Signal – European messaging app
The gold standard for encrypted messaging. Open-source and non-profit.
Quick facts
Why does it score 44?
Signal is run by the Signal Technology Foundation, a US non-profit based in Mountain View, California.
No company or investor holds a stake in Signal. Its non-profit foundation is fully in control.
Signal's infrastructure includes servers in the US, so the underlying data centres sit under US jurisdiction despite the app's strong encryption.
Signal is fully open source and widely regarded as the standard for encrypted messaging, though it hasn't published the same level of formal third-party audit as some EU-based rivals.
See how they compare
Signal
Imessage 
Whatsapp 
Telegram 
Messenger 
Wechat More European Messaging & chat alternatives
French end-to-end encrypted messenger certified by ANSSI, the French national cybersecurity agency. Unlike Signal, requires no phone number or personal data to register. Used by the French government, recommended by French Prime Minister for ministerial communications.
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