Nine alternatives to WhatsApp to avoid being communicative

millions of people
They have been hacked for not having WhatsApp. Yes, you can make calls by phone, but it’s not the same for instant messaging applications. Therefore, we present some alternatives to the Facebook app.

Wire

One of the most common options, especially until the implementation of end-to-end encryption in WhatsApp. In addition to security, its main asset is speed; Secret conversations, with messages that disappear after we set them up; The use of sticker packs and bots, which allows the most diverse functionalities: create a survey, insert a GIF, find a product on Amazon …

Telegram has applications for iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Firefox OS, Windows, macOS, Linux and web versions. They all harmonize perfectly with each other.

Hangouts

Google’s biggest slew is Hangouts, a messaging application that came out in 2013 and was fully integrated into the internet giant’s ecosystem. Not surprisingly, it comes pre-installed on most Android smartphones, ensuring a considerable user base. Among its functionalities we send SMS and audio and video calls over the Internet with up to 25 interlocutors simultaneously.

Hangouts is also available in the web version (using the Chrome extension) for iOS devices and is associated with our inbox in Gmail.

Line

With 200 million users, LINE is the most widely used instant messaging application in Japan. In fact, it has crossed into a media phenomenon with the opening of merchandising stores (Times Square included) around the world. Provides video calls for up to 200 users; endless stickers; Games to kill time and chronology in the style of social networks, with which to get to know our contacts.

LINE is available on iOS, Android, Blackberry, Symbian, Windows, macOS and Firefox OS.

Signal

Like Telegram, Signal has an unquestioning commitment to the security of our communications: messages are not stored on company servers and information is transmitted end-to-end encrypted. Also here we can enable group chat, make video calls, set the time to delete messages… Of course, this might be a little less for those who like to add puppets to their conversations. Huh. It also doesn’t have a huge user base, so it will be up to us to explain its merits to our relatives.

Signal has versions for iOS, Android, Google Chrome, Windows, macOS, and Linux.

threema

Developed in Switzerland with the aim that the transmitted information leaves as little trace as possible, the contact list is stored only on our phones and all chats can be password protected. To make matters worse, Threema doesn’t require a phone number: Each user has an 8-digit password as an identifier. As a curiosity, it has the possibility to mark each message with “I like” or “I don’t like”.

Threema is offered for iOS, Android and Windows Phone, albeit on payment (€3.49).

wire

As with normal for messaging applications, Wire allows us to share the screen of our phone with another user or in a group with up to 10 interlocutors. Another advantage is the exchange of files regardless of their format (it also accepts at least ordinary ones), optimized so that they consume the least possible storage space. And be careful, as we can log in to 8 devices at once.

Wire is free in its non-commercial version. It offers versions for iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, and browsers.

Feather

Aware that Hangouts lags behind its competition in functions and aesthetics, Google launched ‘Allo’, an application with many customization options. Whispered or shouted messages bring life to a chat; We can schedule automated responses and ask Google Assistant to participate in any conversation, advising us on the best restaurant or vacation destination.

Allo is available for iOS and Android devices, although Google has “paused” its development, whatever that means.

WeChat

We rivaled the instant messaging giant in China with 600 million users. Some of its features are the scanning of codes to add contacts; Identification of users (known or not) around us; Groups up to 500 users and the option to unlink our phone number from the application. This ‘app’ that has become a true multi-purpose tool in recent times with which to buy tickets, order taxis, make medical appointments…

WeChat is unpopular in the West, but has been released for a myriad of platforms: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Windows Phone, Symbian, Windows, and macOS.

Skype

We close with a classic. Desktop application with which many parents started interacting with their children located on the other side of the world. Not for nothing, video calls with translation, when the interlocutors do not share a language, have become their main claim. Of course, we can also send messages, photos, videos and files (up to 300MB).

An exceptional collaborative tool with applications for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Blackberry, Windows Phone, Android … and the latest Microsoft (proprietary company) consoles.