Signal Alternatives

Signal is described as 'An encrypted messaging app focused on privacy, supporting texts, calls, photos, videos, files, and group chats, with no ads or trackers' and is a leading instant messenger in the social & communications category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Signal for a variety of platforms, including Android, iPhone, Windows, Mac and Linux apps. The best Signal alternative is Element. It's not free, so if you're looking for a free alternative, you could try Element or Tox. Other great apps like Signal are Matrix, Telegram, Threema and Session.

filter to find the best alternatives

Signal alternatives are mainly Instant Messengers, but if you're looking for Encrypted Chat Apps or Group Chat Apps you can filter on that. Other popular filters include EU, Open Source, Blackberry, Encrypted Chat, Apple Watch, Instant Messaging and Android Tablet. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Signal.
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Alternatives list

  1. WhatsApp icon

    WhatsApp

     849 likes

    Exchange messages without SMS fees using this app for iPhone, Android and desktop, featuring group chats, multimedia sharing, and video calls. The app requires an internet connection and the latest version for optimal functionality.

    251 WhatsApp alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Android Auto
    • Android Wear
    • Apple Car Play
    WhatsApp screenshot 1
     
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    3
    Comments about WhatsApp as an Alternative to Signal
    arndtadler
    Negative
    34

    WhatsApp is not Free Software and is not focused on privacy. Difficult to use in Usecases which demand high control of the Software and a verifiable Data-protection

    Guest
    Negative
    2

    WhatsApp is owned by facebook. Google "Facebook Privacy" and you'll see why this is one of the worst alternatives.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    -15

    Also end-to-end encrypted by default.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    WhatsApp icon
    WhatsApp icon
    • WhatsApp is Free and ProprietarySignal is Free and Open Source
  4. Zulip icon

    Zulip

     266 likes

    Zulip is the only modern team chat app that is designed for both live and asynchronous conversations. Zulip topics create a separate space for each discussion, so different conversations will never get in each other's way.

    222 Zulip alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    Zulip screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Zulip as an Alternative to Signal
    PlaidRadish
    Positive
    0

    Zulip is the only other open source, secure option in the list of alternatives on this site.

    Zulip icon
    Zulip icon
    • Zulip is Free Personal and Open SourceSignal is Free and Open Source
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  6. RetroShare icon

    RetroShare

     163 likes

    RetroShare is a open source cross-platform, private and secure decentralized communication system. It lets you to securely chat, share photos, videos, and more, using OpenPGP to authenticate peers and .

    136 RetroShare alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • BSD
    • OpenSSL
    • OpenPGP
    Network tab with contact list and broadcast subtab open. The subtab shows text and image sent by one contact to all connected contacts.
     
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    1
    Comments about RetroShare as an Alternative to Signal
    Open Source
    Positive
    1

    Retroshare has all the advantages of Signal and none of its disadvantages.

    RetroShare icon
    RetroShare icon
    • RetroShare is Free and Open SourceSignal is also Free and Open Source
  7. Element X icon

    Element X

     41 likes

    It is the brand new, and fastest ever, Matrix client. It is for personal and community use, and will support enterprise functionality later this year.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Element X screenshot 1
     
  8. Conversations icon

    Conversations

     103 likes

    Conversations is a privacy focused, open source XMPP Texting [Jabber] client for Android 4.0+ smart phones with wife-approved easy encryption [OTR, OMEMO, or GPG].

    154 Conversations alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    Conversations screenshot 1
     
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    3
    Comments about Conversations as an Alternative to Signal
    crazypens30
    Positive
    1

    Uses OMEMO, OTR, and/or GPG encryption and is decentralized. Also it's open source.

    Open Source
    Positive
    0

    From my point of view Conversations is the most user-friendly XMPP client for Android. It also does not require a phone number, is decentralized and looks just great.

    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Has End-to-End encryption by default. Is decentral/federated so not to block or shutdown.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Conversations icon
    Conversations icon
    • Conversations is Free and Open SourceSignal is also Free and Open Source
  10. Keybase icon

    Keybase

     142 likes

    Keybase is a new and free security app for mobile phones and computers. For the geeks among us: it's open source and powered by public-key cryptography.

    76 Keybase alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Ruby
    • JavaScript
    • Tor
    • Go (Programming Language)
    • Java
    Keybase screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Keybase as an Alternative to Signal
    Guest
    Positive
    5

    It doesn't need telephone number

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Keybase icon
    Keybase icon
    • Keybase is Free and Open SourceSignal is also Free and Open Source
  11. Delta Chat icon

    Delta Chat

     62 likes

    Provides a chat experience over email, with all messages and contacts stored on user devices, open source code, group media support, and compatibility with any provider. No central servers, no tracking, works without SIM, and can be used by anyone just via email.

    79 Delta Chat alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    Delta Chat screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Delta Chat as an Alternative to Signal
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    The concept of DeltaChat is so simple and brilliant! Secure chat on top of an infrastructure that is already there: Email and the IMAP-protocol.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Delta Chat icon
    Delta Chat icon
    • Delta Chat is Free and Open SourceSignal is also Free and Open Source
  12. Linphone icon

    Linphone

     143 likes

    Linphone is one of the most famous open source softphones in the world. It is fully SIP-based, for all calling, presence and IM features.

    81 Linphone alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    iOS Assistant
     
  14. Rakuten Viber icon

    Rakuten Viber

     335 likes

    Offers secure messaging with end-to-end encryption, unlimited free calls, group chats for up to 250 members, rich media sharing, emoji reactions, AR lenses, self-destruct messages, affordable international calls, community channels, and robust privacy across devices.

    162 Rakuten Viber alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • Android Wear
    • Samsung Galaxy Store
    Rakuten Viber screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Rakuten Viber as an Alternative to Signal
    RemovedUser
    Negative
    1

    Prioprietary bloat, do not use.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Rakuten Viber icon
    Rakuten Viber icon
    • Rakuten Viber is Freemium and ProprietarySignal is Free and Open Source
  15. Zoom icon

    Zoom

     158 likes

    Provides video conferencing with high-quality video and screen sharing, supporting up to 100 participants, real-time whiteboard collaboration, group messaging, and VoIP. Compatible across devices including smartphones and PCs, offering flexibility for remote meetings.

    232 Zoom alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Android Auto
    • Apple TV
    • Android TV
    • Apple Car Play
    • Samsung Galaxy Store
    • Flathub
    • Snapcraft
    Zoom screenshot 1
     
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