Software · head to head
LastPass vs Signal
The short version
- Each has a real cost: LastPass free plan limited to 1 device type only; 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: LastPass covers Password vault, Signal covers End-to-end encryption.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which LastPass and Signal actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 LastPass
- Password vault
- Password generator
- Autofill
- Security dashboard
- Dark web monitoring
- Emergency access
- Secure notes
- Digital wallet
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.
LastPass
- Password management and vault storagenot Signal
- Multi-device access and autofillnot Signal
- Dark web monitoring and security dashboardnot Signal
- Team collaboration with shared folders and policiesnot Signal
Signal
- Private messagingnot LastPass
- Secure group communicationnot LastPass
- Confidential conversationsnot LastPass
- Journalism communicationnot LastPass
- Family messagingnot LastPass
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
LastPass
- Free plan limited to 1 device type only
- Premium plan costs ~$3/month annually (30% discount applied)
- Business Teams plan limited to up to 50 users maximum
- Teams plan offers only 25 security policies
- Business plan pricing ~$4/user/month
- Business Max plan costs ~$7/user/month for advanced 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
LastPass
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the LastPass review.
Signal
Free- FreeFree
- End-to-end encrypted messaging
- Voice and video calls
- Group chats
Which should you pick?
Choose LastPass if
- You need password vault.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
- You also want password generator.
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 LastPass or Signal better?
- Neither clearly leads. LastPass starts at Free and Signal at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, LastPass or Signal?
- LastPass starts at Free and Signal at Free.
- Does LastPass or Signal run on more platforms?
- LastPass runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile. Signal runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android.
- Can I use LastPass for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is LastPass best used for?
- LastPass is most often used for password management and vault storage, multi-device access and autofill, dark web monitoring and security dashboard, team collaboration with shared folders and policies. Of those, password management and vault storage and multi-device access and autofill are not what Signal is typically brought in for.
- What can LastPass do that Signal cannot?
- LastPass covers Password vault, Password generator, Autofill, Security dashboard. Signal covers End-to-end encryption, Disappearing messages, Screen security, Group chats.