Signal vs WhatsApp: what’s the difference?
WhatsApp and Signal are two of the most popular messaging and phone apps on smartphones and computers. We tested both to see which one you should use if you had to choose one.
Overall findings
Signal
The official app on all major devices and operating systems.
End-to-end encryption of communications.
No user or device data is collected.
Many of your contacts won’t appear on Signal.
WhatsApp
Supports all major operating systems and devices.
End-to-end encryption of communications.
Sends some user and device data to Meta.
Most of your contacts are already on WhatsApp.
Added features with business and social functionality.
Signal and WhatsApp provide reliable end-to-end encryption for calls and messages. They also support all major smartphone and computer operating systems.Signal does offer better protection for personal and device data, which makes it a great choice for communicating with security-conscious friends. That said, due to the popularity of WhatsApp, most of your contacts are probably already using it, so you’ll actually find yourself using the app more.
Although WhatsApp sends some user and device data to its parent company, Meta (Facebook), WhatsApp’s growing focus on specialized business tools and built-in social features may further increase its popularity.
Device support: both have apps for most major platforms
Signal.
Supports Android smartphones and tablets.
Has apps for iPhone and iPad.
Windows and Mac Signal apps are available.
Signal has a Linux app and WhatsApp does not.
WhatsApp
Supports Android tablets and smartphones.
WhatsApp apps for Mac and Windows.
Official app for iPhone, not iPad.
Works in a web browser.
Both Signal and WhatsApp offer impressive support for platforms and devices. Both services have official apps for Mac and Windows PCs, Android tablets and smartphones, and iPhone. However, the support is not the same, as Signal has official iPad and Linux apps, while WhatsApp does not. However, WhatsApp has a truly reliable web application that can be accessed through most major web browsers on any device, including Linux computers.
Popularity: Many more people use WhatsApp than Signal
Signal
Over 40 million active users.
Most of your friends are not using Signal.
You need to convince your friends to use Signal.
WhatsApp
Over 2 billion active users.
Most people already use WhatsApp.
Many businesses also use WhatsApp.
According to Statista’s 2023 survey results, WhatsApp has over 2 billion active users, while Signal has only about 40 million. To add to that, WeChat has about 1.3 billion active users, Facebook Messenger has 930 million active users, and Telegram has 700 million active users.
These numbers mean that not only are your existing contacts likely to already be using WhatsApp, but they’re also more likely to be using one of several other popular messaging apps before considering Signal. In my testing, I only had about 20 friends using Signal, while my WhatsApp contact list is now well over 100.
Safety: Signaling is the choice to focus on safety
Signal
End-to-end encryption of all messages and calls.
Signal does not collect user data.
Self-destruct messages are available.
Signal’s call relay hides the caller’s IP address.
WhatsApp
All calls and messages are encrypted end-to-end.
WhatsApp sends some user data to Facebook.
Messages can be set to self-destruct.
WhatsApp calls do not hide your IP address.
WhatsApp and Signal both have end-to-end encryption, which means that calls and messages you make and send can only be read by the recipient and not by WhatsApp, Signal, or third parties. Each app also has a self-destructing message feature that allows messages to be automatically deleted after a set period of time.
Signal takes security more seriously than WhatsApp and does not collect user data. WhatsApp, on the other hand, sends a lot of user data to its parent company Meta, such as your phone number, contacts, app usage, device and user identifiers, and even your location. Officially, Facebook collects this information only to improve the WhatsApp user experience. If you are concerned about your privacy, you may want to keep this data collection in mind.
What: WhatsApp has more social and business tools
Signal.
Voice and video calls.
Text messages with GIFs and media.
Group chat support for 1,000 people.
WhatsApp
Voice and video calls.
Text messages with GIFs and other media.
Group chats support 1024 participants.
Dedicated business tools.
Broadcast channels.
Signal and WhatsApp are relatively equal in terms of calling and messaging features. Each service also supports group chats with about 1,000 people, as well as a simple stories feature that functions almost identically to Instagram stories. However, in our tests, it was clear that Signal or WhatsApp users weren’t too interested in the stories feature, as only one contact in WhatsApp had created a story in the last 24 hours.
In addition to the features mentioned above, WhatsApp has a variety of dedicated business tools that allow business owners to communicate with their customers and perform specific tasks, such as identity checking and inventory browsing.WhatsApp is also launching a Channels feature in 2023, which will allow users to create and follow feeds similar to Telegram’s Channels feature.WhatsApp is also launching a Stories feature in 2023, which will allow users to create and follow feeds similar to Telegram’s Channels feature.
Final verdict: WhatsApp has more features, but Signal is more secure
Signal and WhatsApp offer the same level of end-to-end encryption for all communications, although Signal offers slightly more security by protecting user and device data. However, despite the extra protection Signal offers, more of your contacts probably already use WhatsApp on a daily basis, meaning you can use it to communicate with people you know almost immediately. You won’t need to convince many people to download and try WhatsApp, but it may take a lot of effort to encourage friends and family to switch to Signal.
WhatsApp’s channel feature also has more additional functionality for following brands and contacts, just like on the social network. The service’s support for businesses is also impressive, and companies you frequent may encourage you to contact them via WhatsApp sooner rather than later.
Signal is a solid app for communicating with friends who have the app installed and are security-conscious, and WhatsApp is an app you and your contacts use every day, though its data policies aren’t as reliable as Signal’s.