💬Best Messaging Apps Ranked

WhatsApp▲ Rising

WhatsApp scaled from simple SMS replacement to the default chat app for over two billion users by adding voice, video, and payments without ads. Its 2016 E2EE rollout set the industry standard for mass-market privacy. It earns the top spot through unmatched global reach and family-friendly defaults.

Users (M): 2,000 MEnd-to-End Encryption: ✓Supported Platforms: iOS, Android, Web, DesktopMax Group Size: 1,024Year Founded: 2009Avg Rating: 4.5/10

added by IJRin 5 rankingsWhatsApp

Facebook Messenger▲ Rising

Messenger leveraged Facebook's social graph to become the default chat layer for hundreds of millions already on the platform. Payments, games, and Instagram integration keep it sticky inside the Meta ecosystem. It remains relevant through sheer volume despite privacy trade-offs.

Users (M): 1,000 MEnd-to-End Encryption: —Supported Platforms: iOS, Android, Web, DesktopMax Group Size: 250Year Founded: 2011Avg Rating: 4/10

added by IJRin 2 rankings

Signal▲ Rising

Signal proved that best-in-class encryption can reach mainstream users after WhatsApp's 2021 privacy backlash drove millions to try it. Its simple interface and disappearing messages focus keep the emphasis on private conversation rather than features. It earns its ranking through uncompromising security leadership.

Users (M): 40 MEnd-to-End Encryption: ✓Supported Platforms: iOS, Android, DesktopMax Group Size: 1,000Year Founded: 2014Avg Rating: 4.6/10

added by IJRin 4 rankingssignal

Viber▲ Rising

Viber survived by focusing on low-cost international calls and later adding stickers and communities when WhatsApp dominated. Its 2016 end-to-end encryption update kept it competitive in privacy-sensitive markets. It holds steady in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Users (M): 260 MEnd-to-End Encryption: ✓Supported Platforms: iOS, Android, Web, DesktopMax Group Size: 10,000Year Founded: 2010Avg Rating: 4/10

added by IJRin 3 rankingsViber

Telegram▲ Rising

Telegram grew fast by offering unlimited cloud chats and large public channels when competitors capped everything. Its 2021 premium tier and secret chats show it can add paid polish without losing the free core. It ranks high for power users who need speed and scale.

Users (M): 700 MEnd-to-End Encryption: —Supported Platforms: iOS, Android, Web, DesktopMax Group Size: 200,000Year Founded: 2013Avg Rating: 4.2/10

added by IJRin 3 rankingsTelegram

Discord▲ Rising

Discord started as a gamer voice chat but expanded to text communities and now hosts millions of servers for every interest. Its 2020 screen-share and stage features kept it ahead during remote work and school shifts. It ranks for its flexible, low-friction community tools.

Users (M): 200 MEnd-to-End Encryption: —Supported Platforms: iOS, Android, Web, DesktopMax Group Size: 1,000,000Year Founded: 2015Avg Rating: 4.3/10

added by IJRin 3 rankingsDiscord

iMessage▲ Rising

iMessage cemented Apple's ecosystem lock-in by offering free, encrypted messaging that works seamlessly across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Its 2016 read receipts and tapbacks became cultural shorthand among users. It tops device-specific lists for polish and reliability within Apple hardware.

Users (M): 1,000 MEnd-to-End Encryption: ✓Supported Platforms: iOS, macOS, watchOSMax Group Size: 32Year Founded: 2011Avg Rating: 4.4/10

added by IJRiMessage

Element▲ Rising

Element (Matrix) offers decentralized, federated chat that lets organizations run their own servers while still connecting to the wider network. Its 2020 government and enterprise adoptions proved open protocols can scale securely. It ranks for users who want ownership of their data.

Users (M): 20 MEnd-to-End Encryption: ✓Supported Platforms: iOS, Android, Web, DesktopMax Group Size: 100,000Year Founded: 2016Avg Rating: 3.9/10

added by IJRelement

Snapchat▲ Rising

Snapchat invented disappearing messages and Stories that forced every other app to copy the format. Its 2017 redesign aimed at power users but kept the core appeal for Gen Z private sharing. It ranks for cultural influence on how young users message today.

Users (M): 400 MEnd-to-End Encryption: ✓Supported Platforms: iOS, AndroidMax Group Size: 100Year Founded: 2011Avg Rating: 4/10

added by IJRin 4 rankingsSnapchat

Slack

Slack turned workplace chat into searchable, threaded knowledge bases that replaced email for many teams. Its 2013 launch and rapid integrations made it the default for startups and remote companies. It earns its place through productivity focus rather than consumer scale.

Users (M): 20 MEnd-to-End Encryption: —Supported Platforms: iOS, Android, Web, DesktopMax Group Size: 10,000Year Founded: 2013Avg Rating: 4.2/10

added by IJRin 2 rankingsSlack

QQ▲ Rising

QQ remains China's original social chat app with massive group and gaming features that predate WeChat's rise. Its 2010s mobile pivot kept it alive for younger users alongside WeChat. It ranks for its enduring scale in a competitive market.

Users (M): 600 MEnd-to-End Encryption: —Supported Platforms: iOS, Android, Web, DesktopMax Group Size: 200Year Founded: 1999Avg Rating: 3.6/10

added by IJR

Threema▲ Rising

Threema built a paid, privacy-first app that never required phone numbers or emails, appealing to users wary of big-tech data collection. Its 2015 Swiss-based encryption audits gave it credibility in regulated industries. It holds a niche for professionals who pay for anonymity.

Users (M): 10 MEnd-to-End Encryption: ✓Supported Platforms: iOS, Android, Web, DesktopMax Group Size: 1,000Year Founded: 2012Avg Rating: 4.3/10

added by IJRThreema

WeChat

WeChat became indispensable in China by folding messaging, payments, mini-apps, and government services into one super-app. Its 2013 red-envelope campaign proved chat could replace cash for everyday transactions. Outside China its reach stays limited but the model remains unmatched.

Users (M): 1,300 MEnd-to-End Encryption: —Supported Platforms: iOS, Android, Web, DesktopMax Group Size: 500Year Founded: 2011Avg Rating: 4.1/10

added by IJRin 4 rankingsWeChat

Google Messages▲ Rising

Google Messages became the default Android SMS app by adding RCS features that finally brought typing indicators and high-res media to carrier texting. Its 2022 E2EE rollout for RCS chats shows Google pushing carriers toward modern standards. It earns ranking as the bridge between legacy SMS and modern messaging.

Users (M): 1,000 MEnd-to-End Encryption: ✓Supported Platforms: AndroidMax Group Size: 100Year Founded: 2018Avg Rating: 4.1/10

added by IJRGoogle Messages

Skype▲ Rising

Skype pioneered consumer video calling and still serves enterprise users through Microsoft integration after its 2011 acquisition. Its 2020 Together Mode tried to refresh group calls during the pandemic. It remains relevant for legacy business users despite newer competitors.

Users (M): 300 MEnd-to-End Encryption: —Supported Platforms: iOS, Android, Web, DesktopMax Group Size: 100Year Founded: 2003Avg Rating: 3.8/10

added by IJRin 2 rankingsSkype

Wickr▲ Rising

Wickr focused on secure, self-destructing messages for both consumers and enterprises before Amazon acquired it in 2021. Its 2018 federal security clearances showed it could meet government standards. It ranks for users needing ephemeral, auditable comms.

Users (M): 5 MEnd-to-End Encryption: ✓Supported Platforms: iOS, Android, DesktopMax Group Size: 500Year Founded: 2012Avg Rating: 4/10

added by IJRWickr

Wire

Wire combined open-source encryption with polished business features after its 2014 launch as a European alternative to Slack and WhatsApp. Its 2020 video calling upgrades kept it competitive for remote teams. It earns ranking among privacy-conscious professionals.

Users (M): 5 MEnd-to-End Encryption: ✓Supported Platforms: iOS, Android, Web, DesktopMax Group Size: 500Year Founded: 2014Avg Rating: 4.1/10

added by IJRwire

Session

Session uses onion routing and no phone numbers to create fully anonymous group chats that resist metadata collection. Its 2020 launch targeted users seeking Signal-level security without any central account. It ranks for extreme privacy needs.

Users (M): 1 MEnd-to-End Encryption: ✓Supported Platforms: iOS, Android, DesktopMax Group Size: 100Year Founded: 2020Avg Rating: 3.7/10

added by IJRsession

Zalo

Zalo became Vietnam's leading messaging app by offering free calls and later adding payments and news in a market with low data costs. Its 2016 enterprise version expanded beyond consumers. It earns ranking through strong Southeast Asia adoption.

Users (M): 70 MEnd-to-End Encryption: —Supported Platforms: iOS, Android, WebMax Group Size: 500Year Founded: 2012Avg Rating: 4/10

added by IJRZalo

LINE▼ Falling

LINE became Japan's default chat by bundling messaging with payments, news, and character stickers during the 2011 earthquake recovery. Its 2016 banking and ride-hailing expansions kept it central to daily life. It remains dominant in East Asia through lifestyle integration.

Users (M): 200 MEnd-to-End Encryption: ✓Supported Platforms: iOS, Android, Web, DesktopMax Group Size: 500Year Founded: 2011Avg Rating: 4.1/10

added by IJRin 3 rankingsLine

KakaoTalk▼ Falling

KakaoTalk dominates South Korea by integrating chat with payments, taxis, and banking inside one app since its 2010 launch. Its 2014 voice and video features made it the daily hub for Korean users. It holds its spot through deep local ecosystem lock-in.

Users (M): 50 MEnd-to-End Encryption: —Supported Platforms: iOS, Android, DesktopMax Group Size: 1,000Year Founded: 2010Avg Rating: 4/10

added by IJRKakaoTalk

Briar▼ Falling

Briar routes messages via Bluetooth and Tor so it works when the internet is censored or down, targeting activists and journalists. Its 2018 Android focus and 2020 desktop beta show steady growth for offline resilience. It ranks for specialized threat models.

Users (M): 0.1 MEnd-to-End Encryption: ✓Supported Platforms: Android, DesktopMax Group Size: 100Year Founded: 2018Avg Rating: 3.8/10

added by IJRBriar

SimpleX Chat▼ Falling

SimpleX Chat uses one-time keys and no user IDs to prevent metadata linkage, launched in 2021 as a response to surveillance concerns. Its 2022 group and voice features expanded its appeal. It ranks for cutting-edge anonymity design.

Users (M): 0.3 MEnd-to-End Encryption: ✓Supported Platforms: iOS, Android, DesktopMax Group Size: 50Year Founded: 2021Avg Rating: 3.9/10

added by IJRSimpleX Chat

Jami▼ Falling

Jami uses peer-to-peer connections and no central servers to deliver encrypted calls and messages with full user control. Its 2020 GNU project backing gave it credibility among open-source advocates. It ranks for users rejecting any cloud dependency.

Users (M): 0.5 MEnd-to-End Encryption: ✓Supported Platforms: iOS, Android, DesktopMax Group Size: 50Year Founded: 2016Avg Rating: 3.5/10

added by IJRJami

Tox▼ Falling

Tox pioneered fully decentralized, encrypted messaging with no central servers or accounts since its 2013 crowdsourced start. Multiple client apps keep it alive among privacy maximalists. It earns a spot for its uncompromising architecture.

Users (M): 0.2 MEnd-to-End Encryption: ✓Supported Platforms: Desktop, AndroidMax Group Size: 100Year Founded: 2013Avg Rating: 3.4/10

added by IJRTOX