Softwr

Telecommunications · head to head

8x8 vs Signal

8x8 logo

8x8

Telecommunications

Enterprise-grade unified communications

From
$29.99/month
Rated
-
Signal logo

Signal

All industries

Speak Freely

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only Signal has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: 8x8 listed on UK G-Cloud 14 at £2.65 to £113.40 per user per month for 8x8 Hosted PBX, submitted directly by 8x8 UK Limited; Signal signal must be installed on a phone before the desktop app can be used, so there is no phone-free desktop-only account
  • They diverge on capability: 8x8 covers Voice calling, Signal covers End-to-end encryption.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which 8x8 and Signal actually diverge.

Attributes where 8x8 and Signal differ
Attribute8x8Signal
Starting price$29.99/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Windows, Macos, Ios, AndroidWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android
CategoryTelecommunicationsAll industries
Founded19872010

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in 8x8

  • Voice calling
  • Video meetings
  • Team messaging
  • Call recording
  • Voicemail
  • Call routing
  • Analytics
  • Salesforce

Only in Signal

  • End-to-end encryption
  • Disappearing messages
  • Screen security
  • Group chats
  • Voice calls
  • Video calls
  • File sharing
  • No data collection

Both cover

  • Cloud deployment
  • Windows support
  • Macos support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

8x8

  • Business communicationnot Signal
  • Customer contactnot Signal
  • Remote worknot Signal
  • Continuitynot Signal

Signal

  • Private messagingnot 8x8
  • Secure group communicationnot 8x8
  • Confidential conversationsnot 8x8
  • Journalism communicationnot 8x8
  • Family messagingnot 8x8

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

8x8

  • Listed on UK G-Cloud 14 at £2.65 to £113.40 per user per month for 8x8 Hosted PBX, submitted directly by 8x8 UK Limited

Signal

  • Signal must be installed on a phone before the desktop app can be used, so there is no phone-free desktop-only account

Pricing, plan by plan

8x8

$29.99/month
  • Pro$29.99/month
    • Calling and meetings
    • Video conferencing
    • Team messaging
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Everything in Pro
    • Advanced analytics
    • Dedicated support

Signal

Free
  • FreeFree
    • End-to-end encrypted messaging
    • Voice and video calls
    • Group chats

Which should you pick?

Choose 8x8 if

  • You need voice calling.
  • You work on Web, Windows, Macos, Ios, Android.
  • You also want video meetings.

Choose Signal if

  • You need end-to-end encryption.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android.
  • You also want disappearing messages.

Questions people ask

Is 8x8 or Signal better?
Neither clearly leads. 8x8 starts at $29.99/month and Signal at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 8x8 or Signal?
Signal has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $29.99/month for 8x8 and Free for Signal.
Does 8x8 or Signal run on more platforms?
8x8 runs on Web, Windows, Macos, Ios, Android. Signal runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android.
Can I use Signal for free?
Yes. Signal has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. 8x8 starts at $29.99/month.
What is 8x8 best used for?
8x8 is most often used for business communication, customer contact, remote work, continuity. Of those, business communication and customer contact are not what Signal is typically brought in for.
What can 8x8 do that Signal cannot?
8x8 covers Voice calling, Video meetings, Team messaging, Call recording. Signal covers End-to-end encryption, Disappearing messages, Screen security, Group chats. Both handle Cloud deployment, Windows support, Macos support, Ios support.

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