Signal vs. Telegram: Security vs. Convenience

Signal and Telegram are both alternative messaging apps outside of the Metaverse. For anyone wanting to leave Meta-owned platforms like Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp, both of these are options to consider.

Signal is the better choice for privacy and security while Telegram offers convenience. Both services’ security can be enhanced with a quality VPN installed on your device.

Below, we take a look at both Signal and Telegram to explain their features, explore the differences in security approaches, and give you background on who owns them. If you’re in the market for a new messaging platform, read on.

What’s the difference between Signal and Telegram?

Signal is more secure, owned by a nonprofit, and is very serious about security. Telegram is more convenient, owned by a single person, and has varying levels of security.

End-to-end encryption is active on all Signal messages, which are also stored locally on your device. On Telegram, end-to-end encryption is optional and data is stored in the cloud. Below are some of the other features and functions of each platform.

Signal vs. Telegram security features compared

	Signal	Telegram
Company headquarters	Denver, Colorado, United States	British Virgin Islands and Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Owner	Signal Foundation (nonprofit)	Pavel Durov (private owner)
Two-factor authentication
Screen lock
End-to-end encryption	Yes, for all chats	Yes, but Secret Chats only
Self-destructing messages	Yes, for all chats	Yes, but Secret Chats only
Hide your phone number
Chat history cloud storage	No, messages are saved on the device
Open-source code	Full	Partial
Data collected	Phone number only	Phone number, contacts, IP address, device details
Compatibility	iOS (iPhone and iPad), Android, macOS, Windows, and Linux (Debian desktop apps)	iOS (iPhone and iPad), Android, macOS, Windows, and Linux

Does Signal or Telegram collect your data?

Both Signal and Telegram collect some of your data, but how much differs greatly between the two services.

Signal’s data collection is minimal, it keeps no logs, and data is stored locally on your device. Telegram collects much more information, including location data, device information, logs on chats that aren’t secret, and more. Overall, we found Signal’s privacy policy to be clearer while Telegram’s seemed confusing.

How does Signal use your data?

Signal’s privacy policy outlines the few ways it uses your data. The service provides data to a third party when necessary. Signal states that it gives your phone number to a third party to send you a verification code when you sign up. It also notes that it uses the data it has to comply with laws, investigate misuse and fraud, and other legal necessities. Considering there’s no cloud storage and no logs, the data used is minimal anyway.

How does Telegram use your data?

Telegram’s privacy policy outlines several areas where your data is used. While it notes it won’t use aggregated data to serve you ads, it may use it to suggest what it deems “useful features.” The metadata collected can be used for cross-functionality between devices, which is useful but less secure. Its moderators may have access to your messages if they’re reported by other users, which then allows Telegram to view them.

How to secure your messages with a VPN

A virtual private network (VPN) encrypts your traffic. If you use it in combination with your messaging app, it keeps your data private. This is especially important if you’re on a shared connection like a coffee shop’s Wi-Fi or your company’s internet.

To use a VPN like NordVPN with Signal or Telegram, take the following steps:

1. Sign up for NordVPN.
2. Download the app.
3. Open the app and install the features.
4. Tap the Quick Connect option to get started.
5. OR tap the server option and choose a server you want to use.

Once you’re connected to a server, there’s nothing left to do but enjoy your secure connection.

Signal vs. Telegram features

If you’re wondering which service to use, think of it this way: Signal is more secure while Telegram is more convenient. One of the biggest differences is the fact that Signal saves data on your phone and never on its servers, while Telegram will save data on its servers so you can access it from multiple devices.

Verify new contacts

Signal offers a safety number to verify the security of messages, but not of contacts themselves. So for one-to-one chats, if your verified recipient has the same safety number as you, then you know it’s the right person. Telegram offers verification for public figures and organizations.

Private notifications

Signal offers options to customize notifications for private messages so they don’t display on your screen. Telegram offers notification customization so your chats remain private.

Call relay

If people are not on your contact list, Signal will automatically relay those calls through its service so that your IP address is hidden. It also allows you to send all calls through a relay if you choose. Telegram sends all calls through relay to hide your information.

Saved messages, files, and folders

Signal saves messages, files, and more, locally on your device. This is safer for your data, but doesn’t allow you to access it from multiple devices. Telegram uses the cloud to save your information so you can access it from multiple devices. This is less secure as your data is in another location.

Self-destructing messages

Both services offer the ability to create self-destructing messages. These messages will disappear after the timer has elapsed.

Secret chats

All Signal chats are secret and end-to-end encrypted. Telegram offers secret chats with end-to-end encryption, but all other chats do not have end-to-end encryption enabled.

Online status

Signal does not offer insights as to the online status of users. Telegram premium subscribers can see the online status of other users.

Group chats

Both services offer group chat options that you can name to differentiate between them. Personally, all our group chats have weird names, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

FAQs

Bottom line: Is Signal better than Telegram?

If you’re concerned about privacy, then Signal is better than Telegram. We also like that it’s owned by a nonprofit and not connected to any Big Tech.

Telegram stores more metadata than most of its competitors, so Signal is safer when it comes to securing your data as well. If privacy isn’t your focus, and you just want a convenient alternative to WhatsApp or Messenger, Telegram stores data in the cloud so you can move between devices and retain your messages.

We care about your privacy, so we suggest also using one of the best VPNs on your devices along with your messaging app. This way you can encrypt all your traffic, not just your messages.