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Head-to-head · Encrypted Messaging Apps

Signal vs Wire

  • 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
Wire #4 in Encrypted Messaging Apps 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Wire

Signal leads on 0 checks, Wire 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
  • Most featuresSignal · 3 of 3

Signal scores higher on our rubric for encrypted messaging apps: 9.4 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #4.

Signal is the better fit for most people wanting private messaging. Wire is the better fit for enterprise encrypted collaboration.

  • Signal fits best

    Most people wanting private messaging

  • Wire fits best

    Enterprise encrypted collaboration

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Side by side

Feature Signal 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Wire 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.9
Ranking #1 in Encrypted Messaging Apps #4 in Encrypted Messaging Apps
Best for Most people wanting private messaging Enterprise encrypted collaboration
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $1.99/mo €7.45/user/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Features Signal 3/3 · Wire 0/3
Desktop app ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Voice and video calls ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Disappearing messages ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Encryption coverage Default Not checked yet
Maximum group size 1000 members Not checked yet
Linked device limit 5 devices Not checked yet
Encrypted backups End_to_end Not checked yet
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 covers messages, calls, and file sharing
  • Supports channels, guests, search, screen sharing, and self-deleting messages
  • Runs across web, desktop, mobile, Linux, and API environments
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
  • Linux support is experimental or community-supported
  • The SMB monthly plan costs more than annual billing
  • Enterprise features are concentrated in higher-tier deployments
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 →

Wire is an end-to-end encrypted collaboration platform for organizations, governments, and public-sector teams. It brings messaging, audio and video calls, conferences, file sharing, guest collaboration, channels, screen sharing, and…

Read the review →
  1. SignalEncrypted Messaging Apps 9.4Free plan
  2. WireEncrypted Messaging Apps 8.9Free 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

  • Wire — where it wins

    • End-to-end encryption covers messages, calls, and file sharing
    • Supports channels, guests, search, screen sharing, and self-deleting messages
    • Runs across web, desktop, mobile, Linux, and API environments

    Where it doesn't

    • Linux support is experimental or community-supported
    • The SMB monthly plan costs more than annual billing
    • Enterprise features are concentrated in higher-tier deployments
  • Signal9.4/10 · Free plan

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

    Visit SignalFull verdict →
  • Wire8.9/10 · Free plan

    A broad encrypted workspace with free essentials and enterprise administration options.

    Visit WireFull verdict →

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