These days messaging apps are as vital to our lives as texting was a couple of years ago. Every smartphone owner has at least one messaging app installed on his/her phone.
But with a slew of messaging apps popping out of app stores, how do you find the messaging app that best fits you? We've listed down the most popular messaging apps and have grouped it according to function to help you decide. Check out the list below and find your perfect app match.
Free Messaging Apps
Apps for daily chatting with friends and family.
Key features:
- Syncs with your contact list and automatically detects which of your friends has Viber
- Syncs with Viber on your desktop
- Share photos, videos, voice messages and locations
- Send fun stickers and emoticons
Key features:
- The biggest assortment of stickers featuring characters from all over the world
- App themes
- In-app games
- Snap movie feature
Key features:
- Walkie Talkie mode
- Share, like, and comment on friend's photos
- Transfer larger files like PDF, MP3, MOV, MSOffice documents
Key features:
- See who's available on Messenger and who's active on Facebook
- Turn off notifications when you're working, sleeping or just need a break
- Know when people have seen your message
Key features:
- Turn conversations into a free group video call
- Photo and video messages
- Syncs with hangouts on your desktop and tablet
Key features:
- Instant voice messages
- Saves offline messages
- Location sharing
Key features:
- Video messaging
- Call forwarding
- Voice mail
Ephemeral messaging apps
Ephemeral messaging apps are apps that send self-destructing messages. Once the recipient has read the message, the message expires and can no longer be accessed. It's the closest thing you can get to feeling like a secret agent.
Key features:
- Send photos and videos to friends in an instant.
- The message disappears after recipient has read the message and can no longer be viewed unless the recipient takes a screenshot.
Key features:
- Friends have to sling back to see your message
- Send a quick reply: Send your reaction after unlocking a shot
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Bolt
Android
Key features:
- Tap and hold to send a video
- 'Shake to unsend' feature
Key features:
- Messages disappear forever once they're read
- Swipe-to-reveal prevents screenshots
- Read reciepts are delivered once recipient has received your message
Anonymous messaging apps
This type of app let users post and send messages anonymously. Apps like Secret and Whisper are like the real-world version of Gossip Girl.
Key features:
- Send and receive secret posts to and from friends without knowing anyone's identity
- Reply anonymously to secret posts
- Your secret post spreads as more people like your post
- Express yourself with vast collection of photos and fonts
- Connect with others using private messaging
- Browse whispers according to topic
Key features:
- Switch between anonymous and real-identity modes during conversations
- Each user will be representated by a color during group chats. The more participants, the harder it is to guess everyone's identity
- User can change anonymous color during a chat
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Vent
iOS
Key features:
- Get something off your chest by vening about it anonymously
- Rate your vent from Calm, Irritated, Annoyed, Angry, and Furious
- Trending feed tells you what other people are venting about
Photos from the App Store and Google Play
