15 Best WhatsApp Alternatives for Android and iOS (2024)

If you’re looking for other apps like WhatsApp, you can check out some of the best WhatsApp alternatives for Android and iOS in this article on Naijaknowhow.

Since the change in WhatsApp’s privacy policy, there has been a trend with different users thinking of the next instant messaging app to use since they wouldn’t feel safe on WhatsApp. Well, it’s always a good thing you have NaijaKnowHow as your favourite tech blog when it comes to reading the latest tech updates.

In an article, I talked about how to delete your WhatsApp account. Here’s another article that’ll give you insight into the best WhatsApp alternatives for Android and iOS. WhatsApp is good, but these apps are quite better.

List of the Best WhatsApp Alternatives on Android and iOS

These apps are available on Android and iOS. They value people’s privacy and wouldn’t be scary to use, as some of these apps even have more features than WhatsApp.

1. Signal Private Messenger

Signal Private Messenger is an open-sourced instant messaging app where users can have the freedom to chat, text, and call without the fear of being monitored or tracked. Signal was even recommended by the world’s richest person, Elon Musk, he recommended it as the best WhatsApp alternative you can use.

Worried about features? Signal Private Messenger has some cool features as well; you won’t be tracked, and you won’t see advertisements. It’s one of the WhatsApp alternatives in 2021.

[appbox googleplay org.thoughtcrime.securesms]

[appbox appstore id874139669]

2. Wickr Me – Private Messenger

Wickr Me is another instant messaging app you can use as a private messenger. This app has some similarities with Signal Private Messenger, but they’re both different when it comes to user experience. The overall features of Wickr Me make it one of the best WhatsApp alternatives in 2021. Wickr Me has a lot of cool features, and it’s considered an alternative to WhatsApp. You can download and install it on Android and iOS.

[appbox googleplay com.mywickr.wickr2]

[appbox appstore id528962154]

3. Telegram

Telegram has always been a long-term competitor of WhatsApp and still is. Now is the time to turn your attention to Telegram if you’re looking for an instant messaging app that won’t get you worried about sharing your privacy. Telegram is one of the most secure instant messaging apps out there. This was part of the reason we ran our channel on this platform. You can JOIN NAIJAKNOWHOW TELEGRAM CHANNEL HERE!

It’s a perfect alternative to WhatsApp, and it has tons of features you wouldn’t find on WhatsApp. It’s also the fastest instant messaging app online. It’s very easy to move your data from WhatsApp to Telegram.

[appbox googleplay org.telegram.messenger]

[appbox appstore id686449807]

4. Threema

When it comes to secure messaging, Threema is one of the known apps to offer just what you need, and this app is so good that its anonymity and privacy level are top-notch. Threema is open source, just like Signal Private Messenger, and it allows the making of end-to-end encrypted voice and video calls.

You wouldn’t mind spending some bucks on getting this app; it’s very good and also has a lot of features, and it also allows you to use the web version, which means you can text and make calls on Threema with your PC.

[appbox googleplay ch.threema.app]

[appbox appstore id578665578]

5. Viber Messenger

Viber Messenger, along with the likes of WhatsApp and Telegram, is one of the most popular instant messaging apps online. Feature-wise, it has amazing features compared to the other instant messaging apps listed with it. But the good thing about Viber Messenger is that it’s secure.

Secure, fast, and very easy to use. You can use Viber Messenger as an alternative to WhatsApp if you feel worried about the new WhatsApp privacy policy update. There’s a lot you can do with this app, and it offers a smooth user experience. Viber has an intuitive interface, and that’s one of the advantages it has over WhatsApp Messenger.

[appbox googleplay com.viber.voip]

[appbox appstore id382617920]

6. Instagram Direct Messages

Besides being used to upload photos and videos, Instagram also has an online messaging feature called Direct Messages (DM) that users can use to send messages to other users. In addition, many features can be used in direct messages.

[appbox googleplay com.instagram.android]

[appbox appstore id389801252]

7. LINE

The application developed by LINE Corporation from Japan has become one of the most popular online messaging applications in Asia. In addition to presenting the messaging feature, LINE also has other features, such as LINE Today, which can display the latest news every day. LINE said it has one goal in mind, and that is to transform the way people communicate on their smartphones. So far, it has been doing a great job, and it has the features backing it up.

If you’re using LINE on your Android or iOS device, you’ll be able to enjoy smooth texting and calls on video and audio. The app also has different ways to make conversations more fun and active. You can use stickers, emojis, and themes as well. The audio and video quality of LINE is top-notch, but it also consumes little data regardless of the duration of each call.

[appbox googleplay jp.naver.line.android]

[appbox appstore id443904275]

8. Skype

Although relatively old, Skype still exists as one of the most widely used online messaging applications. Skype itself has excellent service for video calls and voice calls. Moreover, Skype is also available on mobile, PC, tablets, and Mac.

[appbox googleplay com.skype.raider]

[appbox appstore id304878510]

9. WeChat

One of the best WhatsApp alternatives is WeChat, which is a very popular instant messaging app. WeChat is an app owned by a Chinese company called Tencent, and since it was developed, over 1 billion users have been registered on WeChat. This app offers a lot of features and the basic activities you can use it for are chatting, voice calls and video calls. WeChat app offers something much more than that, it also serves other purposes and that’s why it is seen as a robust social media app.

Some of the features of WeChat include status updates, you can upload status just like you do with WhatsApp, and it has a sticker gallery for saving and creating stickers. You can also use WeChat to make payments and it is recommended for reaching out to sellers who sell on websites like 1688 and so on. WeChat is a top instant messaging app like WhatsApp but sometimes, it is always too difficult to get an account with WeChat.

[appbox googleplay com.tencent.mm]

[appbox appstore id414478124]

10. WhatsApp Business

There’s a clear difference between WhatsApp Messenger and WhatsApp Business. Although both apps do share almost the same features, they’re quite different. If you’re a business owner and you’d like to have your business present on WhatsApp, WhatsApp Business is the right app you need to have on your Android or iOS device. Using WhatsApp Business will let you create your business profile, you can have your website, location and contact displayed on it.

WhatsApp Business is one of the best WhatsApp alternatives and it makes things easy. The good thing about WhatsApp Business is that you can use both WhatsApp Messenger and WhatsApp Business together. It also supports WhatsApp Web, this particular version of WhatsApp is suitable for those who want to manage their business on WhatsApp.

[appbox googleplay com.whatsapp.w4b]

[appbox appstore id1386412985]

11. Messenger

Messenger is another alternative to WhatsApp that you can use on your smartphone. This is the default texting app for every Facebook user and if you want to enjoy instant messaging. You can download Messenger on your device to get started, it allows texting, voice calls and video calls. There are a lot of features on the Messenger app, some of them include playing games, applying chat themes and also using custom reactions during conversations. Messenger doesn’t require signing up with a phone number, you only need to have a Facebook account to become a user.

While using Messenger, you’ll enjoy unlimited text and phone calls, you can use light and dark mode features. Messenger is perfect for instant messaging, it also allows users to share files, record voice messages and so on. If you’re looking for the right WhatsApp alternative to use on your smartphone, Messenger is a great choice.

[appbox googleplay com.facebook.orca]

[appbox appstore id454638411]

12. BiP – Messenger, Video Call

BiP is another instant messaging app that can be considered one of the best WhatsApp alternatives and it has features backing it up. Whether you want to text, make audio calls or enjoy HD video calls on your device, BiP is one of the apps you can use for that. BiP comes with cool features like instant text, sharing of photos, documents and voice messages. Users can also share their locations, you can post statuses and even use disappearing messages.

You’ll find some features of WhatsApp on BiP. This app is also very secure and that’s why it is a good alternative to WhatsApp. You can have group conversations on BiP, it also allows users to carry out customization. You can customize your BiP experience to match your preferences. Any status posted on BiP usually disappears after 24 hours and that’s something familiar with WhatsApp status.

[appbox googleplay com.turkcell.bip]

[appbox appstore id583274826]

13. Zangi Messenger

If you’re considering a private instant messaging app to use on your Android or iOS device. Zangi Messenger is a great option and the app is quite similar to Signal Messenger. Unlike WhatsApp which’ll require you to use a phone number for registration, Zangi Messenger doesn’t work like that and with this app, you don’t need a phone number. You don’t need to use any of your details to create an account with them. Zangi Messenger is safe and also makes private chatting even more acceptable.

This app doesn’t collect any data, most data are stored on your device. You can share files, make voice & video calls, send messages and so on. Everything is being encrypted via military-grade encryption. Zangi Messenger is one of the best WhatsApp alternatives. You can register using random information, the app also has a nice interface. You can download Zangi on your smartphone and give it a try.

[appbox googleplay com.beint.zangi]

[appbox appstore id549493839]

14. LetsChat

LetsChat is one of the newest instant messaging apps on the internet and it stands as a great alternative to using WhatsApp on Android or iOS. LetsChat is free and it offers zero data calls, you can make unlimited calls and have little to no data charge on your phone. The app comes with a lot of features and some of the features include playing games, sharing photos and making unlimited calls. LetsChat is an app that is meant for Africans and it does make a lot of sense due to its interface.

If you want to make new friends via instant messaging/social messaging. LetsChat is one of the apps you can use. It is one of the best WhatsApp alternatives out there because it doesn’t consume much internet data. You can meet new friends, there’s also a section for trending updates, and you can see all that is happening around the globe.

[appbox googleplay com.zebra.letschat]

[appbox appstore id1624482791]

15. Wire – Secure Messenger

Another secured instant messaging app you can use on your smartphone is Wire. Wire is a secured messenger that’ll let you send messages and communicate with anyone via private conversations. This instant messaging app has been gaining attention for a while now and that’s because its privacy features have been confirmed. You can have all your conversations put in one place without any data breaches.

Using Wire is fun to use and it has both paid and free versions. The app has a nice interface, all your messages will be organized in one place. Wire offers a way to share and communicate easily using secured measures. If you’re looking for an app that focuses on privacy more than WhatsApp, Wire is a great option.

[appbox googleplay com.wire]

[appbox appstore id930944768]

Conclusion

These apps also have privacy policies and they do collect users’ data to further improve their apps, but they don’t track and will never link your info to a third-party like how it is on WhatsApp. And it’s not a necessity to stop using WhatsApp also. These apps are only listed to give you insights into other secured instant messaging apps out there and it’s also for educational purposes.