Signal vs Element \u2014 Encrypted Messaging Compared

If you care about private messaging, you have probably heard of Signal and Element. Both are free, open source, and encrypted. Both promise to keep your conversations away from big tech surveillance. But they approach the problem from completely different angles, and choosing between them depends heavily on how you communicate.

I have been using both for years. Here is the honest comparison, not the marketing fluff.

What Is Signal?

Signal is the gold standard for private one-to-one and group messaging. Founded by Brian Acton (co-founder of WhatsApp), it is a nonprofit funded by donations and grants. Its mission is simple: make private communication as easy and accessible as possible.

Signal uses end-to-end encryption by default for everything — messages, voice calls, video calls, file transfers, and even group chats. The encryption protocol it created is so trusted that WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger both license it for their own “end-to-end encrypted” modes.

Signal is simple. You install it, verify your phone number, and start talking. No accounts, no usernames, no servers to set up. It just works.

Key Signal Features

• End-to-end encryption everywhere — Every message, call, and file is encrypted. Signal cannot read your messages even if compelled by law enforcement.
• Open source protocol — The Signal Protocol is independently audited and used by WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger (Secret Conversations), and Google Messages (end-to-end encrypted mode).
• Disappearing messages — Set messages to auto-delete after 5 seconds to 4 weeks.
• Sealed sender — Signal hides even the metadata of who is messaging whom from its own servers.
• Signal PINs — Encrypted backup of your profile and settings, recoverable if you lose your phone.
• Voice and video calls — High-quality calls with end-to-end encryption. Group video calls support up to 40 participants.
• Stories — Ephemeral photo and video updates that disappear after 24 hours (optional, can be disabled).
• No ads, no tracking, no data collection — Signal collects the absolute minimum: your phone number and when you created your account.

Current stable version: 7.0+ (iOS/Android) and 7.0+ (Desktop). Available on Android, iOS, and desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux).

What Is Element?

Element is the flagship client for the Matrix protocol. Unlike Signal, which is a centralized service run by a single nonprofit, Matrix is a decentralized open standard for real-time communication. Anyone can run their own Matrix server, and users on different servers can talk to each other — the same way email works.

Element is developed by Element Ltd (formerly New Vector), the company that also builds most of the Matrix protocol. The app itself is free and open source, and the company makes money selling hosting (Element Matrix Services) and enterprise features.

Element is built for teams, communities, and organisations that need structured, persistent conversations across many rooms and spaces.

Key Element Features

• Decentralized via Matrix — No single company controls the network. You can choose your server or host your own.
• End-to-end encryption — Uses the MegOLM ratchet protocol. Encryption is enabled per-room and is opt-in by default (can be forced server-wide).
• Rich spaces and rooms — Organize conversations into nested Spaces and Rooms. Perfect for communities with multiple topics.
• Threads — Reply to specific messages in threaded conversations, keeping discussions organized.
• File sharing and video calls — Share files up to 100 MB (configurable server-side). Group voice and video calls powered by Element Call.
• Bridges and bots — Connect Element to other platforms: bridge in Slack, Telegram, IRC, WhatsApp, Signal (via third-party bridges), and more. Bots can automate workflows.
• Self-host or use their service — Use the free tier on matrix.org, pay for hosted Element Matrix Services, or run your own Synapse/Dendrite server.
• Verification system — Cross-signing, device verification, and emoji-based verification ensure you are talking to the right person.
• Rich text formatting — Markdown support, code blocks, tables, and inline images.

Current stable: Element v1.11 (desktop/web) / Element X v1.10 (mobile). The Matrix protocol is at version 1.12. Available on Android, iOS, Web (app.element.io), Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Encryption: A Deeper Look

Both apps offer end-to-end encryption, but they handle it differently in practice.

Signal encrypts everything by default and gives you no way to disable it. Every message, every call, every file transfer is end-to-end encrypted. The server never sees plaintext content. Signal also pioneered “sealed sender,” which encrypts even the sender’s identity from the server — the server knows someone sent a message but not who sent it or to whom.

Element and Matrix support end-to-end encryption via the MegOLM and OLM ratchet protocols, but rooms can also be configured as unencrypted (useful for public community rooms where anyone should be able to read history). Encryption in Matrix requires device verification for full security, which adds some complexity. Cross-signing (introduced in Matrix 1.4) makes this much smoother, but it is still more friction than Signal’s approach.

For most users, Signal offers stronger practical encryption because it is always on and always enforced. Matrix’s flexibility is powerful for communities but introduces edge cases where users might accidentally communicate without encryption.

Privacy: Who Sees Your Data?

Signal collects only your phone number and account creation date. That is it. No contacts, no profile data, no message metadata beyond what is strictly necessary to route messages. Signal’s “sealed sender” hides even the recipient from the server for the first hop. Signal was awarded the EFF’s highest privacy rating (5 out of 5 stars).

Element/Matrix privacy depends on your homeserver. If you use matrix.org (the free default server), the server operator can see which rooms you are in, who you message, and your IP address. Message content is encrypted if you enable that per-room. If you self-host, you control the server and logs entirely — but you also take on the operational burden. Matrix is a 4 out of 5 from the EFF: strong encryption but server-level metadata exposure is a real concern.

If absolute privacy is your priority, Signal wins. If you control your own infrastructure, Matrix can match it.

When to Choose Signal

Pick Signal if you want the simplest, most private messaging app available — no setup, no accounts, no decisions to make. You install it, verify your phone number, and every conversation is automatically encrypted.

Signal is ideal for:

• One-to-one messaging with family and friends
• Group chats with simple moderation needs
• People who want “it just works” privacy
• Journalists, activists, and anyone who needs maximum metadata protection
• Replacing WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger with something that respects you

Signal’s biggest limitation is that it requires a phone number to register and is tied to a centralized service. If the Signal infrastructure goes down, you cannot message until it comes back. You also cannot self-host Signal — the service is the product.

When to Choose Element

Pick Element if you need structured, persistent group conversations across multiple teams or communities, or if you want full control over your communication infrastructure.

Element is ideal for:

• Open source communities and projects (Matrix is used by KDE, Mozilla, GNOME, and the French government)
• Teams that want Slack-like functionality without the vendor lock-in
• People who want to self-host their messaging server
• Connecting different platforms through bridges (IRC, Telegram, Slack)
• Organisations that need message history retention across devices

Element’s biggest trade-off is complexity. Setting up your own homeserver requires technical knowledge. The default matrix.org server works well but comes with the metadata exposure risk mentioned above. Encryption is excellent but requires user awareness to use correctly.

The Bottom Line

These two apps are not really competitors — they serve different needs.

• If you want to message your family securely without thinking about it, Signal is the answer. It is the WhatsApp replacement that actually respects your privacy.
• If you run an open source community, a team, or want federated messaging that you control, Element is the better choice. It is more capable and more flexible, even if it requires more setup.

Many technical users run both: Signal for personal conversations with friends and family, Element for community participation and team communication. They complement each other rather than competing.

Both are free and open source. Both encrypt your conversations. The right choice depends on whether you want simplicity or control.

Have you used both? Drop us a message on Mastodon and share your experience.