WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 2 billion monthly active users. It allows users to send messages, photos, videos, documents and make voice and video calls for free over the internet. While WhatsApp is incredibly popular, there are a number of other chat apps that offer similar features and can be used as WhatsApp alternatives.
Key Features of WhatsApp
Here are some of the key features that have made WhatsApp so popular:
- End-to-end encryption – Messages and calls are secured with end-to-end encryption so that only the sender and recipient can read or listen to them.
- Group chats – You can create groups with up to 256 participants and communicate with all of them at once.
- Multimedia sharing – Share photos, videos, documents, contacts and location easily.
- Voice and video calls – Make free VoIP calls to other WhatsApp users.
- Cross-platform – Available for iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Linux, Mac and Web.
- Free – No subscription fees or hidden costs.
- International – Used in over 180 countries worldwide.
Top WhatsApp Alternative Chat Apps
Here are some of the best chat apps that can be used as alternatives to WhatsApp:
Telegram
Telegram is one of the most popular WhatsApp alternatives. Here are its key features:
- End-to-end encrypted chats and calls
- Group chats with up to 200,000 members
- Supports sharing of photos, videos, files up to 2GB
- Cross-platform (mobile, desktop, web)
- Syncs across devices
- Free with no limits on messages or media sharing
Telegram has some additional features like channels, bots, stickers and better group administration tools. However, it lacks good voice/video calling capabilities.
Signal
Signal is widely considered the most secure messaging app. Key features include:
- End-to-end encryption for messages and calls
- Minimal metadata collection
- Open source code
- Group chats
- Cross-platform availability
- Free with no ads or subscription fees
The main downside of Signal is that it has a smaller user base than WhatsApp and Telegram. Video calling is currently limited to one-to-one conversations.
Viber
Viber is a popular WhatsApp alternative with the following features:
- End-to-end encrypted chats, calls and messages
- Group chats with up to 250 people
- Video and voice calls in HD quality
- Moments – share photos that disappear after viewing
- Stickers and GIFs
- Free for basic messaging and calls
One limitation with Viber is that it does not offer online backups. Video calls also can’t include more than 20 participants.
Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger has over 1 billion users worldwide. Key features include:
- Chat with Facebook friends and contacts
- Group video calls with up to 50 people
- Messages are encrypted in transit
- Supports sharing photos, videos, GIFs
- Free to use with a Facebook account
- Cross-platform (mobile, desktop and web)
Facebook Messenger lacks end-to-end encryption. Privacy could be a concern for some users.
Skype
As one of the pioneering video chat apps, Skype offers these features:
- One-on-one video and voice calls in HD
- Group video calls with up to 50 people
- Instant messaging
- File sharing capabilities
- Screen sharing
- Call phones at low rates
- Cross-platform availability
Skype’s downsides include no end-to-end encryption and fewer group messaging features. But it remains popular for inexpensive video calling.
Google Chat
Google Chat integrates messaging into Gmail and offers:
- Direct and group chats
- Messaging across devices
- Integration with Gmail and Google Meet
- File sharing
- Available on mobile and web
- Free with Google account
Encryption is limited and some features are only available on certain platforms. But it can be a convenient option for Gmail users.
Comparing Key Features
Here is a comparison of some of the key features in WhatsApp and the alternative chat apps:
| App | End-to-End Encryption | Group Size Limit | Video Calls | File Sharing | Cross-Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | 256 | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Telegram | Secret chats only | 200,000 | No | Yes | Yes |
| Signal | Yes | Not specified | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Viber | Yes | 250 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Facebook Messenger | No | 50 (video calls) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Skype | No | 50 (video calls) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Google Chat | No | 100 | Yes (Meet integration) | Yes | Mobile & web only |
Choosing the Right WhatsApp Alternative
With many good WhatsApp alternatives available, which one is right for you depends on your priorities and needs:
- Security – If security is your top concern, Signal is widely regarded as the most secure messaging app.
- Group chat size – For larger groups, Telegram supports up to 200,000 participants.
- Video calls – Skype and Facebook Messenger offer some of the most robust group video chat options.
- Ease of use – Facebook Messenger may be the easiest option if you already use Facebook.
- General messaging – Telegram and Signal offer a good balance of security and ease of use.
- Calling phones – For affordable calls to phone numbers, Skype provides low rates.
Consider which features are essential to your use case. Consult the table for a detailed comparison.
Key Takeaways
Here are some key points on WhatsApp alternative chat apps:
- Telegram, Signal, Viber, Facebook Messenger, Skype and Google Chat all offer similar messaging capabilities as WhatsApp.
- Telegram has the largest group sizes, while Signal prioritizes security and privacy.
- Skype and Facebook Messenger enable video calling with larger groups.
- Most alternatives are cross-platform across mobile and desktop.
- Telegram and Signal offer a good balance of security, features and ease of use.
- Consider which features are most important like group sizes, video calling, encryption, platform support etc.
Conclusion
While WhatsApp is incredibly popular, there are a number of solid alternatives for secure messaging, group chats, video calls and general chatting. Telegram and Signal tend to be among the top options, offering robust features with security and privacy. But apps like Skype, Viber, Facebook Messenger and Google Chat have their own advantages. Evaluate your priorities and needs to determine which WhatsApp alternative makes the most sense for you.