Communication is exploding, thanks to the rapidly growing internet. People are more connected than ever, and with apps like WhatsApp, iMessage, Skype, and others, communication is happening more quickly than ever.
More than 18 billion messages are sent daily worldwide, and 560 billion messages are sent each month globally.
These numbers have been rapidly increasing since the inception of the pandemic. So if you’ve just started messaging, we’ve covered you by compiling a list of the best massage apps for messaging.
We’ve compiled a list of the best messenger apps that people often use to send messages on Android, iPhone, and desktop. In addition, you can use these apps for sending messages through the internet.
Summary: Best messages apps of 2024
1. WhatsApp
WhatsApp has become the most common messaging app. If there’s any app that’s commonly found on any smartphone, it’s WhatsApp. With over 2 billion users and counting, the social messaging app has handy features for businesses to daily users.
From audio to video calls, WhatsApp supports group calling as well. In addition, its end-to-end encryption feature has made the app secure, making WhatsApp a leading messaging app available today. Because of its broad support, availability, and features, the app is our number one messaging app.
Features:
- End-to-end encryption
- Group chat
- Voice and video calls
- File sharing
- Multi-platform support
- Status updates
- Delete for Everyone
- WhatsApp Web
You can download WhatsApp on almost all platforms, including Android, iPhone, macOS, and Windows.
Download: Google Play Store | App Store | Windows | macOS
2. Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger, also known as Messenger, is associated with Meta’s Facebook platform. The social media giant once used to force users to download the Facebook Messenger messaging app. However, it’s not the case anymore. The app can do audio and video calls; to your surprise, group meetings and screen sharing are also built into it. As a result, you are making it one of the most helpful messaging apps. You can even conduct group meetings while sharing your presentation with the group using the screen-sharing feature.
Features:
- Group chat
- Voice and video calls
- File sharing
- Multi-platform support
- Delete for Everyone
- Messenger Rooms
- Messenger for Business
- Chatbot
You can download and use Facebook Messenger on the following platforms.
Download: Google Play Store | App Store | Windows | macOS
3. Telegram
Telegram is popular among teens and offers a fast and secure way to communicate with friends and family. It has a solid user base because of its end-to-end encryption for private conversations and the ability to create large group chats with up to 200,000 members.
Telegram lets users send media files, including photos, videos, and documents, with no limit on the file size. That’s one of the reasons most influencers have their Telegram channels.
In addition, Telegram has a feature called “Secret Chats,” which provides additional security by allowing users to set a self-destruct timer (also known as disappearing messages in WhatsApp) for messages, ensuring that they are deleted from both devices after a certain period.
Features:
- End-to-end encryption
- Large group chats
- Media file sharing
- Secret Chats
- Self-destruct timer
Because of its privacy features, it’s featured in our list of best privacy-focused messaging apps.
Download: Google Play Store | App Store | Desktop
4. Signal
If you’re privacy-oriented, you must’ve heard of Signal. It’s also part of our best privacy-focused messaging apps listicle.
Signal messenger is a messaging app that prioritizes user privacy and security. It uses end-to-end encryption to secure all conversations, ensuring that only the intended recipient can read the messages.
In addition, Signal allows users to verify the identity of their contacts to prevent “man-in-the-middle” attacks. The app also offers “Disappearing Messages,” aka self-destruct feature from Telegram, which allows users to automatically set a timer for their messages to delete after a certain period. It supports calls, group chats, and media sharing.
One of the reasons Signal got popular and even crashed is the recommendation by the likes of Elon Musk and Edward Snowden. The famous American Whistleblower, Edward Snowden, has used the app daily since 2015 and even endorsed it multiple times on Twitter.
Features:
- End-to-end encryption
- Disappearing Messages
- Contact identity verification
- Sleek and user-friendly interface
- Support for calls, group chats, and media sharing
- Focus on privacy and security
Download: Google Play Store | App Store | Windows | macOS
5. Viber
Viber offers end-to-end encryption for private conversations. It also allows users to create group chats with up to 250 members and share various media files, including photos, videos, and documents. Like other messaging apps, Viber lets users make HD-quality voice and video calls.
Features:
- End-to-end encryption
- HD-quality voice and video calls
- Group chats with up to 250 members
- Media file sharing
- Secret Chats
- Self-destruct timer
- Popular messaging choice
- Emphasis on security
Not just WhatsApp, Viber also has a “Secret Chats” feature, which allows users to set a self-destruct timer for their messages, ensuring they are deleted from both devices after a certain period.
Download: Google Play Store | App Store | Others
6. Discord
Discord differs from other messaging apps since it’s specially designed for gamers and communities.
It offers text and voice chat, file sharing, and server customization options. But what’s different about Discord is that it allows users to create servers where they can invite others to join and communicate through text, voice, and video calls.
With Discord, third-party integrations are also a reality, including Spotify, Twitch, and YouTube, which can be used to enhance the user experience. Not just this, Discord monetizes its platform using “Server Boosting,” where users can purchase perks for their servers like increased file upload limit and access to custom emojis. In addition, the platform will soon start integrating NFTs and looking to earn more $$$ from Nitropacks.
Features:
- Text and voice chat
- NFT profiles (coming soon)
- File sharing
- Server customization
- Third-party integrations
- Server Boosting
- Ability to create servers
- Versatile communication platform
- Popular among gamers and communities
Discord is an excellent choice for gamers, communities, and teams looking for a versatile communication platform.
Download: Google Play Store | App Store | Windows
8. WeChat
Unlike other messaging apps, WeChat offers basic features like sending text, voice, video messages, photos, and audio/video calling. However, a Chinese multi-purpose messaging and social media also works as a mobile payment app.
The app also has a built-in mobile payment feature called “WeChat Pay,” which allows users to make payments and transfer money to other users within the app. In addition, WeChat has a feature called “Moments,” similar to a social media feed, where users can post photos and updates to share with their contacts.
Also read: Best WeChat alternatives for Android and iOS 2024
The owners of WeChat didn’t stop on these features. It offers various services such as games, official accounts, and mini-programs similar to apps within the app (something like Elon Musk’s “Everything app”).
Features:
- Multi-purpose: messaging, social media, and mobile payment app
- Text, voice, and video messaging
- Moments
- WeChat Pay
- Built-in games and official accounts
- Popular in China
- Versatile communication and services platform
WeChat is widely popular in China and some other countries, and it’s an excellent choice for people who want to stay connected with their friends and family, make payments, and access various services.
Download: Google Play Store | App Store | Desktop
9. Skype
Skype is also an app for messaging, allowing users to make voice and video calls, send instant messages and share files with others. It also allows users to create group calls and chats.
The app supports screen sharing, which allows users to share their screen with others during a call, which also makes it one of the best remote work apps.
You can also call landlines and mobile phones at a low cost. One of the unique features that the app has is a feature called “Skype Translator,” which allows real-time translation of voice and text during calls and chats, thanks to Microsoft.
Features:
- Voice and video calls
- Instant messaging
- File sharing
- Group calls and chats
- Screen sharing
- Low-cost calling to landlines and mobile phones
- Skype Translator
Skype is a popular choice for personal and professional communication.
Download: Google Play Store | App Store | Desktop
9. iMessage
iMessage is the pride of every iPhone/Apple ecosystem user. They hate green bubbles.
iMessage lets users send and receive text, photos, videos, and audio messages from iOS users. It’s connected to your iCloud, so if you’re an iPhone, iPad, iPod, and Mac user, you’re already on iMessage.
You can even react to messages (WhatsApp got this feature later). A popular part of iMessage is Animoji and Memojis, which allow users to create animated emojis in the app. My favorite is the ability to express through iMessage effects, such as balloons, confetti, and lasers.
The messages are end-to-end encrypted, making them private and secure. You can even create and receive payments using Apple Pay within the app.
The app is specifically available for the Apple ecosystem. Hence it’s at number 9. But overall, it’s one of the best messaging apps, mic drop.
Features:
- Built-in messaging app for Apple devices
- Text, photo, video, and audio messaging
- Group messaging
- Animoji and Memoji
- iMessage effects
- End-to-end encryption
- Apple Pay
- Reactions (thumbs up, heart)
iMessage is available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch requiring iOS 10.0 or later.
Download: App Store
10. Android Messages
Messages app on Android has been trying to mimic the iMessage for so long. With multiple attempts and rebranding, Google has finally come up with RCS based Android Messages app.
Android Messages is the default messaging app for Android devices. Users can send and receive SMS and MMS messages, as well as send and receive RCS (Rich Communication Services) messages.
What’s RCS? RCS is a messaging protocol that allows users to send high-resolution images and videos, share their location and make group chats. The app also has a “Google Assistant integration feature,” which allows users to use the AI assistant to reply to messages, schedule reminders, and perform other tasks without leaving the app. Additionally, the app supports “Material Design,” which is Google’s design philosophy, making it user-friendly and visually appealing.
Features:
- RCS messaging
- Google Assistant integration
- Group chats
- Material Design Interface
- MMS and SMS support
With its built-in RCS support and integration with Google Assistant, Android Messages is a solid choice for messaging on Android devices.
Download: Google Play Store | Web
So, these were the best messaging or Messenger apps that you can use on Android, iPhone, and desktop (Windows and macOS). If there’s something worth noting and you’d like to add to this list, feel free to drop it in the comments below.
