Signal Private Messenger is a free, open-source messaging app focused on privacy and security. It's for sending encrypted texts, making voice and video calls, and sharing files. The app first launched back in 2014 and is available for download on both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. It has been installed over 100 million times on Google Play alone. You don't need to pay anything to download and install the app, and there are no in-app purchases or annoying ads. While you do need to register with a phone number to use it, the app is designed to collect minimal data about you.

Using Signal is pretty straightforward. After you install it and verify your number, your contacts who also use the app will automatically show up. One handy tip is to enable the 'Registration Lock' in the settings, which adds a PIN to prevent anyone else from registering your number on a new device. For group chats, you can set disappearing messages so that conversations clean themselves up after a set time. It's also great for making clearer voice calls compared to regular cell service, especially on Wi-Fi.

I've tried other messengers like WhatsApp and Telegram, but I keep coming back to Signal. WhatsApp is owned by Meta (Facebook), which makes me uneasy about data practices, even though it uses Signal's encryption protocol. Telegram only has optional end-to-end encryption for 'Secret Chats,' not for regular chats or groups. With Signal, encryption is on by default for everything—every message, every call. It's the simplest, most trustworthy option if privacy is your main concern. You don't have to dig through settings to turn security on; it just works that way from the moment you install the app.

• 🔒 Default End-to-End Encryption: Unlike many apps where you have to enable a 'private chat' mode, Signal's encryption is automatic for every single message and call. This means no one, not even Signal, can read your conversations.
• 📞 Secure Calls & Stories: The app isn't just for texting. You can make high-quality, encrypted voice and video calls. It also has a 'Stories' feature (like disappearing status updates) that is also end-to-end encrypted, which even Instagram and WhatsApp don't offer for their stories.
• 🛡️ Minimal Data Collection: The Signal app is designed from the ground up to know as little about you as possible. It doesn't store your message history on its servers and collects virtually no metadata compared to other mainstream messengers.
• 🔐 Advanced Security Features: Features like 'Sealed Sender' (which hides who sent a message), screen security (blocking app previews), and relayed voice calls (to hide your IP address) offer extra layers of privacy you won't find in standard apps.

• ✅ Privacy-First Model: Compared to WhatsApp (Meta) or even Telegram, Signal's entire business model is non-profit and funded by grants/donations. There's zero incentive to monetize your data.
• ✅ Open Source & Audited: The Signal app's code is open for anyone to inspect, and it has undergone multiple independent security audits. This transparency builds more trust than the closed systems of iMessage or WhatsApp.
• ✅ Simplicity & Reliability: The user experience is clean and focused on communication. It doesn't have the clutter of Telegram's channels/bots or the commercial feel of WhatsApp's business features, making it reliable and straightforward.

• ❌ Smaller Network: Since it requires both parties to download the Signal app, your network is limited compared to ubiquitous platforms like WhatsApp or iMessage (on iPhone). You might need to convince friends to install it.
• ❌ Fewer 'Fun' Features: It lacks some of the flashy social features found in others. For example, Telegram has massive group sizes and advanced bots, while WhatsApp has more polished status and payment integrations in some regions.
• ❌ Phone Number Dependency: You still need a phone number to register, unlike some apps that offer username-based sign-up. This can be a privacy concern for those wanting complete anonymity.