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Head-to-head · Encrypted Messaging Apps

Signal vs Session

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Signal #1 in Encrypted Messaging Apps 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Signal
Session #9 in Encrypted Messaging Apps 8.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Session

Signal leads on 2 checks, Session on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreSignal · 9.4/10
  • Lowest starting priceSignal · $1.99/mo
  • Free planboth

Signal scores higher on our rubric for encrypted messaging apps: 9.4 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #9.

Signal is cheaper to start at $1.99/mo against $2.99/mo. On encryption coverage, Session gives you Mixed where Signal offers Default. Signal leads on maximum group size: 1000 members versus 100 members. On encrypted backups, Session gives you None where Signal offers End_to_end.

Signal is the better fit for most people wanting private messaging. Session is the better fit for anonymous encrypted messaging with onion routing.

  • Signal fits best

    Most people wanting private messaging

  • Session fits best

    Anonymous encrypted messaging with onion routing

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Side by side

Feature Signal 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Session 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.3
Ranking #1 in Encrypted Messaging Apps #9 in Encrypted Messaging Apps
Best for Most people wanting private messaging Anonymous encrypted messaging with onion routing
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $1.99/mo (best) $2.99/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Features Signal 3/3 · Session 3/3
Desktop app ✓ ✓
Voice and video calls ✓ ✓
Disappearing messages ✓ ✓
Specs
Encryption coverage Default Mixed
Maximum group size 1000 members (best) 100 members
Linked device limit 5 devices Not checked yet
Encrypted backups End_to_end None
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 for pseudonymous accounts
  • Onion-routed delivery, disappearing messages, and encrypted attachments
  • Apps for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, 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
  • Encrypted attachments are limited to 10 MB
  • Its encryption model is mixed rather than uniform
  • Pro-only extras cost $2.99 USD per month
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 →

Session is a decentralized messaging app for private, pseudonymous communication. It supports end-to-end encrypted one-to-one messaging, group chats, disappearing messages, encrypted attachments, and peer-to-peer voice and video calls.…

Read the review →
  1. SignalEncrypted Messaging Apps 9.4Free plan
  2. SessionEncrypted Messaging Apps 8.3Free plan

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

  • Session — where it wins

    • No phone number or email required for pseudonymous accounts
    • Onion-routed delivery, disappearing messages, and encrypted attachments
    • Apps for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux

    Where it doesn't

    • Encrypted attachments are limited to 10 MB
    • Its encryption model is mixed rather than uniform
    • Pro-only extras cost $2.99 USD per month

More comparisons

All encrypted messaging apps comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update