WhatsApp has become a household name. It helps me stay connected with my friends and family but it also connects me with people I don’t want to hear from. The app has become a touch too crowded with businesses, channels, and communities on board. So if you also feel like making the switch from WhatsApp to another messaging service then stay tight as we discuss the best WhatsApp alternatives out there.
Best WhatsApp Alternatives for Messaging
If you’re fed up of WhatsApp and want to try another messaging app for a change, here are the best WhatsApp alternatives you should check out.
1. Telegram
Telegram has been called the best WhatsApp competitor for a while now and nothing’s changed since then. Along with the typical messaging features, this open-source app brings other features like supergroups of up to 100,000 people, public channels, usernames, the ability to share files of up to 2 GB, passcode lock, self-destructing messages, and end-to-end encryption in secret chats.
Then, there are Telegram Bots, which bring you important info on the go but several game bots let you play games inside the messaging app. Other than that, Telegram can be used on multiple platforms at once, so you can start texting on your phone and then continue it on your PC. I also love the voice call feature here which works quite well.
Pros Cons Great set of features and capabilities. Recently adopted a freemium model Fluid animations are implemented throughout the app. UI still feels dated and confusing. Improved security measures and end-to-end chat encryption. Availability of bots to automate certain tasks.
Availability: Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Windows, macOS, Linux, Web
2. Signal Private Messenger
Signal Foundation, the organization that powers the end-to-end encryption in WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, offers its own WhatsApp alternative as well. It’s highlight features include self-destructing messages, screen security (prevents anyone from taking screenshots), encryption for backups, calls, group calls, and every other data you send on the app.
Furthermore, according to Apple’s App Store listing, Signal doesn’t link data to your identity. It’s a great alternative for anyone who wants to securely converse with others. That’s why, Signal is quite popular with journalists. So if security is the top priority for you then Signal Private Messenger is the best WhatsApp alternative for you.
Pros Cons Clean, minimal, and easy-to-use UI design. Transferring chats to a new device can be difficult. Missing some features like polls, nicknames, live location, and more. Missing some features like polls, nicknames, live location and more. Offers several advanced security measures built-in. Uses secure MobileCoin cryptocurrency as a payment method.
Availability: Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux
3. Discord
Discord has come a long way from being just a hub for gamers and nerds. It is now a full-fledged messaging platform. You can use Discord’s DMs feature to send emojis emotes (if you have Discord Nitro), GIFs, images, and documents. Furthermore, you can make voice calls, video calls, or even browse together after sharing your screen.
Plus, it has integrations with Spotify, Twitch, YouTube, Battle.net, Steam, Reddit, Facebook, Twitter, Xbox Live, and GitHub, which other WhatsApp alternatives lack. You can also create group chats on Discord with 10 members. If you need more capacity, you can always create a server. If you ask me, I’d recommend uninstalling WhatsApp right away and installing Discord.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Integration with several gaming and streaming services. | Let’s share your screen in high resolution. |
| Allows easy setup of servers for specific groups. | Certain features are limited in the free version. |
| Lets you share your screen in high resolution. | Intended for gamers, creators, and similar communities. |
| Cross-platform access. |
Availability: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, Web
4. Google Messages
Google Messages’ RCS (Rich Communication Services) messaging service has improved by leaps and bounds since it was first introduced. It has more than a Billion active users and the number is likely to grow as iPhones now support RCS too.
RCS is a secure way of sending messages across devices; that carry more information and data. Plus they come tailored with lots of handy dandy features such as smart replies, stickers, GIFs, and suggested actions. We have a detailed read talking about RCS messaging and its perks. But the part that I like the most is that it comes preinstalled with almost every Android smartphone out there. So, no need to send out invites to join the app. You can just drop a text and start chatting.
Pros Cons Already comes pre-installed with Android devices. The message category feature has been removed. Frequently receives interesting features by Google. RCS allows businesses to spam promotional texts. Automatically syncs with your Google account. Requires Google Meet to initiate video calls. Available on all major platforms.
Availability: Android, Windows, Web
5. Kik Messenger
I know many users who are uncomfortable sharing their numbers on these platforms. For them, Kik is a great messaging app as it only requires your email ID. Once you sign up for the service using your email ID, Kik will create a unique user name for you which you can share with other Kik users to chat.
The best part about using Kik is that you are not losing out on any messaging features. You still get access to all the important features including text messages, emojis, stickers, GIFs, photo sharing, video sharing, and group chats among other things.
Another unique feature of Kik is that it supports bots which is something that you do not get on WhatsApp. Using bots you can play quizzes, get fashion tips, the latest news, and more. That said, the main USP of Kik remains its non-requirement of a phone number; if that’s something you want, definitely check it out.
Pros Cons Chat without a phone number. It does not sync across devices. Find and text stranger based on matching interests. Shows banner ads. Integration of Bots. UI feels lackluster and dated. Lets you create public and private groups.
Availability: Android, iOS (Free)
6. Snapchat
Technically Snapchat is a social media app but more often than not you would find people using it as a messaging service. This is all thanks to some unique features like self-destructing messages, screenshot alerts, and face filters and masks to express yourself. Other messaging features are also here such as the ability to create group chats, voice calls, group voice calls, gifs, and more.
Features that we recently started seeing on WhatsApp and Instagram like stories have been taken directly from Snapchat. Moreover, the app also features a bunch of cool additional features that are enjoyed by youngsters. It is quite likely that you might be already using the app and if so, I don’t see any reason why you wouldn’t want to make it your default go-to messaging app.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Includes innovative AI features. | Poor quality and reliability of calls and video chats. |
| Snaps are auto-deleted once viewed or expired. | AI features don’t work well quite often. |
| Variety of cool features and functions to play around with. | |
| Browse content from publishers, influencers, and brands. |
Availability: Android, iOS, Web
7. Keybase
Keybase is an open-source secure chat application, which is great for users who want to communicate securely. Since this is an open-source app, there’s no private company that is looking at all your data. Anyways the data is end-to-end encrypted so at no point in time, the message is exposed to nefarious actors.
The app doesn’t even allow you to take the screenshot of the chats. The messaging app works more like Slack than WhatsApp, however, it’s not aimed at businesses. Rather, it is mainly targeting users who are concerned with their online privacy.
My favorite feature of Keybase is that you don’t need a person’s number or email ID to connect with them. This allows you to remain in contact with users whom you don’t want to share your personal information with. Finally, this is one of the few messaging apps that offer a native application for the Linux operating system. If you value your privacy, you should check it out.
Pros Cons Chat is not as easy to use as other competition. Limited user base. Send invite messages to users on other platforms. Chat is not as easy to use as other apps. 250GB of encrypted cloud storage. No phone number or email is required to sign up.
Availability: Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, and Windows
8. Viber
Viber is another popular messaging and VoIP app that stands toe-to-toe with WhatsApp when it comes to features. Firstly, the app offers end-to-end encryption in calls, messages, and shared media. Moreover, the messages saved on multiple devices are also encrypted, which brings us to the fact it comes with multi-device support.
Like WhatsApp, Viber lets you make video and voice calls but the app goes one step ahead with its Viber Out feature, which lets you make international calls to non-Viber users at nominal rates.
Talking about the messaging features, Viber includes support for stickers, file sharing, last seen, voice & video messages, public accounts, backup to Google Drive, and more. There are also Viber games, which are games you can play inside the app. If you consider everything, you’ll notice that Viber is an app that is very similar to WhatsApp. So in the truest sense, it is a great alternative to WhatsApp.
Pros Cons Free and cross-platform communication. Explore section features a bunch of ads. Make domestic and international calls with Viber Out. Viber Out plans are a bit expensive. Features built-in stickers, games store, and caller ID service. Allows editing sent messages.
Availability: Android, iOS, Windows
9. Session
Session is another great contender for WhatsApp alternatives if your priority is secure messaging. It is a privacy-focused messaging app that promises no metadata and only messages. The open-source app encrypts messaging and calls to ensure that nobody has access to your messages on the internet.
Session uses Libsodium cryptography to encrypt your chats and its public keys are stored locally on your device. You don’t need an email or mobile number to start using the messaging app. All the messages on the app are sent via a decentralized onion-routing network similar to Tor.
Despite being a privacy-focused app, Session’s user interface is quite customizable with themes and dark mode. You get groups, video calls, voice messages, attachments, and even group calling functionality on this WhatsApp replacement app.
Pros Cons No metadata or IP address was collected or stored. No phone number or email is required to sign up. Decentralized network of service nodes. Limited set of features compared to other apps. Fully Open source code. No phone number or email required to sign up.
Availability: Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux
10. LINE
The last app on this list is Line. This is a cross-platform messaging app that packs in a ton of features. Like end-to-end encryption, support for voice and video calls & messages, and more. Although it has seen a dip in its popularity over the years, it still stands as a decent alternative to WhatsApp.
Other useful features of LINE include passcode lock, filter messages, themes, LINE Pay for payments, and more. There’s no doubt that LINE is a very capable and feature-rich messaging app, however, it does feel a little bloated. So, fans of WhatsApp’s simplicity might not like LINE much but if you aren’t bothered by that, you should give LINE a shot.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The interface is easy to navigate. | Includes too many unnecessary features. |
| Customizable themes, stickers, and emojis. | Privacy concerns over data collection and sharing. |
| Interface is easy to navigate. | |
| Value-added services like news, music, and medical help |
Availability: Android, iOS, iPad, Windows Phone, Windows, macOS, Chrome, Firefox
So these are all the WhatsApp alternatives we have for you today. We recommend going with the app where most of your friends and family are already available like Telegram or Snapchat. But if privacy is your main concern then Signal or Session is a good pick as well. At the end of the day, it all comes down to your preference and usage. What do you think about the alternatives we mentioned in this list? Do share your thoughts in the comments below.
Ajaay Srinivasan
