One day we woke up, and everyone was talking about the Signal messaging app. As soon as WhatsApp updated its privacy policy, everyone wanted to switch to Signal and leave WhatsApp behind. Elon Musk also came out in public and asked people to replace WhatsApp with Signal. Signal was amazing in its security features. But there is another app called Threema based in Singapore and is often competing with schema on multiple fronts. Threema doesn’t require your phone number to sign up, unlike Signal. We installed both the apps and gave them a try, and compared both of them. Keep reading this blog, and we will let you know which app should be your top choice. So, let’s dive in.
Sign-Up Anonymously
In this category of anonymous sign-ups and keeping your identity hidden, we declare Threema the winner. Because as soon as you give personal information to register for any service, you give a part of your identity to it. The sign-up process of Threema is certainly unique in its sign and chatting purpose. You don’t have to provide a number; instead, Threema will provide you with a unique code that you can provide to other users. Once they enter this number in their Threema, then they can chat with you.
Keeping the User Anonymous Winner: Threema
Number of Users:
We can say Threema is in power with over 100 million downloads and over 40 million active users on Signal until January 2021. Signal reached the peak of top messaging apps. This figure makes Threema look like Mount Fuji, which has 10 million users, compared to Signal, which is Mount Everest with 40 million users. Most of you people who are reading this are already on Signal. Signal users are large, so you won’t have to ask your family, friends, download the app, and share a number for chit-chat.
UserBase Winner: Signal
Group Features:
Signal and Threema both can create groups as per user needs. But there are some disadvantages to Threema here. Signal allows users to create a group of 1000 people, whereas Threema has that number only up to 256. Also, there is an option for the group video call in Signal, but no such option is available in Threema. But you can create polls in Threema, which you can’t in Signal.
Group Features Winner: Signal
Platform Availability:
One Basic feature that all messaging-based platforms should have is cross-platform availability. There should be no delay in accessing the message whether you are working from a laptop or a phone. Threema can be downloaded on iOS, Android, and also as a web version. Whereas Signal is not available on Android, iOS, and web but has an app for Mac and Windows.
Platform Availability Winner: Signal
Self-destructive Message:
This can be an important feature while talking to a stranger. You want no chat history to begin with. So, if you are a person who keeps privacy above all, then this feature is for you. Also, if you add a disabling screen-shot feature, you have got a whole den of fool-proof chat. The disappearing chat is useful in both private and group chats. Threema doesn’t have these options, either disabling screenshots or disappearing messages.
While the disappearing messages are cool, it should be up to the users if they want to activate those settings or not. Also, Signal has the option where you can activate or deactivate the destructive chats.
Destructive Message Winner: Signal
Conclusion:
So, here are all the things we could find on Signal and Threema. Now it’s up to you to choose which one is best for you. There is Threema which checks the boxes of security, whereas Signal is good in other things.
Meta Description:
Can’t choose between the messaging apps Signal and Threema? Here is everything you need to know about the apps so you can choose the best on your own.
Karen Minton arrived on the cyber security scene in the early 2000s when virus and malware were still new and slowly evolving. Her longtime affair with writing with an interest in the cybersecurity industry, combined with her IT degree, has contributed to experience several aspects of security suite industry such as blogging at mcafee.com/activate
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