I have nothing against Signal. I just don’t have access to a phone number right now. I fully intend to use the Signal when I get a number. I know there is no silver bullet, no absolutes in the privacy world but I’m looking for any messengers that are generally considered to be private and secure on Android that I can try to convince my friends and family to use. I have a mid - low threat model, it’s just the thought of giving the Zuck anymore of my family’s data makes my skin crawl.
Matrix is great, Element has a really nice UI for it.
Signal also does work without a phone number, in fact it doesn’t really work for SMS anymore. Signal provides P2P for any communications with another Signal user. Matrix supports P2P as long as you set it up (encrypt a channel) and I think DM’s are P2PEdit: So Matrix is cool, End to End, NOT P2P, and probably the right decision for OP.
Yup, a Matrix client (especially Element) is a great choice.