    0

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

    3 of 5 comments
    • Threema is Paid and Open SourceSignal is Free and Open Source
  7. Session icon

    Session

     123 likes

    Decentralized messenger featuring end-to-end encryption for individual and group chats, no registration needed, no tracking or metadata logs, IP address protection, secure attachment sharing, multi-device sync, dark mode, open-source code, and ad-free use.

    73 Session alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    Session screenshot 1
     
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    16
    Session vs Signal Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    Open Source
    6

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

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    -2

    It lacks Perfect Forward Secrecy which makes it not applicable to be a Signal competitor as it makes it vulnerable to Key Compromise Impersonation attacks.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    RemovedUser
    Positive
    2

    It is a great alternative, forked from Signal and also not requiring a phone number.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 16 comments
    • Session is Free and Open SourceSignal is also Free and Open Source
  9. SimpleX Chat icon

    SimpleX Chat

     93 likes

    SimpleX - the most private and secure chat and applications platform - now with double ratchet E2E encryption! Built on Haskell with Love and Coffee.

    69 SimpleX Chat alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Self-Hosted
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Flatpak
    SimpleX Chat screenshot 1
     
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    1
    SimpleX Chat vs Signal Comments
    cricky
    Positive
    1

    SimpleX provides a similar experience to Signal with enhanced privacy

    • SimpleX Chat is Free and Open SourceSignal is also Free and Open Source
  10. Jitsi Meet icon

    Jitsi Meet

     287 likes

    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.

    150 Jitsi Meet alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Apple Watch
    • F-Droid
    Jitsi Meet screenshot 1
     
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    2
    Jitsi Meet vs Signal Comments
    RemovedUser
    Negative
    0

    Jitsi 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.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    saviour-simple
    Positive
    -1

    signal desktop should not be used due to massive vulnerabilities existing since 2018

    • Jitsi Meet is Free and Open SourceSignal is also Free and Open Source
  11. Jami icon

    Jami

     237 likes

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

    163 Jami alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Jami video conference OS X
     
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    1
    Jami vs Signal Comments
    RemovedUser
    Positive
    0

    Jami is great, open source and most importantly works well. It is not as secure as others, albeit still perfectly viable as a solution. Yet there is not enough security research to make it an instant swap, for example.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Jami is Free and Open SourceSignal is also Free and Open Source
  12. Briar icon

    Briar

     112 likes

    An open-source decentralized and encrypted messaging app even without internet connection via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Messages are stored securely on your device, not in the cloud. Connect directly with nearby contacts - no Internet access is required.

    78 Briar alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    Briar screenshot 1
     
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    2
    Briar vs Signal Comments
    RemovedUser
    Positive
    0

    Sadly, Briar is very limited to platforms. It mainly supports Android, with some preliminary desktop support. This is not enough for a messaging app. Briar Desktop is time limited anyway, so its a pain to use as an alternative currently.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    davyto
    Negative
    1

    Only for Android, no iOS or PC. It might be cool for some use cases but not for everyday use.

    • Briar is Free and Open SourceSignal is also Free and Open Source
  13. bitchat icon

    bitchat

     45 likes

    Decentralized messaging app enabling secure peer-to-peer communication over Bluetooth mesh networks with end-to-end encryption, channel-based group chats, store & forward delivery, automatic peer discovery, no accounts or phone numbers, and privacy safeguards.

    57 bitchat alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    bitchat screenshot 1
     
12 of 116 Signal alternatives