10 Messaging Apps And How Do They Work

As human beings, we love to communicate. We love listening and sharing stories of our lives with the people around us. With the advancement of technology, we have been able to take that communication to a virtual level. Messaging apps are the latest way to keep us connected to people around the globe at all times of the day. These apps make communication possible in new ways each and every day.

Messaging Apps FAQ

1. What Are Messaging Apps?

These apps are designed to spark, encourage, and maintain conversations between you and those close to you around the globe. They are small places online where you can instantly message anyone you want at any time of the day.

2. What Do Messaging Apps Do?

Messaging apps create a place where people can text, share pictures and videos, play games, and create connections with other people. They provide exciting new ways to talk and allow you to communicate without cellular service. Most importantly, they are free to download, so anyone with any type of electronic device can get them.

3. Where Can You Get the Best Messaging Apps?

You can download a wide range of messaging apps on both the App Store and on Google Play. A number of these apps also have online websites where you can use their messaging system without a phone or tablet.

How We Reviewed

To make sure we got an accurate review of the top messaging apps around, we spent a serious amount of time compiling a list of apps. Once we had this list, we went over the features, pros, cons, and price for each app in order to determine how beneficial each would be. We then reviewed the entire list and came up with a final verdict of the top messaging apps to date.

Overall Price Range of This Product (and Similar Products)

Generally speaking, messaging apps like the ones featured here are free. Some of them may offer extra stickers or games if you want to pay for them, but they are not at all required, nor will your messaging experience be hindered without them. What is even better about these messaging apps is that they typically will function with basic internet connect (through Wi-Fi or your data service). This means that you can message and even call whoever you choose without using your cell phone provider’s messaging plan.

What We Reviewed

• WhatsApp

• Facebook Messenger

• Telegram

• Viber

• Google Allo

• BBM

• Snapchat

• Line

• WeChat

• Signal

Comparison Table

Product Name	Image	Website
WhatsApp
Facebook Messenger
Telegram
Viber
Google Allo
BBM
Snapchat
Line
WeChat
Signal

WhatsApp

Features

WhtsApp is an incredible messaging app available for almost every type of mobile device. It uses internet connection to send messages, which helps you avoid SMS messaging fees. You can connect your account on multiple devices, create fun group chats, and have video chats with family members you have not seen in a while. It is an easy-to-use app with a beautiful interface that you are sure to love.

Pros

• Available for nearly every type of device
• Has a tightly built encryption system to keep your conversations safe and secure
• Has a business app version for large businesses

Cons

• Does not offer unique app benefits (no games, fancy stickers, etc.)
• Is not the most popular app on the market; others may not have this app

Price

WhatsApp has downloadable versions for Mac, PC, Android, iPhone, Windows Phone, and Nokia.All of these versions are free to download and use, but there may be a few data rates that apply depending on your connection.

Facebook Messenger

Features

Perhaps one of the most popular apps to date is Facebook Messenger. This Facebook extension offers countless ways to chat with numerous people. The app connects you to all of your Facebook friends and allows you to communicate with people even if you do not have their number. You can then send stickers, share videos, or even play games with your friends, all while maintaining a general conversation. It is simple to use, a breeze to set up, and a great choice for those looking to up their online socializing.

Pros

• Provides a number of unique app add-ons (games, stickers, marketplace, etc.)
• Easily connects you with all of your Facebook friends
• Incredibly easy to use

Cons

• Requires you to have a Facebook
• Is not as secure as other apps

Price

Facebook Messenger is available for free on both the App Store and Google Play. You can also access the basic features of this app while on Facebook’s website.

Telegram

Features

Telegram is not as well known as some of the other apps on this list, but it is an impeccable app heading in the right direction. Telegram’s messaging system is highly encrypted to keep all your chats private. It also lets you access your account on multiple devices and delivers messages at lightening speed. They have no limit on your media size, which allows you to share, laugh, and enjoy time with others no matter how reclusive your area is.

Pros

• Has a high emphasis on security
• Can easily be accessed from any device
• Has one of the fastest messaging speeds to date

Cons

• Does not offer unique app benefits (no games, fancy stickers, etc.)
• Not as popular as other messaging apps on the market

Price

Telegram has downloadable versions for Mac, PC, Android, iPhone, and Windows Phone. All of these versions are free to download and use without ever having to worry about ads or payments.

Viber

Features

Viber is a free and secure place to message anyone anywhere around the world. They feature more than just their messaging system, with audio and video calls that are only a touch away. The app has a number of expressive stickers and GIFS stored in their database to provide your chats with the most exciting experience yet.

Pros

• Offers audio and video calls along with messages
• Has fun stickers and GIFs to share with friends
• Is a secure website

Cons

• Currently not as popular as other messaging apps on the market
• Has a slightly more complicated interface

Price

Viber has downloadable versions for Mac, PC, Android, iPhone, and Linux. All of these versions are free to download and use without payment plans or additional purchases.

Google Allo

Features

Google Allo is perhaps one of the smartest messaging apps to date. Not only can you easily communicate with a wide number of people through messages, stickers, emojis, and doodles, you can also have access to the Google Assistant. This assistant can easily provide your chats with information, find you great places to eat or explore, and provide you directions to anywhere you want to go.

Pros

• Allows you to have access to the Google Assistant
• Allows you to create and send doodles to friends
• Offers incognito mode chats with expiring messages and private notifications

Cons

• Has a bit of a boring interface
• Is new to the messaging world and does not currently have the most followers

Price

Google Allo has downloadable apps for Android and iPhone and can connect to your computer if you already have the app. All of these versions are free to download and use without payment plans or additional purchases.

BBM

Features

BBM is another impressive messaging app that can offer you the prospects of a typical cell phone without the cost of a service plan. This app allows you to easily call or message anyone you wish. It also allows you to join live conversations with individuals based on people, communities, and brands. If you are really looking for human connection, you can share your location for as long as you wish so others can come and hang out with you. Everything on this app is completely under your control, which makes it a joy to use.

Pros

• Offers live conversations with other BBM members
• Allows you to call and message anyone at any time
• Allows you to take control and limit view time to people you share things with

Cons

• Does not offer unique app benefits (no games, fancy stickers, etc.)
• Is not the most popular app on the market; others may not have this app

Price

BBM has downloadable apps available on the App Store and on Google Play. The app itself is free to download and use without payment plans or additional purchases.

Snapchat

Features

Snapchat is an innovative messaging system that focuses more heavily on photos and videos rather than messages. This messaging system combines social media and messaging apps all in one in a unique Snapchat style. You can easily capture moments and share them to your story, view other people’s stories to see their lives, or check out the suggested stories on your main page.

When you are tired of browsing and want to get back to chatting, you can use their system to call, chat, or send pictures to anyone you want. You can personalize these messages with stickers, filters, or a customized version of yourself with their emoji generator, Bitmoji. This app really has it all and provides a way for you to see, rather than just read, what is going on in other people’s lives.

Pros

• Has tons of fun filters to try out
• Easy to control and use daily
• Combines social media and instant messaging in one

Cons

• Only available for mobile devices
• Is not solely dedicated to messaging

Price

Snapchat has downloadable apps for Android and iPhone. All the versions are free to download and use without payment plans or additional purchases. However, you can pay people on Snapchat with their payment system.

Line

Features

If you are a sticker fiend, you need to check out the Line messaging important to you, via text, voice, and video, it also has a huge database of stickers for you to download and share. The stickers themselves are adorable to look at and come in a wide range of appearances. Line also lets you follow official businesses, celebrities, TV shows, and brands to receive updates on their products or services.

Pros

• Provides news and coupons from popular brands, artists, and businesses
• Has thousands of different stickers to choose from
• Simple to add friends

Cons

• Some of the stickers require in-app purchases

Price

Line has downloadable apps for Android, PC, Windows Phone, and iPhone. All the versions are free to download, but there are certain stickers and features that will require payment in order to access them. These items are not mandatory and will not limit your messaging experience if you do not purchase them.

WeChat

Features

WeChat is a reliable app for bringing people together. Like most of the other apps, they allow you to simply send photos, calls, and messages to whoever you want. Plus, WeChat has a “moments” feature that allows you to share short videos and pictures with all of your friends. It is simple, easy to use, and a great way to stay connected.

Pros

• Has “moments” where you can share your life with all of your friends
• Offers a number of fun stickers

Cons

• Is not incredibly popular and may not be a messaging app everyone owns
• Appears and functions in a bit more of a complicated manner
• Regulated by the Chinese government, and all messages are read and stored by them

Price

WeChat has downloadable apps for Android, PC, Mac, and iPhone. All the versions are free to download without having to worry about ads or payment programs.

Signal

Features

If all you need is a simple, sophisticated messaging app, check out Signal. This app has an incredibly slick interface that runs at top speed. They focus very heavily on ensuring your messages are safe and secure. Signal provides quality voice and video calls and keeps everything completely free.

Pros

• Allows you to set timers on certain messages
• Focuses very heavily on security
• Provides crystal-clear calls

Cons

• Does not offer unique app benefits (no games, fancy stickers, etc.)
• Is not the most popular app on the market; others may not have this app

Price

Signal has downloadable apps for Android, desktop, and iPhone. All the versions are free to download without the worry of payment programs or ads.

The Verdict

There are so many messaging apps out there to choose from that you are bound to find something you like. Most of these apps offer unique perks to their format, which may make it difficult to decide. Our choice for the top messaging app is Snapchat. It offers a social media platform and a messaging app all in one. It is simple to use, fun to explore, and is popular enough that most people you will want to connect with will already have one.