Wickr vs Signal: A Close Look At the Features

Conspiracy

Jan 2, 2026

11 min read

Wickr and Signal: the comprehensive review of the features

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The Functionality of Secure Messaging Apps: Wickr

One of the standout features of this app is the way it lets you have secure, super flexible messaging that suits both households and big businesses. A lot of users like that the chat history isn’t kept for too long – you can tell the system to delete messages after a set amount of time. It’s easy enough to figure out how to set this up, and it feels like a big plus point. Wickr’s been used by the US Department of Defense, which shows just how secure it is. Business-wise, it’s great that you can adjust settings to keep things tidy – the Pro and Enterprise versions let you keep a record of your conversations. Wickr was originally designed for government use and that’s one of the reasons it’s got such strong security features.

You can get a free version of Wickr called Wickr Me, which doesn’t even ask for any personal info when you sign up. The other version is called Wickr Pro, and that one needs an email address. One of the nice things about Wickr is that you can link loads of different devices to one account and get messages on the one you need. However, it’s a shame that there isn’t any syncing to keep things all in one place. Wickr is easy to get onto all the major operating systems like Mac, iOS and Windows, and you can get an Android version from the Google Play store too. There are over 5 million users now and Wickr keeps them all securely connected, even in pretty dodgy network situations.

Wickr uses encryption to stop anyone snoopling on your messages, which is great for keeping conversations private. Files and all sorts of media are safe too, including videos. Plus, you don’t have to worry about recording everything on your computer – it’s all very anonymous. Wickr gives you loads of info on its security features – like message retention and file sharing – which is good because it means it’s easy to be confident in your online security.

But it’s worth noting that some users have had problems with delays in message delivery – unless you refresh the conversation. It’s a small bug, but it’s one that’s worth knowing about.

Some Not So Great Things About Wickr

It’s not hard to get onto Wickr, which is a bit of a problem because it means scammers and all sorts of malicious users are also welcome to join up. And because all users can access the same features, there are plenty of cases of people using Wickr to sell, um…illegally acquired things. You can see loads of shady stuff for sale all over the world – people posting about things like marihuana and LSD, all with the username in plain sight.

What Wickr Needs to Improve

Companies were all about remote collaboration during the pandemic, and that’s when they really needed a way to share sensitive info securely. Wickr Pro came to the rescue with end-to-end encryption, and that’s been a lifesaver for businesses. Wickr has been trusted by government agencies because of its advanced security features, and that’s serious. Of course, other apps like Skype and Zoom use client-server encryption, and that’s not exactly the best way to send secure files. All your data goes to one big central hub, and that’s a big security risk.

Wickr has also got its email competitors beat. Email security just isn’t a priority, so your data is basically vulnerable. With Wickr, you can send messages that disappear after a set time, and that’s a big plus for message retention and deletion.

The main difference between Wickr Pro and Zoom/WhatsApp is that Wickr has such strict control and management. Wickr Enterprise is perfect for customers who want to host their own instance.

Loads of customers have heard about Wickr’s security features, but they’re still a bit worried it’s all too complicated. But Wickr Pro is actually really easy to use – it’s like sending messages on your phone or writing an email.

Wickr has also extended its free Wickr Pro services to help small businesses out with remote collaboration. Now users can even have an unlimited video conference for free.

Key Features and End-to-End Encryption in Signal

(To-Do: fill in Signal section)Confidentiality – one of the standout features of this app.
Signal is owned by a non-profit organisation and designed to put user privacy at the top of its priorities. While it does keep some information on a host server, the encrypted data itself remains on your device. However the the need to give a telephone number to register is still a bit of a problem when it comes to keeping things private. The truth is though, it’s virtually impossible to snoop on your communications; your data is basically safe – unless you lose your device and someone manages to figure out how to get into your account.

This messaging platform allows users to send text messages, make video and voice calls, create group chats and share files in totally secure way. Like some of its main competitors it’s available on a range of devices – iOS, Linux, Windows and Android – and allows users to sync across all of their devices for a seamless experience.

The Signal messenger is the preferred choice of many technical experts, cybersecurity professionals, journalists and anyone who deals with sensitive documentation. It’s widely regarded for its cutting edge level of security and confidentiality. Signal’s messaging protocol is actually one of the most secure around – and is even used by other services for secure communications. But – and this is important – if you’re communicating with someone who doesn’t have Signal, it reverts to a standard SMS, which isn’t nearly as secure. For extra protection, you can even set up fingerprint recognition for your Signal account.

The basic free version of Signal lets you start a chat with one person or a group. As a standard user you can share text messages, links, videos, audio content and even send emojis. But beta versions offer even more advanced features, such as group chats with admins, scheduled message deletion and more. At the moment, the maximum group size is 150 people. And adding or removing people from a group is simplicity itself.

Another thing that sets Signal apart is its focus on privacy. It’s a non-profit organisation, and it doesn’t track users or run ads, which just adds to the trust that people put in it.

The Dark Side of Signal

Signal has a pretty good reputation as the go-to secure messaging app – and it’s lost a lot of users on other platforms like WhatsApp and others. But as a result, governments and other power structures are starting to take notice of its users and their communications. According to US law, the FBI can even get access to your messages even if they’re locked behind a screen lock.

A programme at George Washington University has actually shown that Signal can be accessed by law enforcement. And the screenshots of messages they got were pretty damning – they were part of a gun trafficking investigation in NYC. Signal doesn’t store metadata at all, which is one reason its users in places like the US, Hong Kong and other hotspots really trust it.

The Progress and Prospects of the Signal Messenger

Despite being up against a behemoth like WhatsApp, Signal is actually doing a pretty good job of holding its own. And one reason for that is its focus on security and functionality. Unlike WhatsApp, Signal lets you access your messages on multiple devices – and it even lets you securely transfer chat history to a new phone. And because it’s not owned by Facebook, it’s not beholden to their commercial interests – it’s really just about giving people a secure way to communicate.

Of course, other secure messaging apps like Telegram are also giving Signal a run for its money. But one thing that sets Signal apart is its rapid development of group functionality. For example, it lets you create a group link and send it to your contacts – and if they don’t have Signal, they can even get the link to download it from within the chat platform.

That group functionality is one of the key things that sets Signal apart from WhatsApp. And with features like group rooms with admins, scheduled message deletion and more, it’s clear that Signal is really committed to giving users the tools they need to communicate securely.

The Signal Advantage

Signal is funded by non-profit organisations and doesn’t run ads or track users – which just adds to the trust that people put in it. And that’s a big strike against WhatsApp, which is increasingly shrouded in mystery about what information it’s collecting and using.

It’s no wonder that people are switching from WhatsApp to Signal. People want a good quality of communication – and they want to know that it’s going to be secure and private. And with Signal’s focus on user privacy, it’s clear that it’s the better choice for anyone who needs a secure messaging app.Signal is usually the go-to app for casual chats due to its pretty intuitive interface and how easy it is to use.

Up to this point, WhatsApp is still the most widely used messenger out there, but the market is constantly shifting. Loads of companies want to try and knock WhatsApp off its perch. Signal is probably the one with the most potential to do that.

Private Cloud Storage and Phone Number Verification

When looking at the different messaging apps for secure comms, two features that always stick out are private cloud storage and phone number verification. These two elements play a really vital role in how messaging apps like Wickr and Signal look after user data and control access to it.

For any business or enterprise that deals with sensitive stuff, private cloud storage can be a real lifesaver. Wickr Enterprise, for example, offers top-notch private cloud options, allowing companies to store and share files securely in their own designated space. That means confidential documents, messages and files are kept off public servers, so you don’t have to worry about some dodgy third party getting their hands on them. Plus, it gives you a lot more control over your data which is especially useful when you’re dealing with super strict data protection regulations or need some extra security features that other apps, like Facebook Messenger or Microsoft Teams, just can’t provide.

Phone number verification is another super important security feature in the world of secure messaging apps. Signal – which is actually a not-for-profit company that specialises in privacy – requires users to register with a phone number. This stops spammers and makes it a lot easier to identify and reach users. However, some people are a bit worried about this approach, as linking an account to a phone number can potentially let some metadata slip through, like when you signed up or what kind of connections you have. If you’re really paranoid about your privacy and want to keep as much metadata to yourself as possible then you can use Wickr or other apps, like Threema, which offer alternative registration methods, such as using an email address or a unique username. That way you can add an extra layer of anonymity to your online activities.

Both Wickr and Signal are built with end-to-end encryption, so only the intended people can read messages, files, and documents. They also have the option for self-destructing messages and perfect forward secrecy, which means even if a device gets hacked, past communications are still secure. Signal, in particular, is known for collecting way less metadata than most other messaging apps, including Facebook Messenger and Microsoft Teams, which makes it a top pick for people who want to keep their comms as private as possible.

Group chats are another area where these secure messaging apps really excel. Wickr lets users set up secure group chats, with Wickr Enterprise offering super flexible controls for organisations. Signal, on the other hand, supports large group chats with up to 1000 members and includes features like disappearing messages and two-factor authentication to give people that extra bit of security when they’re chatting in a group. So both apps are good for everything from small private chats to big group conversations.

In the end, the choice between Wickr and Signal comes down to what you need. If you require enterprise level features like private cloud storage and flexible registration options, Wickr Enterprise might be the way to go. If your number one priority is maximum privacy, minimal metadata collection and a dash of transparency, then Signal comes out on top as one of the best messaging apps around. By taking things like private cloud storage, phone number verification and advanced security features into account, users and organisations can pick the messaging app that fits their needs.