Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Iphone Apps

Shazam vs Signal

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Shazam #3 in Iphone Apps 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Shazam
Signal #7 in Iphone Apps 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Signal

Shazam leads on 0 checks, Signal on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreShazam · 9.1/10
  • Free planboth

Shazam scores higher on our rubric for iphone apps: 9.1 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #7.

Shazam is the better fit for anyone who wants to identify songs on the go. Signal is the better fit for iPhone users prioritizing private messaging.

  • Shazam fits best

    Anyone who wants to identify songs on the go

  • Signal fits best

    iPhone users prioritizing private messaging

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Shazam 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Signal 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.6
Ranking #3 in Iphone Apps #7 in Iphone Apps
Best for Anyone who wants to identify songs on the go iPhone users prioritizing private messaging
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan $1.99/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile, Browser extension Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android, Chrome extension Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Features Shazam 0/5 · Signal 0/5
Offline access Not checked yet Not checked yet
iPad app Not checked yet Not checked yet
Apple Watch app Not checked yet Not checked yet
Home screen widgets Not checked yet Not checked yet
Family Sharing Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Apple devices Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Recognizes songs around you or playing in other apps
  • Stores offline requests and matches them after reconnection
  • Pairs saved song history with lyrics and listening links
  • End-to-end encryption covers messages and calls by default
  • Disappearing messages, group calls, and 1,000-member chats
  • Open-source clients span iPhone, desktop, Android, and tablets
Cons
  • Offline matches require reconnecting for synchronization
  • Listening links depend on supported music services
  • Support channels listed are limited to documentation
  • Secure Backups costs $1.99 per month
  • Free backups focus on recent media; history beyond 45 days needs Secure Backups
  • Linked devices are limited to five per account
Our verdict

Shazam is a song-identification app for people who want to recognize music as it plays, then return to the result later. Available on iOS, Android, the web, and as a Chrome extension, it can identify audio around the device or inside other…

Read the review →

Signal is a nonprofit messaging application for individuals, families, groups, and organizations that prioritize private communication. Its core service covers encrypted text, voice messages, photos, videos, GIFs, files, one-to-one calls,…

Read the review →
  1. ShazamIphone Apps 9.1Free plan
  2. SignalIphone Apps 8.6Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Shazam — where it wins

    • Recognizes songs around you or playing in other apps
    • Stores offline requests and matches them after reconnection
    • Pairs saved song history with lyrics and listening links

    Where it doesn't

    • Offline matches require reconnecting for synchronization
    • Listening links depend on supported music services
    • Support channels listed are limited to documentation
  • Signal — where it wins

    • End-to-end encryption covers messages and calls by default
    • Disappearing messages, group calls, and 1,000-member chats
    • Open-source clients span iPhone, desktop, Android, and tablets

    Where it doesn't

    • Secure Backups costs $1.99 per month
    • Free backups focus on recent media; history beyond 45 days needs Secure Backups
    • Linked devices are limited to five per account
  • Shazam9.1/10 · Free plan

    A free song identifier with offline matching, lyrics, and links to major music services.

    Visit ShazamFull verdict →
  • Signal8.6/10 · Free plan

    A free, private messenger with encrypted calls, disappearing messages, and desktop clients.

    Visit SignalFull verdict →

More comparisons

Guides on iphone apps

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update