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Signal vs.
This is the same cipher thats used by banks and the military.
That said, I personally prefer Signal over Telegram when it comes to encryption.
Thats because Signal provides end-to-end encryption (E2EE) by default in all conversations.
So you dont get E2EE encryption by default like you do with Signal.
Telegrams proprietary MTProto protocol isnt open-source.
So, theres really no reason why Telegram couldnt do the same.
Telegram still provides strong encryption, but if youre very focused on security, Signal is the best bet.
Ill cover how each messaging service handles privacy in-depth below.
Collected Data
Signal barely collects any information.
The service only collects your phone number, which is required on sign-up.
Other than that, it only collects technical data that cant compromise your privacy.
Telegram, on the other hand, logs your IP address and also collects profile data.
The app can also collect data about your contacts, if you allow it to do so.
I personally recommend using ExpressVPN, as its the best VPN on the market right now.
Open-Source Code
Only Signal is 100% open-source.
Its apps are open-source, and so is its protocol and server-side code.
This provides complete transparency, as anyone can inspect the messaging apps code at any moment.
Telegram, on the other hand, only open-sources its apps.
This provides good transparency, but Id honestly like to see the messaging app also open-source its server-side code.
At the very least, I think the messaging app should open-source its proprietary MTPro protocol.
Many people already dont like that Telegram doesnt use the Signal protocol, which many other messaging apps use.
Background & Security Incidents
Signal is owned by the Signal Foundation, which is a non-profit organization.
The Signal Foundation was founded by Moxie Marlinspike and Brian Acton.
Telegram has experienced several security incidents over the past years.
Security Audits
Out of the two, only Signal has undergone regular security audits.
Telegram hasnt published any third-party audits of its services yet.
I find it pretty surprising that its apps havent been audited, as theyre open-source.
They both make it extremely simple to exchange messages with just one recipient.
it’s possible for you to set up group chats with both Signal and Telegram.
Another thing that makes Telegram ideal for managing online communities or a companys brand is its Channels feature.
Also, only the admins are allowed to post in the Channel.
Both apps allow audio and video calls.
I also like how both Signal and Telegram secure voice and video calls with E2EE.
Plus, in addition to one-on-one calls, both messaging services support group audio and video calls.
But only Telegram allows an unlimited number of participants in an audio call.
With Signal, only 40 people can join a voice call.
Signal, on the other hand, only supports sharing files that are up to 100 MB in size.
Ill start by quickly mentioning Telegrams Secret Chats,which I already covered above.
These are one-on-one chats that secure your messages with E2EE.
Moving on, both messaging apps support disappearing messages (also called self-destruct messages).
Signal and Telegram both have varied time frames, like one day or one week.
And they both let you set custom time frames.
Signal and Telegram both provide disappearing media features.
In addition, both apps come with login security features.
Signal and Telegram both allow you to configure the messaging app to automatically lock after a certain period.
Signal also comes with Screen Security, which is a useful feature that hides previews of the Signal app.
Just keep in mind that relaying calls through Signal could reduce the call quality.
Winner (Features): Its a tie
Both Signal and Telegram have their particular use cases.
The free versions also dont come with inconvenient limitations.
Out of the two, only Telegram uses ads Signal relies on donations.
But I like how Telegrams ads dont feel intrusive, as they only show up inTelegram Channels.
Whats more, Telegram doesnt use personalized ads.
Instead, theyre based on the Channel youre in.
It doesnt send you annoying pop-up notifications or anything like that.
The only way youll read about the premium version is by accessing it in the options menu.
And while Telegrams free version uses ads, theyre not intrusive or personalized.
Telegram also has a web app and a web client extension for Chrome OS.
Also, with Signal, youll need the mobile app to log into its desktop apps.
On desktop, you just need to download the appropriate app for your equipment from the messaging services site.
Whats more, both Signal and Telegram are extremely simple to use.
you could also pick the chat theme, though you only have 2 options light or dark.
In addition, you’re able to send GIFs and stickers in your conversations.
I also like how Signal lets you customize the app icon that shows up on your home screen.
However, Telegram provides a higher level of customization than Signal.
Whats more, if you use a preset Telegram theme, youre able to personalize it with custom colors.
Upgrading to the paid version of Telegram provides access to even more customization tweaks.
For comparison, Signal only has around 40 million active users.
So basically your friends and family are more likely to use Telegram.
Bottom Line Which Messaging App Should I Use?
Both apps are really good, so it ultimately depends on what youre mainly interested in.
But thats not to say that Telegram isnt secure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is safer Signal or Telegram?
Also, unlike Telegram,Signal doesnt collect your profile data and IP address, which reveal your location.
Does Telegram provide more customization options than Signal?
Yes,Telegram comes with way more customization optionsthan Signal.
But Telegram simply provides significantly better variety in terms of colors, themes, and stickers.
What devices can I use Signal and Telegram on?
Does Signal collect less data than Telegram?
The only thing Signal collects is your phone number, which is required on sign-up.
So, overall, Signal is a much better choice if privacy is very important for you.
That said, you’re free to alwaysuse a VPNto mask your IP address.
Do Signal and Telegram display in-app ads?
Only Telegram shows-in app ads, but theyre not that bad.
In addition, the ads are not personalized.
The text you see is based on the Channel youre in, not on your private conversations.
