Our smartphones allow constant and instant communication with our family, friends and work colleagues. However, the out-of-the-box built-in options aren't always the best.
New messaging apps have emerged to provide rich services offering all kinds of interactions with others, from free text messaging to voice and video calls, photo and file sharing with the added benefit of encryption. . We've tested lots of different options, so here are some of the best messaging apps you'll find on Android and iOS. Want to chat directly from your desktop browser? Discover the best chat clients for PC and Mac.
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With millions of active users, Telegram bills itself as the fastest messaging app on the market. It works on all devices on mobile and desktop platforms. You can store chat history in the cloud, share files with no size limit, and chats are secured with 256-bit symmetric AES encryption, 2048-bit RSA encryption, and
Diffie-Hellman secure key exchange. There is support for stickers and GIFs, editing photos and videos, and group chats can be up to 200,000 people. It is also completely free and does not contain ads. Funded by donation, the makers of Telegram promise that it will remain free, never sell data, and is not intended to generate revenue. New features include animated stickers for photos or videos and a new media editor that makes it easy to improve video quality and add text and stickers.
Android iOS
The most popular text messaging app used in South Korea is also available in the United States. Known for its fast and reliable messaging no matter what network you are connected to, KakaoTalk has become the benchmark for many. A remarkable feature is the integration of e-commerce into the application. KakaoTalk offers users exclusive coupons and deals from popular brands to share with their friends and family. The app has become so popular for transactions that it now offers branded credit cards that users can use with their virtual currency. Bonus features include the ability to create your own calendar and schedule appointments and reminders for lunches, business meetings, or gatherings.
Android iOS
One of the most used messaging apps in the world, WhatsApp is very easy to set up and free. You can chat and share things like your location, photos, documents, and contacts. You can also make video and voice calls, and the app supports group calls of up to 8 people. The setup requires that you grant access to your contacts, so the app can automatically populate your contact list. One of the things that is so appealing about this app, besides its massive popularity, is the addition of end-to-end encryption for privacy and security, despite being owned by Facebook. It also supports GIFs and Snapchat-like editing features for fun.
Android iOS
Facebook has its own separate messaging app which makes it very easy to chat with your friends and family. It will automatically fill in your contacts, but you can also add a contact, or allow someone to add you as a contact, by scanning a unique code. There are many free stickers available and you can send GIFs. Video and voice calls are clear and very reliable. On Android, the "Chat Heads" feature allows you to keep a chat icon floating above your screen, which is very convenient. You can also share files, your location, and send money to certain markets. You can even start an end-to-end encrypted secret conversation. With the new Messenger Rooms feature, you can host up to 50 people and link to your chat and share it with anyone, even if they're not on Facebook.
Android iOS
Line is a very popular application, especially in Asia, and it has over 600 million users. Along with all the standard features of a messaging app, there is a Facebook-like timeline where you can post and your friends can comment on your posts. Calls to landlines and free line-to-line video or voice calls are available. There is also a very healthy sticker store full of famous Asian line characters. Group chat allows chats of up to 500 participants, and there is support for encrypted chats. You can also follow artists and brands online. It even lets you create albums and share them with friends, or watch YouTube videos together during a call.
Android iOS
Kik is the youth messaging app. Unlike many apps that require a link to a phone number, Kik only requires a username to start texting. Adding your friends and relatives is as easy as scanning their unique Kik QR code with your phone's camera. The interface is fun and user-friendly - you can literally play games in your chat rooms! With nearly 70% of the user population between 13 and 24 years old, Kik is a great way for teens and young adults to interact and make new friends.
Android iOS
With over a billion users worldwide, this popular app will automatically add your contacts. It allows you to send text messages, stickers and emoji, make video and voice calls, and share your favorite photos. Color-coded encrypted messaging is also available, as well as group chats and self-destructive chats. Viber Out is a feature that allows you to make cheap international and domestic calls. Viber to Viber calls are always free. The most recent additions are a dark mode, a short story feature called Short, and a make your own GIF feature, which lets you turn any cat video into a GIF.
Android iOS
WeChat is the most popular app in China with over a billion users. It offers the usual features of the messaging app like photo sharing or video and voice calls. But with WeChat, you also get features like location sharing to help you find nearby friends, and you can share moments or snapshots of your day. This app also supports payments, games and much more. It is also available for Wear OS and Apple Watch. The latest additions include a dark mode and the ability to quote a previous post when replying or sending a new post.
Android iOS
Signal, from Open Whisper Systems, is one of the most recommended apps for chat encryption and security. This app has military grade encryption for all your voice messages and calls. It supports texts, voice calls, group messages and sending multimedia attachments. Edward Snowden recommended this app, making it a top choice for people who value security above all else. The latest updates include the ability to muddle functionality in an image editor, dark mode, new sticker packs, and the ability to react to any message with emoji.
Android iOS
Dust bills itself as "the world's most secure messenger," so if privacy is an issue, it might be worth downloading. The app is free and all messages are deleted after 24 hours. You can cancel sending a message at any time, deleting it from the recipient's phone in real time - great for those "oops" times - and the app will notify you if someone takes a screenshot of. your messages. Once messages are deleted from Dust, they can never be recovered, giving you full control over your privacy. It is one of the most secure messaging apps on the market.
Android iOS
Popularized by celebrities, Snapchat achieved instant fame among the younger generations from its inception. Although Snapchat is not as high as Facebook or Instagram, this platform offers the unique ability to connect with friends and followers with concise and fleeting messages that are automatically erased in no time. You can send a "snapshot" to a friend for a short time before they go missing. Its most famous feature is funny filters for your video shots, which celebrities often present. But it also offers photo editing, as well as the ability to share Bitmoji stickers. You can also get together for group chats with all your friends. Snapchat is definitely one of the funniest ways to deliver small-sized communications, and the auto-delete feature means your messages are more secure than on other platforms.
Android iOS
It's no surprise, based on name alone, that GroupMe focuses on group chats, but you can use direct messages to chat with one person at a time. GroupMe allows you to add up to 500 members to a group chat, although we don't recommend it unless you want notifications swiping. You can add contacts by email address or phone number and chat with contacts in the United States, even if they are not using the app. You can also share images, GIFs, videos, and use GroupMe's custom emojis. Microsoft owns the app, which might boost your confidence in it. Still, it doesn't have end-to-end encryption. If privacy is important to you, you might want to go for another chat option instead.
Android iOS
Discord was first released in 2015 as a chat app that players can use when playing together. Around 250 million users now use it for various chat purposes. The free app registers at least 14 million active users every day. You can communicate with up to 10 friends at a time in private group chats while you are playing together, and you don't have to worry about having to type and play simultaneously as Discord has a voice chat feature for you. hands-free communication. After users who weren't gamers discovered the app, there was an influx of clubs and communities focused on various interests. If you want to meet other people online, Discord is a great way to connect based on common interests. It should be noted, however, that Discord does not use end-to-end encryption for its messages. If full privacy is a priority, you'll want another app to protect your messages.
Android iOS
Editor's recommendations
https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/best-text-messaging-apps/