With a recent exodus of WhatsApp, many users have turned to other free messaging platforms to communicate with friends and strangers. Two of the most popular and trusted alternatives are Signal and Telegram, and both are on our list of the best encrypted messaging apps.
But Signal and Telegram are not equal, and each will likely benefit a different type of user. Let’s see how they stack up.
Signal vs Telegram: characteristics compared
| Signal | Telegram | |
|---|---|---|
| Encryption | End-to-end by default using signal protocol | Some end-to-end options using the MTProto 2.0 protocol |
| Data collected | None except phone number | Phone number, contacts, IP address |
| Types of messaging | Individual, group, video, voice | Individual, group, channels, video, voice |
| Self-destruct messaging | Yes, for all cats | Yes, for secret chats only |
| Customization | Limit | Extensive |
| Cost | To free | To free |
Signal vs Telegram: which is more secure?
The bottom line: If security is your top priority, Signal is the obvious choice.
Signal is clearly the winner when it comes to security. For starters, all Signal messages are end-to-end encrypted by default, which means that no one other than you and the people you chat with can access your messages.
In contrast, only certain Telegram messages and voice calls are end-to-end encrypted. The rest is potentially visible to Telegram employees, law enforcement and others. We will detail the types of messages below.
Signal’s open-source encryption protocol is accessible to anyone, meaning that vulnerabilities can be found and fixed quickly. Its encryption is also used by WhatsApp.
For its secret encrypted conversations, Telegram uses its own MTProto 2.0 protocol, which is open source on the client side. Many information security experts state that “local encryption technology“has a limited track record against Signal, although the consensus seems to be that it is safer than MTProto 1.0.
An academic research paper released in December 2020 analyzed Telegram’s MTProto 2.0 protocol and found it to be fundamentally sound. He added that a “further investigation” was necessary “in order to consider this suite of protocols definitively secure”.
Signal collects much less data on its users than Telegram. Signal usually only stores the date you created your account and the last time you logged in. Telegram’s metadata can include your IP address (and therefore your location) as well as who and when you talk to. This counts when the authorities arrive at the premises of the service provider with a search warrant.
You can start Signal chats by typing in another person’s number, but Telegram needs access to your contacts before you can message anyone.
For those who are worried about big tech snooping on private conversations, Signal is once again proving to be the best choice. While Signal is owned by a non-profit foundation, the founders of Telegram are Russian billionaires Pavel and Nikolai Durov, who also created VK, the country’s most popular social network. The brothers no longer live in Russia, and although their company is based in London, many central operations are located in Dubai.
Signal vs Telegram: device support
Telegram has a slight advantage in this category, with support for Windows Phone as well as a Chrome browser extension and a completely web-based option. Signal and Telegram are both available on the following platforms:
the Windows (Signal, Telegram)
Linux (Debian-based distributions for Signal, 32 bit and 64 bits versions for Telegram)
Signal vs. Telegram: Installation and ease of use
The installation process for both apps is relatively straightforward: download the software for your preferred platform, register using your phone number, and enter the verification code received via SMS. (In some cases, Telegram will call you with the code instead.)
Both platforms require a first name to finalize your profile, but neither platform requires that name to be your real name. You can use an alias or, with Signal, an emoji. You will be asked if you want to enable app permissions, such as accessing your contacts.
Signal then asks you to create a PIN code. This step is optional, but recommended, with Telegram and can be found under Settings> Privacy & security> Passcode lock.
Before you can activate a desktop version of Signal or Telegram, you need to set up your account through the mobile app. Signal has a QR code built into the app to link other devices. Telegram provides a similar QR code, but you can also use your phone number and an SMS verification code.
Signal vs Telegram: Features
The two apps are similar when it comes to chat options.
Individual messages: Signal’s individual messages are end-to-end encrypted by default, unlike basic Telegram individual chats. If you want to protect your communications in Telegram from Telegram itself, you will need to start a secret conversation.
Group discussions: Both platforms offer a group messaging option. Again, Signal is end-to-end encrypted, unlike Telegram. (There is no equivalent of secret chat for groups.) Signal groups can include up to 1,000 users while Telegram allows up to 200,000 group members.
Voice and video calls: Both platforms have voice and video calling functionality. Signal’s encrypted calls can be made individually or contain up to 40 users in a group.
Telegram offers end-to-end encrypted video calls, as well as a voice chat feature that allows large groups to have conversations in which members can come and go. Telegram group voice conversations are encrypted from the client device (i.e. phone or desktop) to the server, but not end to end.
Messages that disappear: Signal messages in any individual or group chat can be set to disappear within five seconds to a week. Telegram has a similar self-destruct option which is no longer just for secret chats but also for regular chats.
From there, the bonus privacy features differ slightly, and Signal has less. There is an image blur tool that allows you to hide faces in photos and videos, which is handy if you are sending media from protests. There is also a screen lock setting which requires your password or biometric access to open the app. (Telegram has one too.)
With Telegram, you can choose to remove payment or shipping information given in your chats, not sending messages (which deletes them for both sender and recipient), and automatically self-destruct your account. if not used for a defined period of time.
Telegram also works more like a social media network with its Channels feature and a bunch of other settings which we’ll cover below.
Channels allow users to deliver messages – including text, photos, videos, files, and podcasts – to an unlimited number of subscribers. Communication is one-way, like a radio station, and subscribers cannot reply to messages from the channel. Channels can be public or private / by invitation only.
Signal vs Telegram: User experience
Telegram has a lot more options to customize your experience, so in that sense it’s the favorite in this category. There are a ton of settings you can adjust around the font size and color themes; emoticons and animations; and notifications.
The app will create playlists if you send multiple song files at once and play them in its built-in media player. You can run polls and quizzes, edit photos and videos, and view other users who are physically near you with People Nearby (not a privacy-friendly feature).
Signal is a much simpler app where the focus is on sending basic text, multimedia and voice messages securely, although it has recently introduced animated stickers and added to its available emojis. Overall, Signal is easy to navigate and doesn’t require a lot of customization to get the most out of your experience.
Signal vs Telegram: Verdict
Ultimately, choosing between Signal and Telegram depends on your priorities. If security and encryption are at the top of your list, Signal is the best option, regardless of what other features you use.
If you want to be able to send encrypted messages only occasionally and use social networking-like features, Telegram may be a better choice. Just keep in mind that you need to actively select Telegram’s Secret Chat option if you want your communications to be end-to-end encrypted.
Updated with support for 40 participants in Signal group video chats. This face-to-face was originally published in February 2021.
