Signal vs Linphone

Signal9.4Visit Linphone8.9Visit

Higher score Signal #1 in Encrypted Calling Apps 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 5 features Visit Signal

vs

Linphone #5 in Encrypted Calling Apps 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 5 features Visit Linphone

• Signal fits best

  People seeking encrypted calls across phones and desktops

• Linphone fits best

  SIP users needing encrypted calls and PBX support

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Side by side

Feature	Signal 9.4/10 Visit ↗	Linphone 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.9
Ranking	#1 in Encrypted Calling Apps	#5 in Encrypted Calling Apps
Best for	People seeking encrypted calls across phones and desktops	SIP users needing encrypted calls and PBX support
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	$1.99/mo	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Features Signal 1/5 · Linphone 1/5
Video calling	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Screen sharing	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Self-hosting	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Team admin controls	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Open source	✓	✓
Specs
Group call limit	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Platform coverage	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	End-to-end encryption applies to Signal messages and calls by default Offers one-to-one and group voice and video calls Works on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux	Supports encrypted SIP audio and video calls, group calls and conferencing Connects with third-party SIP systems, IP-PBXs, proxies and SBCs Available on desktop and mobile, with LDAP and CardDAV sync
Cons	Secure Backups cost $1.99 per month Free-plan media backups cover recent media only Group chats are limited to 1,000 members	Calling regular phone numbers requires a third-party SIP trunking service Free SIP service is for individuals and has no guaranteed support No browser calling or SMS/MMS support
Our verdict	Signal is a messaging app for individuals, families, groups, and organizations who want end-to-end encrypted communications. Signal-to-Signal messages and calls are encrypted by default over an internet connection. Alongside one-to-one… Read the review →	Linphone is an open-source softphone from Belledonne Communications for internet-based voice and video calls, messaging and conferences. Its SIP support makes it a fit for individuals and organizations working with third-party SIP accounts… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Signal — where it wins

  • End-to-end encryption applies to Signal messages and calls by default
  • Offers one-to-one and group voice and video calls
  • Works on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux

  Where it doesn't

  • Secure Backups cost $1.99 per month
  • Free-plan media backups cover recent media only
  • Group chats are limited to 1,000 members

• Linphone — where it wins

  • Supports encrypted SIP audio and video calls, group calls and conferencing
  • Connects with third-party SIP systems, IP-PBXs, proxies and SBCs
  • Available on desktop and mobile, with LDAP and CardDAV sync

  Where it doesn't

  • Calling regular phone numbers requires a third-party SIP trunking service
  • Free SIP service is for individuals and has no guaranteed support
  • No browser calling or SMS/MMS support

• Signal9.4/10 · Free plan

  Free encrypted calls and messaging, with optional paid encrypted media backups.

  Visit SignalFull verdict →
• Linphone8.9/10 · Free plan

  A free, open-source SIP client for encrypted calls and PBX-connected telephony.

  Visit LinphoneFull verdict →