Private messaging with end-to-end encryption for everything
Signal is a free, open-source messenger run by the nonprofit Signal Foundation. Messages, calls, group chats and media are end-to-end encrypted with the Signal Protocol, and the service is designed to collect as little metadata as possible. Registration requires a phone number, though usernames let you chat without sharing it, and the app has no ads or trackers.
- features
- 5
- alternatives
- 10
- platforms
- 5
- Updated
- Oct 12, 2026
Features
Our take
Pros
- Signal Protocol encrypts messages, calls and groups end to end
- Run by a nonprofit, with minimal metadata and no ads
- Usernames let you chat without revealing your phone number
Cons
- A phone number is still required to register
- Fewer of your contacts are likely to use it than mainstream apps
Editorial assessment by the Alternatives.tools team, based on what the product is known for. Not a user review.
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User reviews
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