WhatsApp Alternatives

WhatsApp is described as 'Free messaging without SMS fees, web sync, and multimedia sharing, supporting group and video chats, available on iPhone, Android, and desktop' and is a leading instant messenger in the social & communications category. There are more than 100 alternatives to WhatsApp for a variety of platforms, including Android, iPhone, iPad, Windows and Web-based apps. The best WhatsApp alternative is Signal, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like WhatsApp are Telegram, Element, Wire and Tox.

filter to find the best alternatives

WhatsApp alternatives are mainly Instant Messengers, but if you're looking for Group Chat Apps or Encrypted Chat Apps you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Apple Watch, Self-Hosted, Open Source, Windows Phone, EU, Blackberry and Android. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to WhatsApp.
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WhatsApp alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. Rakuten Viber icon

    Rakuten Viber

     335 likes
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    Offers secure messaging with end-to-end encryption, unlimited free calls, group chats for up to 250 members, rich media sharing, emoji reactions, AR lenses, self-destruct messages, affordable international calls, community channels, and robust privacy across devices.

    160 Rakuten Viber alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • Android Wear
    • Samsung Galaxy Store
    Rakuten Viber screenshot 1
    Rakuten Viber screenshot 2
    Rakuten Viber screenshot 3
     
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    46
    Comments about Rakuten Viber as an Alternative to WhatsApp
    s b
    Negative
    0

    Servers with all the users' data are in Russia.

    UnleavenedEagle
    Positive
    -1

    Best commercial solution!

    • Active userbase
    • End to end encryption
    • No conference calling
    • Requires phone number
    WhatsApp Icon
    Rakuten Viber icon

    • Most users think Rakuten Viber is a great WhatsApp alternative.

    • Rakuten Viber is Freemium and ProprietaryWhatsApp is Free and Proprietary
    • Rakuten Viber is Privacy focusedWhatsApp is not according to our users
  2. Session icon

    Session

     118 likes
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    Decentralized messenger featuring end-to-end encryption for individual and group chats, no registration needed, no tracking or metadata logs, IP address protection, secure attachment sharing, multi-device sync, dark mode, open-source code, and ad-free use.

    72 Session alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    Session screenshot 1
    Session screenshot 2
    Session screenshot 3
     
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    36
    Comments about Session as an Alternative to WhatsApp
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    No login data required - it auto-generates seed phrase and that's it; developed by non-profit; developers don't run the infrastructure; everythnig is open-source

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    no phone number, open source, encrypted

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Brad Maron
    Positive
    1

    Similar feature set but with the best privacy measures on the market

    Show more comments
    3 of 4 comments
    WhatsApp Icon
    Session icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Session is a great WhatsApp alternative.

    • Session is Free and Open SourceWhatsApp is Free and Proprietary
    • Session is Privacy focusedWhatsApp is not according to our users
  4. Zulip icon

    Zulip

     264 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.

    221 Zulip alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    Zulip screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Zulip as an Alternative to WhatsApp
    hrishikeshpatil
    Positive
    0

    Messages seperated by streams and topics

    WhatsApp Icon
    Zulip icon
    • Zulip is Free Personal and Open SourceWhatsApp is Free and Proprietary
    • Zulip is Privacy focusedWhatsApp is not according to our users
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Google Chat icon
    Google Chat

    Secure team messaging platform with organized topic-based conversations, real-time collaboration on Docs, Sheets, Slides, integrated calendar scheduling, one-click meetings, shared tasks and files, Google Workspace support, admin...

    https://workspace.google.com
    Learn More
  6. Element X icon

    Element X

     40 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.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Element X screenshot 1
    Element X screenshot 2
    Element X screenshot 3
     
  7. Delta Chat icon

    Delta Chat

     56 likes
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    Delta Chat looks and feels like other popular messenger apps, but does not involve centralized control, tracking or selling you, friends, colleagues or family out to large organizations. "Privacy by Design" has never been more fun.

    78 Delta Chat alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    Delta Chat screenshot 1
     
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  10. Keybase icon

    Keybase

     142 likes
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    Keybase is a new and free security app for mobile phones and computers. For the geeks among us: it's open source and powered by public-key cryptography.

    77 Keybase alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Ruby
    • JavaScript
    • Tor
    • Go (Programming Language)
    • Java
    Keybase screenshot 1
    Keybase screenshot 2
    Keybase screenshot 3
     
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  11. Linphone icon

    Linphone

     143 likes
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    Linphone is one of the most famous open source softphones in the world. It is fully SIP-based, for all calling, presence and IM features.

    82 Linphone alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    iOS Assistant
     
  12. Messenger icon

    Messenger

     231 likes
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    Provides comprehensive communication features including group video calls, voice calls, fast messaging, photo sharing, and location mapping. Access through mobile and web platforms with real-time notifications, ensuring seamless interactions using multimedia tools.

    196 Messenger alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Android Auto
    • Android Wear
    Messenger screenshot 1
    Messenger screenshot 2
    Messenger screenshot 3
     
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    25
    Comments about Messenger as an Alternative to WhatsApp
    Gruak
    Negative
    2

    It's owned by facebook too

    Guest
    Negative
    3

    Encryption is not enabled by default. Everything is kept on Facebook's servers forever unless AES is used. The app is also very bloated so it's a horrible experience on older devices.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    WhatsApp Icon
    Messenger icon

    • Some users think Messenger is a great WhatsApp alternative, some don't.

    • Messenger is Free and ProprietaryWhatsApp is also Free and Proprietary
  13. ArcaneChat icon

    ArcaneChat

     15 likes
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    ArcaneChat is a Delta Chat client and was created with a focus on usability, good user experience, and saving data plan. Also the app usually experiments with new features that eventually might get added to the official Delta Chat client.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • F-Droid
    ArcaneChat screenshot 1
    ArcaneChat screenshot 2
    ArcaneChat screenshot 3
     
  14. LINE icon

    LINE

     107 likes
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    LINE is transforming the way people communicate, closing the distance between family, friends, and loved ones for free.

    140 LINE alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Google Chrome
    LINE screenshot 1
    LINE screenshot 2
    LINE screenshot 3
     
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    15
    Comments about LINE as an Alternative to WhatsApp
    woma12321
    Positive
    -1

    great stickers! QR code available.

    WhatsApp Icon
    LINE icon

    • Most users think LINE is a great WhatsApp alternative.

    • LINE is Freemium and ProprietaryWhatsApp is Free and Proprietary
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