Telegram vs. Signal The following Guide Helps You Pick (2025) |
If you're on the hunt to find a reliable messaging service and have heard about both Telegram as well as Signal. Both platforms have lots to offer, however it's not easy to comprehend what they give you. Let us make it easy for the reader.
In this article, we'll compare how Telegram and Signal work, and help you choose which one is the best for your needs.
They'll be comparing them on the basis of:
- Chat and community features
- Security & encryption software
- Monetization instruments
- User experience, and options for access
Also, we'll provide a better option to use than Telegram and Signal if you're looking to manage paid memberships or livestreams!
Try the largest community platform on the market with one million users.
((toc))
Signal vs. Telegram: A Quick Overview
Telegram |
Signal |
|
---|---|---|
1:1 Messaging |
||
Forums |
||
Group Chats |
||
Video Chat and Voice |
||
Livestreaming |
||
Broadcasting |
||
Security and Encryption |
The secret Chats Videos, Chats, and Audio |
Total End-to-End encryption with zero Server Storage |
Telephone Number and Logon |
||
Earn money from Ads |
||
Benefit from memberships |
Stars only |
|
Robust Monetization |
||
Branding |
Limited |
Limited |
Branded Apps |
What exactly is Telegram?
Telegram is a cloud-based messaging and chat app that is now popular among communities online and forums. Telegram is available on mobile, desktops, and the web, and is one of the most downloaded applications in the world (900 million active users). It also has channels that can be used to grow subscriber bases and pushing out videos, livestreams, and content as well as messages to huge groups of people. In addition, it includes easy monetization tools inbuilt.
What is a signal
Signal is a secure messaging, voice, and video-calling app. The app was designed in the Signal Foundation, a non-profit, and its code is available on GitHub. Security and privacy are the top priorities, with encryption by default throughout the platform, and the storage of no personal data on the Signal servers.
Telegram Vs. Signal
Chat & Communities
Signal
Signal is a safe messaging platform that's growing fast. Users are attracted to it due to its secure communication features. It blends good security with friendly features for users that allow users to communicate or create groups.
Here are some of the features we love most about Signal's platform
- 1:1 messaging and group messaging. You can make use of voice messages, text messages, and media sharing with threads and reactions. You can also make use of phone numbers as well as user names.
- 1-1 and group voice and video calling that has an integrated encryption feature for both messaging and profiles and identity verification for contacts.
- Members can view their groups that they share with each other.
- Groups are protected administrators can control the people who join.
Signal is a good alternative for chat or group chat However, it's not equipped with the large scale group and broadcasting options which Telegram has. There's no way to publicly find groups that are available to join.
The most important thing is that Signal doesn't have broadcasting features similar to Telegram which is ideal for communicating with large audiences. This is best used in an individual or small group chats, but not ideal for large communities.
Telegram
Telegram is a messenger app that allows SMS messages, voice calls and video calls, as well as file sharing. It works for hosting huge groups (up to 200,000 members). Telegram combines chat functions with broadcasting. Many Telegram communities are built around top-down communication (instead of being horizontal communities). ).
Here's a quick overview of what you can do using Telegram.
- 1:1 calling and group messaging using voice, video, and text plus messaging time-scheduling options.
- Many stickers, GIFs as well as file sharing up to 2 gigabytes.
- Members may use phone numbers but also usernames.
- Groups may have up to 200,000 members, members can join up to 500 groups.
In the case of broadcasting and building channels You can set up an account home page (plus a view counter) that anyone can see and view, regardless of being a Telegram user. Only the admin can post to channels. Channels are able to support livestreams, post, videos, and podcasts. Subscribers are limited to commenting and sharing.
Test our Generator of Group Names!
Which one is more effective?
The issue about which one is more suitable depends on the features you'll need.
- Signal is a fantastic choice for 1:1 and small-group messaging. It's simple and clean to use. However, it's also really straightforward.
- Telegram does better on adding more content reactions, but Signal has its own collection of stickers that you can use.
- Telegram is the only option if you want big broadcasts with a huge audience. If this is the kind of thing you're looking for, then you'll have select Telegram.
Security & Encryption
Signal
Signal was designed using security and privacy as its pillars. The mission behind Signal's very beginning - which was launched by a non-profit. The privacy of the user is a major concern for Signal.
Here are a few of the security functions Signal is equipped with:
- End-to-end encryption is default using encrypted profiles which ensure the privacy of users. All calls are secured as well, and this does not include tracking or third-party sharing. The code can be found through GitHub.
- Signal does not store your message and therefore can't read or view the content you have posted.
- Privacy is the default-it's practically everywhere on the system.
Because Signal is open source and not-for-profit (run by Signal Foundation) Signal Foundation), it's certain that your personal information will be safe in the future too. It's funded by donations and grants, but with the absence of corporate ownership. Signal's entire philosophy revolves around safety.
Telegram
Telegram is also known as a security tool. But, like Signal many of Telegram's security features require that they be activated.
Here's the content of Telegram provides:
- Regular messages stored on servers with the server-side encryption. There is also the possibility to build self-destructing message. But, it is possible for the company to read server-stored messages-both one-to-one and group chats.
- However, you are able to create optional "Secret Chats" that don't reside in Telegram's server.
- Broadcasts cannot be secure from end-to-end
- User control over phone-number access, utilizing 2-factor security.
- Open APIs support the development of third-party applications.
Telegram declares that it operates as a nonprofit, however it's technically not set up as one. It's privately funded and owned. It's also been subject to frequent regional bands and Forbes has described it as an "accessible dark web ."
Which is better?
Signal is much more secure as compared to Telegram. Signal has encryption that is end-to-end across the entire platform in the base configuration. If you do turn on the encryption features of Telegram but they're not as powerful. Additionally, Signal is non profit so it doesn't have an reason to keep or use your personal data.
Monetization
Signal
Signal does not have community-based monetization options. Being a non-profit organisation, Signal's primary goal isn't to incorporate payment infrastructure. But even if it did contain this functionality, it's still unclear what type of company you could operate on Signal. It could work well for coaches for 1:1 or group messaging, but otherwise it's not built for the types of communities or chats which Telegram hosts-or indeed, the more extensive community-based platform.
If you wanted to make use of Signal as part of a digital business it isn't possible to add subscriptions, premium features, paywalls, etc.
Telegram
Telegram isn't really great for monetization either when compared to a proper community or membership platform However, it has a couple of interesting features that channel owners can benefit from.
Here's how to monetize it.
- Revenue sharing for ads: For channels with greater than 1,000 subscribers, you are able to enable ads. Channel owners get 50% of ad revenue. Ad platforms aren't so sophisticated as YouTube and is, however, the most simple and enjoyable way to make money from ads.
- sponsored messages A kind of an extension of the marketing principles, you are able to let sponsored ads reach your audience.
- Stars: Telegram is also equipped with a "stars" system that allows users to unlock premium content or given as reactions. Stars are collected by creators and they can trade them for rewards (like premium stickers) or withdraw cash. The value of stars is around $0.13 per one, which means it's necessary to have a large volume to make any money off it.
Apart from these alternatives The monetization capabilities of Telegram is pretty small. It doesn't have native monetization, nor subs. You can't create tiers or payment plans, and you'd require an integration from a third party for collecting money.
Which is the best?
Telegram is superior, as it's the sole one which actually offers revenue monetization. But if you're looking to build a real online business, you'd be wise to choose a subscription platform that gives the tools to make money.
User Experience & Access
Signal
We've already said that Signal's design is clean user-friendly, easy to operate. Here are some of the main things to know about UX and accessibility.
- It's available for iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, and Linux. However, Signal is not available on any web browser. It requires download and installation.
- A simple messaging interface with responses and messages. Includes message status and read receipts.
- Very basic customization, including dark/light mode, and a few images and stickers.
Telegram
Telegram is arguably a lot more than Signal for UX that includes more tools to customize and express your personality.
This is a reference to:
- is available on iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, and browsers
- You can customize wallpapers as well as themes, stickers dark/light mode and channels' cover pages. Additionally, Telegram has GIFs included. Individual users are able to customize the look and feel of their application.
- Customize channel cover pages
- More power for messaging for editing, scheduling messages and photos & videos.
- Telegram is a rich and flexible user experience on a variety of platforms.
Which is the best?
The interface is straightforward, which can be attractive to some users. But Telegram offers a superior UX and comes with a lot of customizable tools that give it an unique style and look, plus more reactions like stickers GIFs, etc. It's a lot closer to the full experience of social media, while Signal is merely the basic chat application.
It is the winner...
In the end, it boils down to one simple question which is the most important for you? security or the power of content?
- Signal has the edge on privacy by a wide margin, with full encryption and security built through all aspects of the application.
- Telegram wins for overall user experience and access (including web-based apps) along with a spectrum of broadcasting channel features Signal isn't available.
Do you want to try another?
If you're looking for an application that lets you chat with friends, then Telegram or Signal are fine.
But if you want to create a genuine membership site and you want to build a real membership site, you need a real member platform.
It hosts more than one million of communities more than any other software. It provides memberships, courses and other events that cater to people such as Tony Robbins, Gary Vaynerchuk, Marie Forleo, Matthew Hussey, Jim Kwik, and Mel Robbins.
Mighty is one of the most highly rated community software for managing communities on G2.
Here's the place where the development of Mighty will give you far greater than Telegram or Signal.
It's just a way to give you additional.
With Telegram and Signal, you're basically selecting between simple message functions as well as massive streaming choices.
Mighty lets you build a real community, starting from the one-to-one to thousands. It has chat areas as well as rich profiles for members and even messaging. However, it is also able to channel to broadcast: including Gen3 livestreaming native to more than 50,000 guests, HD quality, high-velocity chats, as well as backstage areas.
but Mighty can be more.
Mighty functions as a social platform, organizing discussions and postings around the shared forum, discussion feeds, and dedicated Spaces.
It is possible to add virtual events, live and pre-recorded courses, downloads, and content pages. You can specialize in livestreams or pre-made videos, text-heavy articles, or all of these, Mighty has you covered in terms of the subject of content.
Real monetization
Mighty is a software for sale, and starts from $41/mo. However, with this software You have the ability to market anything you'd like including memberships, one-time or ongoing events, pre-recorded or live classes, premium content Discussion Spaces that are premium and, of course, livestreaming.
The point of sale feature is integrated into the system the system, and it is possible to build bundles that charge in one of the 135 currencies, or monetizing your business through token gate. You get control over creating plans as well as a complete set of detailed community analytics that will help you achieve your goals.
- Our average community on Mighty costs $48 per month for membership. For 100 members, it's an average of $4,800 per month! 1,000 would be 48,000. It's easy to see. It's how Mighty calculates its numerous memberships of $1 million per year.
Set growth to autopilot
Unlike the top-down content that is available on Telegram which puts you on a treadmill of creating more content, Mighty lets your members make and interact with each other. It's the perfect recipe for exploding growth. Actually, we've observed that we are able to predict a community's success with 93 93% precision. It all comes down to the degree to which members interact... with each and with one another.
Membership harnesses the power of the networks result The similar principle that powers the top social media platforms.
As safe
Mighty is protected by TLS1.2, while member data is secured while in the cloud on AWS. However, Mighty does more than this. With Mighty you're creating a secure ecosystem. It is your choice to determine who's allowed and not. This includes:
- Communities that are secure, locked and closed with gates for entry. It is also possible to add additional features such as questionnaires that help you vet the members of your community, or even create a private community.
- enhanced contents moderating options and allows members to become mods and admins.
Game-changing engagement features
Memberships are on Mighty expand due to the amazing features that are built into the platform: software we call people magic.
- Smart AI built-in for members to make connections, surface interesting friends create one-click introductions and hellos. You can even create member profiles.
- Gamification like new member checklists as well as leaderboards, habit trackers and triggers. along with rewards.
- Community Management automatizations such as the infinite Question Generator (generates and then posts approved discussion topics) and one-click re-engagement for lapsed members.
Customization that is REAL
Even Telegram's branding options are a bit limited. Imagine building memberships, livestreams or courses and/or an entire community with your own name. That means landing pages, customized spaces, URLs, and the image of your community. Our community generator will even build your brand from scratch.
Mighty is also a brand-new apps, meaning you can have all the features you need on your application in both the App Store as well as the Google Play Store. For those who prefer, you can use the application, which is included in every community.
Mighty features built-in Zoom and Kit (AKA ConvertKit) connections. It also has over 2,000 software embeds for applications such as Drive, Dropbox, Calendly, Figma, Spotify, and Monday. You can find a complete list of the available options here.
Are you ready to begin?
Mighty is the ultimate place to build a branded community that you can earn from. But don't take our word for it. It's free to try by yourself for 14 days, no credit card required.