In a post-internet world, speed is more than a priority-- it’s an expectation. Whether it be a YouTube video, an amusing GIF, or a notification letting you know that item you wanted is up for pre-order on Amazon, we expect communication to be swift and reliable. With that in mind, developers have created countless messaging apps-- from weird, niche ones like Voxer to Apple’s own iMessage. But what apps make for the best, cleanest and most reliable instant messaging? After some research, here are some of the five best messaging apps on the market right now.
5. WhatsApp
WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps out there, often the go-to recommended app for group chats. Ad-free, WhatsApp allows users to send messages, pictures, short videos and more to other users. However, WhatsApp is only free for the first year-- although the price after is 99 cents per year, the amount of free alternatives gives WhatsApp the lowest position on the list, despite its premium experience.
4. Discord
The most niche application on the list, Discord is a messaging app geared primarily towards gamers. However, being such a new service, their customer service and developer-user communication is top notch. The user interface for Discord is also sleek and convenient, allowing users in a group to create several channels within the group for discussing different topics and other purposes. The ability to tag people in a message also is helpful for users who find the endless amount of group chat notifications irritating, but don’t want to miss out on anything important. This, along with Discord’s voice channels which can allow users to communicate via voice chat, earns it a spot on the list despite being geared to a smaller demographic.
3. Google Hangouts
Google Hangouts is the first app on this list that fully allows SMS integration, meaning you can use the app to text as well as message other Hangouts users. It’s also the first app on the list to utilize both full-fledged video chatting, SMS messaging and messaging between native app users. Hangouts supports up to 10 people in a video call at once, which is huge for a free app, with most services like Zoom requiring a subscription to host large video calls. However, group chats can be awkward, with managing and viewing users in the chat being difficult. This, coupled with Google’s lack of devotion to the service (see the apps Duo and Allo), prevent Hangouts from rising up any higher in ranking.
2. Skype
The oldest service on this list, Skype is an extremely popular service, hosting over 74 million users. Also offering SMS integration, Skype is most known for its high-quality video chatting service. Although it does have some latency, Skype video chats are notable for their constant uptime and quality. It also has a fully functional messenger that allows Skype users to instantly message each other and share files. Skype also allows users to cast their screens so other users on the call can see what they’re seeing, which can be useful for IT help and technical demonstrations. However, the app itself can be slow from time to time, and can often feel vaguely dated and clunky, especially with its IM interface and strange flavor of emoji. Overall, though, Skype is an extremely solid choice for a messaging app.
1. Facebook Messenger
While Facebook Messenger at first received a lot of hate for its invasive amount of access to your phone and frequent crashes, it has evolved into a refined and incredibly useful messaging app, encompassing much of its competition wrapped up into one service. Through Facebook Messenger, users can send each other files, GIFs, emoji, pictures, and even money. Facebook Messenger also supports both video chat and standard voice chat, providing one of the most clear-sounding audio experiences I’ve ever had with an instant messaging app. Messenger also allows users to send voice clips instead of messages (looking at you, Voxer) and supports SMS integration as well. And recently, the app has been designed so that even non-Facebook users can utilize the app. All this, combined with customized chat rooms that allow you to alter colors, nicknames, and yes, emoji, Facebook Messenger is without a doubt the best messaging app on the market right now, and provided completely for free.
