Signal Statistics and Facts (2025)
Updated · Apr 04, 2025
Table of Contents
Introduction
Signal Statistics: Signal is an open-source application for encrypted messaging gaining much traction due to its obsession with privacy and user-centric approach toward security. The app, developed by the non-profit Signal Foundation, provides end-to-end encrypted voice, text, and video communications between smartphone devices and desktops.
Signal has surged users due to global concerns regarding data privacy and some highly public affiliations. This article examines the Signal statistics concerning user growth, regional adoption, financial numbers, and key milestones.
Editor’s Choice
- According to Signal statistics, Signal’s revenue increased from US$8.1 million in 2021 to US$11.1 million in 2023 and then amounted to US$25.8 million in 2024, thus indicating growing support.
- Cumulative downloads increased from 10 million in 2019 to 220 million by 2024, with huge increments caused by privacy concerns.
- The number of Signal users globally increased from about 0.5 million in 2019 to 70 million in 2024, which indicates a growing influence.
- In 2024, Signal saw about 4.10 million downloads in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa during the fourth quarter, as opposed to 4.5 million in the first quarter.
- The number of employees increased from 140 in 2021 to 177 in 2024, which suggests an increasing operational scale.
- Signal statistics state that It is a non-profit organization mainly funded by WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton and is expected to need US$50 million per year by 2025.
Signal Revenue
(Reference: getlatka.com)
- Signal statistics show that revenue has grown substantially since its inception in 2014. Initially, there was no revenue because the company was not-for-profit.
- Access to their service relied solely on donations. But, as it welcomed more and more active users in its network, the market habituated to secure messaging, and in no time, the revenue scenario started looking healthy for Signal.
- Signal revenues were US$8.1 million in 2021, reflecting a consistent growth rate of privacy-inclined users. In 2023, the figure reached US$11.1 million, signaling consistent growth.
- Signal statistics reveal that if anything really sparked the increase, it had to be in 2024, when Signal’s revenue more than doubled to US$25.8 million. Such a massive increase corroborates an influx of users who now finally see a reason to donate financially to the platform’s growth.
- As far as revenues go, profits alone clearly support Signal’s communicative efforts at penetrating influenced entities in a world paranoid about digital privacy and security.
- Consequently, one would assume that the rise in revenue would only continue for years to come as more people, coupled with businesses, out of increased need, begin to prioritise secure communication.
Signal Commulative Downloads
| Date |
Downloads (mm)
|
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2020 | 22 |
| 2021 | 125 |
| 2022 | 155 |
| 2023 | 185 |
| 2024 | 220 |
(Source: businessofapps.com)
- Signal statistics indicate that the “Signal” messenger app recorded impressive uplifts in global download totals from 2019 to 2024, emphasising the tool’s substantial rise in worldwide audience adoption.
- Only in 2019, following an inception period of 10 million downloads, did it cross the 22 million mark in 2020. Then, it actually leapt to 125 million downloads in 2021, with a large contribution from WhatsApp’s controversially applied privacy-policy update and corroborating concerns of disseminating chat data to third parties.
- That time actually marks a milestone in the history of these services: suddenly, millions of new users came crowding in, attracted by a bright gold of encrypted messaging with Signal! Following this astounding upsurge, Signal carried on this momentum. Finally, with 155 million downloads in 2022, followed by a considerable increase to 185 million in 2023, the pace of the momentum began to slowly recover.
- Signal statistics indicate that the growth was sustained but slower by then. It claimed a further 35 million downloads and committed itself totally to the pinnacle of 220 million downloads made in 2024.
- Their consistent upswing records signal in the conscious raising of its cultivation amongst people aware of secure communication platforms significant surge marked around global happenings which urgently sparked public awareness relating to digital privacy issues.
Signal Global Users
| Date |
Users (mm)
|
| 2019 | 0.5 |
| 2020 | 12 |
| 2021 | 20 |
| 2022 | 40 |
| 2023 | 55 |
| 2024 | 70 |
(Source: businessofapps.com)
- Signal statistics state that users increased impressively between 2019 and 2024, and the demand for secure messaging increased during this period.
- In 2019, the platform was supported by only 0.5 million users. This number, however, shot up to reach 12 million in 2020, owing mainly to increasing concerns over data privacy and major endorsements from security advocates.
- In turn, Signal’s user base increased to 20 million in 2021, riding on spikes in downloads triggered by WhatsApp’s controversial privacy policy update. This trend was also mirrored in 2022, when user numbers doubled to 40 million.
- By 2023, however, the platform had grown to 55 million users through a steady adoption rate as global privacy concerns continued.
- By 2024, Signal had reached this impressive milestone of 70 million users. This accomplishment reasserts its credibility as a leading encrypted messaging platform.
- The increase in users consistently illustrates the app has capitalised on changing consumer perspectives toward digital privacy while remaining committed to secure sharing devoid of advertisement.
Signal Downloads By Region
(Reference: statista.com)
- Signal statistics show that in the fourth quarter of 2024, almost 4.10 million downloads were recorded in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
- That indicated a drop in downloads from the earlier part of the year, around 4.5 million, registered in the first quarter.
- Therefore, it appears that fewer new users would be acquired because of this downturn in downloads; however, Signal remains one of the most preferred apps among privacy-obsessed users.
- Most users have shifted to alternative messaging applications like Signal and Telegram due to WhatsApp’s recently much-discussed privacy policies, which raised issues over data sharing. This signifies a growing awareness of digital privacy as people seek platforms that have strong encryption and data protection.
- Though slightly reduced in downloads, Signal still remains a major player in the market for secure messaging.
Signal Total Employees
(Reference: getlatka.com)
- According to Signal statistics, Signals have had a constant increment in its workforce for four years, representing the enlarged activities and an increase in the need for secure messaging services.
- In the same year, 2021, 140 people worked at the firm, and very small growth to this count happened in 2022, which now stands at 143 employees.
- The subsequent year, 2023, saw more marked growth at Signal, with 160 staff, likely due to improved infrastructure, security features, and user support.
- This trend continued in 2024, as 177 employees entered the organisation. This steady growth pattern indicates that Signal is intentionally growing its user base and improving its technology, supporting its continued commitment to privacy-oriented communication.
- At the same time, this kind of business still indicates strong finances, allowing the company to continue and even scale its workforce while remaining true to a non-profit model.
Financial Overview
- Signal is a non-profit organisation that relies mostly on donations and grants. In 2023, the Signal Foundation declared that its expenses had exceeded funds ever so slightly, at US$35.8 million.
- Signal statistics state that some funding has come from Brian Acton, the co-founder of WhatsApp, who gave a loan of US$50 million in 2017 to support the development of Signal.
- Keeping the app alive as a secure and reliable messaging platform will cost quite a lot.
- By 2025, US$50 million will be required as an estimated budget every year to keep operations running and donors keep coming in.
Security And Privacy Incidents
- In the major case dubbed “SignalGate”, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was known to use Signal to communicate sensitive military plans.
- A journalist was included in a group chat concerning those plans, an incident that escalated to the extent of massive media coverage, resulting in Signal’s downloads doubling in the week following.
- While Signal’s encryption offers solid security, its use by government officials for communicating classified information raised concerns among some. This caution, they say, stems from the potential risks to the security of untrusted channels and suggests that sanctioned channels should be utilised.
Technological Developments
- In March 2024, Signal announced another iteration with configurable usernames, which allow users to hide their phone numbers from other parties, thereby reinforcing user privacy.
- Messaging support for SMS on Android by the app was also withdrawn in 2023, thereby ensuring that all communication could bear end-to-end encryption.
- Being open-source allows Signal to be verified by anyone and improved upon with ideas coming from the community. This has resulted in trust from users, and in turn, its encryption protocols have been incorporated by other major platforms like WhatsApp and Skype.
Conclusion
Signal adds an impetus to the growing global obsession with privacy and secure communication. According to Signal statistics, the app has garnered 70 million active users and more than 220 million downloads, making it one of the key players in the messaging domain.
By being a non-profit whose operations are funded by donations and high-profile support, it is directed to user-centered developments rather than being influenced by commercial interests. Certain challenges remain even now, particularly in terms of its usage in official capacities and the need for continued funding, but its growing evolution will position Signal as a powerful tool in secure digital communication.
Sources
FAQ.
Signal’s revenue has increased substantially, from US$8.1 million in 2021 to US$11.1 million in 2023, and will reach US$25.8 million in 2024. Such increases in revenue primarily reflect increasing financial assistance provided by users and donors, with an increase in demand for secure communications.
Signal thus reached 70 million active users and downloads worldwide by 2024, all attributed to the increasing awareness of digital privacy and the starring revolution in the category of messaging apps.
Signal is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organisation that has primarily been funded through donations and grants. Much of this funding comes from Brian Acton, who co-founded WhatsApp and provided an initial US$50 million advance. By 2025, it is estimated that Signal will need roughly US$50 million a year to sustain itself.
In 2024, a “SignalGate” incident occurred when U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth mistakenly included a journalist in a group chat where he shared information related to sensitive military plans, leading to news headlines and a steep increase in Signal downloads.
Signal released customisable usernames in March 2024 so that users can open accounts without their phone numbers for added privacy. Furthermore, it disallowed SMS from Android in 2023 to enable all communications to be end-to-end encrypted.
Maitrayee Dey has a background in Electrical Engineering and has worked in various technical roles before transitioning to writing. Specializing in technology and Artificial Intelligence, she has served as an Academic Research Analyst and Freelance Writer, particularly focusing on education and healthcare in Australia. Maitrayee's lifelong passions for writing and painting led her to pursue a full-time writing career. She is also the creator of a cooking YouTube channel, where she shares her culinary adventures. At Smartphone Thoughts, Maitrayee brings her expertise in technology to provide in-depth smartphone reviews and app-related statistics, making complex topics easy to understand for all readers.
