The best alternatives to WhatsApp on Android — Mobile Phone Technology

7 min readJan 2, 2020

The WhatsApp application never stops being updated. Facebook, which bought the company some time ago, managed to make WhatsApp the most used chat application. It is difficult for outsiders to beat WhatsApp on their turf, and yet they have serious strengths that may well give them the edge.

What does WhatsApp offer?

Before presenting you with alternatives to WhatsApp, we would like to give you an overview of what the original application does. WhatsApp is owned by Facebook and, on February 1, announced 1 billion users. The application is available on Windows Phone, iOS and Android operating systems,
You connect to WhatsApp with your phone number. You can then participate in conversations, whether individual or in groups. In terms of messaging, you can, of course, send a text but also photos and voice messages. It is also possible to telephone over the Internet and soon you will be able to make video communications. Some conversations are encrypted from start to finish but according to some tests, this encryption system does not always work.

The best alternatives to WhatsApp on Android

End-to-end encryption

This encryption system guarantees more security during your communications. Without this encryption, third parties may be able to read your conversations, which is something to avoid.

However, it should be noted that end-to-end encryption does not represent absolute security either. Some developers have implemented features in their system that can be used by other people or by the government to access your conversations. It also happens that this encryption is poorly done and can be decrypted by third parties, which would allow them to read your discussions.

Line — For stickers

After a major advertising campaign, Line also joined the fray. Of Japanese origin, it is distinguished by its stickers, which are more complex and funnier than emoticons. Also, you have the option of making your drawings and sending them as a message. The icing on the cake: Line also allows free calls.
Beyond gadgets, Line is one of the few applications to be used in Europe and even in France. It must be said that compared to our neighbors we use very little applications of this type. A social network (completely avoidable) supports Line.

Like Viber, a PC client is available. The application works on tablet and allows the sending of audio messages as well as free calls. Line app aims to completely replace your calling and messaging applications. You can also connect to it with your Facebook account.

Telegram — Secure and complete

Telegram is the perfect solution for those who want to keep their messages private. In secret mode, the chats are secure, the dialogs are coded, and you can even use a destruction option after reading the message. Its interface and functionality, moreover, are very similar to those of Whatsapp.
Another aspect of Telegram that I particularly like is the notification settings. The options are numerous and it is even possible to choose the color of the notification LED for Telegram messages, which is frankly practical.

Additionally, you will likely be surprised to find out how many of your contacts are using Telegram. The interface is particularly fluid and clear. Too bad, Telegram is not available in French.

Surespot — Encrypted voice messages

Surespot is riding the wave of encrypted message applications, adding a voice message function. You can also delete content that has already been sent to friends. One can decide how long the recipient can view the document, whether it is an image or an audio file.
You can also block documents sent to prevent your content from being downloaded to your contacts. Unlike Whatsapp, you will not need a phone number. It is free and without ads.

These two details make it the ideal tool to send a read-only file to contact via mobile and discuss it on the spot. One can, in particular, imagine a professional use of Surespot, with the audio sending of codes or passwords, etc.

App Version: 72
App size: 9.89 MB
Compatibility of the app: Android 4.0.3 or higher
Economic model: free with in-app purchases

Kontalk Messenger — Simple and discreet

Kontalk offers less than the features offered by its competitors, it nevertheless has the advantage of being light and running smoothly on the most humble smartphones. The interface seems spartan to say the least as the features offered.
The translation is approximate, few people use it and group conversations are not supported. The reason for the presence of Kontalk in this top? The application allows you to encrypt messages from one end to the other, or even to choose your server. The community takes care of the development, Kontalk is open source and forever free.
If you are looking for a way to communicate discreetly, Kontalk is a good solution. Even if the people from whom you want to hide use tools to recover deleted messages, you are safe with Kontalk.

Read: Android 11: what to expect?

Signal — The most secure application

Signal has a reputation as the instant messaging app most interested in privacy. The operating system is similar to WhatsApp: your phone number must be verified (and not stored) and will then allow you to communicate with your contacts.
All messages (received and sent) are encrypted, whether in transit or end-to-end. In practice, we find more or less the same thing as on WhatsApp: sending individual or group messages, sending images and video. Calls are also possible. The signal app can also manage your SMS.

If security is your thing, then Signal is for you. Service close to that of WhatsApp but focusing on security and, above all, not belonging to Facebook.

Hello — Google’s system

Everyone starts to make its instant messaging application, there is no reason that Google should be left alone in their corner. Since Android 4.4 KitKat, it offers Hangouts, but an application is not enough for it: it initially decided to create Allo and Duo which allow respectively to communicate by text and visual.
Hello suffers a little bit from Google’s bad reputation, especially concerning the management of private data, and it struggles to win the hearts of the public. However, the application has cards in its sleeve, particularly Google Assistant which is integrated into it. It was also at one time a good way to get a first overview of Google Assistant before it arrives in France. While Duo is usually preinstalled on phones, Allo must be installed manually.

Viber — The second largest application

It may be, after WhatsApp, one of the best-known messaging apps, and its popularity is growing steadily. Viber is, therefore, one of the best alternatives to WhatsApp and many other voice communication applications as written, thanks to the possibility of making free video calls.

The Viber messaging client is also available on PC, the Integration between the different platforms is much better than with Skype or WhatsApp, which as a reminder does not offer any PC support worthy of the name at present except the interface of WhatsApp Web. Viber emphasizes this functionality and even offers an official presentation
Stability is perhaps the best asset of this application, especially when we make good use of different clients: computers and mobile. The interface is very clear and Viber offers original features such as surveys. The application is free and its popularity gives it pride of place in this top of the best alternatives to WhatsApp on Android, quite simply. Viber is good because your friends are using it or will probably use it.

WeChat — Tinder, Facebook and WhatsApp, more privacy

Behind an apparent simplicity, WeChat is a real Swiss army knife of smartphone messaging. To start, the application is free, the developers do not hesitate to thumb their noses at WhatsApp in the description on the Play Store.

Why Facebook? It is possible to play with friends within the application and a wall is at our disposal to share photos in particular. WeChat takes many of the features that Facebook pioneered and improves on. I am thinking in particular of translating messages or sharing location.

Why secure. WeChat is the only messaging application certified by TRUSTe, at least according to the developers. The idea is to leave users in control of their privacy.
Why Tinder? Because WeChat also offers the possibility of detecting friends or finding “people nearby”. Well, the idea is less intimate than Tinder and more focused on friendship, of course!

Snapchat — at the dawn of a new wave of success?

Snapchat is one of the most popular messaging apps in France. This application was quite innovative at one time since it was it which presented for the first time the story system, functionality subsequently has taken up by Facebook on its social network but also Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram.
Despite a very high number of users, Snapchat is having problems and changes will be made, especially in terms of design. All this is quite paradoxical because Snapchat has not been able to follow the wave of new messaging when the company has nevertheless turned to new technologies, particularly that of augmented reality in its Spectacles glasses.

What is your favorite messaging app on Android?

Originally published at https://mobilephonetechnology.info on January 2, 2020.