Updated September 28, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Signal vs SimpleX Chat
Where Signal and SimpleX Chat differ
| Compare |  Signal |  SimpleX Chat |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan limits | Free for everyone: all messaging, calls, groups, stickers and stories included, no ads and no trackers, funded by donations | Free |
| Platforms | Android, iOS, Windows, MacOS, Linux | Android, iOS, Windows, MacOS, Linux, Terminal CLICovers more |
| 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 | Preset servers do not log IP addresses of the user devices that connect to them; messages are irreversibly removed from preset relay servers as soon as delivered or after 21 days; files kept 48 hours on preset file servers; only aggregate statistics collected. |
| Jurisdiction | US | GB |
| Price from | $1.99 | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Free plan (Yes), Open source (Yes).
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Key differences
- Platforms: only SimpleX Chat offers Terminal CLI.
- Support channels: only SimpleX Chat offers Chat.
- Founded is lower at Signal: 2014 vs 2021.
Our verdict on each
Signal
Signal suits anyone who wants private messaging with no subscription to manage. Every message, call, group, sticker and story sits on the free plan, with no ads and no trackers, and the one paid extra, Secure Backups, costs $1.99 on an open source app.
SimpleX Chat
SimpleX Chat is a free, open source messenger where messages, files and calls stay end-to-end encrypted, so it suits people who want private chat without a subscription. It runs on Android, iOS and Windows, was founded in 2021, and the Free plan costs nothing at entry or at renewal.
Score breakdown
| Area | Signal | SimpleX Chat |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.5Higher | 9.1 |
| Offer | 8.9 | 9.5Higher |
| Privacy | 9.1Higher | 8.7 |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Signal | SimpleX Chat |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy tools | 90 of 280 | 92 of 280 |
| Secure email and messaging | 20 of 60 | 22 of 60 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Signal | SimpleX Chat |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Legal entity | Signal Messenger, LLC | SimpleX Chat Ltd |
| Headquarters | United States | United Kingdom |
| Founded | 2014Lower | 2021 |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre, Community | Email, Chat, Help centre, CommunityCovers more |
Secure email
| Fact | Signal | SimpleX Chat |
|---|---|---|
| End-to-end encryption | Messages, calls and profile data are always end-to-end encrypted; Secure Backup Archives are end-to-end encrypted with a 64-character recovery key never shared with Signal | Messages, files and voice messages, plus audio and video calls, are end-to-end encrypted; relay servers cannot decrypt content |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Signal | SimpleX Chat | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | $1.99lowest quarter | Not confirmed | $8 |
Median across 83 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Signal
Pros
- The free plan includes all messaging, calls, groups, stickers and stories, with no ads and no trackers, funded by donations.
- The app is open source and runs on Android, iOS and Windows.
Cons
- Support runs on email, help centre and community only.
- Secure Backups is the one item that costs money, at $1.99, so archiving chats needs a payment on top of the free plan.
- The operator is Signal Messenger, LLC, so it answers to US law.
SimpleX Chat
Pros
- Messages, files, voice messages, audio and video calls are all end-to-end encrypted, and relay servers cannot decrypt the content
- It is open source and free, listed under free, with a Free plan in place
- It covers Android, iOS and Windows, so the same account works across phone and desktop
Cons
- Support runs on email, chat and help centre only, and a phone line is not among those channels
- The Free plan limits read free, so what the free tier covers is worth checking before you lean on it for large file sharing
Who each suits
Signal
Who it suits
- People who want end-to-end encrypted messages and calls without a subscription to manage.
- Groups and families, since groups, stickers and stories are all included on the free plan.
- Anyone who wants an open source app with builds for Android, iOS and Windows.
Who should look elsewhere
- Apple Hide My Email, if the only need is an email alias, since its aliases come free with an Apple Account and changing the Forward To address requires iCloud+.
- Apple Inc., for the same reason: free aliases need an Apple Account, and changing the Forward To address requires iCloud+.
- EasyOptOuts, which has no free plan, so the donation-funded free plan Signal covers is not on offer there.
SimpleX Chat
Who it suits
- People who want private messages, files and calls without paying a subscription
- People comfortable reading open source code and checking how a messenger handles their data
- Readers who would rather work through a help centre and community answers than ring a support line
Who should look elsewhere
- EasyOptOuts, if your goal is data broker removal rather than a private messenger: EasyOptOuts has no free plan
- Posteo, if you want a private mailbox rather than messaging: Posteo has no free plan
- Surfshark, if you would rather pay for a subscription service: Surfshark has no free plan, so there is no free open source plan to set it beside
Questions about each
Signal
What does Signal cost?+
Messaging, calls, groups, stickers and stories all sit on the free plan, with no ads and no trackers, funded by donations. The only priced item is Secure Backups at $1.99, a set price rather than a tiered subscription.
Which platforms does Signal run on?+
Signal publishes apps for Android, iOS and Windows. Every user on those platforms gets messaging, calls, groups, stickers and stories, and the client code is open source, so the apps can be inspected rather than taken on trust.
SimpleX Chat
How much does SimpleX Chat cost?+
SimpleX Chat lists a Free plan, and free reads free, so there is no entry price and no renewal price to weigh against each other. The Free plan's limits are free. For a messenger built on end-to-end encryption, that makes it an easy first step before you decide anything.
Is everything really end-to-end encrypted?+
Yes. Messages, files and voice messages are end-to-end encrypted, and so are audio and video calls, with relay servers unable to decrypt the content. That covers the whole conversation rather than just the text, and the app is free under free on Android, iOS and Windows.