You can easily start chatting with a friend or a group of friends using multimedia-rich content or instantly call them up on mobile from within the conversation. Other advanced features such as sending and receiving payments are also available. Compatibility:
iOSAndroidWindows PhoneDesktop web
Acquired by Facebook for $19 million in February 2014, it lets anyone send unlimited text, photo, audio, and video messages to their friends freely and securely. Free video calls can also be made for face-to-face conversations. Compatibility:
iOSAndroidWindows PhoneNokiaMacWindows PC
It also offers multimedia messaging, group chat and calls, sticker galleries, your own moments’ photostream and so much more. The app’s unique and convenient walkie-talkie mode lets you talk to up to 500 other friends with integrated real-time location sharing and up to nine people in video group calls. Compatibility:
iOSAndroidWindows PhoneWindows PCMacDesktop web
You can chat with up to a thousand members in a group, send documents, store your media in the cloud, and so much more. According to its website, Telegram messages are encrypted and also self-destruct (similar to Snapchat) according to a timer you set up. It’s known as an ideal alternative if speed and simplicity are what you’re looking for. Compatibility:
iOSAndroidWindows PhoneWindows PCMacLinuxDesktop web
Compatibility:
iOSAndroidWindows PhoneWindows PCMacGoogle Chrome
HD video calls can be made for free as well, and groups can have up to 250 participants. You can add fun stickers to your messages, hide chats you don’t want to be visible, and even use the “damage control” feature to instantly delete messages you regret sending. Compatibility:
iOSAndroidWindowsMacLinux
Before Instagram had a private messaging feature of its own, most of its users actually included their Kik usernames in their bios as a way to get in touch. It’s still a popular app today that offers convenient, multimedia-rich messaging for one-on-one and group conversations. You can even see when another user is typing back to you in real-time. Compatibility:
iOSAndroid
After the recipient has opened the message and viewed it, it’s automatically deleted. As a nice alternative to sending photo and video messages, you can start a text or video chat with any friend directly through the app for real-time communication. Compatibility:
iOSAndroid
Instagram Direct lets you send text messages or optional photo/video messages taken directly through the app that automatically disappear after they’re viewed (similar to Snapchat). You can also view who has opened, liked, or commented on your Instagram Direct message in real-time. Compatibility:
iOSAndroid
