With the development of technology, the privacy concerns of users have also increased significantly. For example, in May 2019, WhatsApp suffered a great security violation wherein spyware from the Israeli company NSO Group utilized an exploit of a voice call feature on the app, affecting around 1,400 users, including journalists and human rights activists. With data breaches and online tracking on the rise, people are now comparing Signal vs WhatsApp to find the safest messaging app.
The aim of this blog is to compare Signal and WhatsApp in the context of privacy issues so that you can make an appropriate decision regarding secure communication.
Signal vs WhatsApp: Overview of basics
What is Signal?
The Signal app allows you to send messages, make calls, and share photos and videos with no risk of your data being tracked. Unlike many other applications, Signal does not harvest any personal information. It is popular among journalists, activists, and anyone who values strong privacy protection.
Key features:
- End-to-end encryption: Signal guarantees that every single message, call, and media file is encrypted, making it impossible even for Signal itself to access your messages.
- Self-destructing messages: You have the option to set your messages to disappear after a given time, increasing the privacy of chatting even further.
- Free and open source: Because Signal’s code is public, anyone can go through and verify that the app is truly secure. This makes the app trustworthy.
- Group chats & calls: You can chat with multiple people privately over voice/video calls while not having to worry about privacy.
What is WhatsApp?
With over 2 billion users globally, WhatsApp is one of the most downloaded messaging applications. It enables you to send messages, make voice calls, and share photos and videos with great ease. WhatsApp does provide some level of encryption, but it is owned by Meta (formerly Facebook), which does capture some data from you. However, it is mostly used for casual chats and for businesses too.
Key features:
- End-to-end encryption: All messages exchanged on the platform, voice calls, and video calls are encrypted. While WhatsApp does encrypt messages, they do collect some metadata like who you spoke to and how long the conversation lasted.
- Free voice & video calls: Calls can be made to friends and family irrespective of their location without any additional charges, provided an internet connection is available.
- Group chats: Group Chats support a hundred members, which makes it fairly ideal for most communities or businesses.
- Status feature: Similar to Instagram Stories, users can share videos, pictures, or text updates with a duration of 24 hours.
Feature comparison at a glance
In the table below, you can see the most important differences between Signal and WhatsApp at a glance.
| Signal | ||
| User base | 40 million monthly active users | Over 2 billion users worldwide |
| Compatibility | Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Linux | Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac |
| Messages & Voice/Video calls | End-to-end encrypted | End-to-end encrypted |
| Group chats | Up to 1,024 members | Up to 1,000 members |
| File sharing | Up to 100 MB | Up to 2 GB |
| Status updates | X | 🗸 |
| AI bot | X | 🗸 (in selected regions) |
| Self-destructing messages | 🗸 (Automatically) | 🗸 (Manual setup) |
| Customization options | Limited – basic themes and font resizing | More customization – chat wallpapers, stickers, and themes |
| Payment integration | X | 🗸 (In some regions) |
| Cloud backup | X | 🗸 (Google Drive/iCloud) but not encrypted |
| Multi-device support | Works on multiple devices but limited | Works on multiple devices with full chat sync |
Messaging, but make it secure! Safeguard your teens’ interactions via the enhanced tool.
Signal vs. WhatsApp: Comparing privacy and security
While both Signal and WhatsApp offer encrypted messaging, the policies regarding privacy, security features, and data gathering differ quite a lot. There is a thorough analysis of data policies, encryption, and anonymity provided for users.
Security measures overview
| Features | Signal | |
| Ownership | Independent, run by a non-profit (Signal Foundation) | Owned by Meta (Facebook) |
| End-to-end encryption | 🗸 | 🗸 |
| Two-factor authentication | 🗸 | 🗸 |
| User data collection | X | 🗸 |
| Open-source code | 🗸 | X |
| Metadata minimization | X | 🗸 |
| Disappearing messages | 🗸 (Customizable message expiration) | 🗸 (Manual setup) |
| Call relay | 🗸 (It relays calls through Signal’s servers to hide IP addresses) | X (direct call connection) |
| Screen lock | 🗸 | 🗸 |
| Safety number | 🗸 | X |
i) Ownership trust
You know the company behind an app determines how your data gets interpreted and handled.
- Signal: The Signal Foundation operates Signal. It is a non-profit organization trying to provide secure private communication for everyone. Since Signal does not charge users and only runs on donations, it has no incentive to collect or sell user data.
- Whatsapp: Meta (Facebook), a company notorious for collecting user data, owns WhatsApp. Even though the messages on WhatsApp are end-to-end encrypted, Meta still gathers metadata (who you talk to, when, and for how long). This information can be given to advertisers.
In trustworthiness, Signal wins because it has no financial reason to collect data.
ii) Encryption
Encryption secures your messages to ensure that no one, even the app provider, can access them.
- Signal employs the Signal Protocol, which is one of the best systems for encryption. Not even governments and hackers can have access to your messages. Moreover, Signal also provides a Sealed Sender, which conceals the identity of the person sending the message.
- WhatsApp also uses Signal Protocol, but because it is owned by Meta, they collect metadata. Unlike Signal, WhatsApp backs up messages to Google Drive or iCloud. These backups are not encrypted; therefore, they are susceptible.
Signal is more secure because of no unencrypted backups and thorough encryption of stored data.
iii) Data Collection and Sharing
With less data, apps become more secure as there are fewer ways for hackers, governments, or other third parties to exploit an individual’s private information.
- Signal: From its inception, Signal hasn’t collected any of your data. This includes not logging your contacts, location, or any messages you send.
- Whatsapp: In comparison, WhatsApp collects a lot of data, including Phone numbers, Contacts, Device Information, Usage Details, and IP Addresses. Based on WhatsApp’s privacy policy, some of this data may even be used for advertising through third parties like Facebook (Meta).
Signal emerges as the clear winner because it does not collect any data, unlike WhatsApp, which tracks user behavior despite encryption.
iv) User Anonymity
Anonymity in apps allows you to send messages without revealing your identity, protecting the user’s identity.
- Signal: Users on Signal can register without linking any contacts or revealing their phone numbers. Moreover, calls passed through Signal’s servers, allowing them to shield the user’s IP address and provide complete anonymity.
- Whatsapp: A WhatsApp account requires an individual’s phone number, which allows for easy account identification. However, without the option for call relay, your IP address could potentially get tracked
For anonymity, Signal is better because users do not have to link identifying information and can conceal their identities more effectively.
Moreover, a Frontend Developer named Love Bargoti on Quora said that the Signal app is better than WhatsApp in terms of safety and privacy. In my opinion, no app gives you 100% privacy surety, so you have to be cautious and adopt safe chatting practices like never sharing personal details like bank and credit info on chats.
Signal vs. WhatsApp: User experience and interface
When picking a messaging app, having an easy-to-use interface and user-friendly design will have the same weight as security features. While both Signal and WhatsApp provide the core messaging functionality, they differ in how they approach user experience. So, let’s break it down!
i) Ease of use
- WhatsApp is specially built for ease of use. With more than 2 billion users, it has a convenient interface that people recognize. Moreover, you can send messages, make calls, and share media within no time and without any additional settings required.
- Signal is user-friendly too; however, it is less polished. Because it prioritizes user privacy, some functions, like enabling disappearing messages, have to be done manually and can be quite tedious. However, when it comes to messaging and calling, it offers the same streamlined experience as WhatsApp does.
ii) Interface design
An app that is well-designed encourages the user to engage with it more, making messaging more fun. As with any other application, Signal and WhatsApp differ in app aesthetics and their approaches to making chatting more fun.
- WhatsApp: In terms of chat bubbles, read receipts, emojis, and an overall clean interface, WhatsApp has them all. Aside from these features, users can also customize their theme and apply dark mode, set wallpapers, and resize fonts.
- Signal offers a simplistic approach with harsher restrictions on personalization. You may toggle the theme (light/dark mode) and change the font size, but there is not nearly as much customization as WhatsApp.
iii) Accessibility
- WhatsApp enables text reader features and voice messages alongside accessibility options like large print text and high-contrast mode.
- Signal supports text readers and changing font sizes but lacks many of the other advanced options under accessibility.
iv) Speed and performance
- Signal is a little slow on sharing media, but it is quick with texts and calls.
- WhatsApp takes the lead with its performance optimization, it is available even on weak networks. Messages and calls go through, and media loads at an impressively quick rate.
Extra tips for enhancing messaging safety and privacy
You want to keep your chats confidential, am I right? Well! Regardless of whether it’s Signal or WhatsApp, you have to take some measures. Below are noteworthy measures for staying safe while messaging.
1. Enable Two-factor authentication (2FA)
I’m sure you wouldn’t want cybercriminals accessing your account. So, with 2FA, you will add an extra verification step, which improves security.
- On Signal: Head over to Settings > Privacy > Enable and set PIN.
- On WhatsApp: Under Settings > Account, activate “Two-step verification” and choose a PIN.
2. Set up a screen lock
If someone happens to grab your phone, you might fear that he/she may go through your chats. As a means to keep your messages safe, you have to set a PIN, fingerprint, or even Face ID.
- On Signal: Settings > Privacy > turn on “Screen Lock.”
- On WhatsApp: Account Settings > Privacy > Screen Lock > enable “Require Face ID.”
3. Control app permissions
Moreover, keep in mind that almost all apps have access to your camera, microphone, and even contacts. If you don’t need these features, disable them.
How you can check:
- Open Settings on your phone, go to Apps, and select WhatsApp or Signal > Permissions to adjust the options you wish to restrict.
4. Use disappearing messages
Every now and again, you won’t want messages to stick around forever. Both apps allow for scheduled message deletion after a period of time.
How to set it up:
- On Signal: Tap the chat, click on Disappearing Messages, and select how long you’d like it to last.
- On WhatsApp: Tap the chat, navigate to Disappearing Messages, and choose from 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days.
5. Stop sharing private details
Furthermore, never share your address, passwords, or even banking details over a chat. No matter how secure the app is, messages are vulnerable if someone accesses it through your phone.
6. Be suspicious of scams
Do not, under any circumstance, click on strange messages or links. Scammers put in a lot of effort to convince you to divulge confidential information. Remain cautious about who you converse with and those you receive messages from.
7. FlashGet Kids parental control: Protect your kids online
Lastly, beyond the app’s built-in settings, there are more protections parents can offer. Most teens also use these messaging apps. Educate your kids on online interaction safety behaviors and set parental controls for kids’ app use. With so many options available, the FlashGet Kids app comes as a highly trustworthy app for monitoring kids’ online activities.
This app allows you to monitor children’s chats, block inappropriate content, and manage screen time without intruding on their privacy. Moreover, the amazing features that make it superior are that it sends you real-time alerts of sensitive keywords and reports of your kids’ phone usage. So, go and try this app now!
Conclusion: Is Signal better than WhatsApp?
Ultimately, the answer in the Signal vs WhatsApp debate depends on your specific needs and preference. If data privacy is the utmost priority, then Signal takes the cake, as it collects very little data compared to the competition. On the other hand, if you are a casual user, then you must want user-friendliness and a plethora of features. So, I would recommend you go for WhatsApp, as it is widely adopted and has auxiliary tools for business and communication. Both apps have their strengths, so choose the one that fits your needs best!
