Bolt Alternatives and Similar Apps

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.

The list of alternatives was last updated: 4/4/2019 9:02:00 AM

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Alternatives to Bolt for all platforms with any license

Telegram

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. You can send messages, photos and videos to people who are in your phone contacts (and have Telegram). You can also create groups for up to 20000 people or channels for unlimited subscribers. Your chats are not encrypted by default, which enables other people to see what you are writing.

Free Mac Windows Linux Web Windows Mobile ... Android iPhone Blackberry Android Tablet BSD Windows Phone iPad Apple Watch Android Wear PortableApps.com Haiku FreeBSD
Stickers Lightweight Chat Bot Cloud sync ... Encrypted chat Apps with End-to-End Encryption Integrated File Sharing Channels Bots Group chat Public groups chat Secret chats Security focused Voice Call Ad-free Data-encryption Multi Device Support Persistent History Portable Privacy focused Large File Transfer Anonymous groups Anonymous Secure Filesharing Built-in Photo editor Chat Cloud based Sync Contacts Custom Backgrounds Customizable Themes Encrypted calls Encrypted VoIP calls File transfer Free Speech GPS Location Tracking IFTTT integration In-Game Overlay Integrated File Sharing Messages in cloud Multiple languages Multiple Account support Works Offline Based on phone number Photo Sharing Private Chat Progressive Web App Push to talk Search by tags Self destructing messages Share Videos Switching between platform Sync across Devices Support for Themes Two factor authentication Video calling Voice messages Add a feature

1312 Like
Signal

TextSecure and RedPhone have been merged to create Signal! Using Signal, you can communicate instantly while avoiding SMS fees, create groups so that you can chat in real time with all your friends at once, and share media or attachments all with complete privacy. The server never has access to any of your communication and never stores any of your data. * Say Anything - Send high-quality group, text, picture, and video messages, all without SMS and MMS fees.

Free Open Source Mac Windows Linux Android iPhone ... Android Tablet iPad Chrome Ubuntu Touch
Apps with End-to-End Encryption Encrypted chat Security focused Open Source apps ... Video calling Encrypted calls Encrypted Connection Privacy-friendly Self destructing messages Video calling Voice Call Chat Client side encryption Color coding Electron based Encrypted VoIP calls Forward Secrecy Group chat Group Messaging Integrated File Sharing Mobile friendly Night mode/Dark Theme Works Offline Protected by Password Based on phone number Privacy focused Private messaging File Sending SMS Messaging Voice messages Add a feature

501 Like
Riot.im

Riot (formerly Vector) is an opensource interoperable app running on Web, iOS and Android. It is built around chat rooms, both public and private and provides messaging, filesharing, voice and video conferencing (beta on Android and web), integrations to tools like GitHub, Jira, Jenkins and much more soon. Vector is built on the Matrix.org open standard which provides bridges to other systems such as Slack, IRC and a lot more soon.

Free Open Source Mac Windows Linux Web Android ... iPhone Android Tablet iPad Self-Hosted Chrome Safari F-Droid Firefox
Apps with End-to-End Encryption Decentralized Voice Call Custom widgets ... Federated Group chat Matrix.org protocol User Management Video calling Add-ons Clean design Community based Direct Messaging DRM Free Encrypted chat GitHub integration Group collaboration Integrated File Sharing MarkDown support Mobile friendly Privacy-friendly Self-hosted in intranet or private cloud File Sending Server Moderation Server side history Slack integration Team Collaboration Video calling Web Integaration Add a feature

251 Like
Tox

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. Tox is built with the idea that you can keep up with friends and family without having your privacy violated. While other big-name services require you to pay to unlock features, Tox is free in both price, and in liberty. That is, you’re free to do whatever you wish with Tox.

Free Open Source Mac Windows Linux Android iPhone ... Android Tablet BSD
Decentralized Encrypted chat Peer-To-Peer Privacy focused ... Built-in player Apps with End-to-End Encryption Share your screen Security focused Video calling Ad-free Anonymity Anonymous Secure Filesharing Client side encryption Decentralisation Group chat Peer-To-Peer Point-to-point encryption Video calling Video Conferencing Voice Call Add a feature

419 Like
WhatsApp Messenger

WhatsApp Messenger is a cross-platform mobile messaging app which allows you to exchange messages without having to pay for SMS. WhatsApp Messenger is available for iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, Windows Phone and Nokia and yes, those phones can all message each other! Because WhatsApp Messenger uses the same internet data plan that you use for email and web browsing, there is no cost to message and stay in touch with your friends.

Free Mac Windows Web Android iPhone ... Windows Phone Android Wear
Apps with End-to-End Encryption Chat Encrypted chat Group chat ... Integrated File Sharing Java IDE Mobile friendly Based on phone number Video calling Voice messages Add a feature

707 Like
Viber

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 Out can be used to make calls to non-Viber landlines and mobile numbers at low rates. Viber is available for many smartphones and platforms. On Viber, your phone number is your ID. The app syncs with your mobile contact list, automatically detecting which of your contacts have Viber.

Freemium Mac Windows Linux Android iPhone ... Windows S Android Tablet Windows Phone iPad Blackberry 10 Apple Watch
Call Transfer Group chat Hidden chat Multiple languages ... Push to talk Secret chats Video calling Voice Call Add a feature

314 Like
Conversations

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]. [Note] **You can download the compiled apk for free from F-Droid**: https://f-droid.org/repository/browse%20/?fdid=eu.siacs.conversations or - you can buy Conversations in the Google Play Store - if you are a software developer, you can check out the sources from GitHub and use https://alternativeto .

Free Open Source Android Android Tablet
Decentralized Apps with End-to-End Encryption Encrypted chat Picture sharing ... Encrypted Connection Chat Bot Gpg encryption Group chat Group Messaging OTR Self destructing messages Chat Federated File sharing Intuitive Interface OMEMO Open Source apps Public groups chat Add a feature

69 Like
Zulip

Zulip is a group chat app. Its most distinctive characteristic is that messages are threaded by topic, helping you have long-running, organized conversations. Zulip's threading makes it easy for people not always on chat (like managers, remote team members, contractors, part-time workers, etc) to weigh in on questions and decisions, and for people in different timezones to effectively communicate.

Free Open Source Mac Windows Linux Web Android ... iPhone Android Tablet BSD Self-Hosted
Threaded Conversations Group collaboration Chat Bot Community based ... GitHub integration Group chat Integrated File Sharing Live topics MarkDown support Team Collaboration Add a feature

142 Like
LINE

LINE is a Japanese proprietary application for instant messaging on smartphones and PCs. Line users exchange text messages, graphics, video and audio media, make free VoIP calls, and hold free audio or video conferences.

Freemium Mac Windows Web Android iPhone ... Blackberry Android Tablet Windows Phone iPad Apple Watch
Stickers Group chat IFTTT integration Public groups chat ... Video calling Voice Call Add a feature

98 Like
WeChat

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. Features WECHAT OUT CALLS: Make calls to landlines and mobile around the globe at low rates (in certain regions only). • MULTIMEDIA MESSAGING: Send video, image, text, and voice messages. • GROUP CHAT & CALLS: Create group chats with up to 500 people and group video calls up to 9 people.

Freemium Mac Windows Android iPhone Blackberry ... Windows S Android Tablet Windows Phone iPad Apple Watch
Chat Sync Contacts Gaming Group chat ... In-app Money Transfer Multiple languages Based on phone number Photo Sharing Stickers Talk radio Video calling Voice messages Add a feature

77 Like
Imo

Message and video chat with your friends and family for free. Features - Make high-quality video and voice calls on Android and iPhone - Send unlimited messages and make free video and voice calls over your 2G, 3G, 4G or Wi-Fi connection - Group video calls with friends, family, roommates and others - Share photos and videos - Express yourself with hundreds of free stickers! - Encrypted chats and calls - Avoid SMS and phone call charges

Free Windows Android iPhone Android Tablet iPad
Push to talk Video calling Voice Call Voice messages Add a feature

209 Like
Empathy

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. Empathy uses Telepathy for protocol support and has a user interface based on Gossip. Empathy is the default chat client in current versions of GNOME, making it easier for other GNOME applications to integrate collaboration functionality using Telepathy.
- Discontinued Empathy is currently unmaintained. Last version, 3.25, released in August 2017, can be still downloaded from the official website.
Free Open Source Linux BSD
Chat Integrated File Sharing Support for Multiple protocols SIP ... Video calling Add a feature

153 Like
Digsby

Digsby is a multiprotocol IM client that lets you chat with all your friends on AIM, MSN, Yahoo, ICQ, Google Talk, and Jabber with one simple to manage buddy list. Its also a social networking tool that alerts you of events like new messages and gives you a live Newsfeed of what your friends are up to on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and more.
- Discontinued The application is not developed actively anymore. The source code has been made open for the community to take over but that didn't make any impact: https://github.com/ifwe/digsby | https://web.archive.org/web/20121205002331/http://blog.digsby.com/archives/1969/
Free Open Source Windows
Chat Support for Multiple protocols Add a feature

220 Like
Xabber

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 .

Free Open Source Web Android
Chat Encrypted chat Add a feature

44 Like
Disa

Unified Messaging is awesome! Disa is your new messaging hub. Conversations from different services can seamlessly be joined together, or disbanded within seconds. It's completely free to become a beta tester. Once you've signed up we'd love your feedback! - Plugin Driven - Disa ships with SMS/MMS support. Plugins can then be added along the way to provide additional services. You can visit our Google+ community to find download links for plugins.

Free Android Android Tablet Kindle Fire
Extensible by Plugins/Extensions SMS Messaging Unified messaging Whatsapp integration Add a feature

22 Like
iMessage

Love iMessage on your iPhone? You'll love it on your Mac, too. Messages lets you send unlimited messages to anyone on a Mac, iOS device, or Apple Watch. Your messages can include photos, videos, documents, audio, and contacts, and you can even see when your message has been delivered and when someone’s typing a reply. With end-to-end encryption, your iMessage conversations stay safe and private. And those green SMS text messages on your iPhone? They’re also on your Mac.

Free Mac iPhone iPad Apple Watch
Encrypted chat Group Messaging Add a feature

45 Like
Kontalk Messenger

Kontalk is a secure instant messenger, allowing you to send and receive text, image and voice messages (other file types coming soon) to and from other Kontalk users completely free of charge. Kontalk Features: - Your phone number is your ID. No usernames or passwords. - It automatically finds other Kontalk users by looking at your address book, making it even easier to start chatting on Kontalk with your friends.

Free Open Source Android Self-Hosted
Encrypted chat Apps with End-to-End Encryption Add a feature

28 Like
Telegram X

An alternative Telegram client based on TDLib, with higher speed, slicker animations and experimental features. The goal of Telegram X is to reinvent Telegram and explore new frontiers in speed, ease of use, quality of animations and all other aspects.

Free Android iPhone Android Tablet Telegram iPad
Ad-free Bots Channels Chat Bot ... Cloud based Cloud sync Integrated File Sharing Stickers Support for Themes Voice Call Add a feature

13 Like
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Kik

Get connected. 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. • Choose who to chat with one-on-one and in groups • Share pics, videos, gifs, games, and more • Meet new friends with similar interests Get on Kik now. Start chatting!

Free Android iPhone Kindle Fire
Group chat Share Videos Add a feature

49 Like
Bit Chat

Technitium Bit Chat is a secure, peer-to-peer (p2p), open source instant messenger designed to provide end-to-end encryption. Primary aim of developing this instant messenger is to provide privacy which is achieved using strong cryptography. It can be used over Internet and private LAN networks for instant messaging and file transfer.

Free Open Source Windows Linux
Apps with End-to-End Encryption Peer-To-Peer Add a feature

20 Like
IM+

Chat everywhere! IM+ is the most widely used mobile IM app! Connect all-in-one to MSN, Yahoo!, Google Talk, AIM, Jabber, ICQ, Facebook, MySpace and Twitter on ALL popular mobile platforms. The widest selection of unique features that you won't find in any other IM client! No cost per message.

Freemium Web Windows Mobile Android iPhone Java Mobile ... S60 HP webOS Blackberry Android Tablet Windows Phone iPad Kindle Fire
Multiple Account support Support for Multiple protocols Add a feature

104 Like
Orbit

Instant messaging rooms for the distributed network IPFS.

Free Open Source Mac Windows Linux IPFS JavaScript ... Go (Programming Language)
No features added Add a feature

13 Like
Plus Messenger

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.

Free Android Android Tablet
Ad-free Encrypted chat Apps with End-to-End Encryption File sharing ... File Storage File transfer Group chat Based on phone number Self destructing messages Add a feature

8 Like
Nimbuzz

Nimbuzz offers limited availablility free calls and limited availability free text messaging for users via 3G and WiFi. Calls to other Nimbuzz users are free. PAY to call mobile or landline phones for as little as $0.02/minute in bulk with NimbuzzOut. Free SIP to SIP calls. With Nimbuzz, you can import friends from popular networks (Yahoo!, MSN Messenger, AIM, ICQ, GoogleTalk, Facebook, MySpace, Hyves) and SIP VoIP accounts. Be sure you have their permission first!

Freemium Mac Windows Web Android iPhone ... Java Mobile S60 HP webOS Blackberry Android Tablet Windows Phone iPad Chrome Kindle Fire
Voice Call Add a feature

117 Like
Messenger for Desktop

A simple & beautiful app for Facebook Messenger. Chat without distractions on any Operating System.
- Bundleware Be careful during the installation: https://alternativeto.net/discussions/applications/11718/be-careful-in-the-installation/
Free Open Source Mac Windows Linux
No features added Add a feature

10 Like