Softwr

Technology · head to head

Dashlane vs Signal

Dashlane logo

Dashlane

Technology

Password management made easy for businesses

From
$4.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Signal logo

Signal

Communication

Speak Freely

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Signal has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Dashlane highest pricing among major password managers at $60/year with no monthly subscription option; 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: Dashlane covers Password manager, Signal covers End-to-end encryption.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Dashlane and Signal actually diverge.

Attributes where Dashlane and Signal differ
AttributeDashlaneSignal
Starting price$4.99/monthFree
Pricing modelUnknownfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Browser ExtensionsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android
CategoryTechnologyCommunication
Founded20092010

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 Dashlane

  • Password manager
  • Digital wallet
  • Dark web monitoring
  • VPN for WiFi protection
  • Two-factor authentication
  • Password generator
  • Secure sharing
  • Security dashboard

Only in Signal

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

What people use each for

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

Dashlane

  • Password managementnot Signal
  • Identity protectionnot Signal
  • Secure credential sharingnot Signal
  • Compliance requirementsnot Signal
  • VPN protectionnot Signal

Signal

  • Private messagingnot Dashlane
  • Secure group communicationnot Dashlane
  • Confidential conversationsnot Dashlane
  • Journalism communicationnot Dashlane
  • Family messagingnot Dashlane

Where each one falls short

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

Dashlane

  • Highest pricing among major password managers at $60/year with no monthly subscription option
  • Restricted free tier with only 25 passwords on single device compared to Bitwarden's unlimited free tier
  • No traditional desktop application, users must rely on browser extension or mobile apps
  • Closed-source code prevents independent security verification unlike open-source competitors
  • Limited 2FA options supporting only authenticator apps, not biometric or SMS authentication

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

Dashlane

$4.99/month
  • Premium$4.99/month
    • Secure vault
    • Password generation

Signal

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Dashlane if

  • You need password manager.
  • You work on Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Browser Extensions.
  • You also want digital wallet.
Dashlane review

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.
Signal review

Questions people ask

Is Dashlane or Signal better?
Neither clearly leads. Dashlane starts at $4.99/month and Signal at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Dashlane or Signal?
Signal has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $4.99/month for Dashlane and Free for Signal.
Does Dashlane or Signal run on more platforms?
Dashlane runs on Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Browser Extensions. 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. Dashlane starts at $4.99/month.
What is Dashlane best used for?
Dashlane is most often used for password management, identity protection, secure credential sharing, compliance requirements. Of those, password management and identity protection are not what Signal is typically brought in for.
What can Dashlane do that Signal cannot?
Dashlane covers Password manager, Digital wallet, Dark web monitoring, VPN for WiFi protection. Signal covers End-to-end encryption, Disappearing messages, Screen security, Group chats.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Dashlane: What happened to Dashlane's free plan?

Dashlane discontinued its free plan in September 2025. The entry-level plan now starts at $4.99/month (billed annually) for Premium, or businesses can use a 30-day money-back guarantee to test the service.

Source
Signal: How much does Signal cost?

Signal is free for everyone. The messaging app is supported by grants and donations, not user fees, and is maintained by an independent nonprofit that is not tied to any major tech companies.

Source
Dashlane: What platforms does Dashlane support?

Dashlane is available on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Chromebook. Browser extensions work with Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, and Brave. However, Dashlane no longer has a traditional desktop application.

Source
Signal: Does Signal have ads?

No. Signal is ad-free and does not collect advertising revenue.

Source
Dashlane: Does Dashlane support SSO integration?

Yes, Dashlane integrates with SAML 2.0 Identity Providers for SSO, plus SCIM for user provisioning and deprovisioning. However, the Safari browser extension does not support self-hosted SSO due to Apple limitations.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on Dashlane

More on Signal

Keep looking

Other head to heads