# Signal vs Magic Pass

The clearest difference is rating: Signal at 4.7 against Magic Pass's 4.2. Signal also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 6 weeks) and ratings volume (1.1M vs 6). Magic Pass's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On price, ads, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Signal sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $1.99 per month. Magic Pass asks for nothing beyond the download.

Signal holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Signal has 1.1M ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Signal ships an update weekly, Magic Pass every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Signal | Magic Pass |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (1.1M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/signal-private-messenger/id874139669/reviews)** | [4.2 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/magic-pass/id1518605311/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.1M** | 6 |
| Positive reviews | 67.7% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 6 weeks |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | **#11** | — |
| Size | 239 MB | 73 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 15.5 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Signal Messenger, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/874139672) | [Magic Mountains Cooperation](https://appshunter.io/developer/1518605310) |

## What reviewers say

### Signal

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/signal-private-messenger/id874139669)

**Currently charting:** #11 Top Free · Social Networking, #135 Top Grossing · Social Networking, #149 Top Free (US App Store)

This messaging app prioritizes your privacy with strong end-to-end encryption for texts, voice messages, photos, videos, and files. Enjoy crystal-clear encrypted voice and video calls, and create disappearing stories. It's a non-profit, donation-supported alternative focused on secure communication.

**Highlights:** End-to-end encrypted messaging, Encrypted voice and video calls, Group chats up to 1,000 people, Disappearing stories, File sharing, Non-profit, donation-supported

**Features:** Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Signal Secure Backups | $1.99 | per month |

**What reviewers like**

- 🔒 Security and privacy
- 👍 Ease of use
- 🚀 Great call quality
- 🚀 Smooth and pleasant user interface
- 🔒 End-to-end encryption

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Delayed message delivery
- 🐛 Inconsistent image/video quality
- 🐛 Buggy call functionality
- 🐛 Inability to edit sent messages
- 🐛 Unreliable notifications

**Reported bugs**

- Problem retrieving data, resulting in lost message history
- Keyboard covering the current conversation
- Inconsistent behavior when attaching photos/videos
- Scrolling issues when reading through messages
- Inability to recover message history after device change

**Requested features**

- Add filters and customization options
- Allow adding music to stories
- Implement a sticker store
- Add ability to pin messages in group chats
- Allow new members to view previous group messages


### Magic Pass

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/magic-pass/id1518605311)

Enhance your mountain adventures with real-time updates on trails, conditions, and lift openings for nearly 100 destinations. This app also features a loyalty program to track usage, earn points, and redeem them for cashback.

**Highlights:** Real-time trail maps, Live mountain conditions, Lift opening status, Loyalty program tracking, Earn and redeem Magic Points, Cashback rewards

**Features:** Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Signal free?

Signal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Magic Pass free?

Magic Pass is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Signal or Magic Pass?

Signal is rated higher. Signal averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.1M ratings, while Magic Pass averages 4.2 from 6 ratings.

### Do Signal or Magic Pass have ads?

Neither Signal nor Magic Pass shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Signal or Magic Pass?

Signal ships an update weekly, and Magic Pass every 6 weeks. Most recently, Signal was updated on November 6, 2026 and Magic Pass on November 3, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*