Telegram vs Signal

Choose two to four messengers. Every property comes from the same traceable catalogue; unknowns remain explicit.

Property	Telegram	Signal
Account identifier	TelegramRequired phone number; optional username. [1] [2]	SignalRegistration phone number; optional username. [1] [2]
Phone required by service	TelegramYes, number required. [1] [2]	SignalYes, even when hidden from the contact. [1] [2]
E2EE	TelegramCloud Chats / groups are not E2EE; separate device-bound Secret Chats. [1] [2]	SignalMature E2EE for messages and calls; endpoint security remains crucial. [1] [2]
Metadata exposure	TelegramProvider can process cloud messages and metadata. [1] [2]	SignalService knows the number; some account dates were publicly disclosed. [1] [2]
IP exposure to peer	TelegramDirect or relayed calls depending on setting / network. [1] [2]	SignalCalls can be relayed; check the setting and actual network path. [1] [2]
Multi-device	TelegramUnknown: not established for the version and configuration in question.	SignalPrimary iPhone; official desktops linked through the phone. [1] [2]
Main strength	TelegramMainstream community features. [1] [2]	SignalMature content security, adoption and iPhone + PC usability. [1] [2]
Main weakness	TelegramDoes not protect cloud text from the provider. [1] [2]	SignalMandatory number known to the provider and telecom layer. [1] [2]
Best suited for	TelegramCommunities without a requirement to hide text from the service. [1] [2]	SignalEveryday security; peer-facing pseudonymity with hardened settings. [1] [2] [3] [4]
Confidence and scope	TelegramScope-limited documentary evidence; production metadata and distributed binaries not experimentally verified. [1]	SignalScope-limited documentary evidence; production metadata and distributed binaries not experimentally verified. [1]

Technical details: identity, keys, push, devices, audits and evidence

Property	Telegram	Signal
Email requirement	TelegramUnknown: not established for the version and configuration in question.	SignalUnknown: not established for the version and configuration in question.
Username / discovery	TelegramUnknown: not established for the version and configuration in question.	SignalOptional; no public username directory. [1] [2]
Number visible to contact	TelegramUnknown: not established for the version and configuration in question.	SignalCan be hidden: number visibility AND discovery set to Nobody; a number already known to the contact is not forgotten. [1] [2]
Global user ID	TelegramUnknown: not established for the version and configuration in question.	SignalService account remains linked to the phone number. [1] [2]
Forward secrecy	TelegramUnknown: not established for the version and configuration in question.	SignalDocumented protocol property; depends on clients and linked devices. [1] [2]
Post-compromise security	TelegramUnknown: not established for the version and configuration in question.	SignalCryptographic recovery after temporary compromise; not while spyware remains in control. [1] [2]
Key verification	TelegramUnknown: not established for the version and configuration in question.	SignalOut-of-band Safety Number; AKV does not certify identity and requires the other account’s number. [1] [2]
Relay / TURN	TelegramUnknown: not established for the version and configuration in question.	SignalEnable Always Relay Calls when peer IP exposure matters; the relay sees the IP. [1] [2]
What the provider learns	TelegramProvider can process cloud messages and metadata. [1] [2]	SignalRegistration number and limited account data; not normal E2EE content by design. [1] [2]
What the contact learns	TelegramThe contact receives messages and the profile you share, and can keep a copy. [1] [2]	SignalThe contact receives messages and the profile you share, and can keep a copy. [1] [2]
What the network / ISP learns	TelegramThe network sees destinations, timing and volume; Tor or a relay changes the observer. [1] [2]	SignalThe network sees destinations, timing and volume; Tor or a relay changes the observer. [1] [2]
Push notifications	TelegramUnknown: not established for the version and configuration in question.	SignalExact APNs payload not captured; manage local notification previews. [1] [2]
Apple / Google exposure	TelegramStore, installation and push can create metadata; exact profile linkage depends on the OS and was not tested here. [1] [2]	SignalStore, installation and push can create metadata; exact profile linkage depends on the OS and was not tested here. [1] [2]
Groups	TelegramCloud groups are not E2EE. [1] [2]	SignalUnknown: not established for the version and configuration in question.
Calls	TelegramDocumented calls; their network path must be distinguished from messaging. [1] [2]	SignalDocumented calls; their network path must be distinguished from messaging. [1] [2]
Backups	TelegramUnknown: not established for the version and configuration in question.	SignalUnknown: not established for the version and configuration in question.
Source code and binaries	TelegramRepositories and component-specific scopes recorded in Phase 2; no current binary rebuilt bit-for-bit here. [1] [2]	SignalRepositories and component-specific scopes recorded in Phase 2; no current binary rebuilt bit-for-bit here. [1] [2]
Audits	TelegramUnknown: not established for the version and configuration in question.	SignalProtocols and AKV examined under distinct scopes; not the whole infrastructure or every binary. [1] [2] [3]
Public law-enforcement evidence	TelegramCivil production under seal in India; fields and scope partly contradictory. [1]	SignalPublished 2026 provider response: creation and last-connection dates for six accounts; not messages. [1] [2] [3]
iOS	TelegramYes, client listed in the study. [1] [2]	SignalYes, client listed in the study. [1] [2]
Android	TelegramYes, client listed in the study. [1]	SignalYes, client listed in the study. [1]
Windows	TelegramYes, client listed in the study. [1] [2]	SignalYes, client listed in the study. [1] [2]
macOS	TelegramYes, client listed in the study. [1] [2]	SignalYes, client listed in the study. [1] [2]
Linux	TelegramYes, client listed in the study. [1] [2]	SignalYes, client listed in the study. [1] [2]
Avoid if…	TelegramYou want to hide cloud text from the provider. [1]	SignalYou refuse to give a number to the service. [1] [2] [3] [4]
Recommended configuration	TelegramControl devices, identities, notifications and files; verify client, version and calling path. [1] [2]	SignalVisibility and discovery: Nobody; fresh username, neutral profile, verified Safety Number, relayed calls when needed. [1] [2] [3] [4]
Remaining unknowns	TelegramCurrent network behaviour, distributed binaries and forensic evidence remain incomplete; check version, OS and configuration. [1] [2]	SignalCurrent network behaviour, distributed binaries and forensic evidence remain incomplete; check version, OS and configuration. [1] [2]
Ease of use	TelegramUnknown: not established for the version and configuration in question.	SignalVery practical for iPhone + PC; the primary phone remains necessary. [1] [2] [3] [4]
Network anonymity	TelegramNo general resistance to a global passive observer is demonstrated. [1] [2]	SignalNo general resistance to a global passive observer is demonstrated. [1] [2]

Customise this comparison

• Compromised / unlocked device and spyware.
• Copying, screenshots or disclosure by the contact.
• Initial Discord traces, reused alias, avatar, voice or files.
• Global correlation; relay, ISP, telecom, store and backup data depending on the path.