Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Signal VS GitLab

Compare Signal VS GitLab and see what are their differences

Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Signal logo Signal

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

GitLab logo GitLab

Create, review and deploy code together with GitLab open source git repo management software | GitLab
  • Signal Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-20
  • GitLab Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-17

Signal

Website
signal.org
Pricing URL
-
$ Details
Release Date
-

GitLab

$ Details
-
Release Date
2014 January
Startup details
Country
United States
State
California
Founder(s)
Dmitriy Zaporozhets
Employees
1,000 - 1,999

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.

GitLab features and specs

  • Integrated DevOps Platform
    GitLab provides a single application for the entire DevOps lifecycle, which simplifies the workflow and reduces the need for multiple tools.
  • CI/CD Capabilities
    It offers powerful Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) features, enabling automated testing and deployment.
  • Self-Hosted and SaaS Options
    GitLab can be hosted on your own servers or used as a cloud-hosted service, providing flexibility depending on your needs.
  • Strong Security Features
    GitLab includes various security features such as code quality analysis, vulnerability management, and compliance management.
  • Robust Community and Support
    There is a large community and extensive documentation available, along with professional support options.

Possible disadvantages of GitLab

  • Complexity for New Users
    The extensive features and functionalities can be overwhelming for newcomers, requiring a steep learning curve.
  • Resource Intensive
    Self-hosting a GitLab instance requires substantial server resources, which can be costly.
  • Price
    While there is a free tier, the advanced features are part of the paid plans, which can be expensive for small teams or startups.
  • User Interface
    Some users find the interface less intuitive and harder to navigate compared to other platforms like GitHub.
  • Performance Issues
    Large repositories or high usage can sometimes lead to performance issues, especially on self-hosted instances.

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.

Analysis of GitLab

Overall verdict

  • Yes, GitLab is generally considered a good platform, especially for teams looking for an integrated set of tools for software development and DevOps. Its features and flexibility make it a strong choice for many organizations.

Why this product is good

  • GitLab is a popular DevOps platform that provides a comprehensive suite of tools for software development, including version control, issue tracking, continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD), and more. It is valued for its open-source model, strong security features, user-friendly interface, and a wide range of integrations. GitLab's all-in-one approach allows teams to manage their entire DevOps lifecycle from a single application, which can help improve collaboration and efficiency.

Recommended for

    GitLab is well-suited for developers, DevOps engineers, project managers, and teams that require robust CI/CD capabilities, strong security features, and an open-source platform that can be self-hosted or used as a cloud service. It is particularly beneficial for organizations looking for a comprehensive solution to streamline their development workflows.

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

GitLab videos

Introduction to GitLab Workflow

More videos:

  • Review - GitLab Review App Working Session

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Signal and GitLab)
Communication
100 100%
0% 0
Code Collaboration
0 0%
100% 100
Group Chat & Notifications
Git
0 0%
100% 100

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 GitLab

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...

GitLab Reviews

  1. Reinhard
    · Boss at CLOUD Meister ·
    perfect for Freelancers!

The Top 11 Static Application Security Testing (SAST) Tools
GitLab’s in-context testing solution simplifies the development process by automating both application and infrastructure management on a single platform.Why We Picked GitLab: We like GitLab’s automation of testing and compliance across development workflows. Its in-context testing minimizes license costs and reduces the learning curve.
The Top 10 GitHub Alternatives
GitLab is a web-based DevSecOps (take that, Call of Duty) platform that allows software development teams to plan, build, and ship secure code all in one application. GitLab offers a range of features and tools to support the entire software development lifecycle, from project planning and source code management to continuous integration, delivery, and deployment.
The Best Alternatives to Jenkins for Developers
CI/CD GitLab, as a complete DevOps platform, provides an integrated CI/CD solution along with its other features. If your team is already using GitLab for controlling versions and managing projects, the addition of GitLab CI/CD can be very smooth. The offering in CI/CD by GitLab is quite customizable and it backs up many programming languages as well as application test...
Source: morninglif.com
Top 7 GitHub Alternatives You Should Know (2024)
Most of the listed alternatives offer free tier plans for individuals or small teams. Tools like GitLab and Bitbucket allow users to host unlimited repositories without cost.
Source: snappify.com
Best GitHub Alternatives for Developers in 2023
While GitLab features an extensive set of capabilities, this can also serve as a weakness since beginners may find the developer tool overwhelming to begin with. The user interface compounds this issue by being outdated and unintuitive. GitLab could benefit from more third-party integrations, and its performance tends to struggle when dealing with large repositories or CI/CD...

Social recommendations and mentions

Signal might be a bit more popular than GitLab. We know about 184 links to it since March 2021 and only 134 links to GitLab. 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 / 10 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

GitLab mentions (134)

  • GitLab: templates for Merge Requests
    GitLab is a well-established tool that hardly needs any introduction. This article is more like some notes to my future self. - Source: dev.to / 1 day ago
  • India Open Source Development: Harnessing Collaborative Innovation for Global Impact
    Indian developers have embraced platforms like GitHub and GitLab, which serve as global meeting points for coding projects. Developer communities such as FOSSAsia and Open Source India regularly organize hackathons, webinars, and code sprints that bring together enthusiasts to tackle both local and global problems. - Source: dev.to / 24 days ago
  • Open Source Funding: Strategies, Case Studies, and Best Practices
    In this article, we explore funding methods that empower projects such as Red Hat, GitLab, and Blender. Our discussion focuses on overlaying robust financial models with community-led efforts while incorporating advanced technologies like blockchain and smart contracts for secure, transparent fund distribution. With clear definitions, tables, bullet lists, and real-world examples, we aim to provide a holistic view... - Source: dev.to / about 2 months ago
  • The Hidden Challenges of Building with AWS
    💡** My Take:** If you’re not ready to spend hours debugging AWS configurations, you might want to consider other cloud options, such as DigitalOcean or Gitlab for CI/CD. - Source: dev.to / 2 months ago
  • Understanding Open Source Developer Support Networks
    The foundation of OSS is its community. OSDSNs offer platforms like GitHub and GitLab that encourage communication and collaboration, creating a sense of belonging among developers. These platforms are essential for managing projects and enhancing motivation within the community. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Signal and GitLab, 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.

GitHub - Originally founded as a project to simplify sharing code, GitHub has grown into an application used by over a million people to store over two million code repositories, making GitHub the largest code host in the world.

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.

BitBucket - Bitbucket is a free code hosting site for Mercurial and Git. Manage your development with a hosted wiki, issue tracker and source code.

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.

Gitea - A painless self-hosted Git service