
But there’s one big difference: Signal is actually really private.

You can text or make voice or video calls with friends, either one-on-one or in groups, and use emoji reactions or stickers just like in other apps. Signal is a free, privacy-focused messaging and voice talk app you can use on Apple and Android smartphones and via desktop. So, thinking about joining Signal? Bottom line: If you care about privacy, it’s a good idea. As of this writing, Signal is at the top of the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, and its two-factor authentication onboarding system even got briefly delayed Thursday because so many people were trying to sign up. It’s only become more popular since then. That's a good thing: Signal first saw an increase in users in the spring as people participating in anti-racist protests around the killing of George Floyd realized how closely law enforcement was surveilling them and asking companies to hand over user data.

Over the past three years, Signal has also been investing in more infrastructure and features to support its users.
