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WhatsApp and Signal rank among the top instant messaging apps for both mobile and desktop. With rising privacy concerns on WhatsApp, many have considered switching over to Signal. So, how do the two apps compare?
WhatsApp vs. Signal: The Features They Have in Common
WhatsAppandSignalshare a similar set of features. They’re both free messaging apps with end-to-end encryption and cross-platform support.
Here’s a quick rundown of the key functionalities both apps offer:
Both apps incorporate built-in safety features to conceal your IP address and verify new contacts using a unique safety number.
WhatsApp and Signal also both feature disappearing messages, which is an option that automatically deletes messages after a certain amount of time passes.
On WhatsApp, you’re able to choose whether you’d like your messages to disappear after 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days. Signal gives you a bit more flexibility, and you can choose if you’d like your messages to disappear after 30 seconds, 5 minutes, 1 hour, 8 hours, a day, a week, or a month. You can also disable the option entirely or create a custom time limit.
When it comes to push notifications, WhatsApp users have the option of either turning off notifications entirely or disabling message previews.
Signal takes the privacy of your notifications to the next level and allows users to choose whether they want notifications to display only the contact name, both the contact name and message, or neither the contact name nor the message. You can also hide notifications entirely.
In terms of multi-device usage, you canuse WhatsApp on up to four linked devicesat a time. Similarly, you canuse Signal on up to five linked devicesat a time.
WhatsApp and Signal are both available on iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac. While Signal is available for Linux, there’s unfortunately no official WhatsApp client for Linux at the time of writing.
WhatsApp vs. Signal: The Messaging Platforms Compared
So, now that you know their similarities, what about their differences? The biggest difference between the apps is how they handle data collection.
They also feature different size limits for group chats and calls, but are similar in terms of user-friendliness.
Security and Privacy
Signal was the first free and open-source messaging platform to offerend-to-end encryption, and uses the protocol for both one-to-one chats and group chats.
While this hasn’t always been the case, WhatsApp also utilizes end-to-end encryption. But the apps handle metadata differently.
Whenever you send a message to someone, you also send out metadata, which includes information like when your message was delivered and who the recipient is. Both messaging platforms utilize the same encryption protocol developed by Open Whisper Systems.
While end-to-end encryption ensures the privacy of your messages, asMIT Newsnotes, these systems don’t always protect metadata. This is where a key difference arises between WhatsApp and Signal.
WhatsApp may share your account information with its parent company, Meta. This includes your phone number, app usage, device information, IP address, among other things. This poses a privacy risk.
On the contrary, Signal utilizes a feature that can protect your metadata, called Sealed Sender. This feature hides information about the sender, even from the platform itself.
According toSignal’s Privacy Policy, the app collects some account information and may access your contacts if you opt into this feature. It also uses a third-party service to verify your account with a one-time PIN.
The privacy policy also states: “Signal does not sell, rent, or monetize your personal data or content in any way—ever.”
According toWhatsApp’s Privacy Policy, the platform works with other Meta Companies and third-party service providers to improve its services. These companies may access the information WhatsApp collects about you. The service also uses cookies.
According to itsApp Store page, WhatsApp may collect the following information and link it to your identity: purchases, financial info, location, contact info, contacts, user content, identifiers, usage data, diagnostics, and search history.
In contrast,Signal’s App Store listingnotes that it collects contact info but does not link this data to your identity.
Overall, Signal wins in the privacy category due to its privacy features and the much more conservative data collection policies compared to WhatsApp.
Video and Voice Calls
Video and voice calls on both WhatsApp and Signal are end-to-end encrypted, meaning that no one, including the platforms themselves, can listen to or intercept your calls.
To ensure that someone is unable to trace your location using your IP address, Signal and WhatsApp both offer a safety feature (call relay) which relays your call through company servers to protect your IP address.
You can have up to 32 participants whenusing WhatsApp group video callsand up to 256 participants in a group voice call. On the other hand, you can have a Signal group video call or voice call with a maximum of 40 participants.
WhatsApp also rolled out the ability tostart Discord-style voice chats, which can be joined by up to 32 participants.
Popularity
According toStatista, WhatsApp has around 2 billion monthly active users. Meanwhile,Business of Appssuggests that Signal had around 40 million active users in 2022. This means that WhatsApp is far more popular as the biggest messaging app in the world.
However, don’t let these figures fool you. Signal has been endorsed by public figures like Edward Snowden, which speaks volumes about the platform’s commitment to the privacy and security of its users.
Unfortunately, Signal’s smaller userbase does mean that it’s likely that the majority of your contacts and people you want to chat with might not be using the platform.
Therefore, you would have to go through the hassle of convincing your friends and family to test the platform and begin using it instead of WhatsApp.
Group Chats
AWhatsApp group chat can have up to 1,024 people, and you can create a Signal group chat with up to 1,000 people. If you’re a group admin on a WhatsApp or Signal group chat, you can invite people to join the chat by simply sharing a link with them.
Both messaging platforms also feature admin approval, which allows group chat admins to review each request to join the group before a member is allowed to join.
On both platforms, admins can remove members, edit group information, and decide who can send messages or initiate voice and video calls within the group.
User Friendliness
Signal is slightly more customizable than WhatsApp and allows you to change your chat color and the app’s icon, along with options to personalize your background and switch between light and dark mode.
On the other hand, WhatsApp allows you to choose a custom wallpaper and toggle between light and dark mode. Upon installing, both messaging platforms have a straight-forward setup process, which makes it easy for users to get started.
Since both platforms have similar features like status updates, navigating either one won’t be a challenge.
Business Messaging
One core difference between WhatsApp and Signal is the support for business messaging and broadcast channels.
WhatsApp Channels, which allow admins to send broadcast messages to their followers, were rolled out in 2023. Additionally, WhatsApp Business provides features like automated responses, message labeling within specific groups, and a message scheduling tool.
Signal does not include these features, which means it isn’t ideal if you’re looking to connect with your customers.
Should You Use WhatsApp or Signal?
There’s no denying that Signal outperforms WhatsApp in terms of security and privacy. While WhatsApp seems to be catching up with Signal and is consistently rolling out new safety features, the data collection practices between apps are very different.
If you’re concerned about security and privacy, there’s no better choice out there than Signal.
The only drawback, in our opinion, is the possibility that the people you intend to chat with are not Signal users, and you’ll have to spend time convincing them to join the platform. If you can’t do so, WhatsApp is a solid messaging app that most people you know are likely to be on.
