Signal vs Messenger

Signal9.4Visit MMessenger8.7Visit

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

vs

M Messenger #5 in Encrypted Messaging Apps 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit Messenger

• Signal fits best

  Most people wanting private messaging

• Messenger fits best

  Free social messaging with encrypted chats

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Side by side

Feature	Signal 9.4/10 Visit ↗	MMessenger 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.7
Ranking	#1 in Encrypted Messaging Apps	#5 in Encrypted Messaging Apps
Best for	Most people wanting private messaging	Free social messaging with encrypted chats
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	$1.99/mo	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Cloud, Mobile
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	Web, iOS, Android
Features Signal 3/3 · Messenger 2/3
Desktop app	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Voice and video calls	✓	✓
Disappearing messages	✓	✓
Specs
Encryption coverage	Default	Default
Maximum group size	1000 members	Not checked yet
Linked device limit	5 devices	Not checked yet
Encrypted backups	End_to_end	End_to_end
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 is enabled by default for personal messages and calls Free messaging, group chats, voice and video calls, and media sharing Disappearing messages, Secure Storage, editing, unsending, and shared albums
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	Not open source Social features can make it less focused on encrypted messaging Secure Storage keys in iCloud or Google Drive are outside Messenger's encryption
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 →	Messenger is Meta’s consumer messaging app for connecting with friends, family, communities and creators. It combines text messaging, group chats, photo and video sharing, file sharing, voice and video calls, shared albums, message… 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

• Messenger — where it wins

  • End-to-end encryption is enabled by default for personal messages and calls
  • Free messaging, group chats, voice and video calls, and media sharing
  • Disappearing messages, Secure Storage, editing, unsending, and shared albums

  Where it doesn't

  • Not open source
  • Social features can make it less focused on encrypted messaging
  • Secure Storage keys in iCloud or Google Drive are outside Messenger's encryption

• Signal9.4/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit SignalFull verdict →
• MMessenger8.7/10 · Free plan

  A broad free messenger with default encryption for personal chats and calls.

  Visit MessengerFull verdict →