Messaging has become an integral part of everyday lives. Many instant messaging platforms have emerged over the years.
Some of the famous messaging platforms include WhatsApp, telegram, Signal, hike, and so on. Telegram and Signal are two such messaging platforms. Signal was released in the year 2014, and Telegram was released in the year 2013.
Key Takeaways
- Both Telegram and Signal are secure messaging apps, but Signal is fully open-source and strongly emphasises privacy and security.
- Telegram offers more features, such as channels, bots, and large group chats, while Signal focuses on simplicity and core messaging functionality.
- Signal uses end-to-end encryption for all communications by default, while Telegram only offers end-to-end encryption in its secret chats feature.
Telegram vs Signal
The difference between Telegram and Signal is that both are different messaging platforms. Signal allows a person to individually text someone, group texts, video, and voice calls. On the other hand, Telegram allows a person to text (individual as well as group), telegram channels, voice as well as video calls.
Telegram was launched on the year 14 August 2013. It offers an end-to-end encrypted video calling service.
The app supports both android and iOS. Telegram was developed by Nikolai and Pavel Durov.
One of the unique features of the telegram is that they allow secret chat features. The app comes free of service.
Signal was launched in the year 29 July 2014. It is a centralized encrypted messaging platform. Signal Technology foundation and Signal Messenger LLC are the developers of the Signal platform.
The platform supports desktop, iOS, and Android. Signal only collects phone numbers from their users. The signal protocol allows end-to-end encryption.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Telegram | Signal |
|---|---|---|
| Details | Telegram is an instant messaging platform. | The signal is an end-to-end messaging app. |
| User experience | It provides better user experience with a lot more customization options. | It does not provide much customization options and provides decent user experience. |
| Launch year | It was launched on the year 14 August 2013. | It was launched in the year 29 July 2014. |
| Data used | It collects phone numbers, IP addresses. | It only collects phone numbers. |
| Encryption | One to one and group chats are not encrypted. | One to one and group chats are end-to-end encrypted. |
What is Telegram?
Messaging has become an everyday activity for almost everyone. No day passes by without people texting one another.
Instant messaging platforms are used by many people. They are used for personal messaging as well as commercial ones.
Messaging platforms are also used by businesses to have a better reach with their clients. Promotion messages are sent through messaging platforms to reach out to the clients.
Telegram is one such messenger. It allows its users to message, call as well as a video call with the other person through their platform. It allows the person to have end-to-end encryption service through their MTProto 2.0 protocol.
One of the unique features of Telegram includes secret chat. Telegram is also known for its channel option.
Telegram channel is used by many businesses. This channel acts as a broadcast messaging option.
It is basically a group chat in which people can send text messages. Telegram offers its services free of cost.
The telegram support team also works instantly so that people can get their queries solved instantly. It offers its services add-free. No extra fee is charged for using the telegram features.
It contains no subscription fee as well. Telegram collects contacts, phone numbers, and IP Addresses from its users as a part of data collection.
What is Signal?
Instant messaging platforms have seen a surge over the years as they began to replace in-person/offline meetings. People started using these platforms to easily convey their message to the other person.
They are used for personal messaging as well as commercial ones. Messaging platforms are also used by businesses to have a better reach with their clients.
Many instant messaging platforms have emerged over the years. Some of the famous messaging platforms include WhatsApp, telegram, Signal, hike, and so on.
Signal was launched in the year 29 July 2014. It supports Android as well as iOS. It also has its desktop version for its users.
It was developed by Signal Technology Foundation and Signal Messenger LLC. Signal has its default end-to-end encryption, meaning the messages sent through the signal platform are encrypted, and no one can read your messages. It has only limited customization, whereas the telegram has extensive customization.
Just like Telegram, Signal also allows its services free of cost to its users. It has a lot of users around the globe.
A user can individual or group text someone, call as well as video call through this platform. Signal provides its services with more security when compared with other apps.
It has a default end-to-end encryption feature. It allows people to communicate, share pictures and videos, share links, and so on.
The Signal is one of the most popular instant messaging platforms.
Main Differences Between Telegram and Signal
- Telegram was launched on the year 14 August 2013. On the other hand, Signal was launched in the year 29 July 2014.
- Telegram provides a lot of customization and personalization options for a better user experience. Signal provides limited options to personalize.
- Signal only collects phone numbers as part of their data collection. On the other hand, Telegram collects IP Addresses, phone numbers, and contact from their users.
- Telegram allows single and group text, calls, video calls, and secret texting, whereas Signal offers only single and group texts, calls, and video calls.
- Telegram does not have to encrypt personal or group chats. Meanwhile, the Signal app has end-to-end encryption for both personal and group chats.
References
- https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.1145/3132847.3133132
- https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-23822-2_3
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