Signal gets new video calling features, making it a viable alternative to Zoom, Meet and Teams

Privacy-focused messaging app Signal is adding new video calling features, including links, reactions and a Calls tab, to act as an alternative to Zoom, Google Meet and Microsoft Teams.

The highlight of the update is a new Calls tab that lets you make new calls, manage call links, and check your call history.

The tab allows you to create links for calls. So instead of creating a group, you can simply share the link with others – similar to Meet, Zoom and Teams. The links are reusable, so you can also use them for recurring meetings.

You also get commonly used management features like the ability to name calls, manually allow people to join meetings, or cancel, remove, and block them. Attendees can line up to ask questions via a Meet-like hand raise feature.

Signal desktop app users can switch between grid, sidebar, and speaker views.

Signal introduced encrypted group video calls in 2020 and currently supports groups of up to 50 people. Rival WhatsApp has enabled the call-sharing link feature since 2022 and added screen sharing, speaker spotlight and support for 32-person video calls in June this year.

“Video calls have become a new normal meeting point for organizations, workplaces and friend groups around the world. Even as communication norms change, Signal's promise of creating a private place to communicate remains the same. To improve overall Signal calling, we’ve made some welcome improvements over the past few months,” the company said in a blog post.

Signal is rolling out the feature across its iOS, Android and desktop apps.