WhatsApp is an immensely popular texting and talking service that lets users communicate with family and friends all over the World for just $0.99/year over an internet connection. We are listing below 5 WhatsApp alternatives, some of them are totally free.
1. TextNow
TextNow is a great texting application which provides users their very own phone number and allows them to call or text anyone for free.
The only downside to the app is that in order to call non TextNow phone numbers users must earn credits either by watching a video or by purchasing credits. The good thing is that you can still text any number without having credits.
TextNow also features Voicemail and Call Forwarding services which takes it a step ahead of WhatsApp.
Apart from Phone and Tablet, TextNow can also be used on a Laptop or a Desktop using its Web application.
TextNow is available on the Google Play and iTunes Store as well as the Windows Phone store.
2. Google Hangouts
Google Hangouts is another great alternative to WhatsApp that lets users call and text for free. Using Hangouts, you can call any number in Canada and the United States for Free.
Calling and texting to people outside of North America is also free, as long as they are also Google Hangouts users.
Just like WhatsApp, Hangouts is also accessible on desktops. For Phones and Tablets, you can download the Hangouts app in both Android and iOS versions.
3. Viber
Viber is an application that has more than 500 million users. Viber users can text, call, make video calls and send video and photo messages for free to any other Viber user.
Viber has a feature called Viber Out which lets you text non Viber users for a low fee. Viber also lets users create group messages with up to 100 participants.
Just like WhatsApp and TextNow, users can also text their family and friends on their computers via the Viber site. Viber is available on multiple platforms including Android, iOS, Windows Phone and Blackberry.
4. Threema
If privacy is high on your list then Threema is the perfect messaging app for you. Threema has the highest encryption and makes sure that no one else can read your messages except the person to whom it is being sent to.
Threema gives users complete anonymity by providing each user with a random Threema ID. Users do not need to provide their phone number or email address or give away any other personal information in order to use the app.
The only downside to the app is that there is no feature to call any of your contacts and you are limited to texting them. The app is available for Android, iOS and Windows Phone and costs $1.99 to download.
5. LINE
LINE is another application which allows users to text and talk to each other for free regardless of where they live. LINE presents free text messaging along with free voice and video calling.
Just like Viber, LINE also features a pay per minute feature which lets users call any mobile or landline numbers. LINE is available for Android, iOS, Windows phone, Blackberry and PC.