WhatsApp Alternatives (2026): 10 Chat Apps to Try

WhatsApp is the app most of us reach for to message family, arrange a night out or answer a customer. Its own website describes private messaging and calling, groups, Channels and a separate WhatsApp Business app for companies, and it's easy to see why it's everywhere. But being everywhere doesn't mean it suits everyone, and plenty of people want a second option.

Maybe you want a chat app with a different approach to privacy. Maybe your team needs conversations sorted by topic, or you'd like a messenger that doesn't need your phone number. This page lists ten WhatsApp alternatives in no particular order, sorted alphabetically. Everything comes from each tool's own website. If you're also thinking about the safety of unofficial versions, my guide to WhatsApp Plus and safer alternatives is worth a read first.

WhatsApp alternatives side by side

In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site describes free use or a permanent free plan. Trial only means a free trial but no permanent free plan. Apps change, so check the current details before you move a family group or a customer chat across.

Tool	Type of app	Good for	Free plan
Element	Open messenger	Private chats on an open standard	Yes
Line	Everyday messenger	Friends and family chats with stickers	Yes
Session	Private messenger	Chatting with no phone number	Yes
Signal	Private messenger	Family and friend chats with strong privacy	Yes
Slack	Work chat	Team conversations organised by topic	Yes
Telegram	Cloud messenger	Large groups and broadcast style chats	Yes
Threema	Private messenger	Chats with no phone number needed	Trial only
Viber	Everyday messenger	Calls, groups and public communities	Yes
Wire	Business messenger	Secure team and client conversations	Yes
Zoho Cliq	Work chat	Team chat with channels and meetings	Yes

Ten WhatsApp alternatives for family chats and business conversations, A to Z

Element

Best for: People who like open standards and want a secure messenger with a free app for personal use, with the option to host their own.

Line

Best for: Families and friends who chat a lot and enjoy stickers and free voice calls and messages, especially if their contacts already use it.

Session

Best for: Privacy-minded users who want to sign up without a phone number or email address and keep their conversations encrypted.

Signal

Best for: Anyone who wants a simple, nonprofit messenger with encrypted texts, calls and groups, and no ads or trackers.

Slack

Best for: Small teams who want work chat sorted into channels instead of one noisy group, with a free plan to try it.

Telegram

Best for: Communities and clubs who want very large groups, easy access from several devices and bots to help run things.

Threema

Best for: Owners and teams who want a Swiss-built encrypted messenger, with a business version that has a free trial.

Viber

Best for: People who want free calls and messages plus group chats and public communities around a shared interest.

Wire

Best for: Small businesses and organisations who want encrypted messaging, calls and file sharing, with a free plan for small teams.

Zoho Cliq

Best for: Small teams who want channels, file sharing and meetings in one place, with a free plan to start on.

How to choose among WhatsApp alternatives

The biggest question isn't which app has the longest feature list. It's who else will install it. A messenger is only useful if the people you talk to are on it, so start with your contacts, not with the app store.

• Who needs to join? Grandparents, school parents and customers will rarely download something new. Think about how much effort you're asking of them.
• Phone number or not. Some apps use your number to find contacts, others give you a separate ID. Decide which suits how private you want to be.
• Group size. A family chat of eight is very different from a club of two thousand. Check the stated group limits.
• Calls and video. If you rely on voice or video calls, check that they're part of the app and work on every device you use.
• Desktop and tablet. Look for a version that runs on your computer, so you can type long replies without squinting at a phone.
• Business use. If customers will message you, check whether the app has a business setup or whether you'd be using a personal account.

Which kind of WhatsApp alternative suits your life or business

• Privacy-first messengers suit people who want fewer data trails and are happy to ask friends to switch.
• Everyday messengers with calls and stickers suit families who live in different countries and want free-feeling calls and chat.
• Work chat tools suit small teams who want conversations in channels, with files and meetings alongside.
• Large-group messengers suit clubs, hobby communities and local groups that outgrow a normal group chat.

If you run a business and use the business version of the app today, you may also want to read how WhatsApp Business treats your personal number and what happens if you switch a number to a business account before you decide to leave.

Getting your WhatsApp chats and groups into a new app

1. Decide which conversations really matter. Family groups and key customer chats usually top the list.
2. Back up what you want to keep first. My guides on moving messages to a new phone and recovering messages without a backup explain the common problems.
3. Install the new app yourself and set up your profile before you invite anyone.
4. Invite one small group first, such as close family, and ask for honest feedback.
5. Tell everyone clearly where the new chat lives, and keep the old one running for a while.
6. Once the new group is busy, mute or archive the old one rather than deleting it straight away.

Where families and shops go wrong when they drop WhatsApp

• Deleting the old app before anyone has joined the new one, and then losing touch with half the family.
• Picking an app because a friend raved about it, without checking that it works on everyone else's phone.
• Forgetting customers: a business chat needs a clear message about the new way to reach you.
• Moving a large group in one go instead of inviting people in waves.
• Assuming every app handles photos, voice notes and disappearing messages the same way.

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

Final checks before you pick one of these WhatsApp alternatives

Pick two apps that fit your people and the way you chat. Set each one up, start a small group with two or three friends or colleagues and send a mix of messages, photos and a voice note. Keep the one they find easy without being talked through it, and hold on to your old chats until the new one is part of the daily routine.

I keep every related walkthrough in the WhatsApp Help: 43 Guides to Transfers, Backups, Business and Privacy.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a free alternative to WhatsApp?

Yes. Most apps on this page describe free use or a free plan on their own websites. One option offers a free trial for its business version instead, so check each tool's current details.

Can I use a messenger without giving my phone number?

Some apps let you sign up with an ID or username instead of a number. Others rely on your number to find your contacts. Check the sign-up steps in each app before you choose.

Will my contacts need to install the same app?

Yes, in nearly every case. That's the hardest part of switching, so start with a small group and explain clearly why you're moving.

Can I move my old chats across?

Usually not in full. Back up what matters first, and think of the new app as a fresh start for most conversations.

Is it safe to use a modified version of WhatsApp?

I'd steer clear. Unofficial versions aren't made by the original company, and they can put your account and messages at risk. A different official app is the safer route.