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 bit 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 with 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, a 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.
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.
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.
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.
Availability : Android, Windows, Web
5. Kik Messenger
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.
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 already be 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.
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 is the message exposed to nefarious actors.
The app doesn’t even allow you to take a 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.
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.
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.
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.
Availability : Android, iOS, iPad, Windows Phone, Windows, macOS, Chrome, Firefox
With over 4 year of experience under the belt, I cover all facets of consumer tech, from smartphones to other consumer electronics, our favorite social media apps, as well as the growing realm of AI and LLMs. As an Apps and AI writer app Beebom, I provide my expertise in all these areas, weaving stories that help you get familiar with the tech around you. But you will find me playing NYT daily puzzles in my free time.
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