10 Best WhatsApp Alternatives in 2024

If you have been thinking of swapping to a new messaging app, you have reached the best place. But are there any WhatsApp alternatives? Yes, of course.

In this article, we will tell you about the best alternatives to WhatsApp that are way more upgraded, easy to use, open source, and so on.

Here we rounded up the top 10 apps similar to WhatsApp that can potentially replace it.

Quick Look at Best Alternatives to WhatsApp

Before we jump off to the main part, let's glance at the best WhatsApp alternatives.

Details Of The 10 Apps Similar to WhatsApp

So, here are the best 10 apps similar to WhatsApp:

#1 Signal

If you have been looking for the best WhatsApp alternative, no wonder it is Signal. It is way more secure and boasts about its top-notch privacy. As a result, Signal has gained endorsements from Edward Snowden and Elon Musk.

The Signal is operated and owned by a non-profit organization run by an anarchist and cryptographer, Moxie Marlinspike, and Brian Acton, the co-founder of WhatsApp.

It is free and supports texts, group calls, and video calls. Luckily, it also allows your messages to self-destruct. The best thing about Signal is that it uses end-to-end Encryption, which WhatsApp also uses. Hence, you will get the same security as WhatsApp without Meta's involvement.

Signal conducts security audits every day. But it lacks the option of backup. However, it does come with an export function, which allows you to back up data manually and transfer it to another device.

Pros

• Capable of self-destructing messages
• Keeps both texts and calls encrypted
• Does not store any metadata

Cons

• Does not provide backup option
• Requires phone number to register

#2 Telegram

If you have been looking for the best alternatives to WhatsApp, another obvious choice would be Telegram. Famous Russian brothers Nikolai and Pavel Durov run it. The brothers are famous for releasing the Facebook alternative, Vkontakte.

Compared to WhatsApp, Telegram is even more upgraded. For example, it boasts a cloud-based service. This allows you to access your telegram messages from your computer and mobile. Also, it features unlimited and large-scale file-sharing abilities.

Telegram uses two encryption forms. For group chats, it uses server-client Encryption, while for your secret chats, Telegram offers end-to-end Encryption. Not just this, this app is also capable of deleting messages after a certain time frame.

Again, if you, as the sender, delete a message, the message will be deleted from the receiver's device. What makes it so special is that it syncs all messages over all your devices.

Data protection is comprised of cloud service and a better user interface.

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Pros

• Can self-destruct messages
• Open source
• Syncs all messages over all devices

Cons

• It stores metadata
• Data protection is affected for cloud

#3 Threema

Threema is another app similar to WhatsApp you can switch to. This application has been developed in Switzerland and is very much conscious of data safety.

It uses End-to-end Encryption for every message, and messages are deleted immediately from the server after transmission. Another best thing about this application is it does not store any metadata.

Apart from this, Threema will also offer you a voting feature for conducting surveys. And since it is way more data-safety conscious, it features PIN locks for all your private chats.

Threema offers a secure browser and keeps all your data stored in your phone instead of on servers. However, Threema is not available for free. You will need to pay a charge for using this application.

Pros

• It comes with a PIN lock
• It does not store metadata
• Can keep phone calls encrypted

Cons

• Limited user base
• Not available for free and has no self-destruct option

#4 Element

Element is an application that is designed to streamline team communication. It comes from the Matrix ecosystem and is very much secure. This app features End-to-end Encryption.

The best part, Element offers cross-signed device verification to protect your data from unauthorized access. It also fulfills all your messaging needs, like file sharing, video calls, etc., and allows secure backup.

It can also be deployed on the cloud or on-premise with any server (public) or EMS Element Matrix Services.

Pros

• Open source
• Very secure
• Easy to use

Cons

• A bit more techy
• Issues with bugs

#5 Viber

Another similar app to WhatsApp is Viber. In 2010, this application was released, and about 4 years after, this Viber was brought up by Rakuten as Rakuten Viber.

It is one of the popular WhatsApp alternatives and comes with many features. For example, Viber boasts about its End-to-end Encryption data safety system over texts, calls, and all the media being shared, though WhatsApp also uses it.

Furthermore, the images you save on your devices will stay encrypted, and its multiple-device support. Unfortunately, this feature is not available on WhatsApp.

It also comes with the feature Viber Out which allows you to make international calls to non-Viber users cheaply.

Viber supports stickers, voice, and video calls and also gives you an option to backup data to Google Drive. It also comes with games that you play in the app itself.

Pros

• Available for free
• Can make international calls even to non-Viber users
• Open source

Cons

• You won't be able to block random or unknown callers
• Supports only on Windows Phone, iOS, and Android

#6 Discord

If you have been looking for chatting apps like WhatsApp, you can try out Discord. It is not just a chatting platform but is way much more than that.

Discord allows you to explore different servers that interest you. It offers you voice, and video calls, sharing files, etc., but the best part about this app is that it allows you to share your screen with your friends.

Again, it comes combined with integrations from Twitch, YouTube, Spotify, Steam, Battle.net, Reddit, and Xbox Live, so on and so forth. You can create a group with 10 participants or create your server if you wish to have more members.

If you wish to have something that comes packed with all your messaging needs, this is the one! Unfortunately, now, Discord gives you no option to back up your data. Instead, you will have to use third-party apps and manually transfer your desired data.

Pros

• Much more upgraded than WhatsApp
• Allows you to stream videos to your friends
• Basic version is available for free

Cons

• No backup option
• Difficult to use

#7 Kik

Kik is among the popular messaging apps like WhatsApp. The key difference is you won't have to use your number to register.

Unlike WhatsApp, Kik only asks for your email ID to complete the registration process. Once ready, it will provide you with a unique ID for chatting with other Kik users.

It gives you all sorts of messaging needs and supports bots. You also use bots to get news, tips on trends, and play quizzes.

Regarding backup, Kik does not store messages on its server. So, if you wish to get old messages back, it will be a hassle. You can either do it by taking screenshots or using third-party applications.

Pros

• Does not ask for phone numbers
• Allows you to personalize your data
• Available for free

Cons

• Photo and video sharing restrictions
• No chance of communicating through voicemails, calls, or video call

#8 Skype

Skype will be a perfect WhatsApp replacement. If you are someone who has to call or video call overseas, this would be the best solution.

Regarding video call functionality, Skype is the best compared to WhatsApp. Also, like WhatsApp, Skype allows you to retrieve your old chats and deleted text messages pretty easily.

Pros

• Great for video calls
• Free to use
• Very secure

Cons

• File sharing is limited
• Connection may break due to limited bandwidth

#9 Wire

Founded in 2012 and released after two years, Wire is one of the best alternatives to WhatsApp. Unfortunately, the user count is yet to be updated, as many aren't aware of it.

It is an independent platform that comes with E2EE or end-to-end Encryption. Skype's co-Founder, Janus Friis, founded Wire. And the best part of this app is the phone calls from Wire are tap-proof. This is what WhatsApp lacks.

Pros

• Calls are tap proof
• Self-destructing messages
• GDPR Compliant

Cons

• Stores metadata
• Users have to be cautious with third-party functions

#10 WeChat

WeChat is a pretty popular messaging app and a worthy alternative to WhatsApp. It is not limited at all, compared to WhatsApp.

WeChat offers many communication ways, including voicemails, calls, video calls, etc., but you need a stable internet connection. The key differences are WeChat does not come with E2EE or read-receipts and cannot delete a message within minutes after sending it. These features are there in WhatsApp.

However, WeChat is still a good alternative to WhatsApp.

Pros

• Free of cost
• Easy to use
• 700 million users
• reliable

Cons

• Security is not that great

Backup Before Switching To WhatsApp Alternatives

If you delete your WhatsApp account, your WhatsApp data will be removed from the server for good, and so do your backup on iCloud or Google Drive. So we'd suggest you use MobileTrans to back up your WhatsApp before jumping onto another chatting app.

MobileTrans is an efficient application that allows you to transfer data over devices painlessly. What makes it better here is it also allows you to back up data to a computer for free.

MobileTrans - Backup & Restore

Easy to Back up WhatsApp Data to PC for Free

• • Backup and restore data on your device to a computer with one click.
• • Easily restore photos, videos, calendar, contacts, messages and music from iTunes to iPhone/iPad.
• • Takes less than 10 minutes to finish.
• • Fully compatible with major providers like AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile.
• • Support the latest iPhone OS and Android OS.

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Here is how to back up WhatsApp with MobileTrans:

1. Download and launch MobileTrans on your PC. Navigate to Backup & Restore.

1. Connect your phone to the computer with a USB cable.
2. Select App Backup & Restore > Backup and choose WhatsApp.

1. Click on Start and wait for the backup process to complete.

Now, feel free to switch to another WhatsApp alternative you like.

Final Thoughts

So, which of the mentioned WhatsApp alternatives do you think is the best? Is it Telegram, Skype, Discord, or Wire?

And if you are worried about losing your data from WhatsApp after switching, you can use MobileTrans to create a backup file. And it won't cost you a penny to back up data.

MobileTrans - Backup Phone Data to PC in 1 Click

Backup all content on your phone to PC quickly and easily. You can restore the backup to any iOS/Android devices whenever you need.

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Axel Nash

staff Editor