Telegram vs Signal: Which Messaging App is Better?

In the world of private messaging, two popular apps stand out: Telegram and Signal. Both claim to provide security and privacy, but they have different features and approaches. This article compares Telegram vs Signal, examining security, privacy, features, usability, and performance in detail to help you make an informed decision.

Security and Privacy

End-to-End Encryption

One of the biggest differences between Telegram and Signal is how they handle encryption.

Signal encrypts all messages, calls, and media using end-to-end encryption (E2EE) by default. This means that no one, not even Signal itself, can access your conversations. The encryption method used is Signal Protocol, which is one of the most secure encryption protocols in the world. Many other platforms, including WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, use Signal’s encryption for their secure chats.
Telegram, on the other hand, does not enable E2EE by default. Only “Secret Chats” use end-to-end encryption. Regular chats are stored on Telegram’s cloud servers, meaning Telegram has access to your messages. While Telegram claims to use secure encryption methods, the fact that messages are stored on their servers poses a security risk. If Telegram’s servers were ever compromised, user messages could potentially be exposed.

Data Collection

When it comes to data privacy, Signal collects almost no user data. The only information it stores is your phone number, which is necessary for account creation. Signal does not store message history, metadata, or logs about who you communicate with.

In contrast, Telegram collects more data, including:

Your phone number
Contact list
User ID
Messages (if not using Secret Chats)
IP address (which can be used to track your location)
Device information

If privacy is your top concern, Signal is the better choice because it does not collect personal data and does not track user activity.

Open Source Code

Both Telegram and Signal are open-source apps, meaning their source code is available for public inspection. However, there is a key difference:

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Signal’s entire codebase is open-source, including both its client-side and server-side code. This means that security experts can regularly audit it for vulnerabilities.
Telegram’s client-side code is open-source, but its server-side code is closed-source. This lack of transparency makes it difficult to verify Telegram’s security claims.

Features and Usability

User Interface

Both apps have simple and user-friendly interfaces, but they are designed with different priorities in mind:

Telegram has a more polished and customizable interface. Users can change themes, customize chat backgrounds, and even use animated stickers and emojis. It offers a visually appealing experience for those who enjoy personalization.
Signal follows a minimalistic design, focusing on functionality and security over aesthetics. While it may lack advanced customization options, it ensures a distraction-free messaging experience.

Messaging Features

Telegram is feature-rich and provides various functionalities for both individual and group messaging. Some key features include:

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Large group chats: Telegram allows groups with up to 200,000 members, making it ideal for large communities.
Cloud-based storage: All messages, photos, and videos are stored in the cloud, allowing users to access them from multiple devices.
Self-destructing messages: Users can set messages to disappear after a certain period.
Public channels: Telegram offers one-way broadcast channels where admins can send messages to an unlimited number of subscribers.
Bots and automation tools: Telegram allows developers to create bots for automated tasks, such as news updates or reminders.

Signal

Signal focuses on privacy and security rather than advanced features. Key messaging features include:

End-to-end encryption for all conversations: Unlike Telegram, Signal encrypts all chats by default.
Secure voice and video calls: Signal provides encrypted calls that prevent eavesdropping.
Disappearing messages: Users can enable disappearing messages for extra privacy.
No cloud storage: Messages are stored only on the user’s device, ensuring that no external server has access to your conversations.

While Telegram offers more flexibility and features, Signal provides a more secure and private messaging experience.

Performance and Reliability

Both apps perform well, but there are some differences:

Telegram is faster because it caches messages on its servers, allowing quick access to older messages and large files.
Signal processes everything locally, which means it can be slightly slower but offers higher security.
Telegram supports multiple devices simultaneously, whereas Signal only recently introduced limited multi-device support (messages do not sync across devices as easily as in Telegram).
Telegram allows file sharing up to 2GB, while Signal has a file-sharing limit of 100MB.

Which One is Safer?

If security is your main concern, Signal is the better option.

It uses E2EE for all messages.
It does not collect metadata.
It does not store messages on any external servers.
It does not track user activity.

While Telegram provides username anonymity, its lack of default encryption makes it less private.

Popularity and User Base

Telegram has over 800 million active users worldwide. It is widely used for social groups, public discussions, and even political activism in some countries.
Signal has around 40 million active users. While it is not as popular as Telegram, it is gaining traction due to increasing concerns about online privacy.

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Who Should Use Telegram?

Telegram is best for users who:

Want to join or create large group chats and public channels.
Need a cloud-based messaging service for accessing messages on multiple devices.
Want advanced features like bots, stickers, and file sharing.
Prefer a customizable chat experience with themes and animations.

Who Should Use Signal?

Signal is best for users who:

Prioritize security and privacy over additional features.
Want to communicate without leaving digital footprints.
Prefer encrypted voice and video calls.
Want zero data collection and no cloud storage of messages.

Conclusion

When comparing Telegram vs Signal, the right choice depends on your needs.

If you need privacy and security, Signal is the best choice.
If you need advanced messaging features, group chats, and cloud storage, Telegram is better.

Both apps serve different purposes, and many users choose to use both for different reasons.

FAQs about Telegram vs Signal

Is Telegram safer than Signal?

No, Signal is safer because it encrypts all chats by default and collects minimal user data. Telegram stores messages on its servers unless using Secret Chats.

Can Telegram read my messages?

Yes, unless you use Secret Chats, Telegram can access your messages because they are stored on its servers.

Can Signal be hacked?

While no app is 100% secure, Signal’s encryption and lack of data collection make it one of the safest messaging apps available.

Does Telegram have end-to-end encryption?

Only Secret Chats in Telegram are end-to-end encrypted. Regular chats are stored on Telegram’s cloud servers and are not fully private.

Can I use both Telegram and Signal?

Yes, you can use both apps for different purposes—Telegram for group chats and public channels, and Signal for private, secure conversations.