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When Apple released iOS 10 last year, it came with a slew of new and improved messaging features. From digital touch (send your love with a heartbeat!), to GIF and sticker searches, emoji auto suggestions, and full-screen effects, the enhancements have made iMessage noticeably better.
But as good as iMessage is, there are still plenty of reasons to give other messaging apps a try, especially when you’re chatting with a group of people who aren’t all using iPhones. Ahead, we’ve rounded up eight of our favorites, which offer perks including location sharing, secure end-to-end encryption, free messaging abroad, and hacks for faster texting.
Click through to decide which ones you should experiment with now.
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If you haven't tried Allo before, download it stat. In addition to giving you access to the always-helpful Google Assistant (who can find you movie times, nearby parks, or anything else in mere seconds), the app lets you doodle on photos, send encrypted messages in incognito mode, and text replies faster. That last one comes courtesy of the Smart Reply tool, which automatically gives you a few options (both text- and emoji-based) depending on what your contact just said. The more you use it, the smarter the feature gets.
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There's a reason Facebook Messenger deserves its own app. It offers a way to make video calls to friends who don't have an iPhone (and can't access FaceTime), as well as a host of boosted messaging tools, from ways to play games with friends to a built-in GIF library. And if you aren't suffering Stories fatigue, give the Messenger version, Messenger Day, a try.
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WhatsApp is the gold standard of messaging apps. It offers it all: easy document and photo sharing, free messaging, voice and video calls that use your internet connection ( not your data), and, most importantly, complete security. The app has end-to-end encryption — meaning that only you and your intended recipient are seeing and hearing what's in a message.
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In addition to the usual chat features, including stickers and photo sharing, Kik includes built-in Meme and GIF libraries and a sketch tool for when you're feeling creative.
Photo: Madeline Buxton.Clik here to view.
Trying to plan a trip with a group of friends? Create a group thread in GroupMe. The app has a calendar tool that makes it easy to create and send event invites, as well as a location-sharing feature for when said event takes place.
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Use Viber to chat with and call friends, or to check out the app's public chats. Public chats, hosted by various media brands, bloggers, and personalities, give you a sneak peek at everything from the latest news to style and food trends.
Photo: Viber.Clik here to view.
Skype is ideal for video calls with large groups; the app can accommodate up to 25 people on one call. But it's also a standout direct-messaging app. You can easily share your location, create playful video messages, and even edit texts after they've been sent.
Photo: Madeline Buxton.Clik here to view.
If you tend to share a lot of photos or notes with someone, open a chat with them in Line. In addition to offering free voice and video calls (even internationally), the app includes sections within each one-on-one message to create photo albums and notes with someone. Here, you can store all the images and info that you want both of you to be able to access.
Photo: Line.Clik here to view.
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