Top 10 Messaging Apps
Let's admit it. There are way too many options out there. Which one should you be using?
10. WhatsApp
Arguably the most popular option out there, WhatsApp is the go-to app for most people. However, I wouldn't recommend it to users who value their privacy. You see, WhatsApp sends all your profile pictures, statuses, metadata, and contacts to Facebook. There's no way to completely opt-out of it. WhatsApp does have end-to-end encryption built-in, which is really nice. As for functionality, it does the job well enough with group chats and a call function, but it does lack a few features that many other apps have. The UI isn't all that nice and feels a bit outdated.
Functionality - 7/10
Privacy - 4/10
Security - 8/10
User interface - 6/10
9. Facebook Messenger
A great way to keep in contact with your Facebook friends, Messenger has a nice user interface and has slightly more features than WhatsApp (GIFs, video call). However, there have been reports of Messenger (and the Facebook app itself) listening in to your real-life conversations using your device's microphone among other means Facebook collects private data about you. It also utilizes the same type of encryption that WhatsApp has to offer.
Functionality - 8/10
Privacy - 3/10
Security - 8/10
User interface - 9/10
8. Google Allo
A recent competitor in the market, Allo has taken the market by storm with almost 10,000,000 downloads within the first month of its launch. It has many nice little features which make the experience very nice. However, there have been many issues raised, among them messages taking ages to be delivered, unreliable SMS integration, and high resource usage. It also isn't cross-platform at all (unlike WhatsApp and Facebook). There are also security concerns about the app.
Functionality - 9/10
Privacy - 4/10
Security - 6/10
User interface - 9/10
7. Kik
One of the most popular messaging apps in the United States (especially among teenagers), Kik relies mostly on people who already have the app installed to recommend it to friends. It doesn't have anything special to make it stand out from the crowd. Yes, there are bots, but they are few and far between and mostly are very functional. The UI is okay. Security is pretty much non-existent. It does the job, but not very well.
Functionality - 6/10
Privacy - 5/10
Security - 5/10
User interface - 7/10
6. BBM
BBM was a very niche app, having gained most of its users through the BlackBerry phones. Ever since those phones have gone out of style, BBM's user base has declined. However, modern updates have increased the functionality, UI and design of the app. It now has quite a lot of features, including file transfers, video calls, message retracting, and channels. Will BBM ever be as popular as it was before? I believe it may be if BlackBerry plans to start advertising it.
Functionality - 9/10
Privacy - 6/10
Security - 5/10
User interface - 8/10
5. WeChat
WeChat came to fame when BBM lost it's shine. It has very nice functions and is the only messaging app that is certified by TRUSTe (yes, that's a good thing). What makes it stand out from the crowd is its wallet features, where you can make payments to pretty much anywhere. It seems to strive to have more features than anyone else, and has accomplished this pretty well. It's UI could use an upgrade, but that's about the only issue I have with it other than the not-so-solid encryption which could also use some modernizing.
Functionality - 10/10
Privacy - 7/10
Security - 7/10
User interface - 7/10
4. Telegram
Telegram has been a better alternative to WhatsApp for a while now, aiming to always be one step ahead of it. It has bots, channels, supergroups, cloud storage, usernames, stickers, GIFs, solid encryption, secret chats, and it's cross-platform. The only thing that it lacks is voice calling (which may be off-putting to some). As a daily use app, I'd recommend it to anyone. It's UI is functional and neat.
Functionality - 9/10
Privacy - 8/10
Security - 9/10
User interface - 8/10
3. Threema
Although Threema is a paid app, it is very security and privacy focused. It's UI isn't the best and may be a bit dull for some, but it is functional enough. You can send files, start polls, and verify the legitimacy of a contact. All-in-all, a functional easy-to-use apps for those who prefer privacy, security, and anonymity above all else. Not for your average user, since it's paid and doesn't have quite that many functions as other free competitors.
Functionality - 7/10
Privacy - 10/10
Security - 9/10
User interface - 7/10
2. Signal
Signal has long been the go-to app for those who value security. With the best encryption on the market, Signal doesn't compromise on user experience while safeguarding your security. However, they do compromise on privacy and anonymity in exchange for faster notifications (really? why, Signal?) which really turns me down from it. However, most people won't mind. It has a beautiful material design interface, is open-source, and support voice calls. Not so much functionality, but it sure does its job well.
Functionality - 8/10
Privacy - 8/10
Security - 10/10
User interface - 9/10
1. Wire
Having recently gone open source and published a white-paper, Wire is your go-to app for both security and privacy. With a clean, simplistic interface and many, many functions, Wire is my personal favourite. You can make group calls, share files, send GIFs or timed messages, and fully delete messages. It has great cross-platform functionality, something which slows most of the other competitors down. It also has the best encryption in the business.
Functionality - 10/10
Privacy - 10/10
Security - 10/10
User interface - 9/10