Compare software

Session vs Signal: catalog facts
Session	Signal
Free Free and open source under the GPL 3.0, run by the Session Technology Foundation.	Free Free; developed by a nonprofit funded by grants and donations
Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS	Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux
No phone number or email needed; the account is a random ID Onion routing hides your address from recipients and from the network	End-to-end encryption on every message and call using the open source Signal Protocol No ads, affiliate marketers or tracking
Losing your recovery phrase means losing the account with no reset Delivery can be slower than a centralised messenger	Requires a phone number that can receive an SMS or phone call to register Desktop app requires Signal to be installed on a phone first
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License: GPL-3.0	License: AGPL-3.0
No account needed	Account needed
Works offline	Needs internet
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 21, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 20, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.