21 Free WhatsApp Alternatives: Best Chat Apps in 2021

Signal is a popular chatting app with a high level of privacy and user security. You can set up a timer for messages to be deleted that is a unique feature.

Just like with Whatsapp, you can send text messages, create group chats, share files, and make video/voice calls.

Platform: Android, iPhone, desktop

Download: iPhone | Android

Discord is a handy text and voice chat for gamers. It is secured, and it works for both a smartphone and a desktop. Moreover, Discord is a community for gamers built around playing games.

Their free voice and text messenger will help you to connect with people with similar interests.

We’ve also compiled a list of the best Discord alternatives.

Platform: Windows, Android, Mac, iOS

Download: iPhone | Android

Tox is a free and secure software that allows you to connect with your team, friends, or family.

Its features include instant messaging, voice and video communication, screen sharing, file sharing, and group chats.

Free to use, encrypted, and with zero advertising, Tox is a secure solution for online communication.

Platform: Android, Mac OS, Windows, Linux, FreeBSD

Download: Android

Threema is another chatting app for mobile phones with a similar interface to Whatsapp. You can send images, text messages, and GPS location in the chat.

It also syncs all your contact list so that you can easily find Threema users. Even developers have no way to read messages from the app; it means all your chat history is protected and locked forever.

Platform: Windows, Android, Linux, Mac, iOS

Download: iPhone | Android

Just like many apps on this list, Telegram offers end-to-end encryption for all communication. Besides, you can send text and media messages in a chat with up to 200,000 users.

Telegram claims to use cloud-based technology that allows sending messages faster than any other apps. Telegram is free and open-source.

For more tools like this one, you can check out our Telegram alternatives list.

Platform: Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Windows desktop, Linux (both 32 and 64-bit), macOS, and also offers a web version

Download: iPhone | Android

Skype is the world’s best-known app for video calls. Skype has a new updated design that allows you to send messages, images, and files to a user, make videos, and voice calls.

You can use it on both desktop and smartphones, but the most significant disadvantage of Skype is that spammers can send you messages there.

We have written an article on Skype alternatives, so feel free to check it out.

Platform: iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Mac, Windows

Download: iPhone | Android

Google Hangouts can be a perfect Whatsapp replacement.

You can connect and chat with all your friends who have a Gmail account. It is a separate app for sending messages on a smartphone, or you can use it inside Gmail.

However, you can’t use it to chat with friends who do not have a Gmail account. With this app, you can create group chats, send files, and search the text messages.

Platform: iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Mac, Windows

Download: iPhone | Android

Just like Whatsapp, Viber is an online chat that uses contact numbers to identify users.

When you register, you get a code sent to your mobile phone number. You can call users for free, send messages, images, and videos.

Unlike Whatsapp, Viber offers a lot of funny stickers to spice up your chats.

Platform: iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Bada, Mac, Windows

Download: iPhone | Android

WeChat is a popular chatting app in China. Similar to how you register to Whatsapp, you need to use your phone number and verification code. Connect to your email or Facebook to find people who also use WeChat.

It also allows you to share files, location, make video and voice calls for free, or send messages.

Platform: iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Web

Download: iPhone | Android

When you register to Line, you need to use your phone number. This way you can find other users from your contact list that use Line and connect with them. You can install Line on your PC via email and chat with your friends.

You can send messages and call other users for free.  However, you need an instant internet connection to use this chat app.

Platform: Android, iPhone, iPad, Windows Phone, Mac, Windows

Download: iPhone | Android

KaKao Talk also uses your phone number and verification code when you register. You can use free chats with messages, calls, and videos with as many users as you want.

It allows you to send up to 100MB of files in your PC, including documents, videos, and images. Besides, you can even go live using your KaKao Talk app.

Platform: iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Mac, Windows

Download: iPhone | Android

With end-to-end encryption and simple interface, Wire app is one of the best alternatives to Whatsapp.

Skype co-founder Janus Friis created it. To sign up, you need to provide your phone number and email address, however, this info will not be shared with anyone.

Platform: Android, iOS, Web

Download: iPhone | Android

KIK is one of the most secure and private apps in this list. It has developed a little bit of bad reputation as it was used for drug dealing and other stuff. It does not use your phone number so that only a username can identify you.

Besides, all messages are stored only on your phone that is a privacy feature.

Platform: iOS, Android

Download: iPhone | Android

Kontalk is an open-source, free chatting app for Android, web, and desktop. You can keep all the files entirely on your super-secure server. You will be the only person in charge of all the chats you have with your friends and family.

Platform: PC, Android, Linux, Mac

Download: iPhone | Android

Snapchat is a popular app for creating online Stories that disappear in 24 hours. This feature was stoled by Instagram a while ago and then copied by many other apps.

Even Whatsapp has a similar feature with 24-hours stories. With Snapchat you can not only share stories, try different funny masks with a camera, but also connect with friends and create your emojis.

Platform: Android, iOS

Download: iPhone | Android

IM+ is an all-in-one app for messaging in social media accounts. You can collect all your chat history from Facebook, Instagram, Skype, Pinterest, Telegram and Twitter on Instant Messenger.

It can save you a lot of time and the most important, a lot of space on your iPhone. Now it’s available only for iOS.

Platform: iOS, macOS

Download: iPhone

Voxer is a walkie talkie (PTT – push to talk) messenger and their main feature is voice messages. Just like with any other chat app, you can also send text messages, media files, and GPS location.

Voxer also has a pricing plan for business purposes. You can use it for fast customer support for $6.25 per month. Try this app for 14 days for free.

Platform: Android, Windows, iOS

Download: iPhone | Android

Slack is a great, handy tool for work teams. It allows you to create chats with many users, share different types of media, and collect all the files for a project in one place. It will enable you to send not only text messages, but also make voice and video calls.

It’s free for small teams, but if you are going to use it actively for bigger groups, consider getting their business plan.

If you’re looking for a communication tool with a few productivity features, you can also check our list of the best Slack alternatives.

Platform: Chrome, iOS, Android, Mac OS, Windows

Download: iPhone | Android

HighSide is an ultra-secure team collaboration software and communication solution.

Compared to the most popular tools used nowadays, HighSide comes with a lot more security features like end-to-end encryption, geolocation-based access controls, and protection against phishing & spoofing attacks.

With HighSide, you can easily communicate with your team and increase productivity while ensuring that your data is as secure as it can be.

Platform: iOS, Android, Mac OS, Windows, Ubuntu 64-bit

Download: iPhone | Android

Fortknoxster is a private and secure communication solution that comes with military-grade encryption.

Founded by cyber-security experts, Fortknoxster lets you chat, send messages, make voice or video calls, store data, and more.

Fortknoxster takes privacy and data safety seriously while making it easy to use and ads-free.

Platform: Web, iOS, Android

Download: iPhone | Android