And beyond its encryption prowess, it gives you extended, onscreen privacy options, including app-specific locks, blank notification pop-ups, face-blurring antisurveillance tools and disappearing messages.

When it comes to privacy, it's hard to beat Signal's offer. For a deeper dive into the potential pitfalls and limitations of encrypted messaging apps, CNET's Laura Hautala's explainer is a life-saver. Signal's main function is that it can send - to either an individual or a group - fully encrypted text, video, audio and picture messages, after verifying your phone number and letting you independently verify other Signal users' identity. It's an open-source development provided free of charge by the nonprofit Signal Foundation and has been famously used for years by high-profile privacy icons like Edward Snowden. Signal is a typical one-tap install app that can be found in your normal marketplaces like Google Play and Apple's App Store and works just like the usual text-messaging app.

Free, no ads, funded by nonprofit Signal Foundation.Does not collect data, only your phone number.

Texting signal