WhatsApp Alternatives for iPad
WhatsApp is not available for iPad but there are plenty of alternatives with similar functionality. The best iPad alternative is Telegram, which is free. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to WhatsApp and loads of them are available for iPad so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting iPad alternatives to WhatsApp are Signal, Element, Wire and Matrix.org.
WhatsApp alternatives are mainly Group Chat Apps but may also be Video Calling Apps or Instant Messengers. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of WhatsApp.- Freemium • Proprietary
- 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 vs WhatsApp opinions
Telegram can be used on a desktop PC without the need of a mobile smartphone. Especially useful for older people, who don't use smartphones.
mrmblYou can have a username that you can change any time, so you don't have to share your phone number with strangers in groups
If you are looking for a more secure and privacy friendly alternative to WhatsApp, then Telegram is NOT for you. Chats are unencrypted by default, group chats can't be encrypted at all and the business model is not transparent.
LinuxDogeBetter than whatsapp yes, but still bad.
Chats are still only encrypted if you choose to, Groups are always unencrypted, the Desktop version doesnt support encrypted Chats for years, for no reason.
Use Signal or Matrix
marciowilfordI really prefer telegram!
Telegram is better than other messaging apps on both Android and iOS.
GhabiEasier do use, much more features and security, has a cloud where your photos are saved and you can download it if you need it locally. Opensource, cross-plataform, opensource (??) By the way, if you have Telegram, you don't need to give your private phone-number to a person that you need to talk. You just need to give your "username".
- Free • Open Source
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- Android
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- Android Tablet
- iPad
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 vs WhatsApp opinions
Functionally Signal is very similar to WhatsApp. What I prefer about Signal is its respect for its users and focus and commitment to transparency and privacy. WhatsApp, while E2E encrypted, still collects an enormous amount of metadata about its users for commercial purposes.
lharoldsSignal is the gold standard for messaging. Hyper-secure, privacy focused and best of breed - funded by Brian Acton after he cashed in from the sale of WhatsApp to Facebook. Likely because he felt bad for selling his product to a company where he knew that they would compromise on privacy and security.
nichtRickHas everything you need and cares about privacy
PietrosmusOpen-source clients, non-profit organization, minimal metadata collection.
danielcastelliPrivacy first. Best one on the market.
ThunderFoxSignal is an open-source version of WhatsApp, but it's not owned by Facebook.
GoldmasterNot for profit, it's free, open source and secure. It's so easy, that anyones grandma could use it.
- Freemium • Open Source
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- Online
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- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Self-Hosted
- Matrix.org
- Cloudron
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 vs WhatsApp opinions
Element is end-to-end encrypted (including groups unlike Telegram) and does not require a phone number (which is personally identifiable information. Signal requires it). Element is very simple to use for the average person yet very useful for the advanced one (a personal server can be deployed). It is also libre/free (as in freedom) and fully open-source, based on a libre/free protocol (matrix.org).
It is open source, encrypted (end to end), the server is also open source, which means that you or your university could run the server for you. This last point makes it very solid in the long run (like email survived because the protocol was federated).
It is floss (free/libre and open source) and the developers are friendly and open to the community.
resuFederated, strong focus on privacy and security.
This service is an alternative to Slack & MS Teams, but too technical and not designed for individual use.
Decentralised because of the matrix protocol and open source.
UnleavenedEagleBest open-source alternative.
- Free Personal • Open Source
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- 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 vs WhatsApp opinions
More a competition for skype then whatsapp. however there's nothing you can do on whatsapp that you cannot do on wire. its trustworthy, has phone calls, can be used on PC/Mac as well.. registration with phonenumber is optional, which is nice.
You don't need to give your phone number for use. Still safe, good and nice chat app. On phone and on pc, web too.
More Privacy oriented, more secure, but best of all OpenSource. Unfortunately it ain't free (as in money but free as in freedom).
Elegant UI, encrypted communication, on all relevant operating systems, has great VoIP and video call quality and so on.
Basically Signal on steroids. Also, open source and doesn't ask for your phone number, allows creation of throwaway accounts as well as basic group conversation functionality. Perfect.
Crossplatform messaging with end-to-end encryption... Just like iMessage
Cannot check Outlook for common contacts.
- Free • Open Source
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- Online
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- iPad
- Self-Hosted
- WebRTC
- Python
- JavaScript
- Go (Programming Language)
- Cloudron
- Java
- Perl
Matrix defines a set of open APIs for decentralised communication, suitable for securely publishing, persisting and subscribing to data over a global open federation of servers with no single point of control.
Matrix.org vs WhatsApp opinions
You can choose, which client you like the most and use it
- Freemium • Proprietary
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- Online
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- Blackberry
- Chrome OS
- Windows S
- Android Tablet
- BSD
- Windows Phone
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- Android Wear
- PortableApps.com
Skype is the most popular free voice-over IP and instant messaging service globally. It allows users to text, video and voice call over the internet. Users can also call landlines and mobiles at competitive rates using Skype credit, premium accounts and subscriptions.
Skype vs WhatsApp opinions
It’s not a good alternative for Skype, it is good for calls but not for messages
EchtWahrSkype is not a classic instant messenger like whatsapp
blarticuspaulgreat video chat services
- Free • Open Source
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
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- Self-Hosted
- Apple Watch
- F-Droid
Go ahead, video chat with the whole team. In fact, invite everyone you know. Jitsi Meet is a fully encrypted, 100% open source video conferencing solution that you can use all day, every day, for free — with no account needed.
Jitsi Meet vs WhatsApp opinions
EchtWahrJitsi is a conferencing platform not a messenger
- Free • Proprietary
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- Online
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- Chrome OS
- Android Tablet
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- Google Chrome
- Android Wear
Hangouts is a messaging app that lets you send and receive messages, photos and more, and even start free video and voice calls – one to one or with a group!
Hangouts vs WhatsApp opinions
It’s not secure it can be easily hacked
Chat is stored in server. Also can be installed on multiple devices.
- Free • Open Source
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Jami (formerly GNU Ring, SFLphone) positions itself as a potential free Skype replacement
Jami vs WhatsApp opinions
Sandro_LinuxJami is a great alternative to Whatsapp since it is decentrailsed so no one can read your messages and it is open source so its privacy claims are verifyable unlike Whatsapp
- Freemium • Proprietary
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- iPhone
- Windows S
- Android Tablet
- HUAWEI AppGallery
- Windows Phone
- iPad
- Blackberry 10
- 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 vs WhatsApp opinions
UnleavenedEagleBest commercial solution!
- Active userbase
- End to end encryption
- No conference calling
- Requires phone number