Jassica DeanExplore our curated list of the best free chatting app for Android and iOS in 2024. Discover top-rated platforms for seamless communication and socializing on your mobile device.
In today’s digital world, messaging apps have become the go-to for staying connected. With an abundance of options available, it’s easy to find a feature-rich app that won’t cost you a penny. There’s something for everyone, from popular choices like Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp to others like Viber, Hike Messenger, and more.
If you’re looking for the best free chat apps for your Android device, you’re in luck. Our list has you covered, offering top-notch options tailored to your preferences.
Best Chat apps simplify communication in our fast-paced lives, whether it’s catching up with friends or planning events. They’ve replaced SMS limits and pricey international calls, making staying in touch easier than ever.
As we enter 2024, chat apps continue to redefine how we connect globally. According to Statista, they’re projected to reach a whopping 3.51 billion users by 2025, solidifying their role as the primary way we communicate online.
2024 Messaging App Insights: Editor’s Top Picks and Statistics
- Top Messaging Apps are reshaping communication, with WhatsApp standing out as the leader, hosting 2.4 billion monthly users.
- Facebook Messenger follows closely with 2.1 billion users, highlighting the dominance of these free chatting apps.
- Messaging platforms collectively host over 3 billion active users, marking a monumental shift in how people communicate.
- Between 2016 and 2021, the user base for messaging apps expanded by over 1 billion, showcasing their rapid growth and widespread adoption.
- WhatsApp reigns supreme in more than 60 countries, solidifying its position as the go-to choice for messaging globally.
Most Popular Messaging Apps
Most popular global mobile messenger apps as of April 2024, based on the number of monthly active users
| App | Best For | Headquarters | Star Rating (Out of 5) |
| Signal | Private messaging and calling | San Francisco, USA | 4.4 |
| Telegram | Secure 1:1 messaging | Berlin, Germany | 4.2 |
| Facebook Messenger | Private and Business communication | Menlo Park, California, USA | 4.2 |
| Personal and Enterprise Communication | Mountain View, California, USA | 4.1 | |
| Slack | Team communication and collaboration | San Francisco, USA | 4.1 |
| Skype | Instant messaging and video conferencing | Luxembourg City, Luxembourg | 4.1 |
| Snapchat | Social networking | Santa Monica, USA | 4.1 |
| Viber | Private messaging and calls | Tokyo, Japan | 4.0 |
| Line | Communication and Social networking | Tokyo, Japan | 3.9 |
| Communication and Mobile payment | Shenzhen, Guangdong, China | 4.3 | |
| Discord | Best chat app for gaming communities | San Francisco, California, USA | 4.4 |
| Threema | No.1 secure chat app to regain privacy | Pfäffikon, Switzerland | 4.1 |
| Rocket.chat | Secure team collaboration | Wilmington, USA | 4.2 |
Here’s a breakdown of monthly downloads for messaging apps & Free Chatting APP:
| Rank | Messaging Service | Monthly Downloads |
| 1 | WhatsApp Messenger | 45.58 million |
| 2 | Telegram | 34.29 million |
| 3 | Snapchat | 32.32 million |
| 4 | WhatsApp Business | 24.12 million |
| 5 | Facebook Messenger | 21.87 million |
| 6 | 8 million | |
| 7 | 3.76 million | |
| 8 | Viber | 3.63 million |
| 9 | LINE | 2.73 million |
| 10 | Signal | 2.51 million |
Signal – Free Encrypted Messaging & Calls
Signal is a cutting-edge messaging app designed for those who prioritize privacy and security. With end-to-end encryption, enjoy seamless communication through instant messaging, voice calls, and video calls without worrying about SMS costs or privacy breaches. Connect with individuals or groups, share media and files securely, and keep your conversations private with Signal.
Features:
- Direct Messaging: Instantly connect with friends and colleagues through secure one-on-one messaging.
- Voice Calling: Make crystal-clear voice calls without compromising your privacy.
- Video Calling: Stay connected face-to-face with high-quality video calls, all encrypted for your security.
- Group Chats: Create secure group chats and collaborate with multiple users in real-time.
- Media and File Sharing: Share photos, videos, documents, and more with the assurance of end-to-end encryption.
- SecureChat PINs: Enhance your account security with Signal PINs for added peace of mind.
Key Specs:
- Geolocation: Widely used across the globe, with a strong user base in the United States and Europe.
- Platforms/Languages: Available on iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Use Cases:
- Journalists
- Government Offices
- Defense Personnel
- Any individual prioritizing privacy and security in their communication needs.
Free Restrictions:
Signal is completely free to use, with no limitations on messaging or calling. Enjoy unlimited communication without any hidden costs.
WhatsApp Messenger – Free Chatting App
WhatsApp Messenger, launched in February 2009 by Jan Koum, revolutionized messaging with its user-friendly interface and robust features. With its headquarters in Mountain View, California, WhatsApp offers seamless communication through voice calls, end-to-end encrypted messages, and effortless media sharing. Whether it’s sharing PDFs, images, songs, or recorded audio clips, WhatsApp ensures a smooth and secure messaging experience.
Key Features:
- End-to-End Encryption: Your messages are encrypted, ensuring only you and the recipient have access.
- Voice and Video Calls: Enjoy high-quality audio and video calls globally, across different platforms.
- Group Chats: Connect with up to 256 participants in group chats for seamless collaboration.
- Media Sharing: Share photos, videos, documents, and voice messages effortlessly.
In Bullet Points:
- End-to-End Encryption for privacy
- High-quality Voice and Video Calls
- Group Chats with up to 256 participants
- Easy Media Sharing for photos, videos, documents, and voice messages
Free Restrictions:
WhatsApp offers seamless communication at absolutely no cost. Whether you’re messaging or calling, there are no restrictions or hidden charges. Enjoy unlimited connectivity without worrying about your wallet.
Viber – Free Chatting App & Calling App
Viber, founded on February 24, 2009, by Jan Koum and headquartered in Mountain View, California, offers a comprehensive messaging experience with features like voice calling, message encryption, and media sharing. With an intuitive interface, Viber is easy to use and consumes minimal data, making it ideal for everyday communication needs.
Key Features:
- Instant Messaging: Stay connected with friends and family through instant messaging.
- Public Chats: Engage with communities and celebrities through public chats.
- Group Calls: Connect with multiple people simultaneously through group calls.
- Free Voice and Video Calls: Make high-quality voice and video calls without any charge.
- Stickers and Emojis: Express yourself with a wide range of stickers and emojis.
Key Specs:
- Geolocation: Viber has a strong user base in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
- Platforms/Languages: Available on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and Windows Phone.
Use Cases:
- Personal communication with friends and family
- Business communication with colleagues and clients
- Language exchange with native speakers
- Low-cost international calling to non-Viber users through Viber Out.
Free Restrictions
Viber offers free voice and video calls, instant messaging, and group calls. Additional features like Viber Out may require in-app purchases.
Snapchat – Multimedia Messaging App
Snapchat, created by Evan Spiegel, Bobby Murphy, and Reggie Brown during their time at Stanford University, is a pioneering multimedia mobile application. Headquartered in English, Arabic, Chinese, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, Romanian, German, Greek, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian (Bokmål), Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish Turkish, and Russian languages, Snapchat allows users to send picture messages and short videos up to 10 seconds long. With its innovative face-changing filters, Snapchat has become synonymous with modern digital trends.
Key Features:
- Picture Messaging: Send and receive photos with added captions or drawings.
- Short Videos: Capture and share videos up to 10 seconds long.
- Face-changing Filters: Have fun with a variety of amusing face filters that change in real-time.
- Multimedia Communication: Connect with friends through multimedia messages that disappear after viewing.
- Geofilters and Stickers: Enhance your snaps with location-based filters and a wide range of stickers.
In Bullet Points:
- Picture messaging with captions and drawings
- Short video sharing up to 10 seconds
- Innovative face-changing filters
- Multimedia communication with disappearing messages
- Geofilters and stickers for creative expression
Hike Messenger – Indian-Made Chat App
Hike Messenger, an Indian-made messaging application available on Android, iOS, Windows, Blackberry, and Symbian platforms, caters to a diverse user base with support for Indian languages such as Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, Gujarati, Marathi, Telugu, and Bengali. A joint venture of Bharti Enterprises and SoftBank, later backed by Tencent and Foxconn, Hike offers users a comprehensive messaging experience. In addition to text, users can send graphical stickers, images, videos, emojis, sounds, files, contacts, and voice messages. The app also facilitates quick file transfers with its Hike Direct feature.
Key Features:
- Indian Language Support: Communicate in regional Indian languages for a personalized messaging experience.
- Multimedia Messaging: Send stickers, images, videos, emojis, sounds, files, contacts, and voice messages.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: Access Hike Messenger across various platforms, including Android, iOS, Windows, Blackberry, and Symbian.
- Hike Direct: Seamlessly transfer files with Hike Direct for quick and convenient sharing.
In Bullet Points:
- Indian language support for personalized communication
- Multimedia messaging with stickers, images, videos, and more
- Cross-platform compatibility for accessibility
- Hike Direct for quick file transfers
LINE Messenger – Chinese Messaging App
LINE Messenger, a popular Chinese messaging app, allows users to exchange texts, images, videos, and audio, as well as engage in free VoIP discussions and video meetings. Launched in 2011 with headquarters in Japan, LINE initially targeted Android and iOS smartphones but has since expanded to various platforms including BlackBerry OS, Nokia Asha, Windows Phone, Firefox OS, iOS tablets, and a Chrome Browser Application. Offering advanced features like message status confirmation and hidden chats, LINE ensures secure and convenient communication. Additionally, users can enjoy free voice and video calls, stickers, emojis, and access a news feed and timeline for social interaction.
Key Features:
- Free Voice and Video Calls: Make high-quality voice and video calls without any charge.
- Instant Messaging: Exchange texts, images, videos, and audio messages in real-time.
- Stickers and Emojis: Express yourself with a wide range of stickers and emojis.
- News Feed: Stay updated with the latest news and trends through LINE’s news feed feature.
- Timeline: Share moments and updates with friends on your timeline.
Key Specs:
- Geolocation: LINE has a significant user base in Asia, with a strong presence in Japan, Thailand, and Taiwan.
- Platforms/Languages: Available on iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS, supporting over 20 languages.
Use Cases:
- Personal communication with friends and family
- Enterprise communication with colleagues and clients
- Social networking with groups and communities
- Online shopping through LINE’s built-in e-commerce platform.
Free Restrictions:
LINE offers completely free voice and video calls, as well as instant messaging, without any limitations.
WeChat – Chinese Messaging and Payment App
WeChat, launched on January 2, 2011, by Tencent Holdings Limited, boasts a user base of over 700 million active users. Available on various devices including Android, iPhone, BlackBerry, Windows Phone, and Symbian phones, as well as online on OS X and Windows platforms, WeChat offers a comprehensive messaging experience. From text and voice messages to video conferencing and location sharing, WeChat provides a wide range of communication features. Additionally, it supports digital payments, primarily in Yuan for Chinese users, making it a versatile platform for both communication and financial transactions.
Key Features:
- Video and Voice Calls: Stay connected with friends and family through high-quality video and voice calls.
- Text Messages: Exchange text messages with ease and convenience.
- Digital Payments (China Only): Seamlessly conduct digital transactions using Yuan, enhancing convenience for Chinese users.
- Photo and Video Sharing: Share photos and videos with friends, with the option to adorn them with filters and captions.
- Location Sharing: Share your location with others for easy navigation and meetups.
In Bullet Points:
- Video and voice calls for seamless communication
- Text messages for quick messaging
- Digital payments (China only) for convenient transactions
- Photo and video sharing with filters and captions
- Location sharing for easy meetups
Verdict: While WeChat offers a wide range of features, there are concerns about its security and potential government surveillance, particularly in China. However, concrete evidence regarding government surveillance is lacking.
Price: Free
KakaoTalk – Multi-Language Chat App
KakaoTalk, released on March 18, 2010, is a versatile messaging app available on a variety of devices, including iOS, Mac OS, Android, Bada, BlackBerry, Windows Phone, Windows, and Nokia Asha. With support for multiple languages such as English, Korean, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Turkish, Vietnamese, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian, German, and Malay, KakaoTalk caters to a diverse global audience. The introduction of the “gifting” feature further enhances the app’s functionality, allowing users to purchase gifts and coupons virtually through KakaoTalk and send them to friends. With a user following of 160 million worldwide, KakaoTalk has established itself as a popular choice for communication.
Key Features:
- Multi-Language Support: Communicate in your preferred language with support for a wide range of languages.
- Gifting Feature: Purchase gifts and coupons within the app and send them to friends seamlessly.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: Access KakaoTalk on various devices, including smartphones and desktop computers.
- Text and Multimedia Messaging: Exchange text messages, images, videos, and more with ease.
- Voice and Video Calls: Stay connected with friends and family through high-quality voice and video calls.
In Bullet Points:
- Multi-language support for global communication
- Gifting feature for virtual gift exchanges
- Cross-platform compatibility for accessibility
- Text and multimedia messaging capabilities
- Voice and video calls for seamless communication
IMO – Free Voice, Video, and Messaging App
IMO, since its inception, has undergone significant evolution to become a comprehensive communication platform. In addition to offering free voice and video calls, IMO facilitates quick instant messaging among groups and contacts. The app stands out by enabling users to chat with friends across various platforms, including MSN, Skype, Yahoo, GTalk, Facebook, AIM/ICQ, Jabber, Vkontakte, Myspace, Hyves, and Steam, all from a single interface. IMO provides a seamless and convenient communication experience for users worldwide.
Key Features:
- Free Voice and Video Calls: Enjoy high-quality voice and video calls at no cost.
- Instant Messaging: Engage in quick instant messaging with groups and contacts.
- Cross-Platform Communication: Connect with friends across multiple platforms, including MSN, Skype, Yahoo, Facebook, and more, all from a unified interface.
- Wide Range of Supported Platforms: Access IMO on various devices and operating systems for enhanced flexibility.
In Bullet Points:
- Free voice and video calls
- Instant messaging for quick communication
- Cross-platform communication with support for multiple platforms
- Wide range of supported platforms for accessibility
Slack – Team Communication and Collaboration Platform
Slack is a leading team communication and collaboration platform, widely adopted by businesses and teams worldwide. As a no-cost instant messaging platform, Slack enables users to send and receive text messages, share files, and collaborate effectively on projects. With its intuitive interface and robust features, Slack fosters seamless connectivity and productivity across teams. Additionally, it offers integrations with third-party apps, further enhancing its functionality and adaptability.
Features:
- Channels: Organize communication by creating channels for different teams, projects, or topics.
- Direct Messages: Communicate one-on-one with colleagues through direct messages.
- Voice and Video Calls: Conduct voice and video calls for real-time communication and collaboration.
- File Sharing: Share files, documents, and media with team members effortlessly.
- Integrations with Other Apps: Seamlessly integrate with third-party apps to streamline workflows and enhance productivity.
- Online Chat Rooms: Engage in discussions and collaboration in online chat rooms dedicated to specific topics or interests.
Key Specs:
- Location of User Base: Widely used in the United States, with growing popularity in Europe and Asia.
- Platforms/Languages: Available on iOS, Android, desktop (Windows, Mac, Linux), and web.
Use Cases:
- Business communication with colleagues and clients
- Team collaboration to share ideas, files, and information
- Project management to track progress and goals effectively
Free Restrictions:
- Limited features, including a limit of 10,000 messages and 10 app integrations
- No voice call functionality in the free version
Skype – The Ultimate Free Video Chatting App for Seamless Communication
Description: Stay connected with loved ones, colleagues, or friends from anywhere in the world with Skype, a top-rated free chatting app. Since its launch in 2003, Skype has revolutionized the way people communicate, boasting an impressive 300 million user base. This free video calling app is compatible with a wide range of devices, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, Blackberry, Apple, and Windows devices, making it easy to connect with others across different platforms.
Features:
- Unlimited Messaging: Send text, voice, and video messages to friends and family for free. Make
- Calls Worldwide: Use Skype to make affordable calls to landline and mobile numbers globally.
- Virtual Meetings: Host video conferences with up to 100 participants for seamless collaboration.
- Live Streaming: Broadcast live events, presentations, or webinars to a global audience. Screen
- Sharing: Share your screen with others in real time for enhanced collaboration and remote assistance.
In Bullet Points:
- Unlimited texting, voice, and video messaging • Affordable calls to landline and mobile numbers
- worldwide • Host video meetings with up to 100 participants • Live streaming capabilities for global audiences • Screen sharing for enhanced collaboration
- Verdict: Skype is the #1 free video chatting app, offering a robust set of features and seamless compatibility across devices.
Price: Free!
Messenger – Free Chatting & Messaging App
Messenger, included in the Top 10 Best Chatting Apps in India for Android, emerged in August 2010 as a texting administration and software application providing text and voice communication options. With a user base of 1 billion monthly active users globally, Messenger is led by David A. Marcus under Facebook Messenger Active, a subsidiary of Facebook. Supported by a variety of devices including iOS, iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, BlackBerry, and Windows Phone, Messenger offers a world-class messaging service at no charge, allowing users to seamlessly communicate and share files, links, and images instantly.
Key Features:
- Integration with Facebook: Chat seamlessly with Facebook friends and contacts without leaving the Messenger app.
- Voice and Video Calls: Enjoy high-quality audio and video calls with friends and groups.
- Expressive Features: Spruce up conversations with a vast library of stickers, GIFs, emojis, and reactions.
- Interactive Activities: Engage in games, shared experiences, and activities directly within Messenger for added fun.
In Bullet Points:
- Integration with Facebook for seamless communication
- Voice and video calls for high-quality conversations
- Expressive features including stickers, GIFs, emojis, and reactions
- Interactive activities for added engagement
Messenger offers a comprehensive and enjoyable messaging experience, making it a popular choice for users worldwide.
JioChat – India’s Premier Messaging App
JioChat, owned by Reliance Industries Ltd., stands out as one of India’s best free chatting apps, especially catering to users of the Jio mobile network. Offering convenience in various Indian languages, JioChat provides a seamless communication experience for millions of users across the country. Its unique selling proposition lies in its location-sharing and status-sharing features, in addition to the standard offerings of any instant messaging app.
Top Stats:
- Surpassed 2 million users in India within 6 months of its launch.
Key Features:
- Voice Assistant: Enhances user experience with voice-assisted commands.
- Theming Options: Customize the app’s appearance to suit personal preferences.
- Voice Calling and Video Chat: Enjoy high-definition voice and video calls with friends and family.
- Conferencing and Messaging: Conduct live video conferences and exchange audio notes and instant messages.
- Instant Video and Doodles: Engage in instant video sharing and doodling for interactive conversations.
- Stickers and Emoticons: Enrich your messaging experience with a wide range of stickers and emoticons.
Price: FREE
Users: Over 2 million
Supported Platforms: Android, iOS, and JioPhone
JioChat not only provides standard messaging features but also offers advanced functionalities like brand offers, video stories, and business communication channels, making it a versatile and comprehensive messaging platform for Indian users.
Telegram – India’s Preferred Chat App
Telegram has been a top choice for communication in India, known for its reliability and fast message delivery akin to ancient letters. Today, its online counterpart remains one of the country’s favorite chatting apps. With a unique selling proposition (USP) of creating groups with an impressive capacity of up to 100,000 members, Telegram excels in facilitating communication for large communities and organizations. It also stands out for its ability to quickly share large files, even in areas with poor mobile connections, and its support for setting up bots for specific tasks.
Key Features:
- Secret Chats: Engage in end-to-end encrypted conversations with self-destructing messages for enhanced privacy.
- Large Group Chats: Create massive group chats with up to 200,000 members, perfect for communities and organizations.
- File Sharing: Share multimedia files, documents, and more, with support for files up to 2GB in size.
- Customization: Personalize your Telegram experience with themes, stickers, and powerful bot integrations.
Top Stats:
- As of March 2018, Telegram has nearly 200 million monthly active users in India.
- The user base is projected to reach 1 billion by 2022.
In Bullet Points:
- End-to-end encrypted Secret Chats for privacy
- Large group chats with up to 200,000 members
- File sharing up to 2GB per file
- Customization options with themes, stickers, and bots
Telegram remains India’s preferred chat app, offering a robust platform for secure and efficient communication.
Google Hangouts – Online Voice Chat App
Google Hangouts is a straightforward web voice chat app designed for individuals to communicate with each other online. Supporting both individual and group chats, Hangouts stores conversations securely on Google servers. Users can easily add others to conversations by entering their phone numbers or email addresses. Available on the web, Android, and iOS platforms, Google Hangouts provides a convenient and accessible communication platform.
Features:
- Individual and Group Messaging: Communicate with individuals or groups through text messages.
- Share Maps: Share maps and locations with others for enhanced communication.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: Access Google Hangouts on the web, Android, and iOS devices.
- Secure Storage: Conversations are stored securely on Google servers.
- Verdict: Google Hangouts is gradually being replaced with Google Chat, with the app scheduled for discontinuation by mid-2022.
In Bullet Points:
- Individual and group messaging for online communication
- Map sharing for location-based interactions
- Cross-platform compatibility for accessibility
- Secure storage of conversations on Google servers
Verdict: Google Hangouts offers a simple and free solution for online voice chat, but it is being phased out in favor of Google Chat.
Price: Free
Tanish Patel
Steven Clark
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