Wire and Signal, both are really famous messaging apps along with a primary focus on user safety and privacy. Signal has been recommended by none other than Edward Snowden, the famous whistleblower who exposed NSA. However, what makes Signal so special and how does it compare with Wire, another app that is making in-roads into the corporate world actually. In this article, we are going to talk about Wire VS Signal – Which One is More Secure. Let’s begin!
Wire VS Signal – Which One is More Secure
User Interface
Signal has a decent interface along with light and dark themes. There are two buttons at the bottom in order to create and send text and media messages using the camera. The Note to Self option is actually visible at the top by default. Click on your name’s initials to access settings and other options. A really standard approach that we tried and tested. No learning curve here actually.
The Wire UI works a little differently and I found it confusing at first as well. There are actually four buttons at the bottom. One to create a group, second to access created or joined groups and the last one is basically for Archives. The third tab simply shows me, groups, again for some weird reason as well.
Note that enterprise users may see there a slightly different UI. Wire asks you to select your account when you are using it for the first time. I chose to go with personal actually. Well, I like Signal more. It is not trying to reinvent the wheel however, offers a simple, intuitive UI.
Communication and Sharing | wire vs signal
In Signal, just click on a name to start chatting. You can send text messages or make secure audio and video calls as well. Press the ‘+’ icon to attach files, images, GIFs, contacts, and also even share your location. What’s different here is the ability to select a color for the chat window, That gives it a unique look and make it really easy to spot in a sea of messages.
Notable security and privacy feature are Disappearing messages actually. Choose the option from the chat window Conversation Settings through clicking the three-dot menu icon. You can select how soon the message will disappear or self-delete actually. Options basically vary from 5 seconds ‘after they have been seen’ to 1 week actually.
The wire goes a step further and also offers way more ways in order to communicate. It was designed along with enterprise users in mind. You can also send @name messages in groups in order to draw attention or ping directly. Something that we use in Slack or Teams. Where Signal permits only voice messages, Wire also allows short video messages as well.
Press the wavy line icon to draw, write, and add emojis on a drawing board and then send it in the group. It actually makes communicating fun and brings out your creative side as well.
What’s more | wire vs signal
You can also send expiring messages however, the difference between timing options is too big. Such as, the first option is 10 seconds when the next is directly 5 minutes. Other than that, Wire does a better job offering more useful features such as video recording and drawing board among others. Also, you can of course share location and files too.
You can also use the drawing board in order to annotate images. For when you want to draw attention to something really important in the image. And then there is a status update in order to tell others if you are busy or available. Most casual messaging apps do not really allow this, however, Wire will let you edit or even delete a message once it has been sent as well. Made a typo or tap on the send button too quickly? That something happens to all of us.
Another cool feature is screen sharing during audio or video calls. Some things are better understood when you see it instead of just read or hear it. It can be a file, image, or a how-to guide in our case. This is where you guys can use the drawing board in real-time in order to showcase your talent. Well, unfortunately, it works on desktop clients and web only. However, mobile apps are not supported at the moment.
Then | wire vs signal
The last but not the least is basically the guest access feature. Again, this is designed for enterprise users, guest access can help you to bring in contractors who are temporary in nature. You can also give them limited access to the group. And when you do the job, remove them safely. Coupled with timed messages, you will also leave no trace of the conversation if needed.
The wire actually seems to be a cross between WhatsApp and Slack where you guys can not only communicate personally however, also professionally.
Privacy and Security | wire vs signal
Well, the one thing that makes them stand out from the crowd of Slacks, Teams, and also Telegrams of the world. Privacy and security are basically built-in the very fabric of both Signal and Wire as well. These are not options that you need to find and toggle on. Nope. They are on by default and you guys do not have to do anything in order to turn them on. In fact, there is no way to turn them off either. It’s just the way these apps were built and function actually.
All of the calls, messages, and even attachments that you guys send are end-to-end encrypted. And none of it is saved on their servers actually. No one, not even Signal or Wire, can access these messages or files or calls as well. Even if someone does access or intercepts them somehow, then all they will see or hear is gibberish. Because of strong security protocols that basically implements from the get-go.
What you guys need to remember is that Signal needs your phone number in order to create an account and is based in the US. Well, wire, on the other hand, is based in Germany and Switzerland and allows us to create an account using both number or email ID.
Further | wire vs signal
The signal is open-source and peer-review which means the code is safe as well. The organization is a not-for-profit one and basically supports entirely through grants and donations as well. No wonder privacy advocates such as Jack Dorsey (Twitter) and Edward Snowden (NSA whistleblower) recommend Signal to all their followers as well.
The same goes for Wire along with one difference. The wire is for-profit and built along with enterprise and business users in mind. It is scalable with some of the advanced features that we discussed above meant for power and business users. However, the code is still open-source and everything is strongly encrypt.
There are no ads in either app as they neither collect data nor talk or share it with advertisers. And there are actually no trackers whatsoever. In the case of Wire, you guys have the option in order to deploy their customized solution on their cloud, your cloud. Or also even on-premise– that gives you more control over your data and organization. The wire will use a new encryption key every single time you send a message decreasing the risks associated along with compromised keys.
Pricing | wire vs signal
The signal is completely free along with no strings attach to it. You can also use it on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux as well. There is also no web app though I am not sure what that’s the case.
The wire is for-profit with plans in place for businesses actually. The Pro plan begins at $5.83 per user per month actually. It is suitable for teams that are looking for a scalable solution for their small or large business. The enterprise plan will basically cost you $9.5 per user per month. It is meant for government orgs, compliance protocols, and regulated industries as well. They also offer a special Red plan actually. Talk to them if you are unsure of what to select.
The wire is available on all of the platforms Signal is including a web app.
Benefit | wire vs signal
For those who not familiar with Wire, Wire has many great advantages that Signal and WhatsApp fail to offer:
- Work without dependent on SIM or phone number actually
- As of its independence on SIM, its desktop version is a totally stand-alone program. unlike Signal and WhatsApp where theirs are appendages to their smartphone siblings.
- Well, because of that, you can run Wire totally from a web browser without even having to establish an account on a smart phone. Also don’t need to install anything. It is a great bonus for being able to walk up to the airport kiosk and start chatting as well.
- Access to your phone’s Contacts is totally optional as its primary identifier is the e-mail address and not phone number actually. But, if you give it access to the Contacts, it can use the Contacts data in order to look up friends.
- Its oblivion of a SIM is a great bonus for those who are operating a dual-SIM phone. Because it does not depend on the SIM, you can use it in a dual-SIM phone without the usual chaos associated along with SIM dependent messengers as well.
- If you guys are in a situation with a dual SIM phone, switch over to Wire. And you can use the phone to the fullest instead of carrying two physical phones just to escape the madness.
- As it does not care about the SIM, it is a great tool for travelers who like to use a local SIM. You do not have to do anything in order to continue the conversation.
- At the time of writing and testing (Signal 3.22.2 and Wire 2.22.298) Wire is the only one along with encrypted video conferencing and file attachment as well.
Conclusion
Alright, That was all Folks! I hope you guys like this “wire vs signal” article and also find it helpful to you. Give us your feedback on it. Also if you guys have further queries and issues related to this article. Then let us know in the comments section below. We will get back to you shortly.
Have a Great Day!
