Google Chat vs Signal

2024. Signal now lets you keep your phone number private with the launch of usernames



Signal is introducing usernames, a new feature that eliminates the need to share your phone number to connect with others on the platform. This update, currently in beta, will be gradually available to all users in the upcoming weeks. While Signal still mandates a phone number during registration, this move enhances privacy by allowing users to maintain their phone numbers confidential. This step reinforces Signal's reputation as a leader in secure, end-to-end encrypted messaging, as it mitigates a potential loophole exploited by hackers who could gain access to users' messages by hijacking registered phone numbers at the carrier level.


2021. Signal expands encrypted group video calls to 40 people



The messaging app Signal has expanded its group video chat capabilities to accommodate up to 40 participants, a significant increase from the previous limit of five. Importantly, the end-to-end encryption feature remains intact, ensuring that only the participants in the call have access to the messages or video content. This means that neither the messaging provider, government authorities, nor hackers can view the calls, unless a participant grants them access to the video session or compromises your device's security.


2020. Signal adds encrypted group video calls



Signal, the popular encrypted messaging app known for its commitment to privacy and security, has introduced a new feature: end-to-end encrypted group video calls. This feature allows up to five participants to engage in a video call within a Signal group, providing seamless connectivity and flexibility. Unlike Facebook's Messenger Rooms, Signal ensures that all group video calls are end-to-end encrypted, prioritizing the privacy of its users. Initiating a video call in an existing Signal group is as simple as tapping the video icon located in the upper-right corner of the screen. Once the call has started, group members can freely join or leave the call at any time, enhancing the convenience and accessibility of group communication.


2020. Google is rebranding Hangouts services



Google has made a significant change to its enterprise G Suite offering by officially rebranding Hangouts Chat as Google Chat and Hangouts Meet as Google Meet. With this move, the Hangouts brand is no longer associated with the enterprise-focused services. However, Google will retain the Hangouts name for its consumer chat app, which was originally created as a successor to Gchat and emerged from Google's discontinued social network, Google+, in 2013.


2018. Google Hangouts Chat got emoji reactions



Hangouts Chat, Google's business-oriented competitor to Slack, is introducing emoji reactions. This feature, which has long been available on Slack, further aligns Hangouts Chat with Slack's functionality. The new feature operates in a familiar manner, allowing users to easily add a thumbs-up emoji to comments in Hangouts Chat. This addition is particularly useful for situations where users may not have much to contribute but still need to acknowledge the conversation based on internal dynamics. Additionally, emoji reactions can be utilized for quick internal polls or to acknowledge requests where typing a full response like "yes" may seem excessive.


2018. Google's Slack competitor Hangouts Chat became available



After extensive testing, Google has made its business messaging platform, Hangouts Chat, available to all users. This Slack-like service designed for team communication is now accessible to all of Google's business customers who utilize G Suite services. Despite entering the business-messaging software market later than competitors such as Slack and Microsoft with Teams, Google aims to distinguish itself in several key areas. Hangouts Chat offers direct integration with Google services like Drive and Google Calendar, enabling streamlined tasks such as file sharing and meeting scheduling. For instance, Google's meeting-scheduling bot can automatically arrange team meetings based on individual calendars. By leveraging its existing ecosystem, Google aims to provide a comprehensive and efficient team communication solution.


2017. Google splits Hangouts into Chat and Meet



Google is implementing significant changes to enhance the business-friendly aspects of Hangouts. The service will undergo a split into two distinct applications: Hangouts Meet, a videoconferencing app, and Hangouts Chat, a messaging app similar to Slack, tailored specifically for team collaboration. Meet represents a reimagined version of Hangouts' video calling capabilities, incorporating new features to cater to business requirements. Similar to the previous Hangouts, Meet supports video calls with up to 30 participants, accessible through desktop or mobile app platforms. While Meet is available to anyone with a Gmail account, Hangouts Chat exclusively caters to Google's enterprise users. Functioning as a robust competitor to Slack, this service enables teams within organizations to engage in seamless communication and offers a wide range of third-party integrations, including productivity apps and bots. Additionally, Google has introduced its own bot for the app, empowering users to schedule meetings effortlessly.


2017. Encrypted messenger Signal adds voice and video calling



A beta version of the encrypted chat application Signal has recently introduced voice and video calling functionality. As mentioned in the app's changelog, beta users now have the opportunity to test this new feature with others who have also enabled it. While Signal primarily targets privacy-conscious users, it competes more broadly with messaging apps like Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and Google Duo, all of which offer video calling capabilities. Nowadays, incorporating these features has become a standard requirement for messaging apps that aim to provide alternative client options. Signal is gradually catching up with its competitors in terms of feature set; however, the app faces challenges when it comes to user adoption due to its intentional avoidance of network effects and social integration. Unlike other apps, Signal does not import contacts from social networks, upload address books, or offer features like Snapchat's Snapcodes to facilitate adding new friends. This deliberate approach aligns with Signal's commitment to prioritize security and privacy.