Signal vs Viber: which is better in 2026
Short answer: pick Signal when privacy comes first: open source encryption on every chat and call, a nonprofit funded by donations rather than advertisers, and groups up to 1,000 people. Pick Viber when you want more around the chat: group calls up to 60 people, communities and channels, stickers and lenses, notes with reminders, AI bots and Viber Out for calls to landlines and mobiles. Both list Ukrainian in the App Store and both have encryption on by default for one to one and group chats.
How we compare: what each maker says about its app in its own UA App Store description, encryption, groups and calls, extras and how the service is funded. Then the current place of both in the Censuus ranking.
| Signal | Viber | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | private chats and calls | chats with calls, communities and extras |
| Encryption | end-to-end everywhere, open source protocol | end-to-end on by default for 1-on-1 and group chats and calls |
| Groups | up to 1,000 people, admin controls | up to 250 members, polls and quizzes |
| Group calls | up to 50 people | up to 60 people |
| Extras | stories for 24 hours | communities, channels, AI bots, notes and reminders, disappearing messages |
| Paid options | free, supported by donations | Viber Out calls to phone numbers |
| Ukrainian in the App Store | yes | yes |
Privacy and encryption
Signal encrypts every message and call with its open source Signal Protocol and says it knows nothing about you or who you talk to, with no ads and no investors behind it as a nonprofit. Viber turns on end-to-end encryption by default for 1-on-1 calls, chats and group chats and says no one, not even Viber, can read those messages. Viber is part of the Rakuten Group.
Groups and calls
Signal runs group chats up to 1,000 people with admin permissions and group calls up to 50 people. Viber keeps group chats up to 250 members with polls, quizzes, mentions and reactions, and group calls up to 60 people. Both send voice messages, photos, videos and files for free over the internet.
Extras
Viber adds communities and channels on topics such as sports or news, more than 55,000 stickers, lenses and GIFs, disappearing messages with a timer, notes with reminders, AI bots and Viber Out for calls to landlines and mobiles. Signal keeps it lean with stories that disappear after 24 hours and privacy settings for who sees them.
Verdict
Pick Signal for the most private chats and large groups without ads. Pick Viber for calls, communities and extras around the chat. Telegram and WhatsApp are in our guide to messaging apps, and we also compare Signal vs Telegram.
Frequently asked questions
Is Signal more secure than Viber?
Both encrypt 1-on-1 and group chats by default. Signal builds everything around privacy with an open source protocol and no ad funding, Viber adds more features around the chat.
Which has bigger groups?
Signal, with groups up to 1,000 people. Viber group chats go up to 250 members, while Viber group calls fit up to 60 people against 50 on Signal.
Can I call a landline?
Only with Viber, through the paid Viber Out service. Signal does not describe calls to phone numbers.