Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Signal VS Converse.JS

Compare Signal VS Converse.JS and see what are their differences

Signal logo Signal

Fast, simple & secure messaging. Privacy that fits in your pocket.

Converse.JS logo Converse.JS

A free and open-source chat client for your website
  • Signal Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-20
  • Converse.JS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-28

Signal features and specs

  • End-to-End Encryption
    Signal uses end-to-end encryption to ensure that only the sender and the recipient can read the messages. This makes it highly secure against eavesdropping.
  • Open Source
    Signal's code is open source, allowing anyone to inspect, audit, and improve it. This transparency helps to build trust and ensure the security of the platform.
  • User Privacy
    Signal is designed to collect minimal data from its users. It does not store metadata about contacts, messages, or user activity, thereby prioritizing user privacy.
  • Cross-Platform Availability
    Signal is available on a variety of platforms including iOS, Android, and desktop, making it accessible to a broad range of users.
  • Multi-purpose Usage
    Beyond just text messaging, Signal supports voice and video calls, as well as file sharing, making it a versatile communication tool.

Possible disadvantages of Signal

  • Limited User Base
    Compared to more popular messaging apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, Signal has a smaller user base, which may limit its utility as a communication tool.
  • Dependence on Phone Number
    Signal requires users to register with a phone number, which can be a privacy concern for some people who prefer not to share their number.
  • Backup Limitations
    Signal does not offer cloud backups for messages, which means users have to rely on local backups that can be more cumbersome to manage.
  • User Interface
    Some users find Signal's user interface to be less polished and user-friendly compared to other mainstream messaging apps.
  • Notification Issues
    There have been reports of unreliable notifications that can result in missed messages or calls, potentially impacting the user experience.

Converse.JS features and specs

  • Open Source
    Converse.JS is open-source, which means that it is free to use and can be modified to fit specific needs. This allows for broad community support and contributions.
  • XMPP Protocol
    It operates on the XMPP protocol which is a mature and open standard for messaging, providing robust real-time messaging capabilities.
  • Easy Integration
    Converse.JS can be easily integrated into existing systems or web applications due to its flexibility and the fact that it is a JavaScript library.
  • Customizable
    The library offers a high level of customization, enabling developers to tailor the UI and features to closely match their application's needs.
  • Rich Features
    It supports features such as group chats, chat rooms, message archiving, and more, making it a comprehensive solution for chat functionalities.
  • Mobile Friendly
    Designed to be responsive, Converse.JS works well on mobile devices, providing a good user experience across different screen sizes.

Possible disadvantages of Converse.JS

  • Learning Curve
    While powerful, Converse.JS can have a steep learning curve for developers who are not familiar with XMPP or the intricacies of setting up chat services.
  • Requires Server Setup
    To function properly, Converse.JS requires a compatible XMPP server, which may add to the setup and maintenance overhead.
  • Browser Compatibility
    Some users might experience issues on older or less common browsers, as modern JavaScript libraries often rely on up-to-date browser capabilities.
  • Scalability Concerns
    For very large-scale applications, using XMPP and Converse.JS might require additional configuration and optimization efforts to ensure scalability.

Analysis of Signal

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Signal is generally considered a good messaging app.

Why this product is good

  • Signal is known for its strong emphasis on privacy and security. It uses end-to-end encryption to ensure that only the communicating users can read the messages. The app is open-source, which allows for external audits of its code, providing transparency. It does not collect metadata or user data beyond what is necessary for the operation of the service.

Recommended for

  • Privacy-conscious individuals who prioritize secure communication.
  • Journalists and activists who require confidential communications.
  • Users who prefer open-source software.
  • Anyone seeking a simple and user-friendly secure messaging app.

Signal videos

Why We Should All Be Using Signal Messenger

More videos:

  • Review - WhatsApp vs Telegram vs Signal: Which is the BEST?!
  • Review - THE SIGNAL: explained

Converse.JS videos

Real-Time Chat on the Web How to use XMPP and Converse.js to integrate webchat into any website

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Signal and Converse.JS)
Communication
97 97%
3% 3
Group Chat & Notifications
Customer Support
0 0%
100% 100
Messaging
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Signal and Converse.JS

Signal Reviews

7 best Mattermost alternatives for secure business messaging
Signal offers a secure instant messaging platform for businesses and others concerned about privacy. On Signal, business teams communicate one-on-one or in groups through text, voice, or video calls. The software is open-source and the server, mobile, and desktop client is published through AGPL v3.0 restrictive license. All data and messages are end-to-end encrypted.
Source: www.rocket.chat
20 Telegram Alternatives to Chat With in 2024
Signal is not a broadcasting app (although it does have a stories feature), nor is it a community-building app. It's a simple messaging Telegram alternative for those wanting to chat with friends.
10 Best Secure Messaging Apps to Keep Your Conversation Private
In our comparison between Signal vs Telegram vs WhatsApp, we found that Signal is the most secure messaging app out there. Signal uses the gold standard, open-source Signal Protocol to implement end-to-end encryption. And it implements E2E encryption on all forms of communication on Signal– be it voice/video calls, chat messages, media, or audio clips.
Source: beebom.com
10 Best Telegram Alternatives in 2024
Signal is an alternative Telegram app which was first developed in the year 2014 by Moxie Marlinspike and Brian Acton, Signal was launched after whatsapp and after its launch various organizations shifted their work to Signal from Whatsapp due to its highly secured and safe features than any other app.
Top 10 Apps like Telegram for Android and IOs [2023]
Signal is a messaging program that offers all the features you would anticipate from a modern instant messaging app, with a heavy focus on privacy. Signal is one of the safest messaging apps on the market thanks to its open-source architecture, end-to-end encryption, and commitment to never accumulating user data. If you're seeking secure apps like Telegram, Signal's...

Converse.JS Reviews

We have no reviews of Converse.JS yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Signal seems to be a lot more popular than Converse.JS. While we know about 184 links to Signal, we've tracked only 10 mentions of Converse.JS. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Signal mentions (184)

  • Magic of software; what makes a good engineer also makes a good engineering org
    This is the Moxie that created Signal.[0] I'm pointing this out because people are acting like he's a bit naive. But Moxie has built a very successful company, without the need for VCs, and the tech is used by many big tech companies. Several use the signal protocol. It's a successful nonprofit building open source software. If your focus is to make large amounts of money, maybe his isn't the best advice. But if... - Source: Hacker News / 9 days ago
  • Rely less on Third-Party Services
    Signal is an end-to-end encrypted messenger,. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • How to Make a Product Secure: A Developer's Perspective
    Signal: This messaging app is built with end-to-end encryption at its core. It’s open-source, allowing experts worldwide to audit its security protocols. - Source: dev.to / 6 months ago
  • 3G Cell Service Has a HUGE Security Flaw. 🫢
    Well, the best thing you can do right now is stop using cell service (particularly 3G networks) whenever possible. For texting and phone calls, use an encrypted internet based service, like Signal or WhatsApp. Use authenticator apps or passkeys for two-factor authentication instead of your phone number. - Source: dev.to / 8 months ago
  • WhatsApp forces Pegasus spyware maker to share its secret code
    Just so you know: https://grapheneos.org/ and https://signal.org/ do exist! - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
View more

Converse.JS mentions (10)

  • Ask HN: What Are You Working On? (February 2025)
    Taking a sabbatical and spending more time on an open source XMPP web client that I started 10 years ago already. https://conversejs.org The website is a bit old, but lots of exciting changes are happening under the hood and I finally have the time to make big architectural and performance improvements. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • An actually private messaging self hosted server
    I agree. IMHO the best variant is then to use something that is truely free. Like XMPP. There are a lot of servers and many clients to chose from and I can strongly recommend converse.js as a web client. It supports different ways of end to end encryption but I would recommend OMEMO which is basically the same encryption idea that you find in Signal. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Xmpp Bot with its own address.
    Hello, I recently started exploring xmpp, with snikket app and conversejs.org. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Matrix was worth the effort to self host.
    It is Converse.js (https://conversejs.org/) packaged into a one-click install for openfire (from the web admin). So, one-click install for an xmpp web client. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Ask HN: What is your recommended stack for real time chat?
    My choice, because it's the stack I know very well, would be Prosody ( https://prosody.im/ - I'm one of the devs) and a web client such as Converse.js ( https://conversejs.org/ ). XMPP is highly extensible, Prosody is highly modular, which make them a good foundation for building on top of. That said, the right stack is generally the one that matches your requirements, and (if this isn't primarily a learning... - Source: Hacker News / about 3 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Signal and Converse.JS, you can also consider the following products

Telegram - Telegram is a messaging app with a focus on speed and security. It’s superfast, simple and free.

tawk.to - tawk.to is a free live chat app that lets you monitor and chat with visitors on your website or from a free customizable page

Element.io - Secure messaging app with strong end-to-end encryption, advanced group chat privacy settings, secure video calls for teams, encrypted communication using Matrix open network. Riot.im is now Element.

Openfire - Openfire (formerly Wildfire) is a cross-platform instant messaging (IM) and groupchat server.

WhatsApp - WhatsApp Messenger: More than 1 billion people in over 180 countries use WhatsApp to stay in touch with friends and family, anytime and anywhere.

Rocket.Chat - Rocket.Chat is a Web Chat Server, developed in JavaScript, using the Meteor fullstack framework.