SoftNexi

Windows · Communication

Signal for Windows

Nonprofit messaging app that end-to-end encrypts every chat and call by default using the widely-audited Signal Protocol.

Updated August 9, 2026 · Reviewed by SoftNexi Editorial Team, Software research and documentation

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Overview

Signal is a messaging and calling app developed by the nonprofit Signal Foundation, built around a single design principle: every conversation — one-to-one chats, group chats, and calls — is end-to-end encrypted by default, with no option to turn it off. This differs from Telegram and WhatsApp in that there is no separate 'regular chat' mode that is less protected.

The underlying Signal Protocol is open source and has been widely studied by cryptographers, and other apps, including WhatsApp, have adopted it or a variant of it for their own end-to-end encryption. Signal also minimizes the metadata it retains about who is talking to whom, going further than most competitors on that front.

The desktop app is a companion to a phone-based account — it links to your Signal mobile account rather than functioning as a fully independent client — so a phone with the Signal app and a phone number are needed to get started, even if most of your day-to-day use happens on Windows.

Signal is entirely free with no paid tier, ads, or data-selling business model; it is funded by grants and donations. Feature set is narrower than Telegram or Discord by design — no public channels with unlimited subscribers, no bot platform — because the project prioritizes privacy over breadth of features.

Key features

  • End-to-end encryption by default for every chat, group, and call — no opt-in required
  • Open-source Signal Protocol, independently reviewed by cryptography researchers
  • Disappearing messages with a configurable timer
  • Voice and video calls, also end-to-end encrypted
  • Minimal metadata retention compared to most mainstream messengers
  • Desktop app links to and syncs with your phone-based Signal account

System requirements

Operating system
Windows 11 and Windows 10 (64-bit)
Account
Requires an existing Signal account linked from the mobile app and a phone number
Connection
Internet connection required; no offline mode

How to install Signal

  1. 1. Install Signal on your phone first

    Signal requires a mobile account tied to a phone number before the desktop app can be used.

  2. 2. Download the Windows installer

    Get the installer from signal.org/download.

  3. 3. Link the desktop app

    Open Signal on your phone, go to linked devices, and scan the QR code shown by the Windows app.

  4. 4. Enable a registration lock and PIN

    In the mobile app's privacy settings, set a Signal PIN to protect your account registration.

How to use it

  1. 1. Set disappearing messages

    Open a conversation's settings and choose a timer so messages automatically delete after being read.

  2. 2. Verify safety numbers

    For very sensitive contacts, compare safety numbers in person or over a separate channel to confirm you're talking to the right person.

  3. 3. Use Signal for voice and video calls

    Calls are end-to-end encrypted the same as text; no separate setting is needed to enable that.

  4. 4. Keep the desktop app linked, not primary

    Treat the desktop client as a companion to your phone, since unlinking or losing the phone account affects desktop access.

Safety and privacy

  • Download only from signal.org/download; Signal is open source, so the client code is publicly reviewable.
  • The desktop app requires linking to an existing mobile Signal account — it is not a standalone signup.
  • Because Signal minimizes metadata, some conveniences other apps offer (like server-side cloud backups of chat history) are intentionally limited.
Bundled software
The official installer does not bundle third-party offers.
Privacy
Signal collects very little metadata by design and does not use message content or contact graphs for advertising, since it has no advertising business model.

Known risks

  • If your phone is lost or the mobile app is uninstalled, the linked desktop session can be disrupted since desktop depends on the phone-based account.
  • As with any messenger, screenshots or a compromised device can still expose message content regardless of encryption in transit.

What's new

    Pros and cons

    Pros

    • End-to-end encryption on by default for everything, with no less-protected mode
    • Open-source protocol with broad independent cryptographic review
    • No ads, no data-selling business model, entirely free
    • Minimal metadata retention compared to most competitors

    Cons

    • Desktop app requires an existing phone-based account to link
    • Smaller feature set than Telegram or Discord — no public unlimited channels or bot platform
    • Fewer users overall than WhatsApp, so contacts may need convincing to switch
    • No official cloud backup of chat history in the way some competitors offer

    Verdict

    Signal is the clearest choice for anyone who wants private messaging without having to think about which mode or setting to enable — everything is end-to-end encrypted by default. The tradeoff is a narrower feature set and a setup process tied to a phone number and mobile app.

    Frequently asked questions

    Is Signal really end-to-end encrypted for everything?

    Yes, every chat, group, and call is end-to-end encrypted by default, with no separate less-protected mode to accidentally use.

    Is Signal free?

    Yes, Signal is entirely free with no paid tier, ads, or subscriptions, funded instead by grants and donations to the nonprofit Signal Foundation.

    Can I use Signal on Windows without a phone?

    No, the desktop app must be linked to an existing Signal account set up on a mobile device with a phone number.

    Is Signal open source?

    Yes, both the Signal Protocol and the client apps are open source and have been reviewed by outside cryptography researchers.