Here’s the list of best WhatsApp Alternatives.
WhatsApp Messenger is the most popular messaging platform, with over 2 billion users across the world. Since Facebook, the parent company of WhatsApp, bought it in 2014, a lot of upgrades have been made to the application over the years.
The most recent change was made in the privacy policy, which caused chaos amongst its users. According to the new terms of the policy concerning data privacy, WhatsApp mentions that it may share your information with its family of companies to “facilitate, support and integrate their activities and improve our services.”
List of Best WhatsApp Alternatives
Prior to making decisions revolving around security and privacy, it’s important to know how different applications handle the information you share on their platforms and keep it protected. To make this easy for you, we have compiled a list of the best WhatsApp alternatives, focusing on this issue.
1. Signal Private Messenger
Signal Foundation, a non-profit organization, in 2014, created the Signal Messenger. This messaging application provides almost all the features that WhatsApp does, but with better security.
The most special feature of Signal is that there is no fear attached to data being shared because the data is linked to you and not the server. When this feature is enabled, nobody can take screenshots of the chats. It also lets you set a time for the messages to disappear. Signal has end-to-end encryption on all its services ranging from chats, audio-visual calls, multimedia sharing, and basically everything.
To everyone looking to have personal space on the internet, Signal Messenger has been the ultimate choice in 2021, making it one of the best WhatsApp alternatives.
2. Telegram Messenger
Telegram has been a competitor to WhatsApp for quite a long time now. It provides its users with a quite range of unique features. One of its infamous features is the choice to not provide people with phone numbers, instead of giving usernames.
Most users downloaded Telegram because of its ability to allow file sharing up to 1.5 GB and adding up to 100,00 people to a group. Other notable features include secret chats, public channels, disappearing messages, and passcode lock.
While the privacy policy in Telegram is not as secure as Signal, it’s still a great option, compared to WhatsApp. The terms include that it collects user information but the application claims that it’s not used for advertisement purposes. Telegram uses client-to-server encryption which means your data is not end-to-end encrypted, except when you use the secret chat feature.
The only drawback to this application is the lack of the video calling feature, but if you are not fond of video calls, Telegram is best for you.
3. Snapchat
Snapchat is more of a social media application, but it has some great features for secure one-on-one or group conversations. Most of the features that are later introduced in WhatsApp, Instagram, and other social media platforms have been a part of Snapchat for a long time.
You can use Snapchat to send pictures and videos to your loved ones (called snaps) using a variety of lenses and filters. What you share can only be viewed twice and you receive notifications when someone takes a screenshot, replays, or records your pictures, chats, or profile. Another popular feature in this application is the disappearing messages, which makes it a great application to use.
4. Kik Messenger
Kik is a mobile messaging platform, which allows users to have one-on-one conversations, share media and files, anonymous and group chats. It also allows interacting with bots, with whom you can chat, do quizzes, get the latest news as well as fashion tips, and much more.
While most of the services provided are similar to WhatsApp, Kik however does not require the user to input his phone number. For those who feel uncomfortable sharing personal numbers, they can use Kik Messenger, using their Email ID.
5. Discord
While Discord is very popular in gaming, its direct messaging has been overlooked for quite some time. It allows friends to chat one-on-one, in groups, or through a server. You can also use it for audio or video calling, sending pictures, or even screen sharing.
Discord Integrations allow you to sync your Spotify, YouTube, Twitch, Twitter, and many other applications, making it one of the best applications to use instead of WhatsApp. Users can create groups for up to 10 persons, and if that is not enough, they can create servers for a mass interaction.
6. Viber
Viber is a VoIP and instant messaging application launched by Rakuten in 2010. It has got all the features that WhatsApp has, but even better with its customizable emoticons and stickers. It also has end-to-end encryption technology in all its services, which also includes the messages and files in multiple devices.
The most notable feature of Viber is the advantage of making calls to non-Viber users at nominal rates, using the ‘Viber Out’ feature. It also has its personal sticker store and games, which you can play within the application. Since this application has a lot of similarities to WhatsApp, many people will be comfortable switching to it, without having to adapt to new features.
7. Bridgefy
When in the middle of nowhere, with no data, weak signals, or WiFi connection, Bridgefy comes to your aid with its offline messaging service. Unlike WhatsApp, it does not require an active internet connection for texting people.
Bridgefy uses the Bluetooth Network or WiFi Direct mode to establish a connection. With its three types of messaging services, it will let you message a friend, broadcast to a group of people, or use users as nodes for long distance messages.
The application is quite useful in music festivals, sports events, natural calamities or situations, and areas without good mobile service.
8. Skype
Skype is a VoIP service that allows people to communicate for free, through messaging, voice, and video calls with an internet connection, over a phone, browser, or a computer. This application has provided people with international video call options, even before WhatsApp. It provides various services for personal, business, and creative needs.
This application is a great option over WhatsApp for its outstanding quality of audio-visual calling, even with someone thousands of miles away. Business entities often prefer the application for conference calls. For people who enjoy the long hours of talking on the phone, or interacting through video calls, Skype is a great choice to turn to.
9. Threema
Threema is a completely secure instant messaging application; which does not require a phone number or any personal data to create an account. It also allows the users to make voice and video calls, share media and files.
The security system in Threema is commendable and is one of the best WhatsApp alternatives. Even though it’s a paid application, the privacy and safety it provides will be worth it. The application encrypts all the data and ensures anonymity throughout, making it a reliable messaging service.
10. Keybase
Keybase is an open-source messaging application for secure communication. All your data provided is secured with end-to-end encryption, keeping it safe from outsiders.
The application does not allow its users to capture screenshots of the chats either. It also does not require you to share your phone number or Email ID to create an account. Keybase is focused on providing a secure online platform for its users, and since it’s open-source; the private data is not shared with any company.
It’s a great application for those that value their privacy and would want to switch to a better messaging platform from WhatsApp.
Being regular WhatsApp users; we all can feel insecure being in touch with friends, family, or even colleagues through the application. A lot of us have been on the hunt for the best WhatsApp alternatives to have safe and private chats.
WhatsApp will no longer work on Android devices running on Android version 4.0.3 or older than that.
You can use Signal Private Messenger instead of WhatsApp.
Line, Viber, Signal, Telegram, and Snapchat are WhatsApp competitors.