WeChat AlternativesTop Instant Messengers & Video Calling Apps like WeChat

WeChat is described as 'Complete mobile communication and private social networking app. Free, cross-platform, and full-featured, WeChat the best way to keep in touch with everyone you care about' and is a very popular instant messenger in the social & communications category. There are more than 100 alternatives to WeChat for a variety of platforms, including Android, iPhone, Windows, Mac and Web-based apps. The best WeChat alternative is Signal, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like WeChat are Telegram, Element, Tox and WhatsApp.

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WeChat alternatives are mainly Instant Messengers but may also be Video Calling Apps or Group Chat Apps.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of WeChat.
WeChat iconWeChat
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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.

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WeChat alternatives page was last updated Apr 18, 2024
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  1. Signal icon
    Signal icon

    Signal

     1249 likes
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    An open-source messaging app emphasizing privacy with encrypted communication. Share texts, calls, photos, and videos without ads or trackers, available across major platforms. Developed by Signal Technology Foundation and praised globally for security measures.

    220 Signal alternatives
    Signal screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Flathub
    • Ubuntu
    • Debian
    Signal screenshot 1
    Signal screenshot 2
    +4
    Signal screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Security-focused

    Features

    1.  End-to-End Encryption
    2.  Encrypted Chat
    3.  Ad-free
    4.  Video Calling
    5.  Self Destructing Messages
    6.  Private messaging
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  Encrypted Connection
    9.  Mobile friendly
    10.  Dark Mode
    11.  Desktop Application
    12.  Stickers
    Signal iconWeChat Icon

    Signal VS WeChat

    Is Signal a good alternative to WeChat?
     
    Comments about Signal as an Alternative to WeChat
     
    Sam Lander

    Signal is private and secure. Even Snowden endorsed it, and he has a threat model that is likely above any user on this site.

    It is clean, fast, and not bloated like WeChat.

    Positive comment •Jul 2, 2023
    0
    WeChat Icon
    Signal icon

    • Signal is the most popular Windows, Android, Mac & iPhone alternative to WeChat.

    • Signal is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to WeChat.

    • Signal is Free and Open SourceWeChat is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Signal is Privacy focused and Security-focusedWeChat is not according to our users
  2. Telegram icon
    Telegram icon

    Telegram

     2040 likes
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    Maximize your messaging experience with efficient communication, speedy delivery, and optional end-to-end encrypted Secret Chats. Engage in unlimited channels and groups up to 200,000 members. Enhance chat management and media sharing with Telegram Premium and its exclusive benefits. All core features remain...

    293 Telegram alternatives
    Telegram Desktop

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • Windows Phone
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Linux Mobile
    • Android Wear
    • PortableApps.com
    • FreeBSD
    Telegram iOS #1
    Telegram iOS #2
    +9
    Telegram iOS #3

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Encrypted Chat
    2.  Stickers
    3.  Chat Bot
    4.  Large File Transfer
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  End-to-End Encryption
    7.  Video Calling
    8.  Multi Device Support
    9.  Channels
    10.  Dark Mode
    11.  Bots
    12.  Secret chats
    Telegram iconWeChat Icon

    Telegram VS WeChat

    Is Telegram a good alternative to WeChat?
     
    Comments about Telegram as an Alternative to WeChat
     
    Sam Lander

    Telegram is probably the best alternative for WeChat in terms of functionality.

    You get privacy and more security, and a better app that is more lightweight with a better UI.

    Positive comment •Jul 2, 2023
    -1
    WeChat Icon
    Telegram icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Telegram is a great WeChat alternative.

    • Telegram is the most popular Web-based & Android Tablet alternative to WeChat.

    • Telegram is Freemium and ProprietaryWeChat is also Freemium and Proprietary
    • Telegram is Lightweight and Privacy focusedWeChat is not according to our users
  4. Element icon
    Element icon

    Element

     704 likes
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    Provides secure collaboration with end-to-end encryption, supporting chat, voice, and video calls. Available on all major platforms, it enables digital sovereignty with a decentralized design and interoperability through bridges to systems like Slack and Teams. Includes enterprise-grade SaaS.

    299 Element alternatives
    Video calls for desktop and mobile

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Matrix.org
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Cloudron
    Collaboration widgets
    Collaboration and screen sharing
    +1
    Connect with other apps

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  End-to-End Encryption
    2.  Decentralized
    3.  Federated
    4.  Team Collaboration
    5.  Encrypted Chat
    6.  Video Calling
    7.  Matrix Protocol
    8.  Voice Chat
    9.  Federation
    10.  Direct Messaging
    11.  Cloud Hosting
    12.  Simple installation
    Element iconWeChat Icon

    Element VS WeChat

    Is Element a good alternative to WeChat?
     

    • Element is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to WeChat.

    • Element is Freemium and Open SourceWeChat is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Element is Decentralized and Privacy focusedWeChat is not according to our users
  5. Tox icon
    Tox icon

    Tox

     546 likes
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    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.

    212 Tox alternatives
    The Universal Tox Client. A Tox client that runs on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac OSX, Linux, FreeBSD & the web. Written in JS using React & React Native / electron.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • F-Droid
    qTox. A Tox client developed in C++ with the Qt framework
    uTox. A Tox client written in C using OS primitives to draw it's interface
    +5
    Ricin. A Tox client written in Vala using the GTK toolkit.

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Security-focused
    3.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Encrypted Chat
    2.  Decentralized
    3.  Peer-To-Peer
    4.  End-to-End Encryption
    5.  Multiplatform
    6.  No registration required
    7.  Screen Sharing
    8.  No Tracking
    9.  AES-256 Encryption
    10.  P2P Network
    11.  Client side encryption
    12.  Dark Mode
    Tox iconWeChat Icon

    Tox VS WeChat

    Is Tox a good alternative to WeChat?
     
  6. WhatsApp icon
    WhatsApp icon

    WhatsApp

     842 likes
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    Exchange messages without SMS fees using this app for iPhone, Android and desktop, featuring group chats, multimedia sharing, and video calls. The app requires an internet connection and the latest version for optimal functionality.

    251 WhatsApp alternatives
    WhatsApp screenshot 1
    WhatsApp screenshot 2
    +2
    WhatsApp screenshot 3

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Wear

    Top WhatsApp Features

    1.  Mobile friendly
    2.  End-to-End Encryption
    3.  Custom Backgrounds
    4.  Dark Mode
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  Two-factor Authentication
    7.  Picture in Picture
    8.  Expiring Stories
    9.  Support for @mentions
    10.  Screen Sharing
    11.  Multiple Account support
    12.  Passkey Support
    WhatsApp iconWeChat Icon

    WhatsApp VS WeChat

    Is WhatsApp a good alternative to WeChat?
     
  7. SimpleX Chat icon
    SimpleX Chat icon

    SimpleX Chat

     66 likes
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    SimpleX - the most private and secure chat and applications platform - now with double ratchet E2E encryption! Built on Haskell with Love and Coffee.

    58 SimpleX Chat alternatives
    SimpleX Chat screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Self-Hosted
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Flatpak
    SimpleX Chat screenshot 1
    SimpleX Chat screenshot 2
    +5
    SimpleX Chat screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Encrypted Chat
    2.  End-to-End Encryption
    3.  Decentralized
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  No registration required
    6.  Video Calling
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  Multiple Account support
    9.  Self Destructing Messages
    10.  Voice messages
    11.  VoiP Calls
    12.  No Tracking
    SimpleX Chat iconWeChat Icon

    SimpleX Chat VS WeChat

    Is SimpleX Chat a good alternative to WeChat?
     
  9. Wire icon
    Wire icon

    Wire

     306 likes
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    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.

    279 Wire alternatives
    Wire screenshot 1
    Wire screenshot 2
    +2
    Wire screenshot 3

    License model

    • Free Personal • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)

    Properties

    1.  Security-focused
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  End-to-End Encryption
    2.  Video Calling
    3.  Encrypted Chat
    4.  VoiP Calls
    5.  Encrypted calls
    6.  Screen Sharing
    7.  Multiple Account support
    8.  WebRTC
    9.  Secure File Sharing
    10.  Voice Chat
    11.  Voice messages
    Wire iconWeChat Icon

    Wire VS WeChat

    Is Wire a good alternative to WeChat?
     

    • Wire is the most popular SaaS alternative to WeChat.

    • Wire is Free Personal and Open SourceWeChat is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Wire is Security-focused and Privacy focusedWeChat is not according to our users
  10. Zulip icon
    Zulip icon

    Zulip

     203 likes
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    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.

    228 Zulip alternatives
    Zulip screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free Personal • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    Zulip screenshot 1
    Zulip screenshot 2
    +4
    Zulip screenshot 3

    Top Zulip Features

    1.  Threaded Conversations
    2.  Team Collaboration
    3.  Support for Hotkeys
    4.  Community-based
    5.  Support for MarkDown
    6.  Syntax Highlighting
    7.  Chat Bot
    8.  Integrated File Sharing
    9.  Secure Chat
    10.  Third party integrations
    11. GitHub icon  GitHub Integration
    12.  Live topics
    Zulip iconWeChat Icon

    Zulip VS WeChat

    Is Zulip a good alternative to WeChat?
     
  11. Viber icon
    Viber icon

    Viber

     334 likes
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    Free and secure calls and messages to anyone, anywhere.

    166 Viber alternatives
    Viber screenshot 1
    Viber screenshot 2
    +4
    Viber screenshot 3

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • Samsung Galaxy Store
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • Android Wear

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Desktop Sharing
    2.  Phone calls
    3.  VoiP Calls
    4.  Animated stickers
    5.  End-to-End Encryption
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  Support for @mentions
    8.  Cloud Sync
    9.  Voice Chat
    10.  Call Transfer
    11.  Secret chats
    12.  Hidden chat
    Viber iconWeChat Icon

    Viber VS WeChat

    Is Viber a good alternative to WeChat?
     
  12. Element X icon
    Element X icon

    Element X

     22 likes
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    It is the brand new, and fastest ever, Matrix client. It is for personal and community use, and will support enterprise functionality later this year.

    90 Element X alternatives
    Element X screenshot 1
    Element X screenshot 2
    +1
    Element X screenshot 3

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  VoiP Calls
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  Matrix Protocol
    4.  Decentralized
    5.  End-to-End Encryption
    6.  No Tracking
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  Voice Chat
    Element X iconWeChat Icon

    Element X VS WeChat

    Is Element X a good alternative to WeChat?
     
  13. Molly icon
    Molly icon

    Molly

     29 likes
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    Molly is an independent Signal fork for Android.

    190 Molly alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • F-Droid

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  End-to-End Encryption
    2.  Secure Chat
    3.  No Tracking
    4.  Text messaging
    5.  Cloud Sync
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  SOCKS proxy client and server
    9.  Monero exchange
    Molly iconWeChat Icon

    Molly VS WeChat

    Is Molly a good alternative to WeChat?
     
  14. Conversations icon
    Conversations icon

    Conversations

     98 likes
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    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].

    160 Conversations alternatives
    Conversations screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    Conversations screenshot 1
    Conversations screenshot 2
    +4
    Conversations screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Decentralized
    2.  End-to-End Encryption
    3.  Encrypted Chat
    4.  Image Sharing
    5.  Supports XMPP
    6.  OMEMO
    7.  OpenPGP
    8.  Encrypted Connection
    9.  GPG Encryption
    10.  Ad-free
    11.  Self Destructing Messages
    12.  Dark Mode
    Conversations iconWeChat Icon

    Conversations VS WeChat

    Is Conversations a good alternative to WeChat?
     
12 of 164 WeChat alternatives