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Signal vs Molly: catalog facts
Signal	Molly
Free Free; developed by a nonprofit funded by grants and donations	Free Free and open source; donations via Open Collective
Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux	Android
End-to-end encryption on every message and call using the open source Signal Protocol No ads, affiliate marketers or tracking	Encrypts the local app database with a user passphrase Supports UnifiedPush notifications without Google services
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	Android only Registration uses a phone number able to receive SMS or calls, or linking as a Signal linked device
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License: AGPL-3.0	License: AGPL-3.0-only
Account needed	Account needed
Needs internet	Needs internet
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 20, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 20, 2026

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