Signal Technology Foundation review
Updated October 12, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
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Our verdict
Signal Technology Foundation gives privacy minded people messaging and calling with open source transparency balanced against keeping technical data for operation. You get chats, calls, groups, stickers and stories across phones, tablets and computers with help through email, help centre and community.
Key facts
- Best for
- Private messaging and calling across everyday devices
- Jurisdiction
- US (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Platforms
- Android, iOS, IPad, Windows, MacOS, Linux (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Owner
- Signal Technology Foundation (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Legal entity
- Signal Messenger, LLC (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Headquarters
- United States (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Founded
- 2018 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Support channels
- Email, Help-centre, Community (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Pricing model
- Free
- Official website
- signal.org
Privacy tools
- Free plan
- Yes (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Free plan limits
- Free for everyone: all messaging, calls, groups, stickers and stories included, no ads and no trackers, funded by donations (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Platforms
- Android, iOS, IPad, Windows, MacOS, Linux (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Logging policy
- No message or call content stored; only minimal technical data kept (authentication tokens, keys, push tokens, phone number) and limited to what is required to operate (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Jurisdiction
- US (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Open source
- Yes (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Legal entity
- Signal Messenger, LLC (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Headquarters
- United States (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Founded
- 2018 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Support channels
- Email, Help-centre, Community (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Pricing model
- Free
Apps and profiles
- Elsewhere
- WikidataWikipediaXgithub.com
Pros
Pros
- Open source code that people can inspect for transparency
- Covers messaging, calls, groups, stickers and stories together
- Runs on phones, tablets and desktop computers
Who it suits
- People who want private chats and voice calls
- People who use phones, tablets and computers daily
How Signal Technology Foundation compares
Frequently asked questions
What does Signal Technology Foundation provide?+
It provides messaging, calls, groups, stickers and stories for everyday chats with friends and family. You use the same service for one to one talks and group conversations.
Which devices work with the service?+
It works on Android, iOS and iPad for mobile use. It also works on Windows, macOS and Linux for desktop access across home and work setups.
How does it handle message privacy?+
Message and call content stays out of storage on its systems. It keeps authentication tokens, keys, push tokens and a phone number for operation.
Which platforms does Signal Technology Foundation support?+
Signal Technology Foundation supports Android, iOS, IPad, Windows, MacOS, Linux. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Which company operates Signal Technology Foundation?+
Signal Technology Foundation is operated by Signal Messenger, LLC. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Where is Signal Technology Foundation based?+
Signal Technology Foundation is based in United States. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
When was Signal Technology Foundation founded?+
Signal Technology Foundation was founded in 2018. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
How can I contact Signal Technology Foundation support?+
Signal Technology Foundation offers support through Email, Help-centre, Community. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Sources
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signal_(software) checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Founded
“On 21 February 2018, Moxie Marlinspike and WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton announced the formation of the Signal Technology Foundation”
- signal.org checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Free plan, Free plan limits, Pricing model, Platforms
“Free for Everyone”
- signal.org/brand checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Open source, Owner
“You may use Signal's open source under the terms of the AGPLv3 license.”
- signal.org/legal checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Headquarters, Jurisdiction, Legal entity, Logging policy, Support channels
“Signal Messenger, LLC 650 Castro Street, Suite 120-223 Mountain View, CA 94041”
Compiled from 4 source pages, checked October 13, 2026. We did not open an account.
Not confirmed yet: Monthly price, Long-term plan price, Devices, Server countries, No-logs audit.