Top 5 Messaging Apps in 2021

The want and need for messaging platforms has significantly increased in 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic has prevented friends and family from seeing each other, making phone calls, video calls, and text messages some of the only ways people can communicate. With countless messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram to choose from, how do you decide which one is best for you? In this blog, we’ll (hopefully) help you determine just that! Aside from your phone’s default chat apps and apps like Facebook Messenger, here are some of the top 5 messaging apps to consider downloading this year.

1. Duo

Google Duo made it to our top 5 messaging apps for what it's worth. It works on both Android and iOS devices, and it’s also free! Google Duo is primarily a video calling app, but it also offers a “video messages'' feature. This feature allows you to record a quick video message and send it to your contacts. Additionally, the interface is user-friendly and simple. In the opening screen, you can either make a video call by dialing a number or select a specific contact in the contact lists to call. So there’s no need to be tech-savvy with this app!

2. Signal

If privacy and security are a must-have for you, the Signal app might be the best choice. Signal, unlike other messaging platforms, doesn’t track you or your connections to your contacts. It also doesn’t encrypt your messages and keeps all of your metadata hidden. Other benefits the Signal app offers? Free use, encrypted texts, images, audios, and videos, and the ability to send to both individuals and groups. Signal is also available for iOS, Android, and PC computers.

3. GroupMe

GroupMe is one of the more popular and made it to our top 5 messaging apps, probably because it has an app on every platform (iOS, Android, Blackberry, etc.). You also have the option to send messages via your cell phone carrier’s SMS or through the GroupMe app. If you don’t have an unlimited text/call plan, the in-app messaging option comes in handy. Despite what its name implies, GroupMe offers both group and direct messaging. Also, a unique feature GroupMe offers is GPS location tagging.

4. Threema

Threema is one of the few messaging apps that costs money, but that is actually one of the app’s greatest strengths. Because Threema is a paid app, it is owned by its users and not its investors. This makes its encrypted messaging feature extra secure, and you can rest easy knowing your data isn’t being exploited. Threema also doesn’t require you to enter a phone number, email address, or any other personal information to set up an account. 

5. Wickr

Lastly, Wickr finishes off our top 5 messaging apps you need to consider downloading. It has both a free version and a paid version; with the free version, you can communicate with up to 10 users, and with the paid version, you can communicate with an unlimited number of users. Its security features are impressive as well, including self-destructing messages, content shredding, and screenshot detection. Not all messaging platforms are the same, but we hope this list of top 5 messaging apps has made your decision a little easier! Remember that if you’re considering a paid app, you can try out a free trial first to see if it’s the best fit.  Have questions about mobile messaging apps? One of our technicians would be happy to help! Contact us now.