Kik Messenger is a neat messenger application that combines good privacy features with the ability to share text messages, pictures, and even stuff straight from websites! However, some may not like the lack of verification options on Kik, which may cause them to keep running into spammers or people otherwise looking to improperly use Kik, or be untruthful about their identity.
Some ideas for messaging apps like Kik that can be used as alternatives to it are listed below.
1. WhatsApp
WhatsApp isn’t quite as flashy as Kik, but it’s one of Kik’s most popular competitors nonetheless. The appeal of WhatsApp is in its simplicity: your contacts are automatically added from your device’s address book, and you can invite new contacts as you wish. You can also communicate with contacts in multiple ways, such as swapping text messages, recording audio or video messages, uploading (or taking) pictures and then sending them, or just having a good old-fashioned phone call.
WhatsApp also has other neat features, such as the ability to create custom groups and back up your conversation history. And, WhatsApp is completely free to use, plus it will never show you advertisements.
To see more of what WhatsApp can do, visit our WhatsApp course!
2. Viber
Viber is another popular all-in-one communication tool like Kik. Viber is modeled after how popular social networks like Facebook work, and so includes functions like themed chat rooms for discussing various topics, as well as the ability to earn or purchase custom emoticons to add to your messages. Viber doesn’t rely on advertising to make money, though you will be charged for using the mobile version of it to call standard telephones.
3. Line
A Kik alternative from Japan, Line is sort of a cross between WhatsApp and Viber. Like WhatsApp, Line has features that make communication simple, such as the ability to import your device’s contacts into Line, multiple chat groups, and messaging via text, phone calls, pictures, videos, and so on. Like Viber, though, Line is designed to mimic social network features, such as custom emoticons and interface themes, as well as games that you can play with other Line users. It also contains a privacy-conscious feature called “hidden chats,” which are private conversations that are deleted after a set period of time.
4. WeChat
An alternative to Kik brought to you by China’s Tencent Group, WeChat is also quite similar to Line. It features standard communication options, including text messages, pictures, videos, and even multi-user phone calls or videoconferences. However, it also has social-network like features such as the ability to send money to other people, or follow the activities of celebrities or major companies who have created profiles on WeChat.
To learn more about WeChat and how to use it, check out our free WeChat course!
5. Snapchat
Rounding out our list is Snapchat, a mobile messaging app like Kik that was created with the privacy of its users in mind. Any picture, video, or text message that a user sends through Snapchat is deleted a short time after its recipient views it. Snapchat also has other cool features like picture or video filters, as well as the ability to create “stories,” which are thematically-linked pictures or videos that each disappear after 24 hours.
For a crash course on what Snapchat is all about, come view our Snapchat tutorials!
Have you used one of these services like Kik Messenger? What was your impression of it? Is there another mobile communication tool like Kik Messenger that you enjoy using, and would recommend to our users? We’d love to hear from you, so write a comment below, or head to our Facebook or Twitter pages and drop us a line! If you’re switching to one of these Kik alternatives and want to stop using Kik, check out our tutorial to learn how to delete your Kik account.
