The Facebook-owned WhatsApp Messenger is the most popular messaging application on the planet. This company releases new features regularly to ensure that it remains at the top. But, not everyone seems to be happy with WhatsApp. The WhatsApp recently updated its privacy policy to clarify how it handles your data within Facebook’s family of apps and products. The approach makes it clear that the company collects a ton of telemetry data from your device. Then, there is the fact that everyone uses WhatsApp these days, so we won’t blame you if you feel it’s a little too annoying. Therefore, if you want to move on to a more personal or secure messaging app, here are the ten Best Chat Apps like WhatsApp Alternative applications you can use in 2021.
Best Chat Apps like WhatsApp Alternative 2021
In this post, we have mentioned apps that focus on both privacy and features. You can now check out the entire list of WhatsApp alternative apps by using the table of content below & use it to jump to any app you want.
Skype
Skype does, without a doubt, one of the best business chat applications of the market. With Microsoft’s power behind it, Skype has left all the other business chat applications in the dust. However, that progress has worked against Skype for personal chats as the business moniker that it has earned keeps normal users away. Let me tell you one thing that Skype is one of the best chatting apps on the market, especially if you make many video and voice calls.
I particularly find Skype useful when using it to make overseas calls as the sound, and video quality on Skype is far better than its competition. I love Skype for its group video call functionality.
While most other applications don’t support group video calls, the ones who often lag when you add more than three to four people, if you are someone who makes a ton of video calls with their friends and family, I can undoubtedly recommend Skype over WhatsApp or any such chat application. So, You should check out our Skype tricks article to learn how you can use this app to its fullest.
- Availability: Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, Web (Free)
Discord
The Discord is no longer just a platform for chatting with your fellow gamers. Meanwhile, you can explore various Discord servers to engage with your interests; Discord’s DM functionality is often overlooked by many. You can use Discord’s messages feature to send messages, emojis, emotes (if you have Discord Nitro), GIFs, images, and even documents. Moreover, you can make voice calls, video calls, or even browse together after sharing your screen.
So, Combined with neat integrations from Spotify, Twitch, Reddit, YouTube, Twitter, Battle.net, Steam, Facebook, Xbox Live, and GitHub, Discord has got you covered for all your messaging needs and is arguably better than WhatsApp.
You can create group chats on Discord with a total of 10 members. Suppose you need more capacity, you can always make a server. I would recommend uninstalling WhatsApp right away and installing Discord. So, You will find the link to download Discord below, and I can assure you that you won’t regret the decision.
- Availability: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, Web (Free)
Telegram Messenger
The Telegram Messenger has been known as the best WhatsApp competitor for a while now, and nothing’s changed. This open-source messaging app is still the best WhatsApp alternative out there. Well, Along with the usual messaging features that both WhatsApp and Telegram pack, the latter brings other features like supergroups of up to 100,000 people, public channels, usernames, ability to share files of up to 1.5 GB, passcode lock, self-destructing messages and end-to-end encryption in secret chat among other things.
Next, there are Telegram Bots, which enhance the experience. The bots bring you essential info on the go, but several game bots let you play games inside the messaging app. However, unlike WhatsApp, Telegram can be used on multiple platforms at once, so you can start texting on your phone and then continue it on your PC. Also, I love the voice call feature here, which works quite well.
This said Telegram lacks video calling feature. However, it makes up for it by bringing unique features that are not found on WhatsApp. Thus, if you don’t care about video calls, you cannot go wrong by choosing Telegram Messenger as your messaging app.
- Availability: Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Windows, macOS, Linux, Web (Free)
SnapChat
While Snapchat is not just a messaging app but a social media app, I use it more and more as a messaging application thanks to some unique features that no other messaging application can offer. Well, For example, I can send messages which can self-destruct after a set period. This notifies me when someone takes a screenshot of my chats with them. Lastly, it offers the best face mask collection of all the apps that I have ever used, making this app fun to use.
So, Other messaging features are also here, such as creating group chats, voice calls, group voice calls, gifs, and more. I love Snapchat because it is one of the most innovative chat services on the market. These features that users on WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger typically enjoy are generally copied from Snapchat. Therefore, if you want to access these cool features and be the first to receive the latest chat features, Snpachat is the app to use.
- Availability: Android, iOS (Free)
Kik
Kik is a great messaging application for users who don’t want to use their number to operate a messaging application. Meanwhile, chat services like WhatsApp require users to use their number, and I know many users who are not comfortable with sharing their numbers to these platforms.
Kik is an excellent service for those users as it only requires you to use your email ID. Well, Once you sign up for the service using your email ID, Kik will create a unique user name for you to share with other Kik users to chat.
So, The best part about using Kik is that you are not losing out any messaging features. You still get access to all the essential elements, including text messages, emojis, stickers, Gifs, photo sharing, video sharing, and group chats, among other things.
Another different feature of Kik is that it supports bots that you do not get on WhatsApp. So, Using bots, you can play quizzes, get fashion tips, latest news, and more. This said, the main USP of Kik remains its non-requirement of a phone number and if that’s something you want, definitely check it out.
- Availability: Android, iOS (Free)
Signal Private Messenger
This Signal Foundation, the organization that powers the end-to-end encryption technology in WhatsApp Messenger & Facebook Messenger, offers its very own messaging app dubbed Signal Private Messenger. As you would expect, Signal brings several security benefits when compared to WhatsApp. This offers self-destructing messages, screen security (prevents anyone from taking screenshots), and more.
Additionally, Signal brings encryption to its backups, calls, group calls, and every other data in the app. Even the files that you send utilizing Signal are protected. Moreover, according to Apple’s App Store listing, Signal doesn’t link any data to your identity.
This is an excellent app for anyone who wants to converse with other users securely. That is why Signal is quite popular with journalists. The Signal Private Messenger is for people looking for a simple and secure messaging app, and if you are looking for something like that, it is the best WhatsApp alternative for you.
- Availability: Android, iOS (Free)
Viber
This Viber is another popular messageing and VoIP app that stands toe-to-toe with WhatsApp when it comes to features. First, the app offers end-to-end encryption in calls, messages and the shared media. Further, the messages saved in multiple devices are encrypted, which brings us to the fact that the messaging apps packs in multi-device support, which WhatsApp lacks.
Well, Like WhatsApp, Viber lets you make video and voice calls, but the app goes one step ahead with its Viber Out feature, making international calls to non-Viber users at nominal rates.
So, Talking about the messaging features, Viber includes support for stickers, file sharing, last seen, voice and video messages, public accounts, backup to Google Drive and more. There are a sticker store and Viber games, which are games you can play inside Viber. If you consider everything, you will notice that Viber is an app that is very similar to WhatsApp. This packs in most of the features from WhatsApp and then some more.
- Availability: Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Windows (Free, with rates for Viber Out)
LINE
Another WhatsApp alternative you can utilize is LINE, a top-rated cross-platform messaging app that packs in many features. So, Like WhatsApp, This app features end-to-end encryption, support for voice and video calls and messages and more.
This brings quite a few unique features compared to WhatsApp like LINE Out (lets you make international calls to non-LINE users), sticker store, and cool Keep feature (lets you save your favourite messages, photos etc.), and more. This features a timeline in the app, where you can see any status updates and photo changes from your friends.
Other useful LINE features include passcode lock, filter messages, themes, LINE Pay for payments, and more. There’s no doubt that LINE is a competent and feature-rich messaging app. But, it does feel a little bloated. Therefore, fans of WhatsApp’s simplicity might not like LINE much, but if you aren’t bothered by that, you should give LINE a shot.
- Availability: Android, iOS, iPad, Windows Phone, Windows, macOS, Chrome, Firefox (Free)
Bridgefy
As well, One of the main problems with online messaging apps like WhatsApp is that they rely on an internet connection to work. Plus, if you are out camping in the woods, even the standard text messaging apps will not work. That is where offline messaging apps come into play. Well, These apps don’t require a mobile network or internet connection to work.
Alternatively, they create a peer-to-peer Bluetooth mesh network or Wifi Direct-based network on your phone and allow you to send messages to your nearby friends. Suppose you are looking for such an app, then you should use Bridgefy. The Bridgefy offers three main types of messaging service; Person-to-Person mode, Broadcast mode, and Mesh mode.
You can now send messages to a friend, broadcast them to the entire group, and even use users as nodes to send messages to long distances. This is quite helpful during music festivals, sports events, natural disasters, and other such situations where you won’t be getting reliable mobile service.
The Bridgefy and other such apps have become a bastion for protesters worldwide as it allows them to evade internet censorship imposed by their governments. This application is fully free to download and use, and the best offline WhatsApp alternative, in my opinion. You should check it out.
Keybase
The Keybase is an open-source secure chat application which is great for users who want to communicate securely. So, Since this is an open-source app, there’s no private company looking at all your data. This data is end-to-end encrypted, so the message is exposed to nefarious actors at no point in time.
This app doesn’t even allow you to take the screenshot of the chats. This messaging app works more like Slack than WhatsApp. But, it’s not aimed at businesses. Instead, it is mainly targeting users who are concerned with their online privacy.
My favourite feature of Keybase is that you don’t need anyone’s number or email ID to connect with them. This allows you to contact users with whom you don’t want to share your personal information. Lastly, this is one of the few messaging apps that offer a native Linux operating system application. If you value your privacy, you should check it out.
- Availability: Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, and Windows (Free)
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Final Words:
Many other messaging apps are pretty decent, like IMO, Hike etc. But, if you’re finding for an app to replace WhatsApp, the apps, as mentioned earlier, are the best ones you can use. Meanwhile, none of these apps will match the user base that WhatsApp boasts of, and they are more than good enough to replace it as far as features and privacy are concerned. Thus, try out these WhatsApp alternative apps and let us know your favourite instant messaging app in the comments section below.
