Best Messaging App for Android (2026): 10 Texting Apps

Texting is the one thing everyone does on their phone every day, yet most people never question the app that came preinstalled. Swapping it can bring a cleaner look, better backups, texting from a laptop or simply no ads.

The ten apps below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, from Google's own app to small open source projects. Each description comes from the app's own Google Play listing, re-checked this week. If you're weighing up a second number for texting, my review of whether TextNow is safe explains the trade-offs.

Android messaging apps at a glance

In the free plan column, Yes means the app's own store listing or site describes free use or a free download, Trial only means a time-limited trial and No means neither is stated on the pages we read. Many free apps carry ads or sell optional upgrades.

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
Chomp SMS	Texting app	Heavy customisation	Yes
Fossify Messages	Open source texting	No ads, open source	Yes
Google Messages	Default texting app	RCS chats and encryption	Yes
Handcent Next SMS	Texting app	Texting from a computer	Yes
Mood SMS	Texting app	Fun themes and stickers	Yes
Pulse SMS	Texting app	Texting across devices	Yes
QKSMS	Open source texting	A clean, simple design	Yes
Signal	Encrypted messenger	Private chats and calls	Yes
textPlus	Second number app	A separate texting number	Yes
Textra SMS	Texting app	Speed and colour options	Yes

Ten messaging apps for Android

Chomp SMS

Best for: Texters who want to change almost everything about how their messages look, from bubbles to notifications.

Fossify Messages

Best for: Privacy-minded users who want a simple, open source texting app with no ads and a clean layout.

Google Messages

Best for: Most Android users, since it supports RCS chats with typing indicators, high-quality media and end-to-end encryption between users.

Handcent Next SMS

Best for: People who want cloud backup of messages and the option to text from a computer or tablet.

Mood SMS

Best for: Younger texters who want themes, emoji stickers and full control over how their messaging app looks and feels.

Pulse SMS

Best for: Multi-device users who want their texts on phone, tablet and web browser in one place.

QKSMS

Best for: Minimalists who want a beautiful, open source replacement for the stock messaging app that came on their phone.

Signal

Best for: Anyone who wants strongly encrypted chats, voice notes and calls with other people who also use the app.

textPlus

Best for: Sellers and freelancers who want a second number for texting and calling, kept apart from their main one.

Textra SMS

Best for: Texters who want a fast replacement for the stock app with lots of colour and notification options.

What end-to-end encryption covers in texting

Google Messages Help says the app supports end-to-end encryption when messaging other users of the same app over RCS, so no one, including Google and third parties, can read eligible messages as they travel between phones.

What that means for you: encryption depends on both ends. A chat with someone on a compatible app can be protected, while an ordinary SMS or MMS isn't protected in the same way. If privacy matters for a particular conversation, check the chat shows it's encrypted before you share anything sensitive.

SMS, RCS and chat apps explained

SMS is the old text standard that works on every phone, with short messages and basic picture messages through MMS. RCS is the newer standard that brings read receipts, typing indicators, better photos and group chats to the default texting app. Chat apps run their own networks over the internet and only work when both people have the same app.

Third-party texting apps mostly improve the SMS and MMS side with themes, backups and scheduling. If RCS features matter to you, check whether an app supports them before switching.

Switching your default texting app

1. Back up your existing messages before you change anything.
2. Install the new app and open it once.
3. Accept the prompt to make it your default SMS app.
4. Check group chats and picture messages work as expected.
5. Set notifications and themes to your liking.
6. Keep the old app installed for a few days in case you switch back.

Features that make texting easier

• Scheduled messages. Send birthday wishes at the right time.
• Quick replies. Answer from the notification without opening the app.
• Blocking and spam filters. Keep junk texts out of your inbox.
• Backups. Move years of conversations to a new phone.

Group chats with friends on iPhone

Mixed groups of Android and iPhone users used to be the weak spot of texting, with blurry photos and broken group threads. Newer chat features have improved this a lot, but they only work when both phones and carriers support them.

If a group chat keeps splitting into separate threads, check that chat features are switched on for everyone and that nobody's stuck on an old app version. For groups that share lots of photos and video, an internet chat app that everyone installs can still be the smoother option.

Whatever you choose, it's worth agreeing one place for each group. Half the frustration in family chats comes from messages scattered across three different apps.

Do you make a messaging app for Android? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

My plain advice on choosing an Android messaging app

If the default app does the job, turn on its chat features and leave it there; it's the easiest way to get modern texting with people on other phones. Switch when you want something specific, like texting from a computer, a cleaner ad-free design or more control over how conversations look.

For a separate business line, look at a second-number app rather than juggling two SIM cards, and read my notes on whether Burner is safe before you rely on one.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best messaging app for Android?

For most people, the default texting app with RCS chats switched on. Others prefer an app with more themes, backups or texting from a computer.

Are Android text messages encrypted?

RCS chats between compatible users can be end-to-end encrypted. Ordinary SMS and MMS aren't protected the same way.

Can I text from my computer on Android?

Yes. Several apps here offer texting from a computer, tablet or web browser.

Will I lose my texts if I change messaging app?

Usually not, as messages are stored on the phone, but back them up first to be safe.

Is there an ad-free texting app?

Yes. Some open source apps here describe no ads on their Play listings.

What's the difference between SMS and RCS?

SMS is the basic text standard. RCS adds typing indicators, read receipts, better media and group chat features.