Every messenger makes trade-offs. Here are ours.
We stop the scam before it reaches you, without reading your messages. The full picture is below, including where others are ahead.
| Stage | Namaskara | Signal | Telegram | Arattai | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sign-in | Password + optional authenticator app. No SMS codes | SMS code; optional PIN and passkeys | SMS + optional PIN | SMS + optional password | OTP |
| SIM-swap takeover | A stolen SIM opens nothing | Possible if PIN is off | Possible if PIN is off | Possible if password is off | Possible |
| Wrong passwords | Locks 15 min after 5 tries; new-device alerts | Linked-devices list | Linked-devices list | Sessions list | Device list |
| Strangers | 3 messages, no links or files until you accept | Anyone with your number | Message requests | Anyone, unless restricted | Anyone with your number |
| Scam warnings | On your phone, every message, 11 languages | Limited; varies by region | None (by design) | Spam reports | Not documented |
| Sending OTP / card / Aadhaar | Refused before sending | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed |
| Links | Never auto-open; bank and gov address check | Open on tap | Open on tap | Open on tap | Open on tap |
| APK files | Blocked for everyone | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed |
| Fake "bank" names | Reserved words can't be registered | Business badges only | None | Badges for notable accounts | Not documented |
| Screen-share fraud | Blocked on Android | Not by default | Optional setting | Secret chats only | Not documented |
| End-to-end encryption | Chats, groups, files, call set-up | Yes, by default | Yes, by default | Secret chats only | 1:1 chats, calls, new groups |
| Read receipts | None, ever | Yes (can be turned off) | Optional | Yes | Yes |
| Reactions | Your own drawn face; no angry face | Emoji | Emoji | Emoji | Emoji |
| Disappearing messages | Server-deleted; never on a stranger's first message | Yes | Yes | Auto-delete | Not documented |
| Agreeing on next steps | Purpose labels, tasks, "Clarify & agree" | No | No | No | No |
| Indian report directory | 1930, cybercrime.gov.in, Chakshu, Sachet, SCORES, CERT-In | Help centre | — | — | — |
| Group calls | Not yet | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Push notifications, voice notes | Not yet | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone app | Not yet (web works) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Users | Pilot | Billions | Tens of millions | About a billion | Growing in India |
Competitor features change often and roll out unevenly by country. Compiled November 2026 from public help pages and announcements. If something here is out of date, tell us and we will correct it.
Why not just use WhatsApp?
Keep using it. Namaskara is for the conversations where a mistake is expensive: your parents, your society group, your shop. Many families will run both for a long time, and that is fine.
Why not Signal?
Signal is excellent at privacy, and deliberately cannot see content, so it cannot warn you about it. Namaskara keeps that privacy and adds protection by checking on your own phone.
What does it cost us?
Some friction. Strangers cannot send links straight away, and sign-in uses a password instead of a code. We think that is a fair price for not losing your savings.
