Top 5 WhatsApp Alternatives You Should Consider Downloading

WhatsApp continues to be the world’s most popular messaging app on earth, with close to 3 billion active users as of June 2024 (Statista, 2024). Still, many users continue to want WhatsApp alternatives. Luckily, there has been a rise in the number of new messaging apps on the market, giving us options with plenty of features that cater to different needs.

Whether you’re concerned about security, want something more work friendly, or simply want a more fun and colorful interface, there’s probably an app for that. I’ve rounded up 5 of the best WhatsApp alternatives, along with their pros and cons, so you can decide for yourself which app you’d like to switch to.

Why Consider WhatsApp Alternatives?

Over the last few years, privacy concerns surrounding WhatsApp have been rising. Ever since Facebook, or Meta as it’s called now, acquired WhatsApp in 2014, users have been uneasy about sharing data with the parent company. 

In early 2024, WhatsApp introduced updates to its privacy policies causing a lot of tension and backlash online. The app now asks for permissions such as access to metadata, which is used for targeted advertising on other Meta platforms. 

Metadata – is Your Privacy a Risk?

Even though WhatsApp still offers end-to-end encryption for messages, some people are worried that enough metadata could still give a picture of our lives without actually peeking at the messages themselves. This applies to Instagram too, so consider reading about the best Instagram alternatives in 2025. 

Some other concerns are regarding WhatsApp’s storage handling, since messages can still linger in backups without encryption. Read on to know what options you have available that you might end up using instead of WhatsApp.

Signal

Developed by OpenWhisperSystems, Signal is one of the best WhatsApp alternatives and has become the poster child for secure messaging. Its popularity increased initially when WhatsApp’s privacy policies raised eyebrows during early 2020.

Signal is an open source messaging app, which means anyone can review its code and check for potential data leak risks. This transparency along with the lack of ads is a major reason for users like it so much.

Pros

• Unmatched security: End-to-end encryption is built into every conversation and Signal doesn’t collect any data on its users.
• Disappearing messages: You can set messages to disappear after a certain period.
• Open-source: Regular audits by the tech community make it highly trustworthy.

Cons

• Limited features: Compared to WhatsApp, Signal lacks a few fun features like stickers and extensive media sharing. It’s almost a little too serious and straightforward, make of that what you will!
• Not ideal for large groups: Signal does support group chats but doesn’t have the advanced group management tools some other platforms offer.

Best Suited For

If privacy is your top priority, Signal might be your best bet. It’s popular with journalists, activists and people engaging in work that requires high confidentiality and want total control over their messaging data.

Viber

Acquired in 2014 by Japanese company Rakuten, Viber is one of the more popular whatsapp alternatives with a large international user base. With the vibrant purple logo, It is especially popular in countries like Ukraine and the Philippines as well as Eastern Europe.

It offers end-to-end encryption and features that range from messaging to group calls to file sharing. Also, the app has a quirky sticker creation feature that is loved by youngsters.

Pros

• All-in-one platform: Viber combines messaging, calls and even has some social media aspects, like “Communities,” which are large public or private groups.
• Cross-platform syncing: You can easily switch between desktop and mobile without any hassle.
• Group calling: Viber has solid support for group calls, a feature that makes it popular for friends and families.

Cons

• Privacy isn’t as strict: Viber’s metadata collection policy isn’t as private as Signal’s.
• Ads in the app: To support its free services, does Viber run ads, which might be a no-no for some users.

Best Suited For

Viber is fantastic if you want an easy to use and all around messaging app with a good balance of security and social features. It’s a good option for those who need reliable video calling with family or friends around the world.

Slack

Originally designed as a workplace communication tool, Slack has evolved into a popular messaging platform for various groups and communities. Did you know that almost 80 percent of Fortune 500 companies use Slack? Read more about Slack here.

While it may not be the first choice for chatting with your friends, its ability to organize conversations into channels and quality of integrations make it one of the best WhatsApp alternatives. 

You may wonder, “Is Slack Free?”, I hate to break it to you, but you’ll have to buy the premium version to really get the most out of the app.

Pros

• Channel organization: Slack lets you categorize conversations into channels, which makes it great for discussions focused on a specific topic or a particular project. 
• Integrations: Slack connects seamlessly with over 2000 apps, from Google Drive to Trello. 
• Customizable notifications: You can get highly specific with notifications, choosing exactly what you want to stay updated on. 

Cons

• Limited free version: Slack’s free version limits message history and file storage.
• Complexity: It does have a learning curve, and may be a little tricky for users who just want a simple messaging app.

Best Suited For

Slack is best suited for work teams, study groups or communities with a focus on collaboration and productivity. Instead of relying on WhatsApp groups which can get messy – we’ve all sent an embarrassing message to the wrong group!

If you’re part of an organization or work remotely, Slack’s functionality makes it an amazing WhatsApp alternative.

Telegram

Telegram is one of the most popular WhatsApp alternatives and it has cultivated a strong user base, thanks to its impressive feature set. It offers some unique features like cloud storage, massive group sizes and Bots for various tasks, from reminders to weather updates. 

Pros

• Cloud-based storage: Telegram stores messages and media on its cloud, so you can access them on any device.
• Massive group support: You can create groups with up to 200,000 members, making it ideal for large communities.
• Bots and customization: Telegram has an efficient bot ecosystem and supports extensive customization through APIs.

Cons

• Security concerns: Although Telegram is open source, the default chats are not end-to-end encrypted. Users have to use a feature called Secret Chats to avail encryption. This often leaves people wondering  “Is Telegram Safe?“ and turns off  those users wanting complete privacy.
• Too many features: With so many options, Telegram can feel cluttered for new users.

Best Suited For

Telegram is perfect if you’re looking for an app with lots of features that go beyond simple messaging. It’s great for hobby groups, communities or people who want to join public channels and groups.

Threema

Developed in Switzerland, a nation famous for its laws favoring data protection privacy, Threema is a paid instant messaging app that was initially launched in 2012. It’s not as popular as its counterparts, but with 12 million users as of June 2024, it is packed with some impressive security features. 

You don’t need to share your mobile number or email address since the app automatically generates an ID for you to log in. If you’re not convinced yet, click here to know more about what sets Threema apart. 

Pros

Heavy on privacy : Threema doesn’t collect any user data and as a company, is committed to protecting your privacy which makes it a good WhatsApp alternative for those looking for a company whose goal is to guard user data from big tech.

One time payment model: Unlike apps that rely on ads or subscription fees, Threema has a one time purchase fee, which can be a plus for those looking to avoid recurring costs.

Offline functionality: You can send messages without an internet connection, which get delivered as soon as you’re back online.

Cons

Paid app: Threema is a paid platform and there is an upfront cost involved, though it’s a one and done. You can even pay per use or for a trial period to see if you’d like to go ahead with paying the one time fee.

Limited media sharing: Compared to Telegram or Viber, Threema has fewer options for sharing media and files.

Best Suited For

If you’re willing to pay for privacy, and use an independent app that isn’t backed up by big tech companies, Threema may be suitable for you.

Here are some tips you can consider before choosing from WhatsApp alternatives.

1. Have a look at the privacy features and data collection policies on the app’s official website.
2. If you’re going to download the new app for social purposes, it might be worth checking if your contacts are also on the app.
3. Analyze if the app is suited for both work and personal communications, or just one.
4. Read the app’s reviews and how quickly the company addresses complaints.
5. If ads are a concern for you, consider choosing the paid versions of the app.

To Conclude

I hope this list helps you decide which app could replace WhatsApp messenger for you in the future, if that’s your goal. With all the knowledge out there, you can make an empowered decision on who to choose to share your data with.