Signal Private Messenger icon
Communication

Signal Private Messenger

Signal Foundation

4.5 ★ 2,889,170 ratings 100,000,000+ installs
Signal Private Messenger screenshot 1Signal Private Messenger screenshot 2Signal Private Messenger screenshot 3Signal Private Messenger screenshot 4Signal Private Messenger screenshot 5Signal Private Messenger screenshot 6

Our take

Signal earns its reputation the hard way: real, verifiable encryption, no ad tech, and a foundation instead of a shareholder base setting priorities. It’s not the flashiest chat app, but for anyone who cares what happens to their messages, there isn’t a serious competitor at this price.

About Signal Private Messenger

Signal is a messaging app with privacy at its core. It is free and easy to use, with strong end-to-end encryption that keeps your communication completely private.

• Send texts, voice messages, photos, videos, GIFs, and files for free. Signal uses your phone’s data connection, so you avoid SMS and MMS fees.

• Call your friends with crystal-clear encrypted voice and video calls. Group calls supported for up to 50 people.

• Stay connected with group chats up to 1,000 people. Control who can post and manage group members with admin permission settings.

• Share image, text, and video Stories that disappear after 24 hours. Privacy settings keep you in charge of exactly who can see each Story.

• Signal is built for your privacy. We know nothing about you or who you’re talking to. Our open source Signal Protocol means that we can’t read your messages or listen to your calls. Neither can anyone else. No back doors, no data collection, no compromises.

• Signal is independent and not for profit; a different kind of tech from a different kind of organization. As a 501c3 nonprofit we are supported by your donations, not by advertisers or investors.

• For support, questions, or more information please visit https://support.signal.org/

To check out our source code, visit https://github.com/signalapp

Follow us on Twitter @signalapp and Instagram @signal_app

Google Play rating
4.5
2,889,170 reviews on Google Play ↗
Our editorial score
9.2 /10
Our independent opinion — not affiliated with Google.

Rating breakdown

5 ★
76%
4 ★
12%
3 ★
4%
2 ★
2%
1 ★
5%
Our Editorial Score 9.2 /10 Our independent editorial opinion.

What we like

  • Open-source, audited end-to-end encryption by default on every message type
  • Group calls up to 50 and chats up to 1,000 with granular admin controls
  • No ad model or data harvesting; the foundation has nothing to sell

Watch out for

  • Network effect still favors WhatsApp and iMessage in most friend groups
  • Newer features like Stories feel bolted onto a core built for messaging, not social sharing
Verdict: The clearest case of a messaging app built around its users' privacy instead of a business model, and it shows.

Additional information

Developer
Signal Foundation
Updated on
Jul 13, 2026
Version
8.19.2
Downloads
100,000,000+
Content rating
Everyone
Requires Android
6.0
Released on
May 25, 2010
Category
Communication
Offered by
Free (with ads / in-app items)