WhatsApp is the most popular messaging app on the planet, followed by its Facebook parent mate — Messenger. The app now reportedly has two billion users, that just a little shy of Facebook users.
Facebook is planning to merge WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram Direct into a single messaging platform. The messaging platform will reportedly be end-to-end encrypted; each of the apps will remain a separate service, but with the feature to communicate with other apps.
If you don’t like WhatsApp, and you need a WhatsApp alternative, to help you share your message, videos, and photos. Here are the top ten great WhatsApp alternatives on Android and iOS that you can download.
Messenger
Messenger is a great alternative to WhatsApp. Facebook Messenger is the second most popular messaging app after WhatsApp. And of course, it’s owned by Facebook. Facebook-owned two of the most popular messaging app.
Facebook Messenger was previously an inside part of Facebook messaging but got separated. With the messaging app, you can send private messages between individuals without creating a Facebook account.
The parent company, Facebook, is merging its top messaging services with WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram Direct into one platform. If you don’t like it, they are still other messaging app to explore.
Telegram Messenger
Telegram is one of the top 10 messaging apps, and it boasts over three hundred million users worldwide, although it’s very much far from the space of WhatsApp.
The one thing about Telegram you should know is, it’s everywhere you go. With just your phone number, you could access the app from your mobile phone and your PC.
In terms of functionality, there is a lot to it. Telegram is similar to the Facebook-owned massaging app, WhatsApp. And it’s one of the big competitors to WhatsApp. It has end-to-end encryption, and it also comes with self destruct message; which WhatsApp just recently released.
Signal Messenger
Signal app is one of the best alternatives to WhatsApp, with security in mind. Signal has come a long way to get to where it is. It just like WhatsApp; you need a phone number to get this started and begin sharing your message.
Signal offers a very similar feature to WhatsApp, it has end-to-end encryption. Enable you to backup your chat and screen lock the app so no one would have access to your private chat. You can use the app as your phone messaging app.
Signal is an open-source app, which means the source code is available to everyone, unlike WhatsApp. But that is okay because with the app being open-source, no one comes to create a backdoor to the app that gives access to other people.
Snapchat
Snapchat has come a long way. Snapchat is not just a social sharing platform for photos and videos. The app can be used for messaging your friends.
Snapchat boasts of some unique features that set it aside from the rest. You know, the popular stories on Facebook and Instagram — Snapchat brought the idea, but that’s what every company does now (take).
Snapchat features a self-destruct message, which deletes a message after a certain period. The app messaging feature alert you when someone is trying to take a screenshot of your chat with him. Like other messaging apps; Snap also lets you create group chats, voice calls, group voice calls, gifs, and more.
Element Messenger (Riot.IM)
Rmessaging app supports both video and voice calling. And instead of a phone number, the app gives you a unique ID that will enable you to message other individuals.
Riot is just like Signal, a open-source software that is available to the public. And open source tends to be secure because it will not be an option for the company to add a backdoor to the app. The messaging app also supports a bot.
You can create a room. There is a public room and a private room. You can join a public room, and with a link to get to a private room. The app is also system-wide that’s available for both Android and iOS.
Threema Messenger
Talk about that messaging app with privacy and security — you should check out Threema. Threema is a private messaging app just like Signal — all messages are store in your local storage. Without using a mobile phone number, you can message others using Threema ID.
Threema comes with end-to-end encryption, which includes all content that comes as a message. And of course, they have a status like WhatsApp. Other features include formatting your message, creating polls, and password protecting a message.
Threema is based in Switzerland, which is known for its pro-privacy laws. That means your data won’t be mess around. You can use the app, and get to enjoy the cool features,
Wire Messenger
To keep your data safe, Wire is the best bet for secure messaging. The messaging app comes with security. The app offers an end-to-end encryption model that protects all of your messages.
It comes with a free personal account and a paid business plan, which comes with additional features and more support. Wire offers free instant voice and video calls.
Just like every other massaging app, you can share files, and format text. The app also comes with a self-destruct message — where you set the time, and the message is gone once the time reaches. You also have the option to secure a chat.
Viber Messenger
Viber is a great messaging alternative to WhatsApp. Viber chat comes with lots of similarities. Everything you always need in a messaging app is here, you can voice and video call to friends, create group chat and instant chat extension.
Viber offers end-to-end encryption for all its messages, and there is a time self-destruct feature, which allows a message to be deleted automatically at a particular time. With Viber, you can help track your Trusted Contacts by verifying the identity of the other chat participant; this is done, by swapping secret keys.
You can disable read receipts. With Viber, you will be able to hide conversations, lock messages with a secret code. If you don’t want your status to be available publicly, you can hide it. And the messaging app will notify you when a constant changes their account details.
LINE
LINE is a popular messaging app. And it comes with features like that of every other messaging platform. Its based need is security; the app has it — the app features end-to-end encryption and support for voice and video calls.
The messaging app feature a status update; a timeline that contains your friend’s photos. It also has a stickers store like WhatsApp. You can also include passcode lock, filter messages, themes, and many more.
Hike Messenger
With security in mind and a fun messaging app, you can go with Hike — a next messaging app alternative to WhatsApp.
Away from the messaging features, with the Hike messaging app, you could use their Hikemoji — all you’ve to do is create an Avatar after taking a selfie of yourself. The app has more than 100 stickers available, 1000 more hairstyles, and more facial features.
Hike offers you different chat themes that you can use as your chat background. Coming to the privacy, and security part of the messaging app. Hike offers a secret code to lock up your chat. You can use a fingerprint as well.
If you’re seriously looking for a WhatsApp alternative. These are the security, and private messaging app that can help you to keep your privacy in order. Your privacy should be your priority — don’t let any company take that from you.
