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WhatsApp Alternatives That Protect Your Privacy in 2021

This article is for those who are looking for WhatsApp Alternatives for the best Privacy & Safety. Facebook-owned WhatsApp Messenger is the most famous messaging app on the planet. The organization releases new features regularly to ensure that it remains at the top. Nevertheless, not everyone seems to be happy with WhatsApp. WhatsApp recently updated its privacy policy to explain how it handles your data within Facebook’s family of apps and products.

The policy makes it clear that the organization collects a ton of telemetry data from your device. Then there’s the fact that everyone utilizes WhatsApp these days, so we won’t blame you if you feel it’s a little too annoying. So, if you’re someone who wants to move on to a more personal or secure messaging application, here are the 10 best WhatsApp alternatives you can use.

WhatsApp Alternatives That Protect Your Privacy in 2021

In this article, we have mentioned applications that focus on both privacy and features. You can check out the whole list of WhatsApp alternatives by using the table of content below.

Threema


The First on our list of WhatsApp Alternatives is Threema. Threema is a “seriously secure” messaging application, which should interest you if you are concerned about your security on WhatsApp. The application encrypts all the data, including messages, shared files, and even status updates. While it lacks WhatsApp highlights like voice & video calling, its security features are certainly impressive.

Along with end-to-end encryption in the application, the app also does not collect metadata and allows various encrypted backup options. Threema is open-source and has a highly transparent privacy policy, so your security is in safe hands while you are using the app.

It packs in the usual messaging traits, along with a web client that works similar to WhatsApp Web but includes a few unique touches like the ability to create a poll in groups, password or fingerprint-protect chats, anonymous chatting, and the ability to agree/disagree to a message. Threema is a paid application, but if security is crucial to you and you want a simple messaging app, it is worth the money.

Availability: Android, iOS, Web

Keybase


Keybase is an open-source secure chat app that is great for users who want to communicate securely. Since this is an open-source application, there’s no private corporation that is looking at all your data. Anyways the data is end-to-end encrypted; therefore, at no point in time, the message is exposed to nefarious actors.

The app does not even allow you to take the screenshot of the chats. The messaging application works more like Slack than WhatsApp; nevertheless, it’s not aimed at businesses, rather it is largely targeting users who are concerned with their online privacy.

My favorite trait of Keybase is that you don’t need anyone’s number or email ID to connect with them. This enables you to remain in contact with users with whom you do not want to share your personal information. Finally, this is 1 of the few messaging apps which offer a native application for the Linux operating system. If you value your privacy, you should check it out.

Availability: Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, and Windows

Snapchat


While Snapchat technically is not only a messaging app rather a social media app, I use it more and more as a messaging application thanks to some unique traits that no other messaging application can offer. For instance, I can send messages which can self-destruct after a set period of time. It further notifies me when someone takes a screenshot of my chats with them. Finally, it gives the best face mask collection of all the apps that I have ever used, which makes this app fun to use.

Other messaging traits are also here, such as the ability to create group chats, voice calls, group voice calls, gifs, and more. I also love Snapchat because it is 1 of the most innovative chat services on the market. The features that users on Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp normally enjoy are generally copied from Snapchat. Therefore, if you want to access these cool features and be the first to receive the latest chat features, Snapchat is the app to use.

Availability: Android, iOS

Bridgefy


1 of the main problems with online messaging apps like WhatsApp is that they rely on an internet connection to work. And if you’re out camping in the woods, even the normal text messaging apps will not work. That’s where offline messaging applications come into play. These apps do not require a mobile network or internet connection to work.

Rather, they build a peer-to-peer Bluetooth mesh network or Wifi Direct-based network on your phone and allow you to send messages to your nearby friends. If you’re looking for such an application, then you should use Bridgefy. Bridgefy gives three main types of messaging service; Person-to-Person mode, Broadcast mode, and Mesh mode.

You can send messages to a buddy, broadcast them to the entire group, and even use users as nodes to send messages to long distances. It is pretty helpful during music festivals, sports events, natural disasters, and other such circumstances where you won’t be getting reliable mobile service.

In fact, Bridgefy and other such applications have become a bastion for protesters worldwide as it enables them to evade internet censorship imposed by their governments. The application is free to use and download and the best offline WhatsApp alternative, in my opinion. You should check it out.

Download: (Android | iOS)

Signal Private Messenger


The Next on our list of WhatsApp Alternatives is Signal. Signal Foundation, the company that powers the end-to-end encryption technology in WhatsApp Messenger and Facebook Messenger, gives its very own messaging app dubbed Signal Private Messenger. As you’d assume, Signal brings several security advantages when compared to WhatsApp. It gives self-destructing messages, screen security, and more.

Moreover, Signal brings encryption to its backups, calls, group calls, and every other data in the app. Also, the files that you send using Signal are protected. Moreover, according to Apple’s App Store listing, Signal does not link any data to your identity.

It’s an excellent app for anyone who wants to securely converse with other users. That’s why Signal is quite famous with journalists. Signal Private Messenger is for those who are looking for a secure and simple messaging app, and if you’re looking for something like that, it is the best WhatsApp alternative for you.

Availability: Android, iOS

Viber


Viber is another famous messaging and VoIP app that really stands toe-to-toe with WhatsApp when it comes to features. 1stly, the app offers end-to-end encryption in calls, messages, and the shared media. Furthermore, the messages saved in multiple devices are also encrypted, which brings us to the fact that the messaging apps packs in multi-device support, which WhatsApp lacks.

Like WhatsApp, Viber allows you to make video and voice calls, but the app goes one step ahead with its Viber Out feature, which lets you make international calls to non-Viber users at nominal rates.

Discussing the messaging features, Viber includes support for stickers, file sharing, last seen, voice & video messages, public accounts, backup to Google Drive, and more. Likewise, there is a sticker store and Viber games, which are basically games you can play inside Viber. If you examine everything, you will notice that Viber is an app that is very similar to WhatsApp. It packs in most of the highlights from WhatsApp and then some more.

Availability: Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Windows

Telegram Messenger


Telegram Messenger has been well-known as the best WhatsApp competitor for a while now, and nothing’s changed. The open-source messaging app is still the great WhatsApp alternative out there. Along with the usual messaging features that WhatsApp and Telegram pack, the latter brings other traits like super groups of up to 100,000 people, public channels, usernames, the ability to share files of up to 1.5 GB, passcode lock, self-destructing messages, and end-to-end encryption in secret chat among other things.

Then, there are Telegram Bots, which truly enhance the experience. The bots do not simply bring you important info on the go, but there are several game bots that made you play games inside the messaging app. Furthermore, unlike WhatsApp, Telegram can be used on multiple programs at once, so you can start texting on your phone and then continue it on your PC. I also like the voice call feature here, which works quite well.

That said, Telegram lacks a video calling feature. However, it makes up for it by bringing unique traits that are not found on WhatsApp. So, if you do not care about video calls, you cannot go wrong by picking Telegram Messenger as your messaging app.

Availability: Android, iOS, Windows Phone, macOS, Windows, Linux, Web

Skype


Skype is, without a doubt, 1 of the best business chat apps on the market. With the strength of Microsoft behind it, Skype has left all the other business chat applications in the dust. Nevertheless, that progress has worked against Skype when it comes to personal chats as the business moniker that it has earned keeps normal users away. But allow me to tell you that Skype is 1 of the best chatting applications on the market, especially if you make a lot of video and voice calls.

I particularly find Skype useful when I am using it to make overseas calls as the sound, and video quality on Skype is far better than its competition. I also like Skype for its group video call functionality.

While most other apps do not support group video calls, the ones who do often lag when you add more than 3 to 4 people, if you’re someone who makes a ton of video calls with their friends and family, I can certainly recommend Skype over WhatsApp or any such chat application.

Availability: Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, Web

Discord


Discord is no longer just a program for chatting with your fellow gamers. While you can search a variety of Discord servers to engage with your interests, Discord’s DM functionality is often overlooked by many. You can utilize Discord’s personal messages feature to send messages, emojis, emotes, GIFs, images, and even documents. Moreover, you can make voice calls, video calls, or browse together after sharing your screen.

Combined with neat integrations from Spotify, YouTube, Twitch, Battle.net, Steam, Reddit, Facebook, Twitter, Xbox Live, and GitHub, Discord has got you covered for all your messaging requirements and is arguably better than WhatsApp.

Also, You can create group chats on Discord with a total of 10 members. If you require more capacity, you can always build a server. If you ask me, I’d suggest uninstalling WhatsApp right away and installing Discord.

Availability: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, Web

Kik


The Last on our list of WhatsApp Alternatives is Kik. Kik is a famous messaging app for users who don’t want to use their number to operate a messaging app. While chat services like WhatsApp need users to use their numbers, I know many consumers who are not comfortable with sharing their numbers to these platforms.

Kik is an excellent service for those users as it only requires you to use your email ID. Once you sign up for the service utilizing your email ID, Kik will generate a unique user name for you to share with other Kik users to chat.

The great part about using Kik is that you’re not losing out on any messaging features. You still get access to all the major features, including text messages, emojis, Gifs, stickers, photo sharing, video sharing, and group chats, among other things.

Another unique trait of Kik is that it supports bots that you don’t get on WhatsApp. Using bots, you can play quizzes, the latest news, get fashion tips, and more. That stated, the main USP of Kik remains its non-requirement of a phone number and if that’s something you want, definitely check it out.

Availability: Android, iOS

Bonus: LINE


Another WhatsApp alternative you can utilize is LINE, a highly popular cross-platform messaging application that packs in many features. Like WhatsApp, the app highlights end-to-end encryption, support for voice and video calls & messages, and more.

Also, It brings quite a few unique features compared to WhatsApp like LINE Out, sticker store, a cool Keep feature, and more. It further features a timeline in the app, where you can view any status updates and photo changes from your friends.

Other useful LINE traits include passcode lock, filter messages, themes, LINE Pay for payments, and more. There’s no doubt that LINE is a highly capable and feature-rich messaging app; however, it does feel a little bloated. Therefore, fans of WhatsApp’s simplicity might not like LINE much, but you should give it a shot if you are not bothered by that.

Availability: Android, iOS, iPad, Windows Phone, macOS, Windows, Chrome, Firefox

Best WhatsApp Alternatives to Use:

Several other messaging apps are pretty decent, like imo, Hike, etc. Nevertheless, if you’re looking for an app to replace WhatsApp, the apps mentioned above are the best ones you can use. While none of these apps will match the user base that WhatsApp boasts of, they are more than great enough to replace it as far as features and privacy are concerned. Therefore, try out these WhatsApp alternatives and let us know your preferred instant messaging app in the comments section below.

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