9 Popular and Free Instant Messaging Apps

We share more about our lives through photos, videos, GIFs, emojis, and more. Traditional text messaging seems to be on its way out as mobile options attract more users. Here are some of the most popular mobile instant message apps people are turning to as a replacement or as an additional service to SMS texting.

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Facebook Messenger

What We Like

Ease of use.
Large gallery of images.
Video chat available.

What We Don't Like

Requires storage space.
Can drain device battery.

A lot of people have a Facebook account, making it the standard platform for getting in touch with people. And to make things even more convenient, you don't necessarily need to have a Facebook account to use the Messenger app.

You can easily start chatting with a friend or a group of friends using multimedia-rich content or instantly call them up on mobile from within the conversation. Other advanced features such as sending and receiving payments are also available.

Compatibility:

iOS
Android
Windows Phone
Desktop web

Visit Messenger

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WhatsApp — Iain Masterton / Getty Images

What We Like

Send broadcast messages.
Make audio and video calls.

What We Don't Like

No stickers or filters.
Limits on file size.

WhatsApp is another popular instant messaging service that allows users to chat back and forth with individuals and in groups.

Acquired by Facebook for $19 million in February 2014, it lets anyone send unlimited text, photo, audio, and video messages to their friends freely and securely. Free video calls can also be made for face-to-face conversations.

Compatibility:

iOS
Android
Windows Phone
Nokia
Mac
Windows PC

Visit Whatsapp

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WeChat

What We Like

Full-featured.
Multiple communication options.

What We Don't Like

Outdated interface.
Lack of privacy settings.

WeChat promises free, crystal clear voice and video calls along with individual and group instant messaging.

It also offers multimedia messaging, group chat and calls, sticker galleries, your own moments' photostream and so much more. The app's unique and convenient walkie-talkie mode lets you talk to up to 500 other friends with integrated real-time location sharing and up to nine people in video group calls.

Compatibility:

iOS
Android
Windows Phone
Windows PC
Mac
Desktop web

Visit WeChat

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What We Like

Send and receive multiple media types.
Encrypted calling.

What We Don't Like

Limited ability to pin chats.
Fewer users than other instant messaging apps.

Telegram is becoming a popular choice for those who want to connect from some of the most remote locations and ensure their data and privacy is kept super secure.

You can chat with up to a thousand members in a group, send documents, store your media in the cloud, and so much more. According to its website, Telegram messages are encrypted and also self-destruct (similar to Snapchat) according to a timer you set up. It's known as an ideal alternative if speed and simplicity are what you're looking for.

Compatibility:

iOS
Android
Windows Phone
Windows PC
Mac
Linux
Desktop web

Visit Telegram

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LINE

What We Like

Nice variety of stickers.
Voice calling availability.
Follow popular accounts.

What We Don't Like

Slightly sloppy appearance.
No video calling.
Must download audio messages.

LINE was once considered WhatsApp's biggest competitor, offering all the various features needed for instant messaging. You can send unlimited text, images, video, and audio messages—with options for making voice and video calls as well. It also has its very own built-in social networking feature that allows its users to post their day-to-day activities on their timeline and comment on friends' activities.

Compatibility:

iOS
Android
Windows Phone
Windows PC
Mac
Google Chrome

Visit LINE

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Viber

What We Like

Nice selection of emoticons.
Integrates contact list.

What We Don't Like

No call blocking option.
No tablet support.

Viber is another popular messaging app that rivals many of the other ones listed above, letting you send free unlimited text and photo messages to your friends all around the world.

HD video calls can be made for free as well, and groups can have up to 250 participants. You can add fun stickers to your messages, hide chats you don't want to be visible, and even use the "damage control" feature to instantly delete messages you regret sending.

Compatibility:

iOS
Android
Windows
Mac
Linux

Visit Viber

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Kik

What We Like

Multiple device types supported.
User-friendly interface.

What We Don't Like

Strangers can contact you.
Not designed for minors to use.

Kik is another very popular free instant messaging app that lets you chat with others in a fun and easy way.

Before Instagram had a private messaging feature of its own, most of its users actually included their Kik usernames in their bios as a way to get in touch. It's still a popular app today that offers convenient, multimedia-rich messaging for one-on-one and group conversations. You can even see when another user is typing back to you in real-time.

Compatibility:

iOS
Android

Visit Kik

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Snapchat

What We Like

Ease of use.
Only stores pictures temporarily.

What We Don't Like

Inability to reshare.
Time limits on video length.

Snapchat is a free app that lets you chat back and forth with individual friends and groups using disappearing photo or video messages. They can include optional text-based captions, filters, face lenses, geotags, emojis and more.

After the recipient has opened the message and viewed it, it's automatically deleted. As a nice alternative to sending photo and video messages, you can start a text or video chat with any friend directly through the app for real-time communication.

Compatibility:

iOS
Android

Visit Snapchat

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Instagram Direct

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What We Like

Group messaging ability.
Send videos and photos.

What We Don't Like

Better for visual interaction than conversations.
No sense of urgency to respond.

Most people use Instagram to share photos and videos while on the go, but Instagram Direct makes it easy and convenient to privately message individual followers or groups. Facebook Messenger has been integrated into Instagram Direct, so you can also direct message Facebook contacts from Instagram.

Instagram Direct lets you send text messages or optional photo/video messages taken directly through the app that automatically disappear after they're viewed (similar to Snapchat). You can also view who has opened, liked, or commented on your Instagram Direct message in real-time.

Compatibility:

iOS
Android

Visit Instagram Direct

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