The last few year have really throw off the social media industriousness with some mellow visibility revelations about how the giant of Silicon Valley use and step our data , often without our permission or consent . As such , the diligence has seen a upgrade in awareness among the end - users when it comes to privateness - centre apps in niches like browsers and messengers . Two message apps that have seen a lot of traction areTelegramandSignal .
The most recent case being Facebookupdating WhatsApp ’s policymaking it required to portion out data with Facebook . This has lift a craze on societal media with many mellow - profile people like Edward Snowden andElon Musk askingusers to take Signal or Telegram over WhatsApp . We will compare these two alternative head to lead and regain out which one is the most unassailable .
Telegram vs Signal
We will take a look at how strong these two apps are and how they handle user data and concealment . I have been using Telegram myself for some meter now since it is the go - to platform for blockchain companies and partizan , but Signal is somewhat new to me .
Let ’s see how these two comparability and what each has to tender to its exploiter .
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1. User Interface
Both Telegram and Signal have a clean user interface with a traditional ground beef menu . regrettably , none of the apps feature a bottom navigation barroom which is primitive in nature and make it harder to make the top turning point . If you are usingTelegram Xinstead of Telegram , you will notice certain change in the UI like a separate tab for New World chat and Calls next to the menu icon .
There is only one lozenge in Signal and you are not shown a list of all your impinging by default . You search for them and open up the schmoose window to either send a text edition or make a call ( audio or video ) . Signal ’s UI is more akin to WhatsApp .
Both the messenger apps follow with non-white way but Telegram has other color options too .
2. Privacy and Security
This is the main selling point of both Telegram and Signal . This is why most people expend them in the first place , but exactly how inviolable are they , and how private your conversation are ? The Telegram team , two Russian sidekick , are so positive of their MTProto encoding technology that they announced a $ 200,000 pursue by a $ 300,000 contest to break in to Telegram . No one gain . All messages and calls in Telegram are last - to - end encrypted however their decision to not utilize the existing Signal protocoldrew some flak , force them to unblock astatement excuse the differencebetween the two . All Telegram apps are open - sourced and the company itself is not for profit , however , theirbackend is notopen source which has raised some eyebrow .
Signal uses the Open Whisper System which comesrecommendedby none other than Bruce Schneier and Edward Snowden , one of the most well - known tin whistle electric fan of the decade . Like Telegram , all messages and call are last - to - end cypher using the Whisper Protocol which is subject source .
In Telegram , you may erase any message that you have sent or received within 48 minute . In case of media files like pics , audio or video , you could put a timekeeper at the time of send the media data file . Options begin from 5 seconds to 1 minute .
In Signal , you could send Disappearing content . you may choose a time , say 1 mo , and the subject matter will be motorcar - deleted after the time has elapsed . This is reliable for not just media file but also text messages which is dainty . Timing begins from 5 seconds and goes up to 1 week .
In Telegram , instead of sending go away message , there is an alternative address Secret Chat . Here is the kicker . This is where you could send self - destroy messages in all forms , it is end - to - end encrypted , and Telegram does not allow forwarding messages . OK , so what about steady messages ? Turns out they are not encrypted after all . Where Signal implements the security system and seclusion protocol right from the starting time , Telegram separates the two and offers an additional option . The trouble is that not everyone is cognisant of the Secret Chat choice and first - time user may send raw information in the veritable chat window inadvertently .
Another issue is that the Secret Chat option is not like a shot made available . You have to spread the confab windowpane , go to the person ’s visibility and choose it from the computer menu . Why make it so hard ? With Signal , I do n’t have to think twice before institutionalise any type of message .
Every time one of my contacts join Telegram , I am notified of the same . How does Telegram have it away he / she is my booster ? Because they access and store your contact inclination . elementary but not secret . Signal never salt away any data point on your contacts which is pretty cool , and private .
Both Signal and Telegram do n’t allow taking screenshots or forwarding messages . Telegram has 2FA in place to further protect your account whereas Signal misses out on this feature .
On the flip side , aReddit user discoveredthat image and video transport in the self - destructing way in Telegram were still being saved on his mobile ’s SD card . If you are diffident , you may try it by open up the Android > Data > org.telegram.messenger pamphlet and also check your Gallery app . Also , the end - to - closing encryption only work in one - on - one chats and not chemical group New World chat .
Both the apps take security and privacy very badly however disagree when it comes to the technology deployed and methods used . The cosmopolitan consensus is that the Signal communications protocol is more secure and the fact that there is no need to produce a secret confabulation windowpane one by one in Signal app does bring home the bacon brownie points from me .
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3. Verification Method
This is where Signal leaves every other courier app behind on the major planet mighty now . When you call someone on Signal , the app immediately get a random series of numbers called Safety Number . The same set of numbers is also generate on the recipients phone . Both the party can now assert this number to sleep together that the profile is verified and true . It ’s easy to create fake account and SIM frauds are nothing new . you may also assert each other ’s profile by scanning QR code that contain this alone set of numbers and score the profile as aver . This elbow room , you know the visibility is genuine and not a dummy .
What about citizenry who know across the ocean and with whom you’re able to not run into in person ? When you make a call using Signal , it will give a two - word orphic code on both the profiles . You will speak the first Good Book and the recipient will see it . Then he will speak the second parole and you could check it on your end . If both the word match , the call has not been intercept and connected to the correct profile , if the words do n’t pair , fall up immediately and try again . Pretty coolheaded , huh ?
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4. Features
you may use Signal as your default text / SMS subject matter app replacing the one that embark with your mobile . This is really coolheaded and bring in your living that much inviolable . However , if Signal is more dependable , Telegram is the more feature film - rich of the two .
Another reason to choose Telegram over Signal is radical chat . There are many developers and YouTubers who use Telegram for wad group chat . you’re able to produce monolithic Channels ( groups ) with up to 200,000 members which is unheard of in any courier app . you’re able to sequester files of up to 1.5 GB which is again generous . At present , it is unclear how many members you may add in a mathematical group in Signal and file sizing that can be attach .
Telegram supports bot that can be used to receive new appendage , announce rules of the group , automobile - delete posts that control peculiar Scripture , and many more . This makes sprightliness soft for admins and precisely why the app is so popular with blockchain and crypto enthusiasts as well as private companies who like to keep their follower updated with news . you may delegate roles to different members like ratifier , moderator , admin and so on . help when radical size is humongous . Unlike Signal , Telegram leave share your current emplacement , if you require .
Signal does n’t support bot , Indian file size is capped , there is no API , and you’re able to not assign roles to chemical group member . Signal was built to be a concealment - first app and it does it well .
Pricing and Platform
Both Telegram and Signal are utterly free with no ads or endorsements and are usable on all major computer and nomadic operating system .
Telegram vs Signal: Closing words
Here is the verdict and I suppose it is pretty clear . For most people , Telegram is a satisfying app with a lot of features to keep you happy . While chats are not encrypted by nonpayment , you’re able to always enable it if need be . It is pretty secure and come with too many features to be ignored .
However , if you need a private and impregnable messaging app as if your life bet on it , then you are better off with Signal . It is also the salutary choice if you could live without all the bells and whistles Telegram put up and just involve a reliable , solid chat app . play for secret organizations or suppose you are a big shot man of affairs ? Get Signal and achieve exigent peace of mind , at the cost of advanced features .
I keep both and I have my reason . Maybe you should too .
