Tired of WhatsApp? Discover 20+ Great WhatsApp Competitors and Alternatives

Are you looking for WhatsApp competitors? WhatsApp is not the only option when it comes to instant messaging. We have compiled a list of 20+ competing options you can use instead. The top 10 overall WhatsApp competitors and alternatives are: Telegram, Signal, Facebook Messenger, Viber, LINE, WeChat, Snapchat, Instagram Direct, Discord, Flock and Skype. If these alternatives don’t work for you, we’ve listed more options below for you to check out.

What is WhatsApp?

WhatsApp is an instant messaging app that allows users to send text, voice messages, and make voice and video calls with others who also have the app. It has features like end-to-end encryption, meaning that only you and the person you’re communicating with can read the messages you send.

Its features enable users to send files ranging from media files to word documents to any location in the world. The app is user-friendly and is available on both Android and iOS platforms.

Features of WhatsApp

Real-Time Messaging
Voice Calling
Video Calling
Group Chats
End-to-End Encryption
Status Updates

WhatsApp Web
File Sharing
Voice Messages
Location Sharing
Contact Sharing
Broadcast Lists

Pricing:

Free. Proprietary.

WhatsApp Competitors and Alternatives

Telegram is a cloud-based instant messaging app launched in 2013 by Pavel and Nikolai Durov. It offers end-to-end encryption for sending and receiving messages, photos, videos, audio messages, and documents.

Users can create groups with up to 200,000 members, making it ideal for community organizing and project collaboration. Channels allow only the creator to post messages, making them ideal for broadcasting news or updates.

All messages are encrypted and users can enable two-factor authentication for added security. Telegram also features a self-destruct timer for messages, making it useful for sensitive information.
Users can customize their messages with themes, backgrounds, stickers, and even create their own. The app also offers voice and video calls, file sharing, and payment capabilities.

WeChat

WeChat is an all-in-one mobile app that combines social networking, messaging, and e-commerce features into one platform. It’s the most popular social app in China, with over 1 billion active users. With WeChat, you can chat with friends and family, make voice and video calls, share photos and videos, and even pay bills and shop online.

The app also has a built-in mini-program ecosystem, offering a variety of services and applications from third-party developers. WeChat is the ultimate mobile app for those who want to stay connected and productive on the go. WeChat app is available on iOS, Android, Windows, and MacOS.

Snapchat

Snapchat is an American instant messaging app developed by Snap Inc., known for its short-lived pictures and messages.

It’s a fast and fun way to share moments with friends and family. The Hacks Of Kindness challenge encourages users to brighten someone’s day by snacking, snacking, and supporting.

Mattermost

Mattermost is an open-source online chat service designed to assist teams in managing their digital operations, from roadmap planning to product launch and support.

It offers file sharing, search, and integrations, serving as an internal chat for organizations and companies, offering an alternative to Slack and Microsoft Teams.

Facebook

Facebook was founded by Mark Zuckerberg in 2004. It is a popular social media platform with over 2.9 billion monthly active users. It revolutionized communication by allowing users to share updates, photos, videos, and messages with friends and family worldwide.

Facebook’s main features include the News Feed, which shows users the latest updates from their friends and pages, and groups based on interests. The platform also offers a marketplace for buying and selling items and an events feature.

Discord

Discord is a VoIP and instant messaging social platform. Discord has become a popular platform for socializing and collaborating online, with millions of users worldwide. The platform was designed primarily for gamers, but it is also used by communities and businesses for communication and collaboration. It allows users to create and join “servers,” which are essentially chat rooms focused on a particular topic or interest. Within each server, users can create and participate in text, voice, and video chats.

Discord also includes various features such as file sharing, screen sharing, and live streaming. It has a user-friendly interface, and users can customize their profiles and server settings to their preferences. Additionally, it supports integration with various other platforms such as Twitch, Spotify, and YouTube. You can use it on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, iPadOS, Android and Web browsers.

Messenger

Messenger, also known as Facebook Messenger, is an American instant messaging app developed by Meta Platforms, allowing users to stay connected anytime, anywhere.

Send text messages, voice messages, make voice and video calls, share photos, videos, files, stickers, and more.

Messenger is available as a standalone mobile app for iOS and Android devices, as well as a web version for desktop access.

Viber

You can use Viber app for messaging and calling. Connect with your friends and family through text, voice, and video chats. It offers free messaging, high-quality voice and video calls, stickers, emojis, and GIFs for personal expression.

You can create group chats with up to 250 participants and businesses, brands, and celebrities can create public accounts.

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is a robust collaboration platform that enables remote teams to stay connected, organized, and share content. Launched in 2017, it integrates with Microsoft Office 365 suite, offering access to popular apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

It also integrates with third-party apps like Trello, GitHub, and Asana, streamlining workflows and centralizing tasks. Microsoft Teams offers various pricing options, including a free version with essential feature.

Slack

Slack is a cloud-based team communication platform owned by Salesforce since 2020. It offers features like text messaging, file and media sharing, voice and video calls, and group chat for collaboration.

Slack allows organizations to streamline communications through public and private channels, thread-based chat, and direct messages. Slack was one of the first real-time messaging platforms..

Flock

Flock is a team collaboration and messaging platform that includes video conferencing features, helping teams communicate and collaborate effectively. Join Flock text messaging app for a faster, more organized way for your teams to communicate.

Line

Line allows users to exchange texts, images, video, audio, and conduct free VoIP conversations and video conferences. It is a popular messaging app with an average daily usage of 22 and a time spent of 59 minutes.

Users can create group chats with up to 500 people and create bulletin boards for discussion, making it an ideal choice for brands.

Signal

Signal is a secure messaging app developed by the Signal Foundation, focusing on privacy and encryption. End-to-end encryption for text, voice, and video messages ensures that only sender and recipient access.

It also supports group messaging, voice and video calls, and media sharing. And for added privacy, there is a feature for disappearing messages.

Signal is open-source, allowing independent security experts to audit its code for vulnerabilities.

Skype

Skype is a veteran in the realm of online communication. The proprietary telecommunications app by Skype Technologies enables you to stay connected with anyone, anytime, and make free video calls with up to 100 people.

The app is best known for VoIP-based videotelephony. Learn how to sign in and out of a Skype for Business online meeting on Windows and Mac.

Wire

Wire is a secure collaboration platform that offers end-to-end encryption for messaging, voice calls, and video calls. It’s focused on providing a high level of privacy and security for communication.

Kik

Kik Messenger is a freeware instant messaging mobile app from Canadian company Kik Interactive. It is available on iOS and Android. You can join public groups, live streamers, and real connections.

Kik app has an integrated web browser. It also has internal dating apps like Flirt!, giving you a Tinder-like experience

GroupMe

GroupMe is a free mobile group messaging app owned by Microsoft, launched in May 2010 by GroupMe. It allows users to group chat with important people on their phones.

Students can use the app to find nearby groups and start their group journey. The app is simple and completely free, allowing users to connect with others in their life.

Instagram Direct

Share messages, photos, videos and more with one or more people.

Catch up with friends. Send messages, photos, and videos to friends and personalize them with effects. You can also reshare posts or connect on video chat.

JioChat

JioChat is a popular messaging and video calling app in India. You can get it on Android, iPhone, and JioPhone. It offers free HD voice and video calls, ensuring no call tariff concerns.

JioChat also features stickers and games. JioChat lets you make free voice and video calls to your friends and family anywhere in the world.

Tox

Tox is a peer-to-peer instant messaging and video-calling protocol with end-to-end encryption, designed to provide secure, easily accessible communication for everyone.

It connects users with a public and private key, allowing them to message, join chat rooms, voice/video chat, and send files. Tox addresses the widespread issue of digital surveillance in corporations and governments.

Threema

Threema is a Swiss-based encrypted instant messaging app, launched in 2012, offering end-to-end encryption and GDPR compliance for individuals and companies, providing secure and GDPR-compliant chat services.