WhatsApp and Signal both offer end-to-end encryption. This technology works by scrambling the messages so that only the sender and receiver are able to put them back together. End-to-end encryption makes messaging more secure by making it impossible for any third party, including the app maker itself, to see the message contents.
However, we often hear that Signal is more private and secure than WhatsApp. Even we frequently recommend Signal as the most private messaging app out there. What exactly is behind this assertion? Between Signal and WhatsApp, which one is better? Read on for a detailed comparison.
Is Signal safer than WhatsApp?
WhatsApp and Signal both use the same encryption protocol developed by Open Whisper Systems. This protocol is open-source and peer-reviewed, making it trustworthy. While they use the same encryption, Signal has a number of security advantages over WhatsApp:
Metadata protection
When you send out a message or a photo, you are also sending out metadata. Metadata includes information about who the message is sent to, when the message was delivered, and more. While the content of messages is protected by end-to-end encryption, this metadata—information about the message—is not. If encryption is a lockbox, metadata is the postage label taped on top of it. Even without opening the box, you can already learn a lot by reading the label.
WhatsApp does not protect metadata. This means third parties may see information about the messages. In contrast, Signal developed a technology for protecting metadata called Sealed Sender. This technology hides information about the sender and the recipient, so even the postage label is unreadable.
Read more: What is metadata and what does it mean?
Data sharing
In addition to the messages and the metadata, messaging services can also collect information stored on your phone. This information includes your phone number, contacts, avatar, location, media, and device details. There is a major difference between how WhatsApp and Signal treat this information.
WhatsApp stores encrypted media and forwarded messages on its own servers. It also collects information on your usage habits such as how often you use the app and how much time you spend chatting with each contact. According to its privacy policy, third-party service providers can access this information. Signal, on the other hand, only requires a phone number. They will not attempt to link the phone number to an identity.
Company ownership
Another important factor to consider is which company owns the messaging service. Meta (formerly Facebook) owns WhatsApp. If WhatsApp’s privacy policy is any indication, they will integrate the app with other services owned by Meta. This involves sharing of information in order to help them customize and market their services.
On the other hand, Signal is owned by the Signal Technology Foundation. It is a registered non-profit organization that is run on user donations. One of the founders, Moxie Marlinspike, was Twitter’s head of cybersecurity. He developed Signal’s end-to-end encryption protocol, which was later adopted into popular messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Skype, and Facebook Messenger.
Read more: WhatsApp’s new privacy policy explained (2021)
Which messaging app is most secure?
Between WhatsApp and Signal, Signal wins hands-down as the more secure messaging service. While both use end-to-end message encryption, Signal provides more metadata privacy and doesn’t share your data with third parties. Since Signal is privately owned and non-profit, it will likely remain the more secure option in the near future.
That said, we aren’t necessarily recommending that you stop using WhatsApp. Admittedly, its end-to-end encryption is still a highly respected standard of privacy protection.
FAQ: WhatsApp vs. Signal
Is Signal better than WhatsApp?
Depends on what you are looking for. While Signal has better privacy features, there are other areas where WhatsApp has the advantage. For example, Signal has 20 million monthly users, WhatsApp has approximately 2 billion. This makes it far more likely that you will find your friends on WhatsApp.
Is Signal more private than WhatsApp?
Yes. While both messaging services use end-to-end encryption, Signal does a better job of protecting user metadata. Unlike WhatsApp, Signal won’t share your data with third parties.
Which encryption protocol does WhatsApp and Signal use?
Both these services use the Signal protocol for their end-to-end encryption. This protocol is developed by the Signal Foundation, the same people behind Signal.
What personal data is collected by WhatsApp vs. Signal?
Here is a quick table of the information collected by each messaging service.
| Signal | ||
| Phone Number | Collected and shared | Stored on server |
| Device ID | Collected and shared | For transmission only |
| User Identifiers | Collected and shared | For transmission only |
| Location | Collected and shared | Not collected |
| Transaction data | Collected and shared | Not collected |
| Product interaction | Collected and shared | Not collected |
WhatsApp shares a lot more information than Signal. According to their privacy policy, this information will be used for product customization and marketing among other applications.
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Comments
Is signal more secure if used over a VPN
How is Signal, an app developed by the CIA, more “secure” than Facebook’s version? It seems more like you are just picking which data snoop to share your messages with. Good luck with that. Makes me wonder if Express VPN is just another Deep State fake meant to track and spy on us?
I agree with everything that the writer mentions here, because Signal is clearly more secure than WhatsApp (besides, Signal works better and has all the necessary features that I need). I’ve been using Signal for a couple of years now and I won’t go back to WhatsApp, which is owned by Meta (previously Facebook). This was an easy transition for me, because I don’t like Facebook at all (I’ve never used Facebook and I never will due to their negligent approach to all things that are related to privacy and security).
What about the security of signal vs telegram??
Signal is more secure than Telegram. For one, end-to-end encryption is not enabled by default on Telegram. They also use their own encryption protocol, which doesn’t have the same track record as Signal.
I completely disagree to a extent I recently long story short went through a horrible experience… I had to get 5 attorney,s battle high up authority,s I caught in lies and falsifying document,s I used signal the whole time . My 3 children,s life’s were at stake and all evidence protecting them I used signal still signal has since went in and deleted every single piece of evidence and all my attorney conversations but yet left all my other thousand contacts messages in full I had this information saved for a reason to protect my children and there lives signal has worked with the authorities and went in and wiped all my conversations out and it was vital evidence… And if I run a diagnostic test it says thought criminal activity*** now years later if I run one it says thought criminal activity but ok** so they labeled me as a criminal and they deleted personal private information… This is still a ongoing battle 5 years later.