Do you want an alternative to WhatsApp? Whether you are looking for a security-focused chat app or unique features that Whatsapp doesn’t have, there are lots of options for you to choose from.
Messaging apps are proving to be more important than ever in times of pandemic, so giving them up is out of the question. We have found the best WhatsApp alternatives for you.
Please note that some of the following chat apps may be restricted in your region. To get around the geoblock, you’ll need a VPN. You can use a virtual private network to connect to apps available in other countries in the same way you can change your Netflix region.
Table of Contents
1. Telegraph
Telegram has grown in popularity recently, although it has been around since 2013. It was developed in Russia, where it quickly became a popular messaging app. Telegram supports text, images, documents, videos, and third-party bots, with or without AI features.
Telegram also has a secret mode that allows you to send encrypted messages. This “secret chat” option uses the MTProto encryption service. This means your secret chats will not be saved in cloud.
Telegram works on both Android and iOS operating systems and is also available in web browsers.
2. Edema
Threema is a messaging app that ensures the security and anonymity of your chats. If you think WhatsApp might have security issues, this app might be perfect for you. Threema encrypts all your data including shared files, status updates and all messages.
There are no voice and video chats in Threema, although you can send multimedia messages including voice and video. This app collects no metadata and provides an encrypted backup option. You can connect this app to your phone number or email address so people can find you, but you don’t need to connect if you want to stay anonymous.
The app’s transparent privacy policy is influenced by the fact that Threema is an open source project. This messaging app is available for Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux, and it also has a web version.
3. Skype
Skype has been a popular messaging app for businesses and homes for a long time. It’s a classic Microsoft feature that can’t go wrong when it comes to video calling and voice chat, and it excels when it comes to making calls abroad. The audio and video quality is amazing, it even has options for group calls and group chats. Alternatively, you can record your Skype calls.
Group calling is what made Skype famous as a business messaging app. But if you have a large family or a large group of friends, this app can help you stay connected well.
That said, there is one downside to Skype, and that is security. All in all, it’s a secure app with reliable encryption, but it doesn’t have any eavesdropping protections.
4. Power cord
Wire is another open source messaging client developed in Switzerland. This is a new app that works on multiple messaging platforms and it supports text and multimedia messaging, voice chat and video calls. Its sound quality is of a high standard and it has a sleek, elegant and refreshing user interface design.
While there were some security flaws discovered in Wire in 2016, the developers have worked hard since then to make their app one of the most secure messaging apps available today. yes. End-to-end encryption is guaranteed not only for text messages, but also for file sharing and conferencing. Wire provides additional security features for businesses and government organizations.
5. Facebook Messenger
If you’re looking for a popular messaging platform like WhatsApp, you should consider Facebook Messenger (unless you want to get rid of Facebook). After all, it has about 1.5 billion users. This app has everything from texting, file sharing, video and audio calls, to group chats and various features like sending gifs and stickers.
Remember that if you need secure and private messaging, Facebook isn’t ideal for obvious reasons. The company scans the files and texts you send and receive.
Facebook Messenger is available for both Android and iOs, and you can use it through the web version of Facebook. It also has a desktop version that works with Windows, Linux, and macOS.
6. Viber
Viber was developed to provide users with VoIP services, but the application has evolved over time and has started to include voice calls, text messaging, group chats and sync applications for desktop and mobile devices. However, Viber still only works if it is tied to your phone number.
Viber uses end-to-end encryption like many other messaging platforms. What makes this app stand out are the AR-enabled selfie lenses developed in partnership with Snapchat. You will also be able to call groups using Viber and use their “Community” feature.
Viber is free to use but they do sell sticker packs. They also offer a “Viber Out” subscription that lets you make unlimited international calls for $6 a month.
7. Discord
Discord started as a chat platform for gamers. It now hosts a variety of servers that allow you to interact with people who share your interests. But this mobile and desktop messaging platform also has a DM function for sending private messages. Plus, if you buy the Discord Nitro for $9.99 a month, you’ll get larger file uploads, HD screen sharing, and better streaming and emojis.
Discord will let you share files with your contacts, but keep in mind that the free version has an upload limit of 8MB. When you start a video or a voice call through Discord, you’ll also have an option to share your screen.
Another bonus is that the app can integrate itself with Spotify, Youtube, Reddit, Xbox Live, Twitch, Steam, Battle.net, Facebook, Twitter, and GitHub. Most of your messaging needs can be solved with Discord.
8. Kik
Kik is a messaging service with a social network vibe to it. It has all the usual features like text messages, audio and video chat, GIFs, memes and stickers. You can also find group chats with predefined topics for discussion. Through Kik, you can meet new people or you can choose to stay in touch only with your old friends.
Kik is a free and fast messaging app that handles group chats amazingly well. The best part is that you don’t need a phone number to use this app, you can sign in with your email address. This makes Kik a good choice for people who don’t feel comfortable sharing their number with others.
Kik is available for iPhones, Android devices, and PCs.
9. WeChat
Originally launched in 2011 as “Weixin,” the Chinese instant messaging app was renamed WeChat just a year later. WeChat is a social media app that besides regular messaging also offers conferencing, gaming and geotagging features.
That said, WeChat is not popular outside of China, although anyone can use it. Probably because, unlike WhatsApp, it allows ads. Another problem with this messaging app is that many people have raised concerns about data privacy. Third parties may monitor private conversations through this app, including the US, Taiwanese and Indian governments. It is well known that WeChat censors important social and political issues in China.
10. Signal
If you are looking for a safe and reliable alternative to WhatsApp, Signal is the answer. All traffic passing through this application is encrypted. Furthermore, the application keeps no logs of users and uses SSL/TLS protocols.
Signals are all about secure messaging. You can even send self-destructing messages. The only downside is that it will ask you for a phone number to log in, so Signal isn’t ideal if you want to stay anonymous.
Signal has a very user-friendly interface that won’t scare off tech enthusiasts. It also has a Chrome plug-in so you can use your PC for texting. This is a free chat application developed by a non-profit organization. It was created by a cryptography expert and WhatsApp co-founder, Brian Acton, who abandoned his relationship with Facebook because he didn’t like the company’s idea of what WhatsApp should be like.
11. iMessage
iMessage is a good alternative to WhatsApp, but only for your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. You can use it to send SMS messages to all phone numbers, no matter what app the recipient is using.
Like many other apps, iMessage supports text, video, and audio messages (but not video and audio calls) as well as group calls, GIFs, and pictures. In some countries, Pay for apple available through this app.
In terms of security, Apple has always stayed true to its policy of not allowing governments to access iMessage through the backdoor. Your messages will be safe as long as others don’t have access to your iCloud backups.
12. Slack
Searchable log of all chats and knowledge, or Slack for short, is a messaging platform specifically designed for the work environment. It’s great for teams and teams to communicate without using a phone number or email. Older generations will realize many of the IRC-like features this app has, such as private groups, chat rooms or channels, and direct messaging.
The platform has undergone a recent redesign that makes it very simple and user-friendly. You can share files through Slack, but you can also search for older content, people, and chats. It also supports emojis and GIFs to spice up your chats and watercooler digital pranks.
What makes this messaging platform great even for users outside of the workplace is its availability. Not only is it available as an app for iOS and Android phones, but it’s also downloadable for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It also has a web browser version and you can even install it on Apple Watch.
13. Wickr Me
With Wickr Me, you can sync your messages across all your devices. But the most attractive feature of this messaging app is that you can set an expiration time for all your messages, be it text, images or videos. And this is not the only security feature it has. It also provides localized encryption and a different key for each new message.
In addition to great security features, Wickr Me promises complete anonymity for users and removal of all metadata from all content sent through the app. With the launch of the desktop version in 2014, Wickr Me became available for iOS, Android, macOS, Windows and Linux.
What are your favorite WhatsApp alternatives?
There are so many chat apps out there, it’s hard to keep track of them all. So let us know in the comments section below what your favorite WhatsApp alternative is and what makes it so great.
