WhatsApp uses the Signal protocol but is owned by Meta, which collects metadata even where it can’t read messages. Signal is the original, run by a non-profit, and treats your contact graph as private.
What you gain
- End-to-end encryption with the gold-standard Signal protocol
- Sealed sender hides who is talking to whom from Signal itself
- No ads, no parent company harvesting metadata
- Disappearing messages, message edits, stories, group calls
What you give up
Phone number is still required, so true anonymity is out. The user base is smaller than WhatsApp, so adoption is the friction. Backup story is rougher; if you change phones you can lose history without setup. No multi-account on one device.
The math
Signal is free, funded by the Signal Foundation. WhatsApp is also free; the cost there is metadata flowing into Meta’s ad graph.
Who should switch
Anyone with friends willing to install one more app, especially for sensitive conversations. If you’re the only person in your circle on Signal, the network effect won’t carry the swap.