In the age of technology, we are always looking for ways to stay connected with our loved ones. Whether it’s through a phone call, text message, or social media, we want to be able to communicate with ease. What better way to do that than with a free chat app? There are plenty of chat apps on the market, but which one is the best for you and your needs? In this blog post, we will explore the top 10 free chat apps to help you decide. From features to user-friendliness, we will cover everything you need to know to make an informed decision. So whether you are looking for a new way to stay in touch with friends or family, or you want to expand your professional network, read on for the best free chat apps out there.
What is a free chat messaging?
A free chat messaging app is a smartphone application that allows users to communicate with each other in real-time, for free. The app uses the internet to connect users and does not require a text message plan from a mobile service provider. Free chat apps are available for both iPhone and Android devices.
Top 10 Free Chat App
1. WhatsApp
More than 2 billion people in over 180 countries use WhatsApp1 to stay in touch with friends and family, anytime and anywhere. WhatsApp is free2 and offers simple, secure, reliable messaging and calling, available on phones all over the world.
Features:
Texts: Simple, Reliable Messaging – Message your friends and family for free*. WhatsApp uses your phone’s Internet connection to send messages so you can avoid SMS fees
Group Chat: Groups to keep in touch – With group chats, you can share messages, photos, and videos with up to 256 people at once.
Voice and video calls
Whatsapp on the web and desktop – With WhatsApp on the web and desktop, you can seamlessly sync all of your chats to your computer so that you can chat on whatever device is most convenient for you.
Send photos and videos on WhatsApp instantly
End-to-end Encryption – When end-to-end is encrypted, your messages and calls are secured so only you and the person you are communicating with can read or listen to them, and nobody in between, not even WhatsApp.
Document Sharing Made Easy – Send PDFs, documents, spreadsheets, slideshows, and more, without the hassle of email or file-sharing apps
Voice Messages – With just one tap you can record a voice message, perfect for a quick hello or a longer story.
2. Wickr Me
If you are looking for even more security from your chat app, check out Wickr Me. It is famed for offering security features that are not found among any of its competitors.
For example, there’s no need to enter a phone number or any ID information to get started, 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 unsalvageable.
3. Tox
Tox began a few years ago, in the wake of Edward Snowden’s leaks regarding NSA spying activity. The idea was to create an instant messaging application that ran without requiring the use of central servers. Tox is a free, secure chat app that offers end-to-end encryption for all of its conversations. That means that no one – not even Tox – can read your messages or listen to your calls. Tox is available for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android.
Tox is a distributed, peer-to-peer, instant messaging app. It means no single entity is in control of its data or its availability. It’s protocol hosts all the encryption and chat facilities, but users can make their own front-end apps. It means that all the desktop and mobile operating systems have Tox versions available.
4. Signal
Signal is s a great all-around app with features that everyone can appreciate. For example, Signal offers end-to-end encryption for all conversations, meaning that only the sender and receiver can read what’s being said. This is a great way to keep your conversations private and secure. The signal is also completely free to use, which is always a bonus. If you are looking for an app that works on both your phone and your computer, Signal has got you covered there too.
5. Telegram
Telegram is a messaging app with a focus on speed and security, it’s super-fast, simple, and free. You can use Telegram on all your devices at the same time — your messages sync seamlessly across any number of your phones, tablets, or computers. Telegram has over 700 million monthly active users and is one of the 10 most downloaded apps in the world.
With Telegram, you can send messages, photos, videos, and files of any type (doc, zip, mp3, etc), as well as create groups for up to 200,000 people or channels for broadcasting to unlimited audiences. You can write to your phone contacts and find people by their usernames. As a result, Telegram is like SMS and email combined — and can take care of all your personal or business messaging needs. In addition to this, we support end-to-end encrypted voice and video calls, as well as voice chats in groups for thousands of participants.
Features:
Reactions to messages
Interacive stickers
Editing sent messages
Messages that self-destruct
Large groups
Telegram bots
Convert audio messages to text
Sending large files
Personalizing sounds
6. Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger is one of the most popular chat apps with over 1 billion monthly users. It’s available for iOS, Android, and Windows phones. Facebook Messenger is a FREE mobile messaging app used for instant messaging, sharing photos, videos, audio recordings, and for group chats. The app, which is free to download, can be used to communicate with your friends on Facebook and with your phone contacts.
There are many reasons why Facebook Messenger is so popular. First, it’s convenient because it’s integrated with Facebook. It means you can easily message your Facebook friends without having to download a separate app. Second, it has a ton of features that allow you to do more than just chat. For example, you can make video calls, share photos and videos, play games, and more. And third, it’s constantly being updated with new features and improvements.
7. Line
If you are looking for a free chat app, there are several great options available. It is one of the most popular chat apps, with over 300 million users worldwide. It’s available for all major platforms, including iOS, Android, Windows Phone, and BlackBerry. It offers features such as group chat, voice and video calls, stickers, and more. The line also has Corporate Services which include;
LINE Doctor is a telemedicine service that lets users book appointments, speak with a doctor over a video call, and pay for consultations on the LINE app.
Receive medical consultations at home when you don’t have time to visit a hospital or want to avoid the crowd.
LINE Pay is an easy, convenient, and safe payment system. Enjoy freely making payments without your wallet.
LINE NEWS is the most popular news content curation service in Asia and aims to deliver valuable content that enriches your everyday life.
Line Manga, Antivirus, Music, Live, Ticket, Records, Charmmy, Healthcare, Smart Invest, Insurance, Ads, and many more.
8. WeChat
WeChat has been described as China’s “app for everything” and a super-app because of its wide range of functions. It rovides text messaging, hold-to-talk voice messaging, broadcast (one-to-many) messaging, video conferencing, video games, sharing photographs and videos, and location sharing.
9. Threema
Threema is a secure and private mobile messaging app that offers end-to-end encryption. This means that your messages are only visible to the sender and recipient – not even Threema can read them. In addition to regular text messages, you can also send voice messages, files, and locations. All data is stored exclusively on your device, so no one but you has access to your communication history.
Features:
Threema offers the following basic features for both single chats and group chats:
Send text and voice messages
Make voice and video calls
Share photos, videos, animated GIFs, and locations
Send files of any type
Use Threema on the desktop
Create polls
Silently agree or disagree with received messages
Hide confidential chats and password-protect them with a PIN or your fingerprint
Use Threema Safe to anonymously backup your most important Threema data
Choose between dark and light theme
Use Threema on tablets and devices without a SIM card
Verify your contacts via QR code
Add text formatting to messages
Create distribution lists*
Chat completely anonymously – no phone number required
Contact sync is optional
Quote text messages
Pin chats
Special features of the Threema Work app:
Automatically disable notifications outside of working hours
Currently only available in Threema for Android.
10. Viber
Viber is a top free chat app with over 1 billion registered users. It’s available for all major platforms including iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac. Viber offers end-to-end encryption for all its communications. It means your messages, calls, and video chats are private and can’t be intercepted by anyone. You can also make group chats with up to 250 people. Plus, there are tons of stickers and GIFs to help you express yourself.
Features:
Send messages – Send texts, photos, videos, or files. Record quick-sending voice and instant video messages.
Make Voice and Video Calls – Make crystal clear calls and switch to video easily.
Start Group Chats and Calls – Family meetings, group hangouts, or yoga classes—everything can happen via group chat, video, or voice calls.
Join Communities – Be part of public groups with people who share your same passions—from brands to influencers.
Share Stickers & GIFs – Communicate genuinely, playfully, and expressively with endless stickers and GIFs.
Create stickers & GIFs – Express yourself perfectly with your own stickers or GIFs.
Delete & Edit seen messages – Take back what you didn’t mean to send— from all members of the chat.
Set Disappearing Messages – Add a self-destruct timer to messages for extra privacy.
How do I choose a free chat app to use?
There are a few things you should consider when choosing a free chat app to use. The first is what platform the app is on. There are many different chat apps available, but not all of them will work on every platform. Make sure to choose an app that is compatible with the device you will be using it on.
Second is to consider what features the app offers. Some chat apps are simply for text messaging while others offer video and voice calling, group chats, and more. Consider what features you need and make sure the app you choose has them.
Third, take a look at the reviews for the chat app you are considering. See what other users have to say about it and whether or not they recommend it. This can help you get a better idea of whether or not the app is right for you.
Summary
There you have it! Our top 10 free chat apps for 2020. Each app has its own features and capabilities, so be sure to read the descriptions carefully before deciding which one is right for you. We hope you found this list helpful and that you were able to find an app that fits your needs. If we missed any great free chat apps, let us know in the comments below! For more business insights, visit Hubtrak.