Smartphone Messaging Apps
Having a computer in your pocket is the norm nowadays with the proliferation of smartphones. That means that communicating over the Internet with specialized apps has become the norm as well. After all, why potentially subject yourself to international calling fees and poor cell reception when you can just call someone using WhatsApp or Telegram or Signal and not pay any money at all for substantially better audio quality?
Those three apps and more can be found on this page and provide free and easy-to-use interfaces to send text-based messages; attach photos, videos, and music; and make free voice (and oftentimes even video!) calls internationally.
- Free • Open Source
- Encrypted Chat App
- Instant Messenger
- Group Chat App
201 alternatives to Signal- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- iPhone
- iPad
- Flathub
- Ubuntu
- Debian
Signal is a messaging app with an unexpected focus on privacy, combined with all the features expected from a modern IM app. Signal has received a lot of praise from all around the world for its security and privacy-respecting technologies.
Signal Features
Top 3 alternatives
- Freemium • Proprietary
- Encrypted Chat App
- Instant Messenger
- Group Chat App
258 alternatives to Telegram- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- HUAWEI AppGallery
- Windows Phone
- iPad
- Apple Watch
- Linux Mobile
- Android Wear
- PortableApps.com
- FreeBSD
Telegram is a messaging app created by former VK creators with a focus on speed and security. It’s superfast, simple and free. It is like SMS, but more powerful.
Telegram Features
Top 3 alternatives
- Free • Proprietary
- Instant Messenger
- Group Chat App
- Encrypted Chat App
241 alternatives to WhatsApp- Mac
- Windows
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Wear
WhatsApp is an iPhone and Android messaging app which allows you to exchange messages without having to pay for SMS.
WhatsApp Features
Top 3 alternatives
- Free Personal • Open Source
- Group Chat App
- Video Calling App
- Instant Messenger
256 alternatives to Wire- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Self-Hosted
- F-Droid
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
Wire is the most secure collaboration platform featuring messenger, voice, video, conference calls, file-sharing, and external collaboration –all protected by the most secure end-to-end-encryption.
Wire Features
Top 3 alternatives
- Free • Open Source
- Instant Messenger
- Encrypted Chat App
- Group Chat App
52 alternatives to Briar- Linux
- Android
- Flathub
- F-Droid
An open-source decentralized and encrypted messaging app even without internet connection via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Messages are stored securely on your device, not in the cloud. Connect directly with nearby contacts - no Internet access is required.
Briar Features
Top 3 alternatives
- Freemium • Proprietary
- Group Chat App
- Instant Messenger
- Video Calling App
164 alternatives to Viber- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- HUAWEI AppGallery
- iPad
- Apple Watch
With Viber, everyone in the world can connect. Freely. More than 460 million Viber users text, make HD-quality phone and video calls, and send photo and video messages worldwide over WiFi or 3G - for free.
Viber Features
Top 3 alternatives
- Free • Proprietary
- Instant Messenger
- Group Chat App
- Video Calling App
188 alternatives to Facebook Messenger- Windows
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Blackberry
- Windows S
- Android Tablet
- Windows Phone
- iPad
- Apple Watch
- Android Wear
Facebook Messenger is a faster way to message. Reach friends right on their phones, get and send messages fast, message everyone at once and more.
Facebook Messenger Features
Top 3 alternatives
- Freemium • Proprietary
- Instant Messenger
- Group Chat App
- Video Calling App
158 alternatives to WeChat- Mac
- Windows
- Android
- iPhone
- Blackberry
- Windows S
- Android Tablet
- Windows Phone
- iPad
- Apple Watch
WeChat is a complete mobile communication and private social networking app. Free, cross-platform, and full-featured, WeChat is the best way to keep in touch with everyone you care about.
WeChat Features
Top 3 alternatives
- Freemium • Proprietary
- Encrypted Chat App
86 alternatives to Wickr- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
Wickr is a free end-to-end encrypted text, video, picture and voice messenger with full sender control.
Wickr Features
DiscontinuedWickr will not accept user registrations for Wickr Me after December 31, 2022, and will discontinue Wickr Me on December 31, 2023.
Top 3 alternatives
- Free • Open Source
- Encrypted Chat App
- Instant Messenger
10 alternatives to Berty- Linux
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
Berty is a secure peer-to-peer messaging app that works with or without internet access, cellular data or trust in the network. Berty is a privacy-first messaging application built on top of the Berty Protocol.
Berty Features
Top 3 alternatives
- Free • Proprietary
- Instant Messenger
- Group Chat App
- Video Calling App
57 alternatives to Plus Messenger- Android
- iPhone
Plus Messenger is an messaging app that uses Telegram 's API. Plus Messenger has all of Telegram's features plus themes. Plus Messenger is free for android devices.
Plus Messenger Features
Top 3 alternatives
- Free • Open Source
- Instant Messenger
- Encrypted Chat App
- Group Chat App
34 alternatives to Quicksy- Android
A spin-off of the popular Jabber/XMPP client Conversations with automatic contact discovery.
Quicksy Features
Top 3 alternatives
Kik is way more than just messaging. It’s the easiest way to connect with your friends, stay in the loop, and explore – all through chat. No phone numbers, just pick a username.
Kik Features
Top 3 alternatives
Full-featured XMPP messenger.
jTalk Features
Top 3 alternatives
Qt 5 Tox client for Android.
Top 3 alternatives