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Highlights of the 12 best free chat apps you must try in 2023, including their features and benefits to help you choose the right one for your needs.
Table of Contents
Introduction
In today’s digitally connected world, chat apps have become an essential part of life, whether for personal or professional use. But not everyone is interested in using a paid chat solution and this is where free chat apps come in.
So in this blog, we’ve come up with a carefully curated list of the top 10 free messaging apps for 2023 to help you choose the best one for your communication needs.
What is a FREE Chat App?
A Free Chat App is software that allows your user to communicate with their friends and family in real-time, without having to pay any fee or subscription charges. Typically, free chat apps are used for in-app messaging along with features like voice and video calling, file sharing, push notifications, and more.
These apps can be downloaded on any compatible device like mobile, tablets, or computers and can be used across a variety of platforms like Android, iOS, and web.
Some of the popular use cases of FREE chat apps include personal communication, enterprise communication, customer support, online education, and social media networking.
List Of The Best 12 FREE Chat Apps
Here is a list of the free chat apps for web, and mobile apps.
- Signal
- Telegram
- Facebook Messenger
- Slack
- Skype
- Snapchat
- Viber
- Line
Comparison Table
Let’s quickly compare the use cases, base location and start rating of the best free chat apps against each other.
| APP | Best For | Headquartered In | Star Rating (Out of 5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Signal | Private messaging and calling | San Francisco, USA | 4.4 |
| Telegram | Secure 1:1 messaging | Germany | 4.2 |
| Facebook Messenger | Private and Business communication | Menlo Park, California, United States | 4.2 |
| Personal and Enterprise Communication | Mountain View, California, United States | 4.1 | |
| Slack | Team communication and collaboration | San Francisco, USA | 4.1 |
| Skype | Instant messaging and video conferencing | Luxembourg City, Luxembourg | 4.1 |
| Snapchat | Social networking | Santa Monica, USA | 4.1 |
| Viber | Private messaging and calls | Japan | 4.0 |
| Line | Communication and Social networking | Tokyo, Japan | 3.9 |
| Communication and Mobile payment | Shenzen, Guangdong, China | 4.3 | |
| Discord | Best chat app for gaming communities | Sanfransico, California | 4.4 |
| Threema | No.1 secure chat app to regain privacy | Pfäffikon, Switzerland | 4.1 |
1. Signal
Easy & free private calling and messaging app
Signal is an open-source and free instant messaging app that predominantly focuses on the security and privacy of its users. It is well known for its end-to-end encryption which ensures to cipher the chat/ call data during transit so that only the sender and the receiver can read them.
Features:
- Direct Messaging
- Voice calling
- Video calling
- Group chats
- Media and File Sharing
- Signal PINs
Key Spec:
Geolocation: Signal is used by people all over the world, but it is particularly popular in the United States and Europe.
Platforms/Languages: Signal is available for iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Use Cases: Signal is best for users who put their privacy and security first when using a chat app. It is particularly popular among journalists, government offices, defense, and other individuals who need to communicate sensitive information.
Free Restrictions: Signal is completely free to use, and there are no restrictions on the number of messages or calls that you can make.
2. Telegram
Leading secure free one-to-one and group messaging app
This cloud-based instant messaging app is fully free, fast, and reliable to use. Above this the security features it adopts makes it one of the most preferred free chat apps for users around the globe
Features:
- Instant messaging
- Voice calling
- Video calling
- Group chats
- Secret chats/ Self-destructing chats
Key Spec:
Geolocation: Telegram is used by people all over the world, but it is particularly popular in Russia, Iran, and India.
Platforms/Languages: Telegram is available for iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Use Cases: Telegram is best for private communication, businesses, and enterprises that are looking for E2E encryption.
Free Restrictions: Telegram is completely free to use. There are no restrictions on the number of messages/ calls you make or receive.
3. Facebook Messenger
Best private and business communication app
Messenger is a popular and free messaging app that is integrated with the social networking giant Facebook. It lets you easily connect with your friends and family, make conversations and share media like photos, videos and files.
Features:
- Instant messaging
- Video calling
- Audio calling
- Group chats
- File sharing
- Media sharing
- Messenger Rooms
- Games
Key Spec:
Geolocation: Facebook Messenger is used by people all over the world, but it is particularly popular in the United States, Canada, and Europe.
Platforms/Languages: Facebook Messenger is available for iOS, Android, and desktop.
Use Cases: Facebook Messenger is ideal for anyone who wants to connect with friends and family. It is a great app for E-commerce or Marketplace businesses to connect with their customers.
Free Restrictions: Facebook does not charge you and restrict you on the number of messages/ calls made or received within the app.
4. WhatsApp
No.1 free personal and enterprise communication app
WhatsApp is one of the most popular and widely used messaging apps in the world with a simple interface and end-to-end encryption. You can get WhatsApp‘s chat app for free and avail of engaging features like instant messaging, voice and video calls.
Features:
- End-to-end encryption
- Group chats
- Voice and video calls
- File sharing
- Media sharing
Key Spec:
Geolocation: Facebook Messenger is used by people all over the world, but it is particularly popular in the United States, Canada, and Europe.
Platforms/Languages: Facebook Messenger is available for iOS, Android, and desktop.
Use Cases: Facebook Messenger is ideal for anyone who wants to connect with friends and family. It is a great app for E-commerce or Marketplace businesses to connect with their customers.
Free Restrictions: Facebook does not charge you and restrict you on the number of messages/ calls made or received within the app.
5. Slack
Best for team communication and collaboration
Slack is a free chat platform that is primarily used by businesses and teams around the world. It lets users send & receive text messages, share files and collaborate effectively on projects. It also lets you integrate third-party features, leveraging seamless connectivity and productivity across teams.
Features:
- Channels
- Direct messages
- Voice and video calls
- File sharing
- Integrations with other apps
Key Spec:
Location of User Base: Slack is widely used in the United States, but it is also gaining popularity in other regions such as Europe and Asia.
Platforms/Languages: Available on iOS, Android, desktop (Windows, Mac, Linux), and web.
Use Cases: Slack can be used for business communication with colleagues and clients, team collaboration to share ideas, files and information, and project management to track progress and goals.
Free Restrictions: Limited features, including a limit of 10,000 messages and 10 app integrations. No voice
6. Skype
Highly scalable free instant messaging and video calling app
Skype is a free chat software that lets users make video and voice calls, send direct messages and share files effortlessly over the internet. It avails calls across landlines and mobile phones as both free and paid services.
Features:
- Instant messaging
- Free voice and video calls
- Call recording
- Group calls
- Screen sharing
- File sharing
Key Spec:
Geolocation: Skype has a global user base, with the largest number of users in the United States, followed by Europe and Asia.
Platforms/Languages: Skype is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and Windows Phone.
Use Cases: Skype can be used for personal communication with friends and family, remote work meetings and collaborations, online language tutoring and lessons, international business communication, and dating and social communication with video calls and messaging.
Free Restrictions: Skype offers free voice and video calls, instant messaging, and file sharing. However, some features such as call recording and screen sharing require a paid subscription.
7. Snapchat
Highly engaging free instant messaging app
Snapchat is a social media app that allows users to share photos and videos that disappear after a short period, as well as message and video chat with friends. The app also features filters, lenses, and other fun effects.
Features:
- Instant messaging
- Sharing photos and videos
- Filters and lenses
- Stories
- Bitmoji
Key Spec:
Location of User base: Snapchat is most popularly used in the United States, Europe and Asia and also across different parts of the world.
Platforms/Languages: Snapchat is available on iOS and Android.
Use Cases: The Snapchat app can be used for personal communication with friends and family, social networking with followers and communities, business promotion through sponsored filters, lenses and advertising, and influencer marketing with collaborations and sponsored content.
Free Restrictions: Snapchat offers all of its features for free, but some lenses and filters require in-app purchases.
8. Viber
Best for private texts and calls
Viber is a free online chat app that allows users to make voice and video calls, send messages, and share media over the Internet. The app also offers low-cost international calling to non-Viber users.
Features:
- Instant messaging
- Public chats
- Group calls
- Free voice and video calls
- Stickers and emojis
Key Spec:
Geolocation: Majority of Viber users are from Europe, and then from Asia and the Middle East.
Platforms/Languages: Viber is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and Windows Phone.
Use Cases:Viber app can be used for personal communication with friends and family, business communication with colleagues and clients, language exchange with native speakers, and international calling to non-Viber users at a low cost.
Free Restrictions: Viber offers free voice and video calls, instant messaging, and group calls. However, some features such as Viber Out require in-app purchases.
9. Line
Leading communication and social networking app
Line is a popular messaging app that offers free chat, voice and video calls to users, and an assorted list of other features like stickers and games. This free chat app also has a payment service and also e-commerce platform.
Features:
- Free voice and video calls
- Instant messaging
- Stickers and emojis
- News feed
- Timeline
Key Spec:
Geolocation: The user base of Line is majorly located in Asia, and also has a large number of users in Japan, followed by Thailand and Taiwan.
Platforms/Languages: Line is available on iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS. It supports over 20 languages.
Use Cases: Line app can be used for personal communication with friends and family, enterprise communication with colleagues and clients, social networking with groups and communities, and online shopping through its built-in e-commerce platform.
Free Restrictions: Line offers completely free voice and video calls, instant messaging.
10. WeChat
Best-in-class business messaging app to chat and pay
WeChat is a free messaging app that is popular and primarily used in China. It offers messaging, mobile payment services and also provides payment services, allowing users to pay for goods and services, transfer money to friends, and pay bills within the app.
Features:
- Messaging
- Voice and Video Calls
- Moments
- WeChat Pay
- Mini Programs
Key Spec:
Geolocation: WeChat has a vast user base in China, with more than 1 billion registered users. It is also popular in other parts of Asia, including Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia.
Platforms/Languages: WeChat is available on iOS and Android platforms.
Use Cases: WeChat is primarily used for personal messaging, but it is also used for business and social networking purposes. It is highly popular for businesses in China for promoting their products and services and also for interacting with customers.
Free Restrictions: WeChat is free to download and use, but some features, such as WeChat Pay, may incur additional fees.
11. Discord
Highly scalable and engaging free messaging app for gamers
Discord is a free chat app most popularly used by gamers. It offers free chat options, and you can create multiple groups and chat channels. In those channels, you can send and receive texts, emojis, and stickers in real time, along with file-sharing options.
Features
- Instant messaging
- File sharing
- Voice calls
- Group chats
- Chat threads
Key Spec:
Geolocation: Discord has a large user base in the USA. Apart from the USA, it also has a decent number of users from Canada, the UK, and India.
Platforms/Languages: Windows, MacOS, Android, and IOS.
Use Cases: WeChat is primarily used for personal messaging, but it is also used for business and social networking purposes. It is highly popular for businesses in China for promoting their products and services and also for interacting with customers.
Free Restrictions: Discord is completely free for basic gaming and small teams. But you are supposed to buy Nitro and boosters to share files in larger sizes and also for HD video calls.
12. Threema
No.1 secure business messaging app that regains privacy
Threema is the most secure chat app. The majority of its users define it as a business messaging app. Even individual users love Threema and continue using it for its security and data protection.
Features:
- Instant messaging
- End-to-end encrypted
- File sharing
- In-chat polls
- Private and group voice and video calls
Key Spec:
Geolocation: The majority of Threema users are based in Switzerland, followed by equal numbers of other users from all around the world.
Platforms/Languages: Windows, MacOS, Android, and IOS.
Use Cases: WeChat is primarily used for personal messaging, but it is also used for business and social networking purposes. It is highly popular for businesses in China for promoting their products and services and also for interacting with customers.
Free Restrictions: Threema isn’t free, but paying a one-time license fee of a few bucks for security is really worth it. Our individual data costs multiple times more than Threema’s.
Not Satisfied With The Apps? Build Your Own Chat App With MirrorFly’s FREE Chat SDK
With the rise of demand for real-time communication, businesses and individuals are looking for chat apps that can meet their unique needs. In fact, some of the apps listed above would not have all the features that your businesses or users need.
But, I’ve got good news for you! You can now build your own chat app for your business/ service with MirrorFly’s prebuilt Chat SDK. It offers you a powerful, scalable, and also chat SDK that allows you to build a chat app from scratch, in less than 30 minutes. Besides, we also offer you a customizable chat SDK that lets you create your own white label chat apps, for a one-time license cost.
MirrorFly Chat SDK can be used across multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, and the web, ensuring that your chat app can be accessed by users on their preferred devices.
When it comes to the tech stack, MirrorFly Free Chat SDK is built using reliable and secure technologies like Firebase and WebRTC, ensuring high performance and data security. It also provides advanced features like message moderation, user verification, push notifications, and analytics, making it an ideal choice for businesses of all sizes.
| Best For | Healthcare, Telecommunication, E-learning, BFSI sector, Defense, Marketplace, Super apps, Transport and Logistics, Social and dating apps, Enterprise or team chat apps. |
| Security | End to End Encryption with Protocols like AES-128 and SSL. Our FREE Chat SDK is compatible with GDPR, HIPAA and OWASP regulations. |
| Location Of User Base | Majorly in the United States, UAE, Canada, India and other countries around the world. |
| Platforms | Android, iOS and web |
| Tech Stacks | WebRTC, Java, Javascript, Kotlin, Angular, Flutter, React, React Native, VueJS, Firebase, and more |
Why is MirrorFly FREE?
MirrorFly’s in-app messaging SDK is completely FREE to use and gives you lifetime access to features like 1:1 chat, online presence indicators, push notifications and other modern messaging features. This is solely because MirrorFly is focused on helping developers build a reliable, secure, and customized chat app so that they can provide a seamless communication experience for your users.
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