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Software · head to head

Hive vs Signal

Hive logo

Hive

Software

Project management built for speed

From
On request
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: Hive the free plan is capped at 200 MB of storage; 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: Hive covers Tasks, Signal covers End-to-end encryption.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Hive and Signal actually diverge.

Attributes where Hive and Signal differ
AttributeHiveSignal
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, DesktopWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android
Founded20152010

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 Hive

  • Tasks
  • Gantt view
  • Kanban
  • Time tracking
  • Forms
  • Slack
  • Zoom
  • Google Drive

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.

Hive

  • Project and task management with multiple project viewsnot Signal
  • Coordinating work, proofing and resourcing for teamsnot Signal

Signal

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

Where each one falls short

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

Hive

  • The free plan is capped at 200 MB of storage
  • The Starter plan at $5 per user per month is limited to 10 projects
  • Eight capabilities are sold as $5 per user add ons on the Teams plan, including CRM, timesheets, proofing, resourcing, advanced dashboards, external users and SSO
  • Buying SSO plus a few of those add ons therefore costs more than the $12 base seat itself
  • AI credits are metered monthly at 1,000, 3,000 and 5,000 by plan

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

Hive

On request
  • FreeFree
    • Basic features
    • 10 users
  • Teams$12/month
    • Unlimited users
    • Time tracking
    • Automations

Signal

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Hive if

  • You need tasks.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Desktop.
  • You also want gantt view.
Hive 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 Hive or Signal better?
Neither clearly leads. Hive starts at On request and Signal at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Hive or Signal?
Signal has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Hive and Free for Signal.
Does Hive or Signal run on more platforms?
Hive runs on Web, Ios, Android, Desktop. 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. Hive starts at On request.
What is Hive best used for?
Hive is most often used for project and task management with multiple project views, coordinating work, proofing and resourcing for teams. Of those, project and task management with multiple project views and coordinating work, proofing and resourcing for teams are not what Signal is typically brought in for.
What can Hive do that Signal cannot?
Hive covers Tasks, Gantt view, Kanban, Time tracking. Signal covers End-to-end encryption, Disappearing messages, Screen security, Group chats. Both handle Ios support, Android support.
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