WeChat is a great messaging and communication service, and one of the most popular in the world, as you may know from reading our review of WeChat. But there are a few other apps out there similar to WeChat that you can utilize for the same purposes. In this article, we’ll outline each of the apps like WeChat, explain how they are the same, and different, and help you decide which one is best for you.
1. WhatsApp
WhatsApp is probably the biggest WeChat competitor, and is used by over 600 million people, all over the world. Easily import your contacts and invite anyone who isn’t a WhatsApp user to start using it now. Type messages, make voice calls, or send photos, voice recordings, files, and videos! WhatsApp is one of the best messaging platforms because it is simple to use, and is used by so many. You’re guaranteed to find someone you know using WhatsApp.
If you want to learn more about WhatsApp, check out our TechBoomers WhatApp course.
2. Kik Messenger
Kik is one of the more popular messaging apps like WeChat, but has a few unique creative features such as drawing pictures, creating your own memes, and sharing cool links, in addition to chatting through text, picture messaging, or video messaging. Kik focusses on sharing fun, while also having all the fundamentals of a great communication tool. Kik also has the “Bot Shop,” where you can chat with automated messaging programs if you’re bored, or want someone to play a game with!
To learn more about Kik Messenger, be sure to give our Kik course a read!
3. Line
Line is a WeChat alternative with some great features, including easy contact importing, group chats, and many different ways to chat. It also has built-in games, stickers, themes, and many ways to customize your chats, as well as hidden chats that can be deleted after a specified amount of time. You can use Line on both your mobile device, or your PC.
4. Viber
Viber is a communication tool like WeChat, but focusses more on being a social media tool. With public chat rooms and custom stickers for your chats, Viber connects you to people everywhere, without ads! You can also use Viber on your mobile device to make calls to other home and mobile phones, you need only pay a flat subscription rate rather than being charged per minute at long distance rates!
5. Skype
Skype was one of the pioneers of the internet-based communication game, being one of the first to offer free video chats and calls to mobile devices. Skype is mostly free to use, and is one of the simpler communication tools to use. Video and voice calling is as easy as instant messaging, and is one of the most popular ways people communicate all over the world.
To learn more about Skype, be sure to visit our TechBoomers course on Skype here.
6. Telegram
Telegram is an app similar to WeChat, but focusses much more on privacy. Like WeChat, you can send images and video chat, and allows you to post messages publically. Unlike WeChat, Telegram allows you to hide your telephone number while making calls, and other information you want to keep private. Telegram also has secret chats, which are encrypted, invitation-only chats that can be automatically deleted. If you want more privacy – telegram is for you!
7. Google Hangouts
Google Hangouts is a communication platform that allows for instant messaging, voice chat, video chat, and collaboration through many useful features such as screen sharing, file sharing, and calls to mobile numbers (in the United States and Canada). With Google Hangouts, you can communicate with up to 10 people at once, which makes it a great tool for big chats with your family and friends, or for work collaboration.
And that’s our list of the best apps like WeChat. If you’re all finished with WeChat and want to start using one of these alternatives, be sure to check out our step-by-step tutorial on how to delete your WeChat account.
