- WhatsApp and Signal both feature end-to-end encryption for their voice, video, and text conversations.
- While Signal hides the metadata of its encrypted messages, WhatsApp does not.
- Signal is also arguably safer because the app is owned by a nonprofit; WhatsApp is owned by Meta.
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WhatsApp has a lot of competitors. Apps like Signal, Telegram, and Threema all offer similar features and capabilities, for example, and Signal in particular is often compared with WhatsApp side by side because they both include end-to-end encryption. Which of these two messaging services is better? Which is safer and more secure? Read on for a direct comparison of Signal versus WhatsApp.
Signal vs. WhatsApp: Which app uses better encryption?
As it happens, WhatsApp and Signal use the same encryption technologies. Both apps implement an open source encryption engine developed by Open Whisper Systems, and these apps offer full end-to-end encryption for voice, video, and text chats. That means that the data is fully encrypted as it leaves your mobile device and isn't decrypted until it arrives on the recipient's device. The service you're using — Signal or WhatsApp — doesn't have the ability to decrypt or read any part of your messages enroute.
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Signal vs. WhatsApp: Which app is safer?
There's more to your overall security than just the encryption, though, and it pays to compare some other aspects of WhatsApp and Signal.
Personal data collection
Messaging apps often have the ability to collect information about you based on information available on your mobile device. For example, your app might know your name, phone number, location, data usage habits, and much more. If you allow address book sharing, it may also be able to collect details on your friends and other contacts.
WhatsApp and Signal have different approaches to this trove of information. Based on its published privacy policy, Meta allows WhatsApp access to data collected by other Meta apps and services, and this data can be sold to other entities or used to help customize and improve the services that are offered. Signal, however, is owned by Signal Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. That means Signal has no profit incentive to collect or sell your personal data and only collects your phone number for device verification.
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Device security
End-to-end encryption is important, but it doesn't matter much if someone gains physical access to your phone and is able to unlock it (or they acquire it in an unlocked state). Thankfully, both WhatsApp and Signal can be protected with a second passcode or biometric lock, which can keep unauthorized users out of your messages.
Metadata protection
While both of these apps mask the content of your communication using end-to-end encryption, the message's metadata is not included in that encryption. Metadata includes the sender and recipient as well as the time and date the message was sent. Like most messaging apps, WhatsApp doesn't make an effort to hide the metadata, but Signal hides the metadata so it's impossible to glean any meaningful information from an encrypted Signal message.
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Ownership
WhatsApp is owned by Meta, the parent company that also owns Facebook and Instagram. While opinions about Meta vary, there's no question that Meta is a for-profit business which collects and sells user data. Signal, as mentioned, is owned by a nonprofit organization.
Insider's takeaway
Both WhatsApp and Signal have a lot to offer when it comes to communication features. They have voice, video, and text chat and support group conversations as well. Both use the same encryption technology, but based on a number of other factors, such as company ownership and data handling, Signal is moderately more trustworthy if security and safety are your top priorities.
Dave Johnson
Freelance Writer
Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider.
