15+ BEST Chat Apps on the Market in 2022 [Ranked]

15+ BEST Chat Apps on the Market

Chat apps are the most popular type of smartphone app.

And there are chat apps that are standalone in nature or as part of something else.

For example, WhatsApp is the most popular app in the world and serves purely as a chat app.

Snapchat is a chat app as well but functions as many other things as well, most notably taking pictures and playing games.

Tinder is a chat app for strangers to match based on dating interests.

Some apps are also popular based on regions. For example, Telegram is not very popular in the US but is popular in various other countries, such as Russia and Iran.

Some chat apps are almost exclusive to a country, such as WeChat (China) or Zalo (Vietnam).

Below we’ll cover the best chat apps in 2024:

Best Chat Apps in 2024

#1 WhatsApp

WhatsApp is the most popular chat app in the world with over 2 billion monthly active users.

The app is available for free on Android, iOS, and Windows Phone, and there is a web version as well.

WhatsApp offers end-to-end encryption for all its chats and calls.

It also has a desktop app for Mac and Windows.

WhatsApp has many features beyond just messaging, such as group chat, voice and video calling, statuses, stories, document sharing, stickers, etc.

However, the app is owned by Facebook (purchased for $22 billion in 2014) and there have been concerns about data privacy.

#2 Telegram

Telegram is a cloud-based chat app with over 500 million monthly active users.

The app is available for free on Android, iOS, Windows Phone, and there is a web version as well.

Telegram offers end-to-end encryption for all its chats and calls.

It also has a desktop app for Mac and Windows.

Telegram has many features beyond just messaging, such as group chat, voice and video calling, statuses, channels, and more.

The app is open source and developed by a non-profit organization.

#3 Snapchat

Snapchat is a chat app with over 300 million monthly active users.

The app is available for free on Android and iOS.

Snapchat enables you to take fun pictures with filters and also allows users to chat with others without having to exchange phone numbers. You just need your Snapchat username.

The app also offers news and other content from publishers, such as ESPN, CNN, etc.

However, Snapchat has been criticized for its handling of user data.

#4 Tinder

Tinder is a chat app with over 50 million monthly active users.

The app is available for free on Android and iOS.

Tinder is a dating app that allows users to match with each other based on location and common interests.

Once two users have matched with each other, they can chat with each other.

Tinder also has a paid subscription service called Tinder Gold which gives users access to additional features, such as knowing who likes you before you like them.

However, the app has been criticized for its handling of user data and for promoting hookup culture.

#5 Facebook Messenger

Facebook Messenger is a chat app with over 1.3 billion monthly active users.

The app is available for free on Android, iOS, and there is a web version as well.

Facebook Messenger offers end-to-end encryption for all its chats and calls.

It also has a desktop app for Mac and Windows.

Facebook Messenger has many features beyond just messaging, such as group chat, voice and video calling, games, stickers, etc.

However, the app is owned by Facebook and as such there have been concerns about data privacy.

#6 WeChat

WeChat is a chat app with over 1 billion monthly active users.

The app is available for free on Android and iOS.

WeChat is a popular chat app in China that offers messaging, voice and video calls, games, stickers, etc.

WeChat also has a payment feature that allows users to send money to each other.

Like many apps, if you’re not in the country where it’s popular, then it might not be for you.

#7 Line

Line is a chat app with over 200 million monthly active users.

The app is available for free on Android and iOS.

Line is a popular chat app in Japan that offers messaging, voice and video calls, and more.

It is also popular in other Asian countries such as Laos.

#8 Viber

Viber is a chat app with over 800 million monthly active users.

The app is available for free on Android, iOS, Windows Phone, and there is a web version as well.

Viber offers end-to-end encryption for all its chats and calls.

It also has a desktop app for Mac and Windows.

Viber has many features beyond just messaging, such as group chat and voice and video calling.

#9 Kakao Talk

Kakao Talk is popular in South Korea.

The app is available for free on Android and iOS.

#10 Discord

Discord is a chat app with over 250 million monthly active users.

The app is available for free on Android and iOS.

Discord is a popular chat app among gamers that offers messaging, voice and video calls, game streaming, etc.

Discord also has a paid subscription service called Discord Nitro which gives users access to additional features, such as animated emoji and higher quality video.

However, the app has been criticized for its handling of user data and for promoting toxic gaming culture.

#11 Signal

Signal is a chat app with over 40 million monthly active users.

The app is available for free on Android and iOS.

Signal is a privacy-focused chat app that offers end-to-end encryption for all its chats and calls.

It also has a self-destruct feature for messages.

However, the app has been criticized for its user interface and for not offering enough features beyond just messaging.

But if you’re looking for security, Signal is a great choice.

Top 7 most secure messaging apps – stop giving your info out

#12 Zalo

Zalo is a popular messaging app that has about 99 percent of its users from Vietnam.

The interface is largely written in Vietnamese and it tends to dominate as a domestic chat app, with picture sharing features as well.

Zalo also has a personal assistant feature called Zalo AI that can perform tasks such as setting alarms and sending messages.

The app is available for free on Android and iOS.

#13 Skype

Skype is an old one.

It was the FaceTime before FaceTime and before you Zoomed someone you Skyped them.

Today it still functions as a messaging app and has a lot of its original features.

Skype was acquired by Microsoft in 2011 for $8.5 billion.

#14 Kik

Kik is a chat app with over 300 million monthly active users.

The app is available for free on Android and iOS.

Kik offers messaging, voice and video calls, games, stickers, etc.

However, the app has been criticized for some of the activity that’s gone on on the app.

#15 Slack

Slack is for business communication.

It can be a very useful tool above what email or text can provide.

Slack can be as open or closed as you want it to be, depending on who you invite in and organize members by boards.

Slack also offers features like video calls, polls, file sharing, and document management.

The app is available for free on Android and iOS.

There is also a paid subscription version with additional features and for bigger enterprises.

Its messages are end-to-end encrypted.

Most popular instant messenger apps over the years

Conclusion

What are the best chat apps on the market? This is a question that has been asked by many people, especially with the rise of communication apps.

There are a lot of chat apps out there, so it can be hard to know which ones are the best.

Here is a list of 15 best chat apps on the market:

1. WhatsApp

2. Telegram

3. Signal

4. Skype

5. Facebook Messenger

6. WeChat

7. Line

8. Viber

9. Kakao Talk

10. Discord

11. Signal

12. Zalo

13. Skype

14. Kik

15. Slack

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SoftwareBlade.com covers today's software and tomorrow's emerging technology.

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