Threema and Signal are among the most popular such apps. They pride themselves on their security features like end-to-end encryption, open-source code, and disappearing messages.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n But, which one is the better choice for you? In this article, we compared Threema and Signal to see how they stack against each other in various categories.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Before we get to compare<\/span> their security,<\/span> let\u2019s learn more about these two messaging apps.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Founded in late 2012, Threema <\/a>is an instant messaging app that relies on end-to-end encryption<\/a> to deliver the safest messaging experience. The very name \u201cThreema\u201d has end-to-end encryption built-in \u2013 EEEMA stands for \u201cEnd-to-end Messaging Applications\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The app has more than<\/span> 12 million users<\/span><\/a> worldwide and is currently available in several languages, including French, German, Italian, and Russian. In recent years, the company has released several related products: Threema Gateway, <\/span>Broadcast<\/span><\/a>, Education, and Threema Work, which we\u2019ll cover later.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2020, t<\/span>he app introduced <\/span>encrypted video calling<\/span><\/a> that\u2019s marketed as particularly safe, since the calls rarely pass through Threema\u2019s servers.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Signal\u2019s popularity and growth have often spiked<\/a> in periods of political and societal instability, as its end-to-end encryption is perfect for having secure conversations. It\u2019s currently available on desktop, as well as both Android and iOS operative systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2016, Signal released a comprehensive transparency report that goes as far as to actual transcripts of the subpoena issued, as well as numerous other details about data processing, handling contacts, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We looked at seven different things when comparing these two tools:<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, let\u2019s get right to it and find out the key differences between Threema and Signal!<\/p>\n\n\n\n To set up Signal, all you need to do is download it from the app store, install, and authorize your device with a text message. There are no accounts, no usernames, no passwords. The drawback of this approach is that you can only read your messages on one device, so you\u2019ll lose all your message history if you switch to a different phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The installation process for Threema is the same: you download the app and install it in a few minutes. However, upon launching the app, you\u2019re instructed to generate what\u2019s called a \u201ckey pair\u201d, which is a private and a public key that\u2019s randomly generated by the app. You can then connect with users either by scanning their QR codes (in person) or by synchronizing your address book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After that, the user experience for Threema and Signal is fairly similar. Both feature a clean design and a nice look, which is an area where secure messengers often fail. Everything is as intuitive and standard as with Whatsapp, although we will give a slight edge to Signal in the design department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Signal can be used as a default text messaging application, meaning it can substitute your SMS text messages. While these messages won\u2019t be encrypted, this is a useful feature that solves one problem that all secure messengers have: you have to switch between apps to send different types of messages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another handy feature that Threema users have been requesting for a while is Signal\u2019s disappearing messages. You can set up a timer that starts counting down as soon as you send a message. When the timer reaches zero, the message will disappear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Among Threema\u2019s most popular advanced features are the polls, which you can use in group chats<\/a> to gauge the opinions of the group. This can be handy for all kinds of groups \u2013 from teams that are collaborating on a project to a group of friends that are trying to decide on where to go out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Both Threema and Signal are considered safe when compared to standard instant messengers like Whatsapp, Viber<\/a>, or Messenger. There are, however, slight differences in how they achieve this safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Signal uses industry-level encryption protocols and all data is stored on your phone, rather than on their servers (only your phone number and login date). However, the reason why Signal is lauded for its security is that all its code is open-source. This means that its protocol is peer-reviewed and available for all kinds of tests, which ensures maximum transparency. This is something that Threema can\u2019t say for themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like Signal, Threema uses end-to-end encryption, but it has one significant advantage \u2013 it doesn\u2019t use any of your personal information, including your phone number. As we just pointed out above, Signal uses your phone number, so if you\u2019re reluctant to share data with an app, Threema is the better choice here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s difficult to make a clear decision on which of these apps is safer. You might gravitate to Signal a little bit more since it\u2019s funded by a non-profit organization, so you can argue that their goal isn\u2019t even to make money. It\u2019s also been mentioned as Edward Snowden\u2019s favorite chat app<\/a>, which could either be a good marketing move or a strong indicator of quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If we were writing this article a few years ago, Threema would be the clear winner here. Before Signal released the 4.5.3 update, you were only able to share three types of files on the app: image, video, and mp3. Since the update, however, its users are free to share any kind of files, including mp4, PDF, PPT, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To find the difference between Threema and Signal here, we have to dig a little deeper: file size limit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On Signal, you can share GIFs up to 25 MB, while the upload limit for other files is 100 MB. All of this information is available on GitHub, since, as we mentioned, Signal\u2019s code is open-source.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On Threema, your upload limit is 100 MB, regardless of the type of file you\u2019re sending.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Both of these apps have a group chat option that allows you to send encrypted messages to other users in the group (or unencrypted ones if you\u2019re using Signal to chat with a user that doesn\u2019t have the app). You can easily add and remove users, they can leave the conversation if they want, and you can mute the conversation on both apps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, if you want to take team collaboration<\/a> to another level, Threema offers Threema Work \u2013 an enterprise messenger app<\/a> that you can use for corporate communication. Like the regular app, Threema Work is all about safety: you can prevent access to future chats if you know an employee is leaving the team, you can revoke IDs if needed, and even define your policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, if you\u2019re interested in advanced collaboration, neither Signal nor standard Threema will work \u2013 you\u2019ll need to go for Threema Work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first difference is that Threema is available as a web client, in addition to being a downloadable app. So, to use Threema on your PC, you can simply visit the website on your browser, scan a QR code on your phone, and you\u2019re done. <\/span>Signal has a desktop app, but first, you must have it on your phone.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n In terms of design and user interface, both apps look like standard messengers, not unlike Whatsapp. Like with the smartphone app, Signal\u2019s desktop version might look a little better if you\u2019re a fan of bright colors.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Most Signal private messenger reviews highlight its open-source code. That\u2019s one of the most important reasons why it\u2019s considered one of the safest messaging options out there. Even if you look at websites like Reddit<\/a>, you\u2019ll often find Signal mentioned as the most secure messenger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Threema reviews are also fairly positive, with a 4.1 rating on the Google Play Store. It\u2019s praised for respecting users\u2019 privacy and storing files on their phones but is sometimes criticized for the lack of disappearing messages feature which Signal offers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n While Threema and Signal might be secure, they both lack advanced features, especially when it comes to team collaboration<\/a>. If you\u2019re looking for a tool that you can use to better organize a team while keeping data safe and streamlining communication, Brosix might be the best choice out of all three.<\/p>\n\n\n [highlight_block title=”You might also like:” link1=”https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/signal-vs-telegram\/” link2=”https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/wire-vs-signal\/” link3=”https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/blog\/skype-vs-google-chat\/” ]<\/p>\n\n\n\n Brosix<\/a> is an instant messaging app<\/a> that focuses on making team communication<\/a> more productive<\/a>, less noisy, and safer. Now that remote working<\/a> is getting more popular around the globe, investing in such a tool can pay dividends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, Brosix doesn\u2019t lack instant messaging<\/a> features either \u2013 file sharing, chat rooms, video, and voice calls are all as reliable as they get.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Brosix not only allows you to make video and voice calls but helps you take the next level and make those calls more advanced. For example, you can use the whiteboard <\/a>feature to explain even the most complicated concepts to your team, organize lectures, and even hold brainstorming sessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to file upload size, Brosix outperforms both Threema and Signal \u2013 there is no file size limit whatsoever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Feel free to request a demo<\/a> and find out for yourself!<\/p>\n\n\n\n While Brosix may not be open-source like Signal, it does offer incredible security guarantees for administrators. These guarantees are industry-leading in the world of collaboration apps<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With Brosix, you control your internal network<\/a>, you get to add and authorize users. It uses encryption, just like all secure instant messengers, and it allows you to set specific instructions for each user on your network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Signal users must disclose their phone number to use the app, while Threema users can be anonymous, as they can register without an email or phone number.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, Signal\u2019s open-source code and advanced security features make it a safe option, but it\u2019s unsuitable for team collaboration. <\/span>Threema takes <\/span>team chat<\/span><\/a>s a little bit further with the poll feature and the Threema Work app, but it\u2019s still not advanced enough in this field. It\u2019s worth mentioning that the Threema app isn\u2019t free, unlike Signal.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Depending on your goals, each of these two messengers has its advantages and disadvantages.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Brosix is a great alternative \u2013 it’s not free, but it delivers a much more advanced messaging experience. You get encryption, full control over user privileges, and a wide set of features like <\/span>secure file sharing<\/span><\/a> that make it perfect for team collaboration.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat Is Threema?<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"What](\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/What-is-Threema.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat Is Signal?<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"What](\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/What-is-Signal.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
One of the most popular secure messengers out there, <\/span>Signal<\/span><\/a> is a successor to two apps: RedPhone (which was used for secure calling) and TextSecure, which was a free, open-source secure messaging<\/span> app. Signal <\/span>runs completely on donations, as a non-profit.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\nHow Did We Compare Signal and Threema?<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Threema vs Signal: User Experience<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Threema](\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/User-experience.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Right off the bat, the setup and installation of these apps slightly differ.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThreema vs Signal: Advanced Messaging Features<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Threema vs Signal: Security Features<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Threema](\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Security-1.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThreema vs Signal: File Sharing and Supported Formats<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Threema vs Signal: Team and Group Chat<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Threema Desktop vs Signal Desktop App<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Threema](\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/desktop-app.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
You can use both Threema and Signal on your desktop, but there are some differences in the way they work and look.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSignal vs Threema: User Reviews<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Brosix: A New Instant Messenger<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Brosix:](\"https:\/\/www.brosix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/brosix-screenshots.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat is Brosix?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Advanced features<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Security<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion: Threema vs Signal<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n