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

Signal vs Telegram Messenger

Signal 4.7★ · Free + IAP 75
Winner Signal
Telegram Messenger 4.0★ · Free + IAP 60

Signal is the better choice for users prioritizing strong privacy and secure communication, while Telegram offers a wider range of features but struggles with reliability and a less secure reputation.

Full reviews: Signal · Telegram Messenger

Signal is highly praised for its robust privacy features and ease of use, though some users report issues with call quality and basic functionalities. Telegram, while feature-rich, faces significant criticism regarding security, scams, and persistent bugs.

Head to head

Privacy and Security edge: SignalR4R5R11R14
Signal Signal is widely lauded for its privacy features, with users appreciating the secure and safe environment for communication R5R11R14. Many consider it one of the last bastions of privacy R20. However, some users express concerns about the app asking for contacts R4 and question its security claims .
Telegram Messenger Telegram faces severe criticism regarding privacy and security, with users reporting it as a breeding ground for deception, fraud, and theft R64. Several users claim the app exposed their contact information to scammers even without granting access . There are also concerns about inappropriate content and the safety of younger users .
Ease of Use and Features tieR3R4R7R9
Signal Signal is generally considered easy to use R44. Users appreciate features like backups R11 and its utility for video calling without exchanging numbers . However, there are complaints about constant prompts for PINs R3 and contacts R4, difficulty with video recording R7, poor call quality R9R25, and a lack of advanced group messaging tools like @everyone tags or admin controls . Some also find it hard to fast forward/rewind voice messages and delete multiple messages .
Telegram Messenger Telegram is praised for being a 'best app' and offering a wide range of functionalities . However, users report numerous bugs and usability issues, including a black screen after updates , search bar not working , issues with AirPods announced messages repeating , autocorrect problems , and a problematic 0.5x camera mode . Some find the swipe-right camera feature annoying and struggle with uploading large files on iPhone .
Reliability and Performance tieR6R9R16R22
Signal Signal users report issues with message delivery delays R22, calls not connecting R9, and the app being unusable due to being added to too many random groups . There are also complaints about forced updates deleting message history and login problems after getting a new phone R6R16. The app also constantly nags users to turn on notifications .
Telegram Messenger Telegram users frequently encounter problems with the app heating up their phone , notifications not working reliably , and login issues, including not receiving verification codes or being blocked . Some users also report that the app forces updates and struggles with basic functionalities like uploading large files .
Price and Value edge: SignalR1R12R19R26
Signal Signal is free with in-app purchases, and users appreciate its value, with some even donating to support it R26. However, some users report being constantly asked for money R12 or encountering scammers R1R19.
Telegram Messenger Telegram is also free with in-app purchases, but users report being asked for payment to log in R63R120 or being forced to purchase premium to access features like posting stories R99 or even logging in R100. There are also complaints about premium reactions not showing and issues with selling gifts .
Support tieR88R115
Signal Reviews do not provide sufficient information to assess Signal's customer support.
Telegram Messenger Telegram's support system is heavily criticized, with users reporting no response whatsoever from support teams and even having their numbers blocked R88R115.
Pick Signal if

You prioritize strong privacy and secure, encrypted communication above all else, and are willing to tolerate occasional bugs or a simpler feature set R26. You value an app that is generally easy to use for basic messaging R44.

Pick Telegram Messenger if

You are looking for a feature-rich messaging app with a large user base and do not prioritize privacy as highly . You are comfortable with potential bugs and a less secure environment in exchange for more functionalities.

Evidence note: While Signal has a much higher lifetime rating, recent reviews for both apps show a significant number of negative experiences, particularly regarding bugs and login issues. Telegram's negative reviews are heavily skewed towards security concerns and persistent technical problems.

Frequently asked

Which app is better for privacy?
Signal is widely considered better for privacy due to its strong encryption and focus on secure communication, with many users praising it as a 'bastion of privacy' R20R26R59. Telegram, conversely, faces significant criticism for security breaches and being a 'breeding ground for deception' R64.
Does Signal have good call quality?
Signal's call quality is inconsistent; while some users find the audio and video to be 'pretty good' R44, others report that calling is 'spotty,' with calls sometimes not going through or cutting out R9R25.
Can I use Telegram for free?
Yes, Telegram is free to use, but some users report being asked for payment to log in R63R120 or being forced to purchase a premium subscription to access certain features like posting stories R99 or even to log in after updates R100.
Why does Signal keep asking for my contacts?
Signal frequently asks for access to your contacts, which some 'privacy-minded' users find intrusive and contradictory to the app's privacy claims R4.

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. [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
  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. [R14] Signal 5/5 · US Secure messaging: Use it, appreciate it, don’t be dumb
  5. [R3] Signal 3/5 · US Constant Asking for pin: the asking for pin dropdown never goes away.
  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. [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
  9. [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
  10. [R22] Signal 1/5 · US Pronto desinstalaré: No me a gustado. Esperaré unas apruebas más mando mensaje y no las entrega 2 a 3. Horas después mando otro mensaje y veo que aún no a entregado el primer msaje también llamo y llamo no entrega el msaje ni llamada asta que la otra persona se conecte a signal de ahí llegan los msaje y llamadas perdidas. Está app no va a funcionar Esto lo desinstalo más después si sigue sin fu
  11. [R1] Signal 1/5 · US Fake and good to scam people: Fake as hell fake people fake everything
  12. [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
  13. [R19] Signal 1/5 · US To much scammers: Lots of scammers here
  14. [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!
  15. [R88] Telegram Messenger 1/5 · US No response at all: Tried reaching out to support via website, spambot & volunteer support. No response whatsoever, zilch!
  16. [R115] Telegram Messenger 1/5 · US Support system: I havent seen such terrible support team in a long time. They just blocked my number when couldnt help.
  17. [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.
  18. [R59] Signal 5/5 · US Signal- private messenger: Seriously awesome
  19. [R64] Telegram Messenger 1/5 · US Bad: A breeding ground for easy deception, fraud and theft
  20. [R25] Signal 1/5 · US Report: You need to help make a steady call without the connection cutting out.
  21. [R44] Signal 5/5 · US Review: I am not what you call technologically savvy, but this is fun and easy. The audio and video are pretty good too. Our friend recommended it to me and I’m glad he did. Thank you.
  22. [R63] Telegram Messenger 3/5 · US Payment: Why can’t I get into my account after logging out? It’s asking for payment why?
  23. [R99] Telegram Messenger 3/5 · US Story problem: Why my friend is able to post stories every day But im not?? It says you need to make premium
  24. [R100] Telegram Messenger 1/5 · US Unable to login: I am not able to login to my telegram account in iPhone 17 pro max as it is forcing me to purchase the premium subscription
  25. [R120] Telegram Messenger 3/5 · GB Hi the apps good and all but: Hi the app is good snd all but I was able to log into my account then when I re-download telegram it didnt let me log into my account??? It says Theres a fee now which is rediculous because it wasn’t here like a week ago

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