Signal vs Olvid

Signal9.4Visit Olvid7.2Visit

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

vs

Olvid #20 in Encrypted Messaging Apps 7.2/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Olvid

• Signal fits best

  Most people wanting private messaging

• Olvid fits best

  Organizations needing identity-free secure chat

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Side by side

Feature	Signal 9.4/10 Visit ↗	Olvid 7.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	7.2
Ranking	#1 in Encrypted Messaging Apps	#20 in Encrypted Messaging Apps
Best for	Most people wanting private messaging	Organizations needing identity-free secure chat
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	$1.99/mo	€4.99/user/mo
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	30 days
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Features Signal 3/3 · Olvid 3/3
Desktop app	✓	✓
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	No phone number or email required Encrypted messaging, calls, backups, and ephemeral messages Apps for Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux
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	Outbound calls require a paid plan Multi-device use is not included in the Free plan Advanced enterprise controls require the Enterprise plan
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 →	Olvid is an encrypted messaging application for individuals, teams, and organizations that want private communication without linking an account to a phone number or email address. The Free plan includes messaging and attachments, secure… 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

• Olvid — where it wins

  • No phone number or email required
  • Encrypted messaging, calls, backups, and ephemeral messages
  • Apps for Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux

  Where it doesn't

  • Outbound calls require a paid plan
  • Multi-device use is not included in the Free plan
  • Advanced enterprise controls require the Enterprise plan

• Signal9.4/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit SignalFull verdict →
• Olvid7.2/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

  A privacy-focused chat app with broad platform support and paid business controls.

  Visit OlvidFull verdict →