Quick Summary
Signal
Encrypted messaging via signal-cli daemon
- End-to-end encryption
- Group support
- Media attachments
iMessage
Apple iMessage integration (macOS only)
- Native macOS integration
- iCloud sync
- Media support
Capability Comparison
| Capability | Signal | iMessage |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Messages | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Group Chats | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Media Messages | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Voice Messages | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Reactions | ✓ Yes | — No |
| Thread Support | — No | — No |
| Native Commands | — No | — No |
| Text Limit | 4096 chars | 4096 chars |
| Protocol | signal-cli (external daemon) | imsg (macOS-only) |
Access Control Policies
Signal
DM Policies
allowlistpairingopen
Group Policies
allowlistopen
iMessage
DM Policies
allowlistpairingopen
Group Policies
allowlistopen
Best Use Cases
Choose Signal for:
- Privacy-focused assistant
- Secure team communication
- Journalism/activism
- Healthcare communication
Choose iMessage for:
- Personal AI assistant
- Family communication
- Apple ecosystem users
Use with AI Providers
Both channels work with all OpenClaw AI providers:
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for AI assistants, Signal or iMessage?
Both work well with OpenClaw. Signal is better for privacy-focused assistant, while iMessage excels at personal ai assistant. Consider your audience and feature requirements.
Can I use both Signal and iMessage with OpenClaw?
Yes! OpenClaw supports multiple channels simultaneously. You can connect the same AI assistant to both Signal and iMessage, allowing users to interact through their preferred platform.
Which has better group chat support?
Both support group chats. Signal uses allowlist, open policies, while iMessage uses allowlist, open.