Kik

Q: Is Kik still working in 2026?

Yes. Kik Messaging & Chat App is listed on the US App Store as a free app, published by MediaLab.

Q: What apps are like Kik?

Telegram and Threema are the closest. Telegram lets you message by username without seeing phone numbers, and Threema needs no phone number or email. See our Kik alternatives page for more.

Q: Is there an app like Kik with public groups?

Telegram is the biggest one. Telegram groups can hold up to 200,000 members and public channels can have unlimited subscribers.

Q: Does Kik need a phone number?

No. You sign up with a username. Kik does not ask for a phone number at registration.

Q: Who owns Kik?

MediaLab. MediaLab Technology acquired Kik Messenger in October 2019, after Kik Interactive had planned to shut it down.

Q: Is Kik free?

Yes, with paid extras. The app is free. An ad-free option costs $2.99, or $32.99 a year, on the US App Store.

Username-based messenger from MediaLab. Still on the App Store, rated 18+.

FreeMessenger18+ on App Store

Visit kik.com ↗Last verified: 5 Nov 2026

Fact-checked

Refael EliyahuMarketing, Startup StashEconomics-trained and numbers-first. He owns content, SEO, and distribution here, and every tools page goes through him before the Fact-checked mark goes live.

FreeWith in-app purchases

UsernameNo phone number

2009Kik founded

MediaLabOwner since 2019

The short version

Is Kik still around, and what apps are like Kik?

Yes. Kik Messenger is still available and free on the App Store, published by MediaLab, which bought it in 2019. Its draw is the same as ever: you sign up with a username, not a phone number.

Kik began in 2009 at Kik Interactive, founded by University of Waterloo students. It was due to close in 2019, but the plan was reversed and MediaLab acquired it that October. Today the App Store lists it as 18+, with ads, user-generated content and paid extras such as an ad-free option and Live credits. Kik requires users to be at least 13, but the App Store rating is 18+.

Bottom line: Kik still works if you want username-only chat and public group discovery. If you want a cleaner, more private app, Threema also needs no phone number, and Telegram lets you find people by username without seeing their number.

What it does

Key features

No phone number

You pick a username to sign up. Kik does not ask for a phone number.

One-to-one and group chats

Chat with one person or in groups, and share photos, videos, GIFs and games.

Meet people

Kik promotes meeting new friends with similar interests.

Live and paid extras

Live credits and an ad-free option are sold as in-app purchases.

What it costs

Kik pricing (2026)

Plan	Price	What you get
Kik	Free	Messaging, groups and media sharing, with ads.
Ad Free	$2.99 or $32.99/yr	Removes ads. App Store lists a one-off and an annual option.
Live Credits	$0.99 to $399.99	Packs from 100 to 70,000 credits for Kik Live.

Prices from the US App Store listing in USD. Prices in other countries and on Android may differ.

Honest fit

Who it's for, who it isn't

Pick Kik if

You want to chat without giving a phone number
You want to meet new people in public groups
You only need a phone app (iOS or Android)

Look elsewhere if

You are under 18, given the App Store rating
You want an ad-free app without paying
You want end-to-end encryption by default
You need a desktop app

What people ask

Kik FAQ

Is Kik still working in 2026?

Yes. Kik Messaging & Chat App is listed on the US App Store as a free app, published by MediaLab.

What apps are like Kik?

Telegram and Threema are the closest. Telegram lets you message by username without seeing phone numbers, and Threema needs no phone number or email. See our Kik alternatives page for more.

Is there an app like Kik with public groups?

Telegram is the biggest one. Telegram groups can hold up to 200,000 members and public channels can have unlimited subscribers.

Does Kik need a phone number?

No. You sign up with a username. Kik does not ask for a phone number at registration.

Who owns Kik?

MediaLab. MediaLab Technology acquired Kik Messenger in October 2019, after Kik Interactive had planned to shut it down.

Is Kik free?

Yes, with paid extras. The app is free. An ad-free option costs $2.99, or $32.99 a year, on the US App Store.

Keep comparing

Kik alternatives

Kik alternativesEvery app that does a similar job

Telegram alternativesApps with big public groups

Team communication softwareChat tools built for work