Signal vs Element

Signal9.4Visit Element9.1Visit

Higher score Signal #1 in Encrypted Messaging Apps 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Signal

vs

Element #3 in Encrypted Messaging Apps 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Element

• Signal fits best

  Most people wanting private messaging

• Element fits best

  Teams needing encrypted, extensible collaboration

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Side by side

Feature	Signal 9.4/10 Visit ↗	Element 9.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	9.1
Ranking	#1 in Encrypted Messaging Apps	#3 in Encrypted Messaging Apps
Best for	Most people wanting private messaging	Teams needing encrypted, extensible collaboration
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	$1.99/mo	—
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Features Signal 3/3 · Element 0/3
Desktop app	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Voice and video calls	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Disappearing messages	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Specs
Encryption coverage	Default	Not checked yet
Maximum group size	1000 members	Not checked yet
Linked device limit	5 devices	Not checked yet
Encrypted backups	End_to_end	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	End-to-end encryption is enabled by default for messages and calls Supports messaging, calls, file sharing, groups, stickers, and disappearing messages Official apps cover Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android	End-to-end encryption with cross-signed device verification Web, desktop, mobile, self-hosted, and air-gapped deployment options Rooms, calls, guest access, unlimited history, and third-party integrations
Cons	Secure Backups costs $1.99 per month Free backups cover recent media, while older media needs Secure Backups Group chats support up to 1,000 members	Uses rooms and spaces rather than conventional channels Advanced enterprise capabilities require a paid tier Self-hosting requires organizational infrastructure and administration
Our verdict	Signal is a nonprofit messaging application for individuals, families, groups, and organizations. It provides end-to-end encrypted text and voice messages, photos, videos, GIFs, files, voice calls, video calls, group chats, stickers, and… Read the review →	Element is an end-to-end encrypted messaging and collaboration application built on the Matrix open standard. It is designed for communities, enterprises, governments, and other organizations that need data ownership, interoperability, and… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Signal — where it wins

  • End-to-end encryption is enabled by default for messages and calls
  • Supports messaging, calls, file sharing, groups, stickers, and disappearing messages
  • Official apps cover Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android

  Where it doesn't

  • Secure Backups costs $1.99 per month
  • Free backups cover recent media, while older media needs Secure Backups
  • Group chats support up to 1,000 members

• Element — where it wins

  • End-to-end encryption with cross-signed device verification
  • Web, desktop, mobile, self-hosted, and air-gapped deployment options
  • Rooms, calls, guest access, unlimited history, and third-party integrations

  Where it doesn't

  • Uses rooms and spaces rather than conventional channels
  • Advanced enterprise capabilities require a paid tier
  • Self-hosting requires organizational infrastructure and administration

• Signal9.4/10 · Free plan

  A free, private messaging app with broad calling, sharing, and platform support.

  Visit SignalFull verdict →
• Element9.1/10 · Free plan

  Encrypted collaboration with flexible deployment, open source foundations, and broad platform support.

  Visit ElementFull verdict →