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Software · head to head

Float vs Signal

Float logo

Float

Software

Resource management for agencies and teams

From
$6/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Signal logo

Signal

Software

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: Float web-only platform without native desktop applications; 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: Float covers Resource scheduling, Signal covers End-to-end encryption.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Float and Signal actually diverge.

Attributes where Float and Signal differ
AttributeFloatSignal
Starting price$6/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android
Founded20112010

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

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 Float

  • Resource scheduling
  • Capacity planning
  • Time tracking
  • Project planning
  • Reports
  • Asana
  • Jira
  • Teamwork

Only in Signal

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

Both cover

  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

Float

  • Schedulingnot Signal
  • Appointment bookingnot Signal
  • Time trackingnot Signal
  • Resource managementnot Signal
  • Team coordinationnot Signal

Signal

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

Where each one falls short

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

Float

  • Web-only platform without native desktop applications
  • No offline mode for resource planning
  • Limited reporting customization on lower-tier plans
  • No built-in payroll or invoicing features

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

Float

$6/month
  • Starter$6/month
    • Resource scheduling
    • Time off
    • Basic reports
  • Pro$10/month
    • Time tracking
    • Budget tracking
    • Advanced reports

Signal

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Float if

  • You need resource scheduling.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want capacity planning.
Float 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 Float or Signal better?
Neither clearly leads. Float starts at $6/month and Signal at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Float or Signal?
Signal has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $6/month for Float and Free for Signal.
Does Float or Signal run on more platforms?
Float runs on Web, 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. Float starts at $6/month.
What is Float best used for?
Float is most often used for scheduling, appointment booking, time tracking, resource management. Of those, scheduling and appointment booking are not what Signal is typically brought in for.
What can Float do that Signal cannot?
Float covers Resource scheduling, Capacity planning, Time tracking, Project planning. Signal covers End-to-end encryption, Disappearing messages, Screen security, Group chats. Both handle Ios support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Float: What does Float pricing start at?

Float's Starter plan begins at $7 per user per month for basic resource scheduling and capacity management. The Pro plan costs $12 per user per month with advanced features like estimates and actuals tracking.

Source
Float: Is Float independent or backed by investors?

Float is independent and self-funded. The company is a B Corp certified since 2024 and is profitable. It has never raised venture funding and operates with a fully remote team.

Source
Float: What platforms does Float support?

Float is a web-based platform accessible through modern browsers. It provides visual resource management, scheduling, capacity planning, time tracking, and forecasting tools.

Source
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Related pages

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