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Signal

Score9.2 out of 10

9 Reviews and Ratings

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What is Signal?

Signal is an open source cross-platform messaging app featuring end-to-end encryption to keep conversations private and secure, boasting no ads, no affiliate marketers, and no creepy tracking in Signal. Users can focus on sharing the moments that matter.

Categories & Use Cases

Reviews

What users are saying about Signal.
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Great solution for internal and external messaging

Incentivized
Verified User
Director (1-10 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Signal Open Source Messenger is a great solution for end-to-end encrypted messaging across our organization. We use it for working groups, and invite new partners into dedicated groups that allow us to securely communicate across a variety of regions. It also allows a decent transfer of photos and video files, password updates, etc. in a secure context.

Pros

  • Offers end-to-end encryption
  • Provides secure calling solution
  • Transfer of secure data
  • Media sharing

Cons

  • Backup functionality on iOS devices
  • Sometimes messages can be delayed

Return on Investment

  • Communication is crucial to accomplishing our mission
  • Cost of similar commercial apps could be very prohibitive

Alternatives Considered

WhatsApp Business, Telegram, Microsoft Teams and Google Chat

High Security Messaging App Delivers on Voice, Video Chat, Filesharing

Incentivized
Jonah DempcyView profile
Web & Mobile Developer in Engineering at Bluefire Productions (1-10 employees employees)

Pros

  • Security - This is the main feature Signal is known for, and it's no joke. Signal's encrypted messaging is best in class and you can rest assured that it would be very difficult for a third party to intercept your messages.
  • Filesharing - You can share all manner of files and audiovisual content through Signal in a secure way.
  • Desktop/Mobile Sync - In order to sync your mobile installation of Signal to the desktop version, you have to use a QR Code, and do it every time you update. Old versions of Signal are no longer able to send or receive messages. This is a good and bad thing as it is a bit of a hassle, but it helps to add extra layers of security.
  • Message Drafts - A nice feature where you don't lose messages you are in the middle of writing.
  • Named Conversations - It's nice to be able to organize conversations
  • Temporary Messages - You can send messages that will be deleted after a certain time, or when read.
  • Video and Voice Chat - In addition to texting, Signal lets you make video and voice calls.

Cons

  • Update Hassle - While this is also a positive in added security, every time they release an update to the app, you have to update. Since I only use the app occasionally, I have to update probably 1-in-4 times I open the app. It feels laborious as I will sometimes want to send a friend or colleague a message, who only uses Signal, and I open the app to message them and suddenly have to wait 2-4 minutes to update and install the new version.
  • Not Getting Messages - You also no longer send and receive messages until you update. So if you have an outdated version of the app, nobody can get ahold of you and they might not know why you aren't responding.
  • Re-Sync Via QR Code After Update - Every time I update, I have to re-sync my mobile app to the desktop. So it adds another added step. The forced updates and forced resync steps are quite laborious.

Return on Investment

  • Positive - Signal allows us to communicate with colleagues and clients that prefer to use it.
  • Positive - Increased security gives increased peace of mind in discussing sensitive matters or sharing sensitive materials.
  • Negative - Hassle updating the app regularly.

Alternatives Considered

Slack, Microsoft Teams, Skype, WhatsApp Business and Discord

Other Software Used

Discord, Microsoft Teams, GoToMeeting

Signal Is Secret and So Are Your Conversations

Incentivized
Andy AbramsonView profile
CEO and Founder in Corporate at Comunicano, Inc. (11-50 employees employees)

Pros

  • Encryption end to end
  • Audio quality
  • Ability to permanently delete messages and history

Cons

  • Needs to add video
  • Add time zone information so you don't call at the wrong time
  • Improve the interface, as it's too bland

Return on Investment

  • I reach people who I need to more quickly.
  • It is a free service.
  • It provides my clients confidence in keeping things confidential that need to be.

Alternatives Considered

Skype and WhatsApp Business

Other Software Used

UberConference, WhatsApp Business, Zoom, Basecamp, Slack