Text messaging is one of the most famous ways to communicate around the world. It’s quick, easy, and doesn’t require you to interrupt what you’re doing like phone calls.
We understand that many people still prefer human contact to talk on the phone, and we respect that. But let’s face it, most people are texting today.
Let’s take a look at the best text messaging apps for android and iOS.
That space hasn’t changed much over the past couple of years, so many of these apps are still the best, even if not the most recent.
Text Messaging Apps for Anroid and iOS
Our smartphones allow constant and instant communication with family, friends, and colleagues. However, the out-of-the-box built-in options aren’t always the best.
New messaging apps have sprung up that fully offer services offering all kinds of talking with others, from free text messaging to voice & video calls, to share photos and files with the added benefit of encryption.
We have tried many different options. So here are the best text messaging apps for Android and iOS.
1. Android Messages
Android Message is a free messaging application from Google and one of the best text messaging apps for android and iOS. In terms of features, Android messaging keeps it light.
It will have light-themed options, organization and backup features, and a decent search function. The design is entirely Material Design. This means that it is beautiful and easy to use.
Google also has huge plans for this app, including RCS support as well as other cool features. This also has a web version for sending messages to your computer.
However, this is a reasonably massive battery drain, making it a characteristic of the unpredictable type.
2. Chomp SMS
Chomp SMS has been in existence since Android’s good days and was one of the first and best text messaging apps. Since then, it has become an application that accepts Material Design, and at the same time, is rich in features.
Some of them include SMS blocking, emojis, quick response to notifications, MMS, and group messages.
You can even stop sending a text message if needed. It also supports Android Wear and Pushbullet. There are plenty of other customization features if you want them.
Download: Android
3. Facebook Messenger
We will be honest with you. Facebook Messenger is not a great app; however, it makes the best text messaging apps list. It uses a large amount of battery, storage, and RAM. It also contains advertisements. Yet, you probably have it on your device.
Facebook has tons of users, and you probably keep it because you have loved ones who won’t change a thing for the better. If you have it nearby, you can also enable its SMS support.
That way, you can kill two birds with one stone. You have an excellent SMS integration if that helps. It is not the best preference when it comes to messaging apps.
However, this is one of the most convenient and will remove the app from the app bar if you are already using Facebook Messenger.
4. Handcent Next SMS
Handcent, together with Chomp SMS, were the first two outstanding and top-rated third-party SMS apps available on Android. Handcent is a powerful and challenging messaging app with many features.
Some of them include themes, a privacy box to store private conversations, SMS backups, email cards, emojis, etc.
One of the most convenient features is Handcent Anywhere, which allows you to send SMS to your computer and tablet. It’s had its pros and cons when it comes to bugs, but it’s generally pretty reliable.
Download: Android
5. Mood Messenger
Mood Messenger is an above par SMS app, therefore made the best text messaging app list. It does all the usual things like messaging, MMS, themes, emojis, and other basics. You also get dark mode, spam blacklists, and more.
The premium version is a one-time payment (OTP) of $10.99 or a subscription model. Includes backup and restore, SMS encryption, multiple themes, and a private locker to keep people out.
The premium version is a bit costly, but overall it’s a positive experience for most.
Download: Android
6. Pulse SMS
Pulse SMS is one of the unique and best text messaging apps on the list. For the most part, it’s like any standard SMS app. However, there is also a back end, which will allow you to send text messages from computers, tablets, and other devices.
Besides, it supports dual SIM devices, phone number blacklists, backup messages, and much more.
The messaging app that is part of it is entirely free. Those who also want to send SMS from computers, tablets, etc. can pay $0.99 per month or a one-time fee of $10.99. This is an excellent way to kill two birds with one stone.
Download: Android
7. QKSMS
QKSMS is among the easiest and best text messaging apps. It’s open-source and always a good idea. Also, the application is equipped with many features.
Some of them include privacy features like blacklisting, Android Wear compatibility, and even a few accessibility features. Usage is what you would expect.
It won’t surprise you, but its simplicity is appreciated, given some messaging apps’ cumbersome nature. It’s free with no ads. There are also optional in-app purchases, such as donations.
Download: Android
8. Signal Private Messenger
Signal Private Messenger is a very similar messaging app to Hangouts, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and others. The difference is that it contains end-to-end encryption and has been a favorite of many people who loves security.
It also operates on a phone number system, and if your contact doesn’t have an app, send an SMS. We liked the perfection of this feature. It’s easy to use, looks fabulous with Material Design, and is entirely free with no in-app purchases.
It’s also openly supports group chats, sources, and can even make phone calls.
Download: Android
9. Textra SMS
Textra SMS is one of the most powerful and best text messaging apps on the list. This popular and modern SMS app is also one of the top-rated on the list.
It’s preinstalled with a theme selector (you select the colors yourself), dark mode, floating notifications, delayed send, swipe to delete, and many other features.
It also comes with direct support for MightyText, Android Wear, Pushbullet, and others. You can use most of the features for free. There is an in-app purchase of $2.99 to unlock the pro version.
Download: Android
10. YAATA SMS
YAATA SMS is one of the few excellent pop-up messaging apps. It has many features, including support for group chat, sending scheduled messages, and full MMS support.
If one pays for the premium version, you’ll also get a blacklist for SMS, auto-reply, auto-forward, and the ability to backup and restore settings if you buy a new device.
It uses the material design and looks pretty good. It also comes with widgets and even has chat heads similar to Facebook Messenger. There are errors, but many of them are not severe.
Download: Android
11. Discord
Discord is a free chat app, designed particularly for gamers, although it has widened its reach since its launch in 2015.
With around 250 million user accounts with 14 million daily active users, Discord lets you discuss secretly in groups of up to 10 people.
It also enables you to chat with friends while you play together, and you can also create clubs or communities focused on other topics or interests.
The platform provides a great way to create messaging groups for a specific part or goal. The voice chat option 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 elsewhere.
12. Telegram
With millions of active users, Telegram is considered the fastest messaging app. Works on all devices on desktop and mobile platforms.
You can share files with no size limit, store chat history in the cloud, and conversations are protected with 256-bit symmetric AES encryption, 2048-bit RSA encryption, and
Diffie-Hellman secure key exchange. There is support for stickers and GIFs, editing photos and videos, and group chat can reach up to 200,000 people. It is also totally free and does not contain any advertising.
Funded by the donation, the Telegram’s creators promise to remain free will never sell data, and is not intended to generate income.
New features include animated photo or video tags and a new media editor that makes it easy to improve video quality and add text and tags.
13. KakaoTalk
The most used text messaging app in South Korea is also available in the United States.
Known for its fast and reliable messaging regardless of what network you are connected to, KakaoTalk has become a favorite choice. An important feature is the integration of e-commerce into the application.
KakaoTalk offers users exclusive coupons and offers from popular brands that they can share with friends and family.
The app has become so famous for transactions that it now offers branded credit cards that users can use with their virtual currency.
Additional features include the ability to create your calendar and schedule appointments and reminders for lunches, business meetings, or appointments.
14. WhatsApp Messenger
WhatsApp is one of the incredible most used messaging apps in the world, straightforward to set up and free. You can chat and share kinds of stuff like your photos, location, documents, and contacts.
You can also make voice and video calls, and the app supports group calls of up to 8 people. The settings require that you grant access to your contacts so that the app can automatically populate your contact list.
One of the features that are so enticing about this app, besides its vast popularity, is the addition of end-to-end encryption for security and privacy even though Facebook owns it. Support GIF and Snapchat editing features for fun.
15. Snapchat
Snapchat may have lost its popularity lately, but it was a big hit with young people and celebrities for a while.
The platform enables you to share photos and videos with friends or followers, and the posts will self-destruct soon. You can briefly “bite” a friend before they disappear.
Its best-known feature is the funny video filters, which are often shown off by celebrities. But it also offers photo editing, with the ability to share Bitmoji stickers. They can also get together for group chats with all of their friends.
Snapchat is one of the funniest ways to deliver small-sized communications, and the auto-delete option means your messages are safer than on other platforms.
16. Kik
Kik is a messaging app for young people. Unlike many apps that require a phone number login, Kik 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 exciting 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.
Conclusion
You don’t have to use all the best text messaging apps for android and iOS on your phone while choosing from a host of stellar apps on the Google App Store.
These alternative programs give you better functionality, look better, and are easy to install and uninstall. So, liven up your conversations with one of the above apps.
