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7 Best Alternatives to WhatsApp

Recently taken over by Facebook, WhatsApp is one of the most popular and commonly used software for chatting voice calling, and video calling in today’s world. It is used for both personal and professional interactions. People also use it to share files with each other. 

New features are introduced every now and then in WhatsApp to cater to the ever-changing needs of the users. The software is widely available and most importantly it is free to use which can be one of the biggest reasons behind its immense popularity. 

We are so dependent on WhatsApp that if its service goes out for only a few hours, it could seriously disturb our routine, which is why we have to look for other reliable chatting software as well that have a similar purpose and features.

To help you narrow down your options in terms of choosing the best alternatives to WhatsApp, here we have rounded up 7 very famous and widely supported chatting software. 

Viber

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Viber is simple, fast, and free to use. It is one of the most secure and oldest chatting software available on both Android smartphones and iPhones. Like WhatsApp, Viber also offers cross-platform support. 

You can block unwanted calls and messages on Viber by blocking any particular contact. To ensure the privacy and convenience of the users, Viber also allows users to hide online and last seen status. You can turn it off or on by going into the settings.

However, you can change the settings of this feature once every 24 hours. Instead of getting messages again and again which could be quite annoying, Viber can now merge those notifications into one group. This feature is known as smart notifications.

Telegram 

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There is a reason why Telegram is considered one of the best alternatives to WhatsApp. It offers many super cool features which could greatly add to the convenience of users. Some of the most interesting things you can do while using telegram include scheduling messages, screen sharing, creating chat folders, and a lot more.

Most of these features are not available in WhatsApp to date. Similar to WhatsApp, while using telegram you can also migrate or change your number anytime you want. Telegram also allows you to add a second number or update multiple profile pictures. 

This software also has a secret chat option, which is fully encrypted to ensure the privacy of users. However, unlike WhatsApp, Telegram doesn’t provide end-to-end encryption for every chat which could possibly create privacy concerns. Telegram is available on both Android and IOS devices.

Signal

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Another very popular emerging chatting app these days is Signal. It is basically a messaging and voice calling software that focuses on the privacy of the users. Using Signal, you can also text people or call them individually or in groups. To make your chats more interesting and exciting you can use the feature of emojis or stickers in a particular chat window.

The app also offers incredible screen security; you can block others from taking screenshots of your chats. To add another layer of security you can always set fingerprint lock or faceID lock on the Signal app in your phone. The dark mode is also available in the signal app, which means you can customize its theme according to your preference. You can also send disappearing messages in your chat window, which makes your experience with the Signal app more interesting. 

Skype

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Owned and managed by Microsoft, Skype is one of the best and most popular video calling software. This software was originally founded for PCs in 2003 but after the introduction of Smartphones and the way they have evolved, Skype was also made available in the form of a mobile app.

In all these years Skype has significantly improved its chat interface. Like other major chat services Skype now also allows users to edit or delete messages even after they are sent. It is best known for offering many different cool chat features like call recording, screen sharing, and subtitles. Skype is widely used by large-scale organizations around the world. 

Snapchat

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Are you surprised to see the name of Snapchat in the list of the best alternatives to WhatsApp? Well, this software does a lot more than just add filters to your trending stories.

You can tap on any of the contacts or threads in your messaging list to chat with someone.

You can use many different types of emojis while chatting on Snapchat. There is also an option of hidden chats in this software. You can use it to hide your chats by accessing the relevant option from the chat window. You can download this mobile application for free on your iPhone and all the different types of Android devices. 

Pro Tip: If Gboard is not installed on your phone by default, you can easily download it from Google’s Play Store to enhance your chatting experience. It is one of the best free Android apps.

Kik

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Kik is another great way to keep in touch with your friends and family without completely depending on WhatsApp. Another good thing about Kik is that it only requires your email address to sign you up which means you don’t have to add your phone number.

It allows you to chat voice call video call and send messages in groups. This software is used by millions of people across the US. It won’t cost you anything to download and use Kik on your smartphone, tablet, iPhone, or iPad. Similar to WhatsApp Kik also provides cross-platform support and has a fully-featured web application that allows you to share content from the web.

Line

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One of the best alternatives to WhatsApp, Line is a free call and messaging app. The interface of this software looks quite similar to that of Viber and Skype. You can do one-on-one chat, group chat one-on-one call, and group call. The app also tells you when your messages are read by the person on the other side of the chat. 

Line can be downloaded and used for free on any iPhone and Android device. This chatting platform also offers you end-to-end encryption which is to secure your chats. You can not only sign up for Line using your phone number but also your Facebook ID. This feature is not available on WhatsApp

There you have it — a detailed roundup of the 7 best alternatives to WhatsApp that are reliable, easy to download, and free to use. You can download and use them to chat with your friends, family members, or coworkers depending on your lifestyle requirements. This way you will also have a backup platform, in case you are unable to access WhatsApp. 

What do you think?

Written by Spencer K