Top 10 Best Text Messaging Service Platforms

Published 20 March 2025

Table of contents

Searching for the best text messaging app to stay connected with friends, family, or colleagues? With so many choices, finding the right one can be difficult. The best text messaging app must be easy to use and secure.

Whether you need a basic chat app or a feature-rich option, you can use various messaging platforms.

💡Highlights:

Messaging apps help connect people and improve personal and professional interactions with convenience and security.
The best text messaging app should offer secure chat, multimedia sharing, and two-step authentication.
WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal provide secure and efficient messaging that meets various user needs.

Best Secure Messaging App 2025

1. WhatsApp

WhatsApp is a cross-platform text messaging app that sends messages over the internet. It was launched in 2009 and was acquired by Facebook (now Meta) in February 2014. The number of WhatsApp users grew by 34% from 2021 to mid-2024 and is estimated to reach 2.96 billion users by June 2024.

WhatsApp allows you to share documents, locations, voice messages, text messages, images, and videos. It allows you to make video and voice calls and share your screen during a call. It is a secure messaging app that helps you restore privacy features so that even WhatsApp cannot access your messages.

Features

Manage group chats with up to 1,024 participants.
Share media and text updates that automatically disappear after 24 hours.
Ad-free messaging experience.
Secure messaging.
End-to-end encryption.

WhatsApp Price: Free

📖 You may also read: How to Use WhatsApp without a Phone Number

2. Telegram

Telegram is a cloud-based messaging software that was launched in 2013. As of July 2024, it has reached 950 million monthly active users. You can send videos, text messages, photos, and files, as well as make voice and video calls to other Telegram users. You can create group chats that include up to 200,000 participants and channels with unlimited subscribers.

Telegram has introduced a paid plan called Telegram Premium, which costs $4.99/month. It removes some ads, doubles file upload limits ( 2GB to 4GB), increases group join limits ( 500 to 1,000), and more.

Features

Cloud Based Messaging.
Bots and Automation.
No Ads.
Supports Two-Step Verification.
Self-destructing messages.
Hide your phone number and use your Telegram ID instead.

Telegram Price: Free, Premium from $4.99/month

📖 You may also read: How to Create Telegram without a Phone Number?

3. Viber

Viber is an all-in-one messaging app that was first developed by Cyprus-based Viber Media in 2010 and later acquired by Rakuten. It has 260 million monthly active users globally, reflecting its increasing popularity across various regions. It offers free VoIP and messaging services to users across Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms.

Screenshot of rakuten viber app

Viber offers features such as voice and video calls, group chat, instant messaging, and multimedia sharing. Users can also create communities based on interests such as location, hobbies, or favorite teams.

Viber offers a service called Viber Out, which allows you to make unlimited calls to any mobile or landline worldwide for just $5.99 per month.

Features

End-to-end encryption.
You can create your Community or Channel.
Rakuten Viber’s AI bots answer your queries and create responses.
Send free text, photos, stickers, GIFs, voice/video messages, and other files.
Make international calls to non-Viber users at competitive rates.

Viber Price: Free, Viber Plus costs $1.99/month

4. Facebook Messenger

Messenger is a free messaging app that was launched in 2011 as part of Facebook (owned by Meta) and became a separate app in 2014. In January 2025, Facebook Messenger had approximately 947 million users worldwide. Users can use Messenger without a Facebook account by signing up with their phone number.

Screenshot of messenger app

Messenger allows you to send texts, voice messages, photos, videos, stickers, use fun camera filters, post stories, and make voice/video calls. You can create group chats with up to 250 users and interact with Meta AI for chats and AI-generated images.

Features

Mute notifications anytime.
Can watch TV shows, videos, and movies.
Customize reactions with more emojis.
Enjoy end-to-end encryption with Secret Conversations.
Use it across multiple devices.
Social Media Integration.

Facebook Messenger Price: Free

5. WeChat

WeChat was founded in 2011 by Tencent and is widely used worldwide, especially in China. WeChat is also known as a super app and has 1.38 billion active users globally by September 2024.

Screenshot of wechat app

WeChat allows users to send texts, shop, play games, make phone calls, share content, make payments, and more.

Features

Users can send updates, images, and videos.
Supports both online and offline payments.
A variety of video games are playable within the app.
Allows individuals and businesses to share short videos and live streams.
Includes shopping, gaming, and utility services.

WeChat Price: Free, Overseas accounts are charged 99 USD annually.

6. Signal

Signal is a free text messaging app which was launched in 2014. At the end of December 2020, the app had 20 million monthly active users, which proves its popularity as a secure messaging app.

Screenshot of signal app

You need a phone number to sign up for Signal, but it is not shared with other users. It is available on iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, and Linux. On Android, Signal can replace your SMS app, allowing you to send both Signal and regular SMS messages in one place. This feature isn't available on iOS because of Apple’s messaging system.

Signal lets you send text, photos, videos, documents, and voice messages in both individual and group chats. All messages are secured with end-to-end encryption. You can also set expiration dates for messages, ensuring they disappear once they expire.

Features

Share images, text, and videos in stories that automatically disappear after 24 hours.
End-to-end encryption.
Open Source.
Secure Group Chats.
"Note to Self" feature to store reminders.

Signal Price: Free

7. TextNow

TextNow is a VoIP service that was launched in 2009. Over the years, it has attracted more than 10 million active users monthly. The service provides a free phone number, making it a cost-effective communication option.

Screenshot of textnow app

TextNow allows you can send and receive text messages, make calls, and send photos without any cost. These features are available with Wi-Fi or mobile data. Additionally, this app offers 5G network connectivity, providing fast and reliable communication for users.

Features

Custom phone number.
Free international calling.
Unlimited free text and picture messaging.
Group chat support with the option to create and leave groups.

TextNow Price: Free

8. Discord

Discord was originally designed for gamers and was launched in 2015. This platform has grown over the years and now has 200 million active users each month. It is supported on macOS, Linux, Windows, iOS, Android, Xbox, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5.

Screenshot of discord app

Discord allows you to send text, voice, and video, along with the ability to create servers where you can discuss specific topics or interests. Discord is ideal for users who want to create or join groups with similar interests, especially in gaming and common hobbies.

Features

Create and use personalized emojis, stickers, and soundboard effects.
All-in-One Communication (i.e., voice, video, and text chat with smooth gaming integration).
High-quality streaming.
Instantly share your screen with friends for gaming or collaboration.
Use bold, italics, and structured text for clearer communication.

Discord Price: Free, Discord Nitro Basic: $2.99, Discord Nitro: $9.99

9. Instagram

Instagram is a social media service launched in 2010 and was acquired by Meta (formerly Facebook) in 2012. By December 2021, this platform had reached 2 billion active users monthly, making it a global network connecting people worldwide.

Screenshot of instagram app

Instagram’s easy-to-use design and huge user base enable smooth communication and content sharing. It lets you post photos, videos, and messages with their followers. The app also includes group chats and the ability to send disappearing messages.

Features

Share photos, videos, and multiple images on your feed.
Upload images and videos that disappear after 24 hours with interactive features like polls and stickers in stories.
Create short videos with music and effects using reels.
Send messages, images, videos, and voice notes privately through direct messaging.
Go live and interact with your followers in real-time.
Find new content and popular posts with explore.
Shop products directly from posts and the shop tab.
Save your favorite posts into collections to view later.
Use hashtags to make your posts easier to find.

Instagram Price: Free

📖 You may also read: How to Sign Up for Instagram Without a Phone Number?

10. Snapchat

Snapchat was launched in 2011 by Stanford University students. This app reached over 500 million monthly active users in 2024, which enabled it to expand its global presence.

Screenshot of snapshot app

Snapchat originally became popular for its unique feature, where photos and messages disappeared shortly after being seen, offering users more privacy. Later, it introduced 24-hour Stories, a feature now found on many other social platforms. The app also allows 1v1 video and voice calls, which attract younger users who enjoy using fun filters and lenses.

Features

Users can share images and videos to a story for 24 hours.
Allows to send audio, text, and video messages to friends and groups.
An interactive map lets locate content from a specific location.
Customizable filters.
End-to-end encryption.

Snapchat Price: Free, Snapchat+Exclusive: Monthly Plan$3.99

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How to Choose the Best Text Messaging App?

When choosing the best text messaging apps, evaluate factors like security and privacy, essential features (texting, calls, media sharing), and ease of use.

1. Security & Privacy

A texting app should protect user conversations from unauthorized access. Choose apps with security features like two-factor authentication, disappearing messages, and end-to-end encryption to ensure better privacy.

2. Free Messaging Features

The best texting apps offer free features like sending messages, stickers, GIFs, group chat, voice/video calls, and media without extra costs. Apps like Telegram and Messenger allow users to send free texts, images, videos, and documents over Wi-Fi or mobile data.

3. User Base

A messaging app is more useful when more people in your network use it. Choosing an app with a large user base ensures smooth communication without needing multiple apps.

4. Ease of Use

A testing app should have a simple design and easy navigation for a smooth user experience. If the app is easy and has simple navigation, anyone can use it without help.

5. Available on All Platforms

Choose an app available on Android, iOS, tablets, and computers. This helps you to access your messages from any device.

Conclusion

The best text messaging apps improve personal and professional text messaging. Popular apps like WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram offer features like end-to-end encryption, multimedia sharing, and group chat capabilities.

As the demand for secure and efficient messaging increases, text messaging apps ensure smooth and reliable communication in everyday interactions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use free text messaging apps for international calls?

Many free texting apps like WhatsApp, Skype, and Viber let you make voice and video calls anywhere over the Internet without extra charges. However, the sender and the receiver must have the same app installed to communicate.