Almost everyone will install Signal without an argument, which counts for a lot when you’re trying to get your contacts onto something private. The protocol behind it is the one other apps license or copy so the encryption itself isn’t in doubt. It’s open source and a nonprofit runs it on donations rather than ads. You do have to register with a phone number, which links the account to you. A username now lets you keep that number private. Signal won’t hide who you talk to. If that’s your main worry, SimpleX was built for it.
Signal
The mainstream secure messenger, trusted and easy to use.
signal.org
FreeOpen SourceE2E EncryptedWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOSUnited States
Pricing Free, funded by donations.
Strengths
- Gold-standard Signal Protocol encryption, widely audited
- Open source apps, run by a US nonprofit on donations
- By far the easiest secure messenger to get others onto
- Usernames let you connect without sharing your phone number
Considerations
- Signup requires a phone number
Listed in Messaging
