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The WeChat app is one of the most used applications in the Chinese region, with more than a billion users. Tencent is the parent company of WeChat, which has one of the biggest market capital in Asia.
Apart from chat features, it also offers articles, mini-games, and payment methods. However, there are many privacy concerns about this application which makes many users worried and urge them to look for alternatives.
In this article, we have reviewed the best WeChat alternatives to use this year.
1. Skype
Skype one of the top alternatives to WeChat which is a famous video-calling application. It is a product of Microsoft which is one of the pioneers in video chat and messaging. It offers high-quality video, online instant messages, phone calls, and text message services. The majority of its features are free.
In comparison to WeChat, Skype has a much cleaner interface with easy to adopt experience. It runs smoothly on multiple platforms including; Android, iOS, Mac, and Desktop Windows.
Key Features:
- Share emoticons
- Image annotation
- GIFs library
- Video calling for 100 people
- Mobile screen sharing
- Live subtitles
- Get Skype numbers
- Use Skype for phone calls
- Skype call recording
Availability:
Pricing:
- The subscription starts at $2.99/month in the USA.
2. Signal
Signal got much traction recently after privacy concerns rose for Whatsapp and WeChat applications. It gives better privacy and many messaging features people look for on their desired devices.
It was mostly used by journalists across the world to keep their conversations secure and private. But now it is used by masses around the world. It provides end-to-end encryption on the messaging platform.
Signal admits that they can’t even read your messages. It secures messages using the open-source protocol.
Key Features:
- Easy-to-use application and UI
- Attach and send images/files and videos
- Create and chat in groups
- Video and voice calls
- No ads and no content tracking
- Free for everyone
Availability:
Pricing:
- Free to use
3. iMessage
It is an instant messaging app service developed by Apple Inc in 2011. It provides extensive integrations with iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. It also provides a secure platform with the trusted privacy policy of Apple.
It gives a seamless messaging experience packed with useful and engaging features such as Memoji, Animoji, messaging effects, and ease of use. Ability to install and play iMessage games and secure mobile payment with Apple Pay.
Key Features:
- Compatible with the Apple ecosystem
- Create and name group conversation
- Reply inline and mention people
- Add personal effects with animation effects
- Send images, videos, audio, and messages
Availability:
- iOS
- Mac
- Apple Watch
- iPad
Price:
- Free to use
4. Whatsapp
With over 2 billion users across the world, it is one of the top-used chat applications in the world. Now it is owned by Facebook, which is a popular social media platform. If you talk about a WeChat alternative with the most downloads and users, then Whatsapp would be the top app that can be used instead of WeChat.
However, some privacy concerns and Whatsapp’s announcement of eliminating end-to-end encryption made its users worried and people started to look for Whatsapp alternatives.
It allows up to 8 people in group video calls. It also provides multimedia sharing just like WeChat for images, videos, documents, and audio messages. It also works well on low internet connections.
Key Features:
- Simple text messaging
- Group chat
- Image, audio, video, and doc sharing
- Desktop app available
- Set profile status
Availability:
Pricing:
- Free to use
5. Telegram
Telegram is a self-destructed and fully encrypted messaging application that provides a more secure experience to its users. Launched in 2013, it is getting more traction recently by users across the globe with around 400 million users.
It offers high-end safeguards for personal messages. It encrypts all data like media and chats with AES and RSA encryption.
It is a clutter-free application with a clean UI. It lets you create a group chat with around 200,000 members, while WeChat only allows group chat with 500 members.
Key Features:
- Group chat
- Image, video, audio and document sharing
- Completely encrypted for all data
- Fast and light-weight application
- Intuitive messaging
Availability:
Pricing:
- Free to use
- Open Source
Conclusion
We have highlighted some of the best WeChat alternatives you can try this year. Let us know in comments that is your best option as a WeChat like app. Share your feedback with us on email: [email protected]
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