Bolt Messaging AlternativesInstant Messengers and other similar apps like Bolt Messaging

Bolt was an instant messaging app for iPhone that let users see what people were typing as they typed it. An innovative concept to be sure, but one that was short lived: The app has been seemingly discontinued, with its App Store entry no longer available and all signs of its development seemingly scrapped from the Internet.

Though Bolt's innovative concept of being able to see what people are typing as they type it has not been replicated in today's crowded messaging landscape, there are many instant messaging service alternatives with the next best thing: typing indicators that show when someone you're chatting with is responding or leaving a message.

Bolt Messaging alternatives are mainly Instant Messengers but may also be Group Chat Apps or Encrypted Chat Apps. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Bolt Messaging.

Bolt Messaging

Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger

Communicate more effectively and more personably with your contacts by seeing each other type letter by letter. Completely...

More about Bolt Messaging

Bolt Messaging alternatives page was last updated

Signal
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Group Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
iPad
Flathub
Ubuntu
Debian
209 Signal alternatives
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 is the most popular Windows, Android, Mac & iPhone alternative to Bolt Messaging.
- - Signal is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Bolt Messaging.
Suggest and vote on features
Signal Features
1. End-to-End EncryptionSignal has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
2. Privacy focusedSignal is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. Ad-freeSignal doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. Self Destructing MessagesSignal supports the use of private messages that will be auto deleted according to a specified time or action.
5. No TrackingSignal will not track you or use your personal data.
6. Dark ModeSignal supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
7. VoiP CallsSignal allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
8. LightweightSignal consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
9. Works OfflineSignal can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
Security focused
Private messaging
Encrypted Connection
Mobile friendly
GPLv3
Secure Chat
Stickers
Desktop Application
Based on phone number
Protected by Password
Telegram
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Instant Messenger
Group Chat App
Encrypted Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
HUAWEI AppGallery
Windows Phone
iPad
Apple Watch
Linux Mobile
Android Wear
PortableApps.com
FreeBSD
272 Telegram alternatives
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 is the most popular Web-based & Android Tablet alternative to Bolt Messaging.
Suggest and vote on features
Telegram Features
1. LightweightTelegram consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Ad-freeTelegram doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. End-to-End EncryptionTelegram has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
4. Privacy focusedTelegram is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
5. Dark ModeTelegram supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
6. VoiP CallsTelegram allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
7. Multiple Account supportTelegram support multiple accounts without the need to logout and login
8. IFTTT IntegrationYou can connect different services to automatically trigger actions within Telegram using IFTTT.
9. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
Stickers
Chat Bot
Multi Device Support
Channels
Bots
Secret chats
Cloud based
Animated stickers
Integrated File Sharing
Persistent History
Element
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
Group Chat App
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Self-Hosted
Matrix.org
Flathub
F-Droid
Cloudron
276 Element alternatives
Element is a secure collaboration and messaging app based on the Matrix protocol. It’s decentralised to deliver digital sovereignty, and based on an open standard for easy connections and interoperability. It is end-to-end encrypted by default.
- - Element is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to Bolt Messaging.
Suggest and vote on features
Element Features
1. DecentralizedElement is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
2. End-to-End EncryptionElement has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
3. Privacy focusedElement is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
4. VoiP CallsElement allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
5. Dark ModeElement supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
6. Support for MarkDownElement supports MarkDown for document formatting.
7. File VersioningElement has a version system that lets you view and go back to older versions of the project/file/document.
8. No TrackingElement will not track you or use your personal data.
9. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Element simultaneously.
Federated
Matrix Protocol
Voice Chat
Federation
Direct Messaging
Custom widgets
Simple installation
Clean design
Multiple languages
Per-room avatars
Tox
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Group Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
Android Tablet
BSD
F-Droid
193 Tox alternatives
With the rise of widespread government monitoring programs, Tox is an easy to use application that allows you to connect with friends and loved ones without anyone else listening in.
Suggest and vote on features
Tox Features
1. DecentralizedTox is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
2. Privacy focusedTox is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. End-to-End EncryptionTox has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
4. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Tox without registration.
5. No TrackingTox will not track you or use your personal data.
6. AES-256 EncryptionTox has AES-256 Encryption, i.e. very strong security.
7. Screen SharingYou can use Tox to share your screen with your colleages or friends.
8. LightweightTox consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
9. Dark ModeTox supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
Peer-To-Peer
Security focused
Multiplatform
P2P Network
Built-in player
GPLv3
Client side encryption
White-labeled
Point-to-point encryption
VoiP Calls
WhatsApp
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Instant Messenger
Group Chat App
Encrypted Chat App
Mac
Windows
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Wear
251 WhatsApp alternatives
WhatsApp is an iPhone and Android messaging app which allows you to exchange messages without having to pay for SMS.
Suggest and vote on features
WhatsApp Features
1. End-to-End EncryptionWhatsApp has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
2. Dark ModeWhatsApp supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
3. Ad-freeWhatsApp doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. Two-factor AuthenticationWhatsApp supports two-factor authentication (2FA).
5. Screen SharingYou can use WhatsApp to share your screen with your colleages or friends.
6. VoiP CallsWhatsApp allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
7. Support for @mentionsWhatsApp supports the use of mentions through @ to a particular user, who will be notified personally.
8. Expiring StoriesYou can create, view, interact and share temporary stories in WhatsApp.
Mobile friendly
Custom Backgrounds
Stickers
Notifications
Based on phone number
Multiple languages
Push Notifications
Voice messages
Data transfer
Push to talk
Zulip
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free Personal • Open Source
Group Chat App
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
BSD
iPad
Self-Hosted
223 Zulip alternatives
Zulip is the only modern team chat app that is designed for both live and asynchronous conversations. Zulip topics create a separate space for each discussion, so different conversations will never get in each other's way.
Suggest and vote on features
Zulip Features
1. Support for MarkDownZulip supports MarkDown for document formatting.
2. Syntax HighlightingZulip supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
Threaded Conversations
Support for Hotkeys
Community-based
Integrated File Sharing
Chat Bot
GitHub integration
Secure Chat
Third party integrations
Chat organizer
Live topics
Viber
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Group Chat App
Video Calling App
Instant Messenger
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
HUAWEI AppGallery
iPad
Apple Watch
173 Viber alternatives
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.
Suggest and vote on features
Viber Features
1. Desktop SharingViber enables you to share your screen with other people in the same office or working remotely.
2. VoiP CallsViber allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
Phone calls
Animated stickers
Call Transfer
Secret chats
Multiple languages
Hidden chat
Voice Chat
Encrypted VoIP calls
Push to talk
Conversations
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Group Chat App
Encrypted Chat App
Android
Android Tablet
F-Droid
148 Conversations alternatives
Conversations is a privacy focused, open source XMPP Texting [Jabber] client for Android 4.0+ smart phones with wife-approved easy encryption [OTR, OMEMO, or GPG].
Suggest and vote on features
Conversations Features
1. DecentralizedConversations is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
2. End-to-End EncryptionConversations has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
3. OpenPGPConversations supports OpenPGP, a standard of PGP encryption that is open-source for public use.
4. GPG EncryptionConversations supports GPG (aka GnuPG) for encryption of things like emails, messages, files, etc.
5. LightweightConversations consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
6. Dark ModeConversations supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
7. Ad-freeConversations doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
8. Self Destructing MessagesConversations supports the use of private messages that will be auto deleted according to a specified time or action.
9. Multiple Account supportConversations support multiple accounts without the need to logout and login
Image Sharing
Encrypted Connection
Supports XMPP
OMEMO
OTR
Federated
Chat Bot
Intuitive Interface
Xmpp
Secure Chat
Empathy
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Video Calling App
IRC Client
Linux
BSD
142 Empathy alternatives
Empathy is a messaging program which supports text, voice, video chat, and file transfers over many different protocols. You can tell it about your accounts on all those services and do all your chatting within one application.
Suggest and vote on features
Empathy Features
Unified messaging
Support for Multiple protocols
Xmpp
SIP
Integrated File Sharing
Voice Chat
Discontinued
Empathy is currently unmaintained. Last version, 3.25, released in August 2017, can be still downloaded from the official website.
imo
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Instant Messenger
Group Chat App
Video Calling App
Mac
Windows
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
HUAWEI AppGallery
iPad
130 imo alternatives
Imo is a free, simple,secure and faster international video call & instant messaging app.
Suggest and vote on features
imo Features
1. VoiP Callsimo allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
2. Expiring StoriesYou can create, view, interact and share temporary stories in imo.
Push to talk
Stickers
Voice messages
Telegram X
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Instant Messenger
Group Chat App
Encrypted Chat App
Android
Android Tablet
Telegram
208 Telegram X alternatives
An alternative Telegram client based on TDLib, with higher speed, slicker animations and experimental features.
Suggest and vote on features
Telegram X Features
1. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
2. Ad-freeTelegram X doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. Support for ThemesYou can use themes and templates to change the look and feel of Telegram X.
4. Privacy focusedTelegram X is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
5. End-to-End EncryptionTelegram X has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
6. Self Destructing MessagesTelegram X supports the use of private messages that will be auto deleted according to a specified time or action.
7. VoiP CallsTelegram X allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
Integrated File Sharing
Stickers
Cloud based
Bots
Channels
Chat Bot
Xabber
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Online
Android
F-Droid
140 Xabber alternatives
Open source Jabber (XMPP) client with multi-account support, clean and simple interface. Being both free (as in freedom!) and ad-free, Xabber is designed to be the best Jabber client for Android .
Suggest and vote on features
Xabber Features
Xmpp
Discontinued
The project seems no longer developed since 2019. Last version, 2.6.6, released in October 2019, can be still downloaded from F-Droid, it's no longer available on Google Play Store