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Head-to-head · Encrypted Messaging Apps

Signal vs SimpleX Chat

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 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
SimpleX Chat #7 in Encrypted Messaging Apps 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit SimpleX Chat

Signal leads on 0 checks, SimpleX Chat on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 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
  • Free planboth

Signal scores higher on our rubric for encrypted messaging apps: 9.4 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #7.

On encrypted backups, SimpleX Chat gives you None where Signal offers End_to_end.

Signal is the better fit for most people wanting private messaging. SimpleX Chat is the better fit for privacy-focused users avoiding phone numbers.

  • Signal fits best

    Most people wanting private messaging

  • SimpleX Chat fits best

    Privacy-focused users avoiding phone numbers

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Side by side

Feature Signal 9.4/10 Visit ↗ SimpleX Chat 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.5
Ranking #1 in Encrypted Messaging Apps #7 in Encrypted Messaging Apps
Best for Most people wanting private messaging Privacy-focused users avoiding phone numbers
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price $1.99/mo Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Features Signal 3/3 · SimpleX Chat 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 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
  • End-to-end encrypted messages, media, groups, and calls
  • Open-source apps for mobile, desktop, Linux, and self-hosting
  • Disappearing messages and portable encrypted database export
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
  • The same profile cannot be used simultaneously on multiple devices
  • Desktop linking is supported locally rather than across simultaneous devices
  • Self-hosted relay support may require additional technical 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 →

SimpleX Chat is an open-source encrypted messaging application for people who want private conversations without user profile identifiers. It supports end-to-end encrypted one-to-one and group messaging, file, image, and video sharing,…

Read the review →
  1. SignalEncrypted Messaging Apps 9.4Free plan
  2. SimpleX ChatEncrypted Messaging Apps 8.5Free 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

  • SimpleX Chat — where it wins

    • End-to-end encrypted messages, media, groups, and calls
    • Open-source apps for mobile, desktop, Linux, and self-hosting
    • Disappearing messages and portable encrypted database export

    Where it doesn't

    • The same profile cannot be used simultaneously on multiple devices
    • Desktop linking is supported locally rather than across simultaneous devices
    • Self-hosted relay support may require additional technical administration

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