Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Signal vs WhatsApp Messenger

Signal 4.7★ · Free + IAP 75
Winner Signal
WhatsApp Messenger 4.7★ · Free + IAP 60

Signal is the better choice for users prioritizing privacy and security, despite some usability quirks, while WhatsApp offers broader reach and generally more reliable core messaging and calling, but with significant privacy and account stability concerns.

Full reviews: Signal · WhatsApp Messenger

Signal is highly praised for its strong privacy and security features, making it ideal for sensitive communications, though some users report issues with call quality and app functionality. WhatsApp, while widely adopted, faces criticism for account suspensions, privacy concerns, and occasional bugs, but is generally reliable for basic messaging and international communication.

Head to head

Privacy and Security edge: SignalR1R5R11R12
Signal Signal is consistently lauded as a secure and private messaging app, with users appreciating its end-to-end encryption and commitment to user data protection R5R11R14R17. Some users even donate to support its mission R17R26. However, a few users express skepticism about its advertised security or misunderstand client-side encryption . There are also reports of scammers on the platform R1R12.
WhatsApp Messenger WhatsApp faces significant criticism regarding privacy and security, particularly concerning its association with Meta . Users express distrust and concerns about data collection . There are also reports of the app being a 'breeding ground for easy deception, fraud and theft' .
Core Messaging and Calling edge: WhatsApp MessengerR2R7R9R21
Signal Signal users find it generally good for messaging, with some praising its ease of use R2. However, call quality can be spotty, with calls sometimes not connecting or cutting out R9R21R25. There are also reports of message delivery delays . Video recording requires holding a button, which some find unhelpful R7.
WhatsApp Messenger WhatsApp is generally considered reliable for communication, with users praising clear video and voice calls, especially for international use R68. However, some users report calls dropping at important moments or not receiving calls despite notifications . Issues with video sharing on calls and audio in video messages are also mentioned.
Features and Usability tieR10R11R15R18
Signal Signal offers useful features like a backup option R11 and is appreciated for group collaboration . However, users desire more group admin tools R15 and features like @everyone tags R10. There are complaints about attachment limits R18, difficulty with voice message fast-forward/rewind , and the inability to delete multiple messages at once . Some users also want an online status indicator .
WhatsApp Messenger WhatsApp is generally seen as a good, simple chatting app . Users appreciate its global utility R68. However, there are requests for more stickers and updates , and issues with adding new stickers . The quality of pictures and videos in WhatsApp status is criticized for being reduced . Some users find the recent UI updates annoying .
Reliability and Bugs tieR3R4R6R28
Signal Signal users report various bugs and reliability issues, including the app being cumbersome after updates R4, constant prompts for a PIN R3 or to turn on notifications , and problems with account access after getting a new phone or number R6R28R31. Some updates have reportedly wiped entire accounts or message histories .
WhatsApp Messenger WhatsApp users experience numerous reliability issues and bugs, including frequent account suspensions without clear reasons R82, logging out issues , and problems receiving activation codes . The app is also reported to crash when pasting pictures , download all media without permission , and have personalized notification issues . Some users find it slow or 'trabando mucho' .
Account Management and Setup tieR4R5R6R16
Signal Signal users face difficulties with account recovery and setup, particularly when changing phones or numbers. Issues include recovery keys not working R28, being locked out without access to an old number R6, and inability to use the app on an iPad without an iPhone R31. There are also requests for email login options, especially in regions where SMS verification is blocked R16. The app persistently asks for contacts R4 and for users to confirm they are human R5.
WhatsApp Messenger WhatsApp users report significant problems with account management, including unfair and excessive suspensions R82 and difficulties with activation codes . There are also requests for email login options and issues with linking devices or logging in on an iPad without a QR code . Users complain about losing chat history when swapping phones and persistent requests to sync contacts .
Pick Signal if

You prioritize privacy and security above all else, even if it means tolerating some occasional bugs or less polished features R17R20R26. You are comfortable with a messaging app that may have some limitations in group management or advanced features compared to more mainstream options R10R15R18.

Pick WhatsApp Messenger if

You need a widely adopted messaging app for broad communication, especially internationally, and value generally reliable core messaging and calling features R68. You are willing to overlook privacy concerns and potential issues with account suspensions or occasional bugs for the convenience of its large user base R82.

Evidence note: Both apps have a significant number of negative reviews, often highlighting bugs and usability frustrations. Signal's negative reviews frequently focus on specific functional issues and persistent prompts, while WhatsApp's negative reviews heavily feature account suspensions and privacy concerns. The lifetime ratings are very close, suggesting a similar overall user satisfaction despite the different types of complaints.

Frequently asked

Is Signal more secure than WhatsApp?
Yes, Signal is generally considered more secure than WhatsApp, with users frequently praising its privacy features and end-to-end encryption R14R17R20R26, while WhatsApp faces significant criticism regarding privacy due to its association with Meta .
Do Signal and WhatsApp have free tiers?
Both Signal and WhatsApp are free to download and use, with optional in-app purchases (IAP) for additional features or to support the developers R17R26.
Which app has better call quality?
WhatsApp generally offers clearer video and voice calls, especially for international communication R68, while Signal's calling can be spotty, with calls sometimes not going through or cutting out R9R21R25.
Are there issues with account access in Signal or WhatsApp?
Both apps have reported issues with account access; Signal users struggle with recovery keys not working or being locked out after changing phones R6R28R31, and WhatsApp users frequently report unfair account suspensions and difficulties receiving activation codes R82.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R1] Signal 1/5 · US Fake and good to scam people: Fake as hell fake people fake everything
  2. [R5] Signal 5/5 · US Why keep asking if I’m human: Secure and safe
  3. [R11] Signal 5/5 · US Amazing!!: Me and my family use this app and it genuinely feels so good to share information and talk without insecurity! Plus the new backup feature is amazing!!
  4. [R12] Signal 3/5 · US Signal: This is an okay app but all people literally do is ask you for money on here is is absolutely ridiculous
  5. [R2] Signal 5/5 · US Review: I don’t need to say much, I’m really in love with app
  6. [R7] Signal 2/5 · US Video recording?: So from what I can figure out, I need to hold the button down for the video to record? That’s not helpful.
  7. [R9] Signal 3/5 · US Good for messaging bad for calls: I love the privacy features overall for the app and it works great if you’re messaging others but the calling is spotty. Sometimes the calls go through and sometimes it acts like they are going through but the other person isn’t actually being contacted at all. This happens a little too often.
  8. [R21] Signal 3/5 · US I use for video calling with people from dating apps before dates: It’s nice because you can video call people from dating apps like hinge to get to know them better, without having to exchange numbers with a complete stranger. That’s what I use it for. But it is a very glitchy app in terms of receiving messages. Sometimes I won’t get them.
  9. [R10] Signal 1/5 · US Really need better group messaging: Please add @everyone or @all tags to group chat. Many want to minimize notifications unless it’s important! Tagging every member isn’t feasible/possible.
  10. [R15] Signal 3/5 · US More tools please!: Need more tools, need to be better than WhatsApp! More group ADMIN tools, I’m not able to cleanup my groups when people are no longer working with us.
  11. [R18] Signal 3/5 · US Attachment limits still for 5 chats only?: All other app functions work extremely well; however, how, after being available and in service this whole time with improvements and updates, is the chat limit for attachments still restricted to only five chats? If I want to send to nine people, have to send to five then separately to the other four. Hoping the next update rectifies this longstanding di
  12. [R3] Signal 3/5 · US Constant Asking for pin: the asking for pin dropdown never goes away.
  13. [R4] Signal 2/5 · US Stop asking for my contacts. Also bugs.: “Privacy minded” yet won’t stop asking for my contacts. What do you need my contacts for huh? Why are you so insistent on me handing over my contacts huh? Huh? Huh? Huh? Huh? Huh? Huuuuuuuuuuuuuh? Why do you keep asking huh? I said no. Do you know what “no” means? It means no for now and no forever. New update is buggy and makes the app cumbersome to use. S
  14. [R6] Signal 3/5 · US Outrageous!!!!: I think it’s stupid that in the app after you get a new number they just want you to reconfirm your old number like it’s gonna work or something. Like dude obviously I’m not gonna be able to access my old number due to it being a old number that a no longer have so why would you try to confirm that and then give no way out every time I open the app I’m literally loosing messages t
  15. [R28] Signal 1/5 · US Transfer Key didn’t work: I got a new phone and needed to use signal. The problem was my recovery key wouldn’t work so I lost all of my contacts, group chats, and access to my old account. Not the best platform in all honesty.
  16. [R16] Signal 2/5 · US Unable to log in via SMS where Signal is blocked / Request for email authentication: Dear Developers, Please consider adding an email login option. In countries where Signal is blocked, it is impossible to log in via SMS because the verification codes simply do not arrive. As a result, users cannot access their accounts after switching to a new device. Right now, I am locked out of my account, whi
  17. [R14] Signal 5/5 · US Secure messaging: Use it, appreciate it, don’t be dumb
  18. [R17] Signal 5/5 · US Awesome - best privacy / usability messaging app: The most easy to use private messaging app - there are ones that are more privacy conscious but really annoying to use, the rest are really easy to use but for a reason - almost everything is reachable by third parties (either company or server operators etc) this one is the best - donate and let it thrive!
  19. [R20] Signal 5/5 · US One of the final bastions of Privacy: Cherish this app while it’s still around, Session died, glad i could move here.
  20. [R26] Signal 5/5 · US Probably the most useful app on my phone: The level of privacy combined with the level of ease makes it amazing. I wish everyone had this. I donate to Signal because we need more apps like this!
  21. [R25] Signal 1/5 · US Report: You need to help make a steady call without the connection cutting out.
  22. [R68] WhatsApp Messenger 5/5 · US Globally useful app: With good internet, communication can be done everywhere. Clear video, clear voice, no latency, no choppy audio.
  23. [R31] Signal 2/5 · US My iPhone crashed and all I have is my iPad, and I can’t put the app on my iPad without my iPhone: How the hell am I supposed to get access to this app? If I can only do it through a device I don’t have access to because it’s broken? This is so frustrating!
  24. [R82] WhatsApp Messenger 1/5 · US Unfair Excessive suspensions: Account suspended excessively. My WhatsApp account has been suspended 3 times in the last 2 weeks for nothing. Fix this. I may delete my account because these unfair and unfounded suspensions make the App useless. They never explain the reason for the suspension.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store