Do you remember the last time you didn’t send or receive SMS all day? Probably no. Whether you use your computer to send messages or your phone, this is an important part of your online communication. And sometimes just using the default messaging app on your device isn’t enough.
Luckily, there are tons of third-party messaging apps for Android. Whether you are looking for something very simple with minimal features or looking for an app that lets you customize everything, right down to the very last character.
Telegram – Best Overall
There are many reasons why you might want to start using Telegram right now. In other words, the ability to send large media files, conduct “secret” chats with friends, edit or delete messages after they are sent, or even watch YouTube videos while talking to people.
However, the creators of Telegram pride themselves on making security their top priority. With this app, you can send encrypted messages without worrying about keeping your private conversations private. The app also allows you to use a proxy server, which can further help you protect your data.
When it comes to chatting, Telegram also has a lot of special features that other messaging apps lack. For example, you can use multiple phone numbers in an application. If you’re creating a group chat, you don’t need to worry about the number of people you add to it. In Telegram, you can chat in a group chat with up to 200,000 participants.
The app is also highly customizable. There is an automatic night mode, a variety of themes and chat backgrounds to choose from. You can also use Telegram’s Live Location feature to track your family and friends from your phone So if you’re looking for a messaging app that has it all, Telegram deserves to be at the top of your list.
Bookmark – Most Secure
If strong security is getting in your way, consider making Signal your primary messaging app. The app uses strong end-to-end encryption and does not store any user records. While you do need to register a valid phone number in order to use it, this is the only information that can be revealed about your use of the app.
Other features that make Signal one of the safest messaging apps include setting an optional in-app screen lock, hiding lock screen notifications, and self-destructing messages.
The latter is actually an extremely useful feature, as in other applications you sometimes have to learn how to send self-destructing messages In Signal, you can simply turn on the “disappearing messages†feature and the app does the job for you.
Android Messages – the simple option
Sometimes you don’t have to look far to find what you are looking for. Android Messages is Google’s official text messaging app and has a minimum of all the basic features for the average user.
Android Messages supports RCS features, which means you can get additional chat features like read receipts and file transfers. The app also has a dark mode perfect for low light conditions. If you ever need to send messages from your computer, you can also do it using the official website of the application.
WhatsApp < – appropriate
While there may be many alternative messaging clients, most Western users continue to use WhatsApp. One of the main reasons for this is the popularity of the app. Most of your friends are already using WhatsApp, so why choose another messenger?
Plus, if you’re looking for an option with a good balance between feature, security, and customization, WhatsApp might be the best choice for you.
Among the most useful features of this app are real-time location sharing, switching from one phone number to another while saving your WhatsApp data, and the ability to “undo†your messages. In addition, WhatsApp supports voice and video calls – a feature not available, for example, in Telegram.
WhatsApp also uses end-to-end encryption for both messages and file transfers, which means messages are deleted from servers once they’ve been delivered.
Viber < – make friends
Viber is another messaging app with interface and functionality similar to WhatsApp. And there are many reasons why you might choose it as your primary chat app. You can liven up your texts with stickers and gifs, as well as voice and video messages.
In terms of security, Viber has secret chats with a self-destruct timer. You can configure it to delete messages in a specific conversation to keep your personal information private. One interesting feature of the app is the ability to call any mobile or landline phone in the world. The service is called Viber Out, and although it is a paid service, it is definitely useful if you are trying to reach someone who is not a Viber user.
However, the main feature that makes this messaging app stand out is the Viber communities. These are public group chats that you can join at any time. This means you don’t even need to have friends in the app to use Viber. These chats have an unlimited number of members, their own administrators and moderators who follow the chats. You can even create your own community and meet new people who share your views and interests.
Facebook Messenger – The device with add-ons
Many people believe that you cannot use Messenger without an active Facebook account. In fact, you can use Facebook Messenger as a standalone application. All you need to register is your mobile phone number. The only difference is that if you already have a Facebook account, you will already see all of your Facebook friends in your Messenger contacts.
The app comes with all the standard features like using group chats, reacting to messages, and the ability to delete already sent messages. Messenger also supports file transfer, so you can share photos and videos with your friends. You can also use the in-app camera to take your own photos and videos, and then edit them in the app using filters and editing tools and send them to your contacts.
One of the things that sets Messenger apart from other apps is the ability to do more than just chat. In chat, tap on the four dots in the bottom left corner and you’ll see a list of actions you can start with your contacts. This includes the ability to share your location, set reminders, play games, watch videos together, and more.
The perfect texting app for you
In the end, it all comes down to what you want from your messaging app. Whether it’s great security, extensive functionality, or over-customization, there is definitely an app that can suit your needs and preferences.
But if you’re looking for a messaging client that’s already proven to be effective, try one of the apps on our list. And if you find one that is most comfortable and satisfying for you, perhaps you can ask your contacts to switch to the best option with you.
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