Signal is the better app overall, scoring 9.2 to 8.9. Signal wins on 2 of the 5 scores, Telegram on 3.
Anyone who wants private chats and calls without trading data for convenience
Communities, creators and power users who want channels, bots and multi-device sync
Score by score
The details
| Feature | Signal | Telegram |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Messaging & Calls | Messaging & Calls |
| Category rank | #1 of 8 | #3 of 8 |
| Developer | Signal Foundation | Telegram FZ-LLC |
| Pricing | Free | Free + paid plans |
| Usable for free | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone & iPad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mac | ✓ | ✓ |
| Windows | ✓ | ✓ |
| Linux | ✓ | ✓ |
| Web | — | ✓ |
Strengths and weaknesses
Signal
- Strongest privacy of any mainstream messenger
- Free, with no ads, and run by a nonprofit
- Clean, fast apps on phone and desktop
- Fewer of your contacts are likely to use it
- No channels, bots or large community features
Signal is the messenger to pick when privacy matters. Every message, call and group chat is end-to-end encrypted by default, and the nonprofit behind it collects almost no data. Usernames let you chat without sharing your phone number. The catch is reach: fewer of your friends may use it, and it lacks extras like channels and bots. Use it for anything sensitive.
Full Signal review
Telegram
- Instant sync across phone, desktop and web
- Channels and huge groups suit communities and creators
- Generous free tier with large file sharing
- Regular chats are not end-to-end encrypted
- Spam and scams are common in public groups
Telegram is the most feature-packed messenger around. Chats sync instantly across every device, groups can grow enormous, and channels, bots and mini apps turn it into a platform. The apps are fast and polished. The catch is privacy: regular chats live on Telegram's servers and are not end-to-end encrypted unless you start a one-on-one secret chat. Great for communities, not for secrets.
Full Telegram review
