The battle between Telegram and Signal continues to shape the future of private messaging. Both platforms have expanded significantly beyond their original user bases, becoming essential tools for communication, business, and community engagement worldwide.
Users face a key decision: choose Telegram’s expansive features and social connectivity or Signal’s uncompromising security and minimalism. Both apps have introduced new updates: Telegram with enhanced monetization for creators and Signal with improved performance and decentralized infrastructure.
Overview of Telegram and Signal
Signal is widely considered the gold standard for private messaging. Its core philosophy is simple: protect user privacy at all costs. Signal uses end-to-end encryption for every conversation by default, collects minimal metadata, and is entirely open-source. This makes it a trusted choice for journalists, activists, security professionals, and anyone who wants uncompromising privacy.
Telegram, on the other hand, positions itself as a feature-rich messaging platform that combines personal communication with public broadcasting tools. It offers large group chats, customizable channels, cloud storage for messages and media, bots, and even monetization opportunities for creators.
What’s New in 2025?
Both Telegram and Signal have released major updates in 2025 to improve their platforms.
Telegram 2025 Updates
- Collectible Digital Gifts: Telegram introduced NFT-style digital gifts that can be collected, customized, and traded. These gifts use the platform’s in-app currency, Telegram Stars, and have become a new way for users to express themselves and support creators.
- Enhanced Search Filters: Users can now filter search results by chat type — groups, private chats, or channels — making it easier to find messages in busy conversations.
- Reactions for System Messages: Telegram now allows users to react to service notifications, such as when someone joins a group or sends a gift, making chats feel more interactive.
- Third-Party Verification: To combat scams and fake accounts, Telegram has rolled out third-party verification badges for public figures, brands, and communities.
- Quality of Life Improvements: Small but meaningful upgrades include a built-in QR scanner and the ability to use custom emojis in chat folder names for a more personalized experience.
Signal 2025 Updates
- End-to-End Encrypted Backups: Signal now lets users create encrypted backups of their messages and media. There is a free tier with limited storage and a paid plan offering larger capacity for heavy users.
- Media and Chat Sync Across Devices: Users can now transfer chat history, including up to 45 days of media, when linking new devices. This was a highly requested feature and closes the usability gap between Signal and other cloud-based messengers.
- Improved Phone Number Privacy: Users can hide their phone numbers from non-contacts and create usernames, adding another layer of anonymity.
- Enhanced Desktop Security: The desktop app now blocks screenshots and protects against OS-level threats, keeping private conversations safe even on shared computers.
Privacy and Security Comparison
When it comes to security, Signal still leads the industry. Every message is end-to-end encrypted by default, meaning only you and the recipient can read it. Signal also collects minimal metadata and does not store chats on a central server.
Telegram uses its own encryption protocol and keeps regular chats stored on the cloud so they can be accessed from multiple devices instantly. While this is convenient, it is not end-to-end encrypted by default. Telegram does offer “Secret Chats” that are fully encrypted, but users need to enable this mode manually.
Features and Usability
Telegram is the feature powerhouse. It offers:
- Large group chats with up to hundreds of thousands of members
- Public channels for broadcasting news, updates, or entertainment
- Bots for automation, games, and productivity
- Unlimited cloud storage for messages and media
- Powerful customization with themes, stickers, and reactions
Signal, by contrast, keeps things simple. Its focus is on secure, distraction-free communication. While it has group chats, voice and video calls, and media sharing, it doesn’t aim to be a social platform. This minimalist approach appeals to users who simply want a secure and private messaging app without unnecessary extras.
Read Also: WhatsApp New Features Update 2025
Performance and Reliability
Both apps are fast and reliable in 2025. Telegram remains one of the fastest messaging apps thanks to its distributed server infrastructure. Messages are delivered almost instantly, even on slow connections. Signal has made major improvements to speed in the past few years and now performs much better than before, even when sending encrypted media files.
Multi-Device Experience
Telegram has always excelled at multi-device usage. You can log in from multiple phones, tablets, and desktops simultaneously and instantly access your entire chat history thanks to its cloud-based design.
Signal is catching up with its new backup and sync system. Users can now move recent chat history to new devices securely, although it still requires a bit more setup than Telegram.
Monetization and Business Tools
Telegram is increasingly becoming a platform for creators and businesses. It allows channel owners to earn revenue through ads, premium subscriptions, and paid content. Features like collectible gifts and third-party verification are designed to support monetization and brand trust.
Signal does not offer business or monetization tools. It is funded through donations and a small premium plan for backups, staying true to its mission of being a privacy-first communication service.
Ideal Use Cases
| User Type | Best Choice |
|---|---|
| Privacy-focused individuals | Signal — best for journalists, activists, and those who prioritize security |
| Large communities or channels | Telegram — supports massive groups and public broadcasting |
| Content creators and businesses | Telegram — offers monetization and engagement tools |
| Users who switch devices often | Telegram for seamless cloud sync, or Signal with its new backup system |
| Casual chatters who value speed and features | Telegram for stickers, bots, and expressive chats |
Pros and Cons
Telegram Pros
- Rich feature set and huge group capacity
- Cloud storage and instant sync across devices
- Great for creators and businesses
- Fast and customizable interface
Telegram Cons
- Regular chats not end-to-end encrypted
- Requires manual setup for maximum privacy
- Ads and monetization features may not appeal to privacy purists
Signal Pros
- Strongest privacy and encryption by default
- Open-source and funded by donations, no ads
- Minimal metadata collection
- New backups and sync features make it more user-friendly
Signal Cons
- Fewer features and customization options
- Limited monetization tools for creators
- Paid storage may not appeal to all users
Frequently Asked Questions
Do both apps require a phone number to register?
Both apps require a phone number to register, but Signal now allows users to hide their number and use a username for privacy. Telegram still uses phone numbers as the main identifier.
Which app is better for large groups and channels?
Telegram is better for large groups, public channels, and communities. It supports massive groups with thousands of members, bots, polls, and channel monetization features that Signal does not offer.
Are Telegram and Signal free to use?
Yes, both are free to use. Telegram offers a premium subscription for extra features like faster downloads and additional customization. Signal introduced a small paid plan for expanded encrypted backup storage but keeps messaging features free.
Which app protects against screenshotting or spying?
Signal has built-in screen security options, even blocking screenshots on desktop to protect sensitive information. Telegram allows users to restrict forwarding and screenshots in Secret Chats, but regular chats don’t have the same level of control.
Can businesses use Signal or Telegram professionally?
Telegram is better suited for business use, as it supports broadcast channels, monetization, and creator tools. Signal is mainly for personal communication and does not currently have business-specific features.
Which app should I choose in 2025?
Choose Signal if privacy and security are your top priorities. Choose Telegram if you want a feature-rich messaging app with group management, channels, and community tools. Many users keep both apps installed to cover all use cases.
Conclusion
The Telegram vs Signal debate in 2025 is less about which app is “better” and more about which one fits your lifestyle. If you want a secure, private messaging app that keeps your conversations safe from prying eyes, Signal is still the top choice. It’s ideal for people who value privacy over convenience and don’t need flashy features.
If you prefer a messaging app that doubles as a community hub, allows you to join public channels, run groups, or build a following, Telegram remains unmatched.
