compare
Session for Android vs Signal Desktop
The same facts for both, read from GitHub every night, and the relation a person reviewed.
| Fact | Session for Android | Signal Desktop |
|---|---|---|
| Language | Kotlin | TypeScript |
| Licence | GPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Stars | 915 | 17k |
| Latest | 1.33.5 | v8.29.0 |
| Last push | 2026-10-05 | 2026-10-01 |
| Release cadence | about 4 days between releases | too few releases |
| Active contributors | 4 commit authors on the default branch in the last 90 days | 14 commit authors on the default branch in the last 90 days |
| Flags | none | none |
How they relate
Both replace WhatsApp. Alternatives to WhatsApp →
PartialSession for AndroidEncrypted messages and groups routed through an onion network, with no phone number; calls are in beta.
PartialSignal DesktopDesktop app linked to a Signal account on a phone.
Session for Android
Signal Desktop
- v8.30.0-beta.12026-10-01Thanks to a few performance improvements, your CPU will be slightly happier during video calls (even if you're not smil…pre-release
- v8.29.02026-10-01Additional small tweaks, bug fixes, and performance enhancements. Thanks for using Signal!
- v8.29.0-beta.12026-09-23Additional small tweaks, bug fixes, and performance enhancements. Thanks for using Signal!pre-release
- v8.28.02026-09-23Small tweaks, bug fixes, and performance enhancements. Thanks for using Signal!
- v8.28.0-beta.32026-09-14Small tweaks, bug fixes, and performance enhancements. Thanks for using Signal!pre-release
Session for Android
✓ signed The latest release, 1.33.5, carries a signature GitHub verified.
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Signal Desktop
unsigned The latest release, v8.29.0, carries no signature GitHub could verify.
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