The best WhatsApp alternatives for 2023

1

WhatsApp

However recent developments have started hammering home WhatsApp's relationship to parent company Facebook. The same Facebook that's almost constantly in the news for some major controversy or another. The controversy over the WhatsApp privacy policy, which many understood to mean WhatsApp would start sharing more information with Facebook — with rumors that the contents of messages may also be accessible.

#Communication #Messaging #Instant Messaging 24 social mentions

2

Signal

Signal's open-source end-to-end encryption protocol is also used by WhatsApp, so you'll be getting WhatsApp's security without Facebook's involvement. The Signal app regularly conducts security audits on its software as well, and manages to combine that security with a user-friendly interface that even your technophobic uncle could manage.

#Communication #Group Chat & Notifications #Messaging 179 social mentions

3

Telegram

If you’d rather have something similar to WhatsApp and linked to your phone number, Telegram is one option for you. That said, experts have pointed out that Telegram's services aren’t that secure, and its end-to-end encryption is not set up by default. So that’s worth bearing in mind.

#Instant Messaging #Messaging #Group Messaging 127 social mentions

4

iMessage

Video and voice calling is not included in iMessage, and you’ll have to do that in the FaceTime app instead — and FaceTime works only with Apple devices. Why iMessage and FaceTime haven’t been blended into one single communications app isn’t clear, but that’s the way it is. At least it’s already installed on all iPhones and most Macs.

#Social & Communications #Group Chat & Notifications #Communication

5

Messages by Google

Google Messages is Google’s answer to iMessage, and it's usually available on modern Android phones right out of the box. If you can't find it, you can download Google Messages from Google Play.

#Communication #Instant Messaging #Group Chat & Notifications 274 social mentions

6

Threema

Threema itself is based in Switzerland, which is known for its strong privacy laws, but it hasn't really caught on in other countries. The lack of name recognition and the $3 pricetag might make it hard to convince other people to migrate with you.

#Communication #Group Chat & Notifications #Messaging 20 social mentions

7

Wire

Another option hailing from Switzerland and it's strong privacy laws, Wire is another encrypted messenger with the usual array of messaging options. It lets you chat via voice, text, and video, while also supporting things like GIFS, file sharing, and all the other stuff you like from WhatsApp.

#Communication #Group Chat & Notifications #Messaging 14 social mentions

8

Viber

Viber is free to use, though you can subscribe to 'Viber Out', a service that lets you make unlimited international calls to phones that don't have Viber installed. It's $6 a month.

#Chat #Group Messaging #Internet Calls