Here, you will learn about the 6 best apps like Kik Messenger in 2024.
They all are instant messaging apps that let you send texts, photos, and videos, or even allow you to make voice/video calls.
Also, these Kik alternatives suit everyone and are the best for different purposes such as privacy, hardcore anonymity, and more photo-friendly.
Let’s see what alternative you can use instead of the Kik app in 2024.
What are The Best Apps like Kik Messenger in 2024
These are the best alternatives to Kik and the reasons why these are the best instant messengers out there:
- Telegram- Best Kik app replacement if you need most Kik-like features and more features in general.
- Whatsapp- Best for those who need the most security and encryption.
- Signal- Best replacement for Kik if you need anonymity.
- Snapchat- Best app like Kik for most private conversations.
- Facebook Messenger- Best for those who need the most social connections and integrations.
- Viber- Best Kik alternative for Ukraine, Philippines, Greece, and Eastern European nations.
1. Telegram
Website: https://telegram.org/
Telegram is the best Kik alternative because it has more features similar to Kik Messenger than the other options here.
It uses usernames just like Kik. Users can search and connect to you without ever knowing your contact number. Do note that a number is still required to sign up. You can simply choose to hide the number so no one or only selected individuals can see your number.
In fact, alike Kik app, Telegram also lets you find new users using its “people nearby” feature. It doesn’t require any number or username.
Additionally, Telegram allows you to text, voice/video call, and form groups. You can share almost any file type up to 2GB each. Editing messages after sending them is possible too.
Moreover, It allows groups of up to 200,000 members. You control who has what rights in the groups. And choose if new members can or can’t see older messages using its “persistent history” feature.
Just like a good Kik alternative should, Telegram supports broadcast channels as well as bots. These bots can allow you to generate AI images, play mini-games, manage tasks and projects for productivity apps, etc. Telegram and Kik have another identical feature, the in-app web browser.
Telegram is also hugely uncensored or unmoderated. In fact, the founder was just arrested in Paris over the same allegations. This means it’s great for privacy. You can share a lot more on Telegram with fewer breadcrumbs than on other alternatives to Kik.
It has a “secret chat” feature that offers end-to-end communications. It also features Self-destructing messages that are deleted at set times.
Telegram has this unique crypto wallet. You can send/exchange and trade crypto (P2P) right on the app.
You can also share your location with the recipient. A unique feature is its “proximity alert”. Once set, you’re alerted when the other party comes close to your location! This feature is displayed only once both parties share their locations with each other.
One of Telegram’s best features is dual-side message deletion. You can delete your entire chat history, media, and everything else not just from your device, but from the recipient as well. There’s no expiry on this feature and you can delete messages even years after sending them. A schedule-send as well as “send silently” feature also exist (long press the send button to reveal these hidden features).
Telegram is available for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, and of course a web/browser version.
Features Telegram lacks as compared to Kik:
- Kik allows username-based signups, Telegram has a “username” feature but it requires a number for signing up.
2. Whatsapp
Website: https://www.whatsapp.com/
WhatsApp is the second-best Kik alternative. It’s the most popular and widely used messaging app on the planet though. As of 2024, it has 3 billion active users!
WhatsApp supports all major types of communication. These can be text, videos, photos, or other media such as documents and contacts. You can also edit messages after sending them.
As many as 32 people can be on a WhatsApp group video call at once! It also supports self-destructing timers. You can backup your chats so they aren’t lost if you change devices. Its End-to-End encryption ensures no third party, not even WhatsApp itself has access to your messages. This is an upgrade from Kik considering that Kik isn’t E2E encrypted.
Multiple customization options such as font size, specific wallpaper for individual chats etc. are available. You can also post “stories” which are like broadcasts for everyone, or those you select.
It also has stickers and GIFs that make conversations more lively. You can create polls or events directly in the conversation.
You can also share your current location directly, or continuously stream your live location to individuals or groups.
Whatsapp even recently integrated Meta AI that you can talk to, ask questions or even generate images right in the app!
In some countries, it even enabled a payment system. You can pay users using QR codes directly from WhatsApp!
WhatsApp also newly added a Broadcast feature just like on Kik.
Furthermore, It has native apps for Windows, Android, and iOS. You can even use it on your computers/laptops on any browser.
Features WhatsApp lacks as compared to Kik:
- Kik’s username signup is not available with WhatsApp.
- Kik has bots that can perform dozens of automated actions. WhatsApp doesn’t allow bots. A few automated replies can be set for business accounts but that’s it.
- Using Kik, you can meet new people. People who’re random and strangers to you based on location and interests. Whatsapp requires at least 1 person to have the number of the other person to initiate contact.
3. Signal
Website: https://signal.org/
One of Kik’s strongest features is its privacy and anonymity. This is what makes Signal an impressive Kik alternative.
All messages are E2E encrypted by default. It also has an “incognito keyboard” mode. This prevents your keyboard from remembering what you type.
Its extremely rare “relay” feature relays your calls via Signal’s IP address before connecting to your recipient. No other Kik alternatives on this list offer the feature. In simpler words, anyone monitoring your calls will see Signal’s IP address making that call and not you, hence protecting your identity, location, activities, and much more.
You can create groups and assign specific roles and permissions to group members. Also, it lets you schedule messages and send disappearing messages.
Signal does require a number to sign up, like WhatsApp. However, like Kik, it allows using usernames to add new people while hiding your number.
All types of messages and media can be sent with Signal as well. It does have a “delete for everyone” feature, but it has a 24-hour timer. After that, you can only delete messages from your own side.
It does allow posting stories as well. In terms of customizations, you can change wallpapers, colors, and font sizes for chats.
Unfortunately, Signal doesn’t have a web version. You must download its direct clients for Android, iOS, Windows, Mac or Linux.
Features Signal lacks as compared to Kik:
- Signal has a mandatory phone number requirement for signing up. It can be hidden but it’s required. Kik allows no-number signups.
- Signal doesn’t have bots like Kik does.
- Kik’s “people nearby” feature is missing on Signal as well.
4. Snapchat
Website: https://www.snapchat.com/
Snapchat is one of the closest apps similar to Kik. It is not end-to-end encrypted, just like Kik.
Snapchat has two primary features. First, it’s a photo-sharing app. As in, it’s mostly used to “snap” whatever your camera sees and share it with friends. Of course, it can be used to share photos/videos from the gallery, voice notes, or just normal texts as well.
The second and more important feature is its mandatory self-destruction timer. Whatever you send, gets automatically deleted, from both parties in 24 hours. You do have the option to set it to “delete after viewing” for instant deletion. You can save messages by saving them individually in the chat. If you take a screenshot, the other party is notified.
It also supports groups of 201 people. Unfortunately, only 16 participants can be active on a group call at once.
Because the prime focus is photos, it has some of the most creative filters and effects in the industry. On top of photos, you can also use it to voice and video call your friends. You can also share your location.
Just like Kik, it does have a “nearby” feature which allows you to find Snapchat users near you without any prior contact.
You can also post stories that are publicly visible to all. It also has a reels feature just like Instagram or Tiktok do. It does lock away basic features behind a paywall such as chat wallpaper and advanced Bitmoji (your Snapchat character) customizations.
You get “streaks” for sending at least 1 snap to each other every day. Missing that leads to losing all the streaks and you’ve to start over.
Features Snapchat lacks as compared to Kik:
- Snapchat requires numbers for signup, Kik doesn’t.
- Snapchat has almost no bot support whatsoever.
5. Facebook Messenger
Website: https://www.messenger.com/
I’m sure almost everyone here has heard of this Kik alternative at least once. Facebook Messenger is the official messenger for Facebook. To use it, you must have a Facebook account. Yes, Facebook has been a controversy magnet in terms of privacy multiple times in the past. This is why I didn’t include this higher up on this list.
To use Messenger, you must have a Facebook account. The best thing is that you can create a Facebook account without a phone number simply using a username and e-mail ID, just like on Kik.
You can find users using usernames, email IDs, phone numbers, and more. It supports all modes of communication (text/ voice and video calls). You can also share multiple file types. You can even “watch movies together”. Customizations let you choose colors and themes for your conversations.
Facebook Messenger can also be directly linked with your PayPal or Debit card to send/receive money directly.
You can also create polls. It recently also added a “most likely to” feature for polls. You can ask which of the participants are most likely to do XYZ and others can vote on this.
It also has a Group chat feature. You can also share your live location with others.
Just like the Kik app, Facebook Messenger is bot-friendly as well.
One unique feature that most other apps like Kik can’t offer is that, Meta is the parent company that owns Facebook, Whatsapp, and Instagram. This means Facebook Messenger can be integrated with all 3 of these Kik alternatives at once! Messenger also has games you can play directly on the app.
While there’s no “nearby” feature directly, FB Messenger does show “suggestions” based on location, mutual friends, etc. on Facebook so you can add new users. Its “Vanish” mode allows users to send self-destructing messages as well.
Features Facebook Messenger lacks as compared to Kik:
- While Facebook Messenger does support bots, they’re somewhat basic as compared to Kik bots.
6. Viber
Website: https://www.viber.com/
Viber is a Kik alternative that’s popular in very specific markets. Despite not being as global as WhatsApp, Viber had over 1.7 Billion users back in 2020. Unfortunately, it does need a number for signing up.
You can send text messages, videos, photos, and files with Viber. It also facilitates Voice and video calls. You can also create groups.
All its data is End-to-End encrypted by default offering you security that’s absent on Kik. Stickers and Gifs add fun to the conversations.
It does support self-destructing messages as well. You can edit messages after sending them. If that’s not enough, deleting messages from both ends is possible as well.
It’s available on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Features Viber lacks as compared to Kik:
- Viber isn’t as anonymous as Kik due to its signup policy.
- Viber doesn’t support bots while Kik does.
Conclusion- Which are the best apps like Kik?
Telegram is the best Kik alternative. It replaces Kik best because it has the maximum features like Kik, and it just has the maximum features out of these Kik alternatives in general.
WhatsApp is the second best app like Kik because of its user base, encryption, and overall features.
Snapchat is a great photo-first app, and Facebook Messenger would offer the best integrations. These are basically the best apps similar to Kik as they cover all the different purposes, requirements, and user bases.
