Messaging App is one of the most powerful ways of communication across the globe. Thus, to give you insights, find the best Android messaging apps of all time, ranging from the most famous to the across-the-board. From the traditional handwritten letters to de rigueur chat and text messages, messaging has forged into a higher level of innovation for two reasons: to make our lives more convenient, and to make our world smaller. However, not all messaging apps available on Android fulfill the aforementioned purposes.
With tons of apps spilling through the Play Store, choosing the perfect one can be a pain in the neck. Hence, here are some of the best choices you can get from the Google Playstore.
1. Facebook Messenger
Rating: 4.2/5 | 1,000,000,000+ downloads
You’ve probably heard of the Facebook Messenger app. It’s one of the most famous messaging apps for Android, with over 1.3 billion users worldwide. Featuring an extensive amount of user-friendly functions, you can send messages and voice recordings, share photos and videos, and join calls and video conferences without entering phone numbers.
Messenger also has a vast collection of stickers, Emojis, and GIFs that allow you to creatively express your emotions. Bored of waiting for your friend’s response? There’s a feature for that; play games, top the leaderboard, and challenge your friends to beat your score! On top of it, Messenger is free with few in-app purchases.
2. WhatsApp
WhatsApp happens to be the world’s most preferred messaging app, thanks to its comprehensive facets and ultra-secure end-to-end encryption. Similar to most messaging apps, WhatsApp allows you to send messages and multimedia, and call your family and friends using their phone numbers for free, whether local or international! Of course, your device must be connected to the internet to do so.
Additionally, you can personalize the app by setting your preferred wallpaper and notification sounds. WhatsApp is completely free, with no ads and in-app purchases.
3. LINE
LINE may seem like a normal messaging app for Android, but it actually has oodles of elements to offer. From the simple private and group texting, personalized social network timelines, Face Play and all-round camera features, you’ll definitely spend hours using the app!
Quickly connect with your friends through chatting, or voice and video calling. If you want to capture your memories, use LINE’s array of filters and post your photos on your LINE timeline for everyone to see. While the app is free to download on Play Store, it contains in-purchases for the premium functions.
4. Viber
Founded in 2010, Viber has been tagged as one of the best android messaging apps of all time for a million and a half reasons. Firstly, you can easily send free chats and text messages with GIFs and stickers. Next, secret chats have a self-destruct timer for every message you send in the conversation for optimum privacy. You can also fully sync your messages and call across your devices for easy access. Finally, be a part of Viber’s thriving community and meet new friends with the same keen. Ain’t that wonderful?
5. Telegram
If you’re looking for a powerful messaging app for Android, look no further than Telegram. It ticks all the right boxes for your communication needs without spending a single penny. Unlike most free messaging apps, you can send unlimited media and files without compromising their quality. There’s no limit on the size of group chats and broadcasts as well. Plus, the app offers photo and video editing tools to unleash your artistic side.
Viber offers few in-app purchases but it is free to download on Play Store.
6. WeChat
WeChat isn’t everyone’s cup of tea although we cannot deny that it offers a bunch of cool messaging components on Google Play Store. You can enjoy the benefits of basic telecommunication featuring the newly-added update of Time Capsule. This lets you share snapshots of your day with 24-hour duration. Apart from that, you can also access third-party applications and games without an additional installation.
WeChat is currently free on the Play Store without ads. However, there are in-app purchases for extra features.
7. Skype
Skype is one of the best Android messaging apps widely used by over a billion people worldwide. It is sleek and convenient with loads of unabated enhancements over the years to provide users an unimpeded messaging experience. Moreover, it has various options for external communication and telephone services with good rates for international dialing.
The app remains to be one of the best platforms for video conferencing. Hence, businessmen and teachers usually conduct their meetings and classes using the app. Skype is free to download, although the free version contains advertisements.
8. Android Messages
The best Android messaging app is probably already on your phone. Android Messages, Google’s own SMS app, is pre-installed on most Android devices and boasts an intuitive and comfortable interface with the ability to send messages and media fluidly. Likewise, it is pre-loaded on most-loved Google Pixel devices to allow smooth text messaging experience. The app is constantly progressing with every new update released and remains to be one of the highest-rated messaging apps you’ll find on Google Play Store.
9. Slack
When it comes to remote business meetings, Slack is probably the best choice on hand. This Android messaging app delivers myriad functions useful for the project and team collaboration. You can share and edit documents, integrate your WIP with cloud-based services namely Google Drive, Dropbox, Asana, etc., and organize your conversation by topics for a systematized viewing. Apart from those, the app also allows you to customize your notifications to your liking.
Slack is 100% free to download on Play Store with no ads and in-app purchases.
10. Chomp SMS
Chomp SMS is another popular messaging app vanguard with heaps of brand-new features that are right up your alley. These include Wear OS support, quick reply pop-up, SMS blocker, passcode lock, and a bunch of themes and emojis to choose from.
Chomp SMS is free to download on Google Play Store. However, the app contains some ads and may require in-app purchases to remove these.
11. Imo
Imo offers the same features as many other messaging apps. You can send free instant messages, make HD video calls, and customize the app to your favor. The great thing about Imo is that it consumes smaller app size and lesser data usage, allowing you to optimize your phone’s performance while interacting with your friends. Other added extras include Imo Big Group, Imo Zone, and Imo Live streaming.
You can download Imo for free, however, the app contains ads and in-app purchases.
12. Discord
Discord packs all the essential components popular among gamer. Clicking on a simple link is all it takes to connect you with your friends or teammates whether you’re playing PUBG, League of Legends, or Apex Legends. Moreover, the app also shelters a plethora of gaming communities up to satisfy your thriving passion.
Discord is completely free with no ads and in-app purchases and it works perfectly on mobile and desktop platforms.
13. GroupMe
Are you tired of your run-of-the-mill messaging app? Do you want something that corrals all the exciting functions you need with just a single download? GroupMe is the answer to your questions. This app is rated as 4.5/5 on Play Store for many good reasons, including fast chatting experience, an array of exclusive emojis, photo and video linking, and a customizable user-interface. With these features, you certainly can’t get enough talking to your friends at any time of the day. Not to mention, it is completely free to download on the Play Store.
14. Google Hangouts
Eliminate the surging solitary vibe using Google Hangouts. Dubbed as the Google Messenger, Hangouts keeps your distant friends and family close to you through chats and video calls. Some of its special features include group chats for up to 150 people, free calls for any phone numbers in the world, and voicemail integration. The app also offers a collection of emojis, stickers, and GIFs for more personalized expression.
15. Kik
Kik is no different than most of Android’s messaging apps. It gives you the basic experience of sending messages – whether one-on-one or in a group, share photos, videos, GIFs, games, etc., and gain new friends with similar interest. Apart from it, Kik is completely free on Google Play Store.
16. Pulse SMS
Pulse SMS doesn’t fall behind among all the best Android messaging apps on our list. This texting app touts a simple and user-friendly interface that go the extra miles. It comes with all the important features you’d expect from a messaging app, including a conversation back-up tool and the capability to blacklist certain numbers.
The app is available on every platform for a fee of $0.99/month with 7 days free trial.
17. Signal
Whether you’re separated by a city or a continent, Signal allows you to stay in touch with the people you love with a hefty of integral features. It is equipped with rigorous end-to-end encryption so you can send messages quickly and securely without jeopardizing your utmost privacy. The app also offers built-in image editing tools that let you flip, sketch, crop, and add text to your photos to show off with your friends. You can enjoy all of these features for free on Play Store.
18. Band
Looking for a comprehensive messaging app for Android? All you have to do is to download Band in Play Store. This app keeps you posted with your team’s day to day activities using the community board. Moreover, you can share, schedule, make announcements, and communicate swiftly with everyone with just a few clicks. The band definitely makes your workflow organized within the palm of your hands. What more can you ask for, right?
Do note, however, that the may app require in-app purchases to access some of its latest improvements. Nonetheless, it is free to download on the Play Store.
19. KakaoTalk
KakaoTalk is Korea’s most used messaging app and works almost similarly as Band. Some of its key features include reliable messaging regardless of the network, free messages, and multimedia, a caboodle of emoticons, voice filters, and Android Wear. It is widely available on smartphones and PCs, plus you can download the app for free on Play Store. However, it does contain advertisements and in-app purchases for the premium components.
20. Mood Messenger
Mood Messenger is an efficient messaging app for Android greatly loved for its wide range of customization options. Everything from the background, emojis, notifications, fonts, including bubble shapes and colors can be tailored based on your preference. It’s fast and easy-to-use without further bells and whistles. Some of the features require in-app purchases, but it’s largely an amazing free SMS app.
The Takeaway
There you have it, the 20 best Android messaging apps of all time. As indicated, all of these apps are free to download on Play Store although the majority of them contain quite a few in-app purchases and advertisements, its functions won’t disappoint.
Nevertheless, these messaging apps is equally special in their own odds and ends. Now, the choice is up to you.
