Texting Apps to Keep You Connected
You may have noticed an increase in the use of texting apps over the last few years. Whether you’re trying to avoid getting hit with a data bill from your service provider while on vacation or want to connect with your friends overseas, texting apps are an great addition to your applications arsenal. Read more below and find out which texting apps are appropriate for you, your peers, and your family.
25 Texting Apps Designed for All Types of Users and Uses
For iPhone and Android
1. WhatsApp
WhatsApp is one of the commonly used apps for messaging worldwide. Its setup is easy and it is also free. You will have to permit the app access to your list of contacts so it can automatically add friends to the list. Its features include chatting and video calling. It also allows sharing of location, documents, images, and contacts.
2. Signal
Open Whisper System created this app and highly recommended for security and encrypting messages. Its encryption feature is military-grade for messaging and voice calling. It also has features for group messaging, attaching of media files, and voice calling, aside from the regular messaging feature.
3. Line
Line gained its popularity in Asia with users now reaching 600 million. What this app offers is an integration of a messaging app along with a social media app such as Facebook. The timeline allows posts where friends and families can comment. It also offers free video and voice calls for Line users and calls even with landlines. The app comes with a wide array of stickers to choose from with yet another feature for group chats.
4. GroupMe
GroupMe is one of the best apps when it comes to group messaging. It also includes features such as texting and video messaging packs with emojis. You may also create and organize events and monitor RSVPs.
5. Google Hangouts
This app is available for Android and iPhone users but also for PCs and laptops. It just requires a Google account to access. Among its main features aside from messaging include photo sharing, video calling, and group calls.
6. WeChat
WeChat is popular in China reaching 700 million users. Among the app’s features are sharing of photos, voice and video calling and other special features such as People Nearby, Shake, and Friend Radar. This helps you locate friends who are nearby. You can also use this on an Apple Watch or Android Wear.
7. Google Allo
Yet another Google product in the texting app is the Google Allo which is relatively new. It offers its new feature which is the Assistant feature. The functions are the same to that of having Siri or Cortana which allows you to have conversations with them. Also included in its features are sharing of photos, using of stickers, and emojis.
8. Snapchat
Ask almost any millennial what Snapchat is and they’ll likely know everything about this app. It allows you to send photos and videos to friends or add to your stories. Stories disappear after 24 hours so be sure to save anything you want to keep from the app! If you are looking for an interactive and fun way to communicate, this app may be your best bet.
9. Slack
Slack is one of the best alternatives when it comes to scheduling meetings and coordinating with a team. It also has management tools and can be integrated with several software programs you are already using such as Google Drive, Asana, Dropbox, Twitter, and more. It is a messaging app suitable for you if you’re aiming for productivity and a smooth workflow.
10. Facebook Messenger
This app is separate from the Facebook app allowing you to chat with your friends and families conveniently. This is also a free app which offers features for voice and video calling. One unique feature is the “secret conversation” composed of conversations that are all encrypted.
11. IM+
Exciting news! IM+ is now available on Setapp! https://t.co/tAXxF0YJXo @setapp
— IM+ (@implus) February 28, 2018
This app is convenient to users who are availing multiple services at the same time such as Twitter, Yahoo, Google, Facebook, etc. You may sync them all with IM+ and send text messages using one app only.
12. Viber
Viber is one of the most commonly used free app. It is also downloadable with an Android and supports almost all types of communication. This can be from text messaging to video calls. Plus you may have in-app purchases for money transfers, and iCloud to back up your messages.
For Kids
The following texting apps are safe for kids to use and allow supervision and adults and partners tracking abilities. It also requires friends to use the app to interact with them.
13. Kuddle
This app is best for kids with ages 9 and above. Email accounts of children who are under 18 are tied to the email of the parents. The parents can then receive notifications of any account activity and even with approval for posts. It also a feature such as “Content Moderators” wherein they remove any content that is questionable. Only friends can view the posts.
Download: Android
14. Monster Messenger
Monster Messenger has lots of features to offer from photos, drawings, voice, and text messages to tons of cute stickers as well as personalized photos. Parents can also manage their kid’s account, invitations, and can access to contact lists. They can also block contacts at any time.
15. Roo Kids
Roo Kids is a fun messaging app for kids with minimum yet critical parental controls.The two biggest concerns parents have are…
online App Mart – https://t.co/6zHALRnBUA pic.twitter.com/gHdnEmA95d— Online App Mart (@onlineappmart) February 14, 2018
Roo Kids caters for users ages 12 and under. The parents have control when it comes to monitoring contacts. The same goes for the kids’ safety as well as in-app purchases. It also has features which allow blocking of app usage during curfew hours, homework hours, and bedtime. The camera lockout feature also comes in handy to avoid sharing photos accidentally.
16. Maily
Maily is the app for children with ages 4 and above. Kids can use this to connect with friends and family. The parents also have control over the contacts of their kids. Also, they can set approvals for any message sent and received. The app essentially offers an email and drawing service.
17. PlayMessenger
The @playmessenger app is a first messaging app for kids! https://t.co/LrSG6IJr94 #digitalparenting ad pic.twitter.com/zRfqAip9Yw
— Becca (@BeccaLudlum) April 28, 2015
Play Messenger is a PG-13 app for chatting, texting, messaging, and sending voice and picture messages. It also has features such as Trust Mode for parents to set a certain level when it comes to monitoring every child. There are also language filters for blocking any conversations that are offensive. But the best part is that the information of the child using the app is protected by a certification called PRIVO-Cert.
Download: Android
18. Messenger Kids
With this app, parents have more control over their child’s contact list. The messages can’t be hidden so parents can also check them out. There are also no ads and numerous stickers, GIFs, frames, and emojis for kids to choose from.
Texting Apps Online
There are several texting apps available for online users and those who prefer using their laptops or PCs in sending messages.
19. FoxText
FoxText is also another free texting app online where you can send text messages to mobile phones. There is no registration needed and you don’t have to download the app either.
20. Mysms
Mysms app allows you to use the laptop or the PC for texting. This is suitable to those who find the bigger keyboard of a laptop more convenient for sending messages to that of the mobile phones.
21. SendaText
Send Text using SENDaTEXT https://t.co/NkVJ6bbBco free text great app
— judy roark (@jrroark112) July 13, 2017
This app allows you sending text messages from your computer or smartphone. There is no need to download anything but just connect to an internet and a web browser to start using the app. Also, you don’t need to sign up and it is free.
22. Textfree
This is a VoIP service which allows you to chat for free using a real U.S. telephone number. You may also send messages online as well as with the mobile app. It has features for voicemail, calling, group chats, and MMS as well as stickers and a lot more.
23. TextMe
Aside from the free messaging features to any phone, with this app, you can also make calls for free. This covers domestic and international calls. Also, you can call anyone even if they don’t have the app.
24. TextNow
For this app, you only need one number which you may use for several devices. You can also make calls or send messages via PC or tablet then access it later on your mobile phone. This is a free app that is also available on iOS, Android, Windows Desktop, Windows Phone, Mac OS X, and through the web.
25. textPlus
With textPlus, you can get a free phone number. Also, you can use this for free online texting as well as in making calls. You may use this both with your smartphones and tablets.
Check out this YouTube video from PLAYMessenger, one of the texting apps for kids, to see how their app works:
Texting apps will get better and better as the digital age progresses. The possibilities are endless in designing apps built not just to cater to every individual’s needs but can also be useful for business and industrial processes too. Which texting apps mentioned have you tried so far? Let us know your experience in the comments section below.
