Basically the question raised here is that why would you not just use signal, I did not go through all the answers now, but the main and for me only reason for wanting Proton to have a Signal clone, is this: It will be Swiss owned and not USA owned. The location of main backbone servers etc. Now based on the Patriot act, Signal can be forced to allow access or switch off the system, like they did with the president of the ICC with his bank (ING) and his Email (Microsoft). The fact that Signal as only remaining real adopted free secure messenger, that does not sell your meta data, is located in the USA is a major downside. Maybe Proton can discuss with Signal a partnership to move the organization to Switzerland if Proton does not see a possibility to build their own system for all resources related issues and adoption issues.. I have been with proton since the very first beginning (I still have a free account somewhere with 2 passwords, a second one for decrypting the mailbox separately and free 1 GB of space) and this is the only real thing I have missed since the beginning.. I guess if this idea would be realized, the only left over next thing is a to build a secure Proton Linux Distro with all Proton functions included out of the box.. I would definitely pay for that (in a one time buy, not a subscription that is). I can see a future with all Microsoft and META and X engineers quitting their jobs and moving to Switzerland to Proton OS as devs.. There can be only one! (yeah that's a quote from Highlander)

I'm torn on this request. Yes, it would make the pitifully fragmented space of (privacy) messengers even more fragmented. But given Proton's brand recognition, it has a chance of bringing in a wave of new users to the Proton ecosystem, and consolodating some of the fragmentation in the long-term.

Just get Threema. Nothing is more private

Because improving on Signal requires balancing advanced security, user trust, and massive network adoption—something far harder than just adding better features.

I believe that the best solution for both Proton and Signal would be a partnership. They both have something that would benefit the other, resources, user base, and outside or a single government's control.

Proton has been expanding their portfolio of products, which is good, as long as they are the best choice for the users and the development of the core products doesn’t suffer. Some of the recent additions are what I would call “me too” products where a robust and mature product already exists and Proton is adding an equivalent option. Examples would be it I had been using Bitwarden for years, why would I migrate to Proton Pass, if I have been doing video conferencing with Signal why would I want to switch to a Proton video app?
My suggestion for Proton messaging, audio calling, and video calling would be to partner with Signal. The requirement for two way encrypted messaging is that the sender and recipient need to both have the app. Partnering increases the user base for both Proton and Signal. Signal having a second Swiss base would give them insurance against being throttled much like Telegram being throttled by the Russian government.

Having a fully compatible mature messaging calling and video capability that works smoothly on iOS, Android, Windows, and MacOS and quickly available would be a great addition to Proton’s portfolio.

For secure communication, it has been much easier to get my friends to add Signal than to switch their email to Protonmail.

What bothers you about signal? What do you actually need?

The main thing that makes signal less usable is that your most important contacts don't have it. I had the same issue, but over months, one by one painstakingly i convinced all my important contacts to download signal that didn't have it, and just last week for the first time signal felt like a real messenger. And you know what? it wasn't because of a new feature or redesign, it was the fact that every time i checked, 2 new messages where there and i actually had something to do inside the app

*Edit
I forgot to mention something: If Proton would make a messenger too, it would make the space even more fragmented, meaning even less contacts you can talk to

Migrated from Google Workspace to Proton Family Plan and just realized this missing components. Also Tasks list.

I mean, the obvious question here is "how could it be made better?" There are plenty of other things, even entire forks and services that provide phoneless signup, if that's an issue. As for integration, I still disagree. While they claim to champion privacy and security, and to be "an alternative to Big Tech", their entire rebuttal for the recent scandal implicating them as a potential honeypot is "nuh-uh, we don't share or harvest data", followed by the sudden ability and cash flow to establish multiple other services and systems after it died down. I've been too far invested to quit, and even as potential spies, it potentially is at least slightly better than having just another Microsoft or Google account.

Point is, while the utility would be nice, the sheer investment, effort, and potential avenues for abuse would be too great. They likely wouldn't consider it without some kind of <probably compromising> partnership.

I disagree with this. Signal already does a good job. If we ask Proton to replace every single other app we use, all our eggs are in one basket again and we are back where we started.

Need a trusted service to provide this kind of encrypted messaging.

any ETA on this matter ?

Signal integration into proton workspace :-) would love it

With the government shutting down messaging services, russians need a good alternative.

Its too hard to move people from WhatsApp

Like many before me, I would love a messenger integration. But why not just cooperate with Signal?

From a naive outside view, that looks like a win-win: Proton wins because Signal already has a solid user base (we all know the issue of network effects: the switching costs are large for messaging apps), and Signal wins as it gets a privacy-first platform integration.

What if Proton buys Signal, its Intellectual Property (patents, protocols, etc), and its users? With this way Proton could introduce its products to the Signal users and grow its customer base.

What's wrong with Signal?

Telegram – Better for large groups, channels, bots, and cloud sync (but not end-to-end encrypted by default). WhatsApp – Wider adoption and smoother mainstream experience, though owned by Meta. Session – Privacy-focused like Signal, but doesn’t require a phone number. Threema – Strong privacy and no phone number required, but paid.

I´d go even further. I see a need for ONE secure messaging service that can rule them all - Connect messenger, whatsapp, sms etc. into one app... Yes, I know its kind of wishful thinking, but if Proton did it, I´d sign up! SO tired of all these apps I need to communicate daily with everyone. I know there are apps claiming to do this already, but I can´t say I´m comfortable trusting them.

Something that businesses could use would be very good. Both for voice and text, 1:1 and for Teams. Then you fill another hole in the business suite.