Beyond WhatsApp – Try These Alternatives For Messaging Nirvana

 

We all know how famous WhatsApp is, and it is the most popular messaging platform right now. The Facebook owned company has done a lot with the app to make it more interesting, accessible and handy.

But with everyone using WhatsApp these days, it has become a little crowded. Some people do not like the fact that WhatsApp shares its user data with Facebook. To secure your personal space where you can chat comfortably without over-crowding and privacy issues, here are a few WhatsApp alternatives that might interest you with their offerings.

1. Telegram

Telegram works on an open-source platform, and has some fun features packed inside. Unlike WhatsApp, Telegram comes with some unique options like supergroup feature (where you can add up to 5,000 people), public channels, ability to change username, sharing files of up to 1.5 GB, passcode lock, self-destructing messages and a better end-to-end encryption for secret chats.

The Telegram Bots inside the app bring in important news on the go. You can also play games inside the app. The app can be used on several platforms at once. Though there is no option for voice and videos calls yet, there’s a lot you can do with Telegram Messenger.

Available on: Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Windows, macOS, Linux and Web

Price: Free

Pros

• Share files of up to 1.5 GB
• Add up to 5,000 people in a group
• News and games inside the app
• End-to-end encryption for secret chats
• Can be used on several platforms at once

Cons

• No voice calls
• No videos calls

2. Google Allo

The new texting app from Google was launched to compete against WhatsApp. Where Allo wins, is the integration of the brilliant Google Assistant which enhances the experience on Allo. You can use Assistant to search for any information and can even set alarms, reminders, navigate, play games and more. Other than the Assistant, Allo has options for Smart Replies, Incognito Chats with enhanced end-to-end encryption and self-destructing messages with fun stickers and more.

Allo cannot backup chats, which is a surprising omission, as WhatsApp lets you backup your chats on Google Drive. Maybe, we can expect the feature to be added with future updates. There are no options for voice or video calls, last seen and status. Though with all the drawback, the Google Allo isn’t that bad how it sounds.

Available on: Android and iOS

Price: Free

Pros

• Integration of the brilliant Google Assistant
• Smart Replies
• Incognito Chats with enhanced end-to-end encryption
• Self-destructing messages
• Customized fun stickers

Cons

• No voice calls
• No videos calls
• No backup of chats
• No file sharing option

3. Line

The Line messaging app works across platform and features end-to-end encryption for chats. It supports voice and video calls. It has some unique features like international calls to non-LINE users, a special sticker store and a ‘Keep’ feature with which you save your favorite texts and pictures. There is also a timeline in the app, much like the WhatsApp status feature where you can see share statuses and photos.

Apart from that, you can filter your texts, and make payments with LINE Pay and more. It is so packed with features that some users might feel overwhelmed.

Available on: Android, iOS, iPad, Windows Phone, Windows, macOS, Chrome and Firefox

Price: Free

Pros

• Free international calls to non-LINE users
• Voice and Video Calls
• LINE Timeline
• Option to make payments with LINE Pay
• Special ‘Keep’ feature to save your favorite texts and pictures

Cons

• Lacks Simplicity
• Over exaggerated with features and bloated

4. WeChat

The Chinese messaging app WeChat is quite popular in the country. It has regular functionalities of sharing pictures, location and has options to make voice and video calls from the app. Unlike WhatsApp, WeChat comes with a myriad of functions which are beyond the lines of just being a messaging app. From special emoji stickers to finding users nearby by shaking your phone to identify songs to search for articles and many. There is an integrated WeChat wallet to make purchases. They have a timeline, games and mini-apps inside the app.

WeChat has a limitation on the number of friends you can add. Since WeChat has such an abundance of features and functions, sometimes it is very confusing to navigate through the app.

Available on: Android, iOS, iPad, Windows Phone, Windows, macOS, Chrome and Firefox

Price: Free

Pros

• Free international calls
• Shake Option to find users nearby, identify songs and search for articles
• WeChat Timeline
• Option to make payments with WeChat Wallet
• Games and mini-apps inside the app

Cons

• Too many features may be daunting for some users

5. Hike

This Indian app has picked up quite a bit against WhatsApp in the last few years. Hike has features like stickers, timeline and an SMS option. It even works without an internet connection. When you share an image on WhatsApp, it compresses the image and compromises the quality. But, in Hike you get the option of sending images in its original size. You can add up to to 100 friends in a group, share files up to 100MB and make voice and video calls.

Hike has a peer-to-peer (P2P) payments function on UPI framework. The messaging app has a native wallet service integrated with their texting app, which can one use to make instant payments and purchases.

Available on: Android, iOS, iPad, and Windows Phone

Price: Free

Pros

• Voice and Video Calls
• Hike Timeline
• Option to make payments with UPI
• Send images in original size

Cons

• Exaggeration of features
• Slightly bloated Interface