The last decade has revolutionized the way we exchange text, audio and video, so in this article you’ve got to know the list of the best messaging apps for 2022.
There are varieties of messaging options now that you can choose from. But in this article you will be informed on the most popular and best messaging apps, based on user functionality and the technology they have to offer.
Whether it’s on Android or iOS, here are the applications that will make you a text away from your friends or loved ones living in a far distance.
Most of these messaging apps listed below are free and works over an Internet connection (4G/3G/2G/EDGE or Wi-Fi).
Best Messaging Apps For Android and iPhone in 2022
Therefore, this below list has been curated to inform you about the top secure messaging app to provide you with a clear idea in terms of their end-to-end encryption, multiple platform support, and multi-mode communication, with other additional features you will enjoy using any of this app.
1. WhatsApp
WhatsApp is not just a messaging app, but also one of the most used social networks in the world.
With over 1 Billion downloads on the App Store alone, there is little doubt that this app comes to dominates the messaging app sphere.
With loads of features and end-to-end encryption, chats stay secure. In addition to this, there is now an option to make payments through Whatsapp (which is available only in India).
This app allows you to exchange text messages, images, stickers, and GIFs, send audio messages and make voice or video calls.
It can also be used on computers via WhatsApp Web or WhatsApp for Desktop.
Therefore, we can consider WhatsApp one of the most complete and also secure messengers for smartphones, tablets, and computers.
WhatsApp doesn’t charge anything, be it national/international texts or calls and you can share videos, links, photos, contacts, locations and much more with this app.
This app is available for download on Android Play Store or the iPhone App Store.
2. Telegram
Telegram is a favorite app for many people. The platform is more advanced than its rival, with several features and more privacy options.
You can form groups, exchange text or audio messages, and send GIFs and stickers, in addition to video or voice calls.
Also, you can use Telegram on your computer, smartphones and tablets.
3. Snapchat
Snapchat started the Stories concept and it has several masks and stickers, which can be used to send short video messages.
With over 187 active million users per month and has redefined social media interactions making itself the first of its kind, Snapchat is one of the best messaging apps and provides a lot of security.
If you prefer, you can use the app to reply to these messages with your own video, using fun filters of your choice!Snapchat is available on both Android and iOS.
You can also check out 20+ Best Video Chat Apps for Android and iOS in 2022
4. TikTok
TikTok happens to be one of the best messaging apps for 2022 that’ll be even more in the spotlight this year.
TikTok was previously known as Musical.ly, TikTok became the app of choice for young audiences and became one of the most downloaded apps of recent years.
This platform enables the creation of music videos, allowing you to do fun voiceovers or create humorous content.
Despite this being the focus of most videos posted on the app, the trend is for it to start being used in more forms of content and messages.
TikTok is available for download on the Google Play store or App Store!
Tip: See this guide on 15 Best Free Online TikTok Video Downloader (No Watermarks)
5. Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger remains among the best messaging apps for 2022. Facebook has kept updating the tool, making it the best for using chatbots for business.
In addition to text messaging and chatbots, Messenger enables audio messaging and voice or video calling.
The platform also has its own tool to send Stories to other users, with masks and stickers that you don’t usually find on Instagram.
Tip: Read the complete guide on how to make money on Facebook!
6. Signal Private Messenger
Signal Private Messenger has more privacy options than Telegram itself. This could be an ideal option for those who don’t want any spy watching their conversations.
The app secures your conversations through end-to-end encryption, making interception difficult.
This platform allows you also to make voice or video calls, in addition to having a dark mode, which reduces the brightness and blue light that are directed to your eyes.
This app itself brings tools to edit images, facilitating the exchange of photos or the infamous memes.
On this platform, you also get to enjoy features including group chats, encrypted voice calls, archive functionality, and media transfer, which does not require any PIN codes or other credentials.
You can download Signal on your Android or iPhone.
Also Read: 20 Cheapest VPN To Buy In 2022
7. Instagram Direct
Instagram Direct has evolved the most in recent years, it has everything to be the best among messaging apps for 2022.
Instagram Direct has expanded its features, especially for those who use Instagram for business.
With features such as quick responses and the ability to make calls, it has become a better solution for those who have Instagram as their favorite social media.
It’s now possible to message posts and Stories directly on Instagram Direct, making it easier to share publications with those who really matter.
Instagram Direct is part of Instagram’s own native app, without a separate option like Facebook Messenger.
In conclusion, it is also available for download for free on IOS play store and Android play store.
Tip: Want to use Instagram to make money? Then check out this guide on 10 Sure Ways To Make Money On Instagram In Nigeria (2022)!
8. WeChat
WeChat is an alternative of Whatsapp in China, this app has an extremely strong user base in China.
WeChat was released in 2011 and by 2018, they grew to be one of the largest messaging apps in the world with a very active monthly user base.
Wechat have more than a billion active users per month but their base outside China is considerably low.
China uses WeChat not only as a messaging app but for social media and payments. Plus WeChat is the only app that has a TRUSTe certification for their privacy.
9. Line
Line has an interesting backstory. It started off as a disaster response during an earthquake in Japan way back in 2011.
The earthquake damaged Japan’s telecommunication networks and to rely on communication it started off using the internet as a medium of communication.
Line has over 500M downloads and has a huge base in Japan and a considerable base outside Japan as well.
It has grown in popularity and now Line has over 300 million active monthly users.
Line allows you to autosync with desktop and tablets, create polls and surveys, and also play games with friends.
10. Kaizala
Kaizala is Microsoft’s new app which is built for everyone, businesses and friends alike.
With it’s recent released, they have already acquired more than a million downloads, and steadily increasing.
As they put it on their website, “Microsoft Kaizala is a phone-number based, simple, and secure mobile chat app that enables you to connect and coordinate work across your network – your organization, vendors, partners, suppliers, and customers.”
They house some really amazing features.It is secure with a lot of protection protocols, this encrypted messaging app has all the necessary regulations like GDPR, ISO 27001, SOC1, and HIPAA.
They have loads of interactive features like polls and surveys inside the app, and you can also share information across multiple modes of media like photos and videos.
Not that alone, Microsoft Kaizala allows you to track operational efficiency by assigning jobs through the app and checking the completion level, create a task checklist and also submit bills and expenses.
11. Viber
Viber is more than a text messaging app, it has a variety of calling and messaging features, and you have endless options when it comes to expressing your words via stickers, emojis, and GIF, etc.
It is a free and secure calling and messaging app that allows you to interact with anyone, anywhere with no difficulty.
Viber allows the users to share photos, video in their group irrespective of the size of the file you want to send.
Viber provides a secure space with fully encrypted voice and video chats on mobile as well as desktop as long as you follow the perfect sharing process.
Another unique features of Viber is that it enables every single chat with a separate color based on its current level of encryption.
Viber also allow one-to-one or group chat with unlimited users. It’s available on Google Play Store and App Store.
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12. Wickr Me
Wickr is one of the most popular secure messaging apps that has been known in terms of privacy. If security is your highest priority from your chat app, check out Wickr Me.
It is famed for offering security features that are not found among any of its competitors.
This messaging app allows the users to have instant interaction with one another via one-to-one or in group text conversation ensuring encryption of text messages, voice messages and memos.
Wickr does not require any personal details such as phone number or email address during registration process, just for the purpose of security.
It is considered to be a collaboration tool instead of a private chat messaging app mainly because of its capability to share screens, online statuses, locations, etc.
It offers a built-in VPN, all messages self-destruct after six days, and there’s a “shredder” feature that automatically overwrites deleted messages to make them safe and secure.
13. Threema
Threema is a secure app that is open source and uses end-to-end encryption in which you don’t have to provide any email or phone number to do a sign up process for security purposes.
This app have all its servers in Switzerland, meaning it can take advantage of the outstanding consumer protection laws in the country.
Threema with over a million downloads works on a guided principle of restraint on metadata. It has been considered as the most trusted open-source secure messaging apps for mobile and web apps.
The app is also an outstanding choice for businesses thanks to its enterprise-specific offering, Threema’s server deletes a message permanently once delivered to the recipient.
However, the information that is mostly managed on a server is automatically managed locally too on the user’s device.
This implies protection against spying over any type of conversation. Threema features includes user management, app configuration, and administration options for IT teams.
There is even a self-hosted solution for highly security-conscious companies.
Threema is available on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, and via the web. It costs a one-time fee of $4 to use this app.
14. IMO
IMO is a popular app known for its high-quality video calls and although it also provides text messages as well, it is much more popular for its video call features.
IMO has managed to create a niche user base for itself. It has a very strong user base in Turkmenistan.
This app is available for both Android and iPhone with free and unlimited messages and video and voice calls.
You can make group video calls, along with sharing of images and videos with hundreds of free stickers for your use.
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15. Discord
Discord is a free chat app, designed with gamers in mind, although it has grown in popularity since its launch in 2015.
Discord has reached over 250 million user accounts with 14 million daily active users, Discord lets you discuss privately in groups of up to 10 people.
This platform also allows users to chat with friends while you play games together, and you can also create clubs or communities focused on other topics or interests.
The app is a great way to create messaging groups for a specific topic or goal. The voice chat option is a feature that is particularly useful for gamers.
However, messages sent via Discord aren’t end-to-end encrypted, so anyone who wants complete privacy may want to look into other messaging app with end-to-end encryption.
16. Kik
Kik is a messaging app that is mostly used by young people. This messaging app does not require a phone number login, it only asks for a username to start sending messages.
Adding friends and loved ones is as easy as scanning your unique QR Kik code with your phone’s camera.
The interface is amazing and easy to use – you can play games in your chat rooms!
With almost 70% of the user population aged 13-24, Kik is an excellent way for teens and teenagers to connect and make new friends.
17. Wire
Wire is also a messaging app that has great end-to-end encryption, and have made it a default to protect their user’s data like messages, images, documents, etc.
Since, wire is on and works transparently in the background, you don’t need to activate it.
Moreover, a new encryption key is used for every message that reduces the effect of a single compromised key.
Wire is an open source platform so its source code is available for users to evaluate, inspect and improve via GitHub.
Wire set its priority to protect the data and privacy of its user and thus, it does not sell analytics or usage data of their users to any third party.
Conclusion
Here is our list of top messaging app for Android and iPhone: Which of these messaging apps for 2022 will you consider the best? Leave a comment below!