Top 10 Chat Apps You Should Have for iOS, Android, Windows Phone, and More
Jerry Cook- Updated on 2021-09-13 to Apps
Jerry CookIt is a chatting world. We chat with other family members, friends, co-workers everyday with smartphones by sending text messages, files, pictures, voice calls, video calls, etc. But with so many IM/instant messengers available, which is the best chat app for your own to use on your iPhone, iPad, Android mobile phone, Windows Phone 8/7, BlackBerry, or even Windows and Mac OS X?
In this article, we will show the top 10 chat messaging apps which support the most-used platforms, such as iOS (iOS 15/10/9.3/9.2/9/8/7), Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry, Windows, Mac OS X. We can't cover all the chat apps that are available, so if we miss your favorite, post a comment and make a case for it to share with all of us.
The Best Chat Apps You Should Have - Top 10
1. WhatsApp
WhatsApp Messenger is a proprietary, cross-platform instant messaging subscription service for smartphones. It has more than 200 million users.
In addition to text messaging, you can send each other images, video, and audio media messages with WhatsApp. It is available for iOS (such as iPhone SE/6s/6s Plus/6/5S/5C/5/4S/4), Android (Samsung, LG, HTC, etc.), Windows phone, BlackBerry OS, BlackBerry 10, Symbian (S60), Series 40. It costs $1 on your iPhone and on all other supported platforms you get a one-year free trial, after which you need to pay $1 per year for a subscription.
2. Skype
Skype is a freemium voice-over-IP service and instant messaging client that is developed by the Microsoft Skype Division. It has over 300 million users, many of whom use it on mobile phones for instant messaging and group chats with hundreds of contacts simultaneously. Featuring text chat, group chat, voice calls, video calls, file sharing, screen sharing, Skype supports iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Blackberry, Windows 8, and Mac OS X.
3. iMessage
If you and all your friends are using Apple products, then iMessage would be perfect for you, since it only supports iOS and Mac OS X. This instant messenger is developed by Apple Inc and allows you to send text, documents, photos, videos, contact information and group messages over Wi-Fi, 3G or LTE to other iOS or OS X users.
You can also combine it with Face Time for voice and voice calls. Both the 2 chat apps have got more than 250 million of users.
4. BBM
BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) is a proprietary Internet-based instant messenger and videotelephony application included on BlackBerry devices that allow text chat, group chat, file sharing, screen sharing, location sharing (and voice calls for BlackBerry 10 smartphones). Besides the BlackBerry, BBM also supports the platform of Android and iOS. BBM is one of the major chat clients on mobile to offer real-time read receipts, so that you can know if the other person has read your message, even if they don't reply.
5. Hangouts
Hangouts is an good instant chat app for group text or video chat. It also works well for broadcasts, which is why many websites and organizations seem to be using it as a way to run shows with audience participation. It supports all devices running iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac OS X. Hangouts is brand new and it replaces Google Talk. You can try in on your supported device.
6. Facebook Messenger and Chat Heads
Facebook has claimed that over 750 million active mobile users and many of them use Facebook Messager. Facebook acquired Beluga to form the basis of its messaging service and the addition of Chat Heads shows improvements. It supports iOS, Android, Windows phone, BlackBerry, Windows 8, and Mac OS X.
7. Viber
Viber is another popular chat app that has nearly 200 million users. The most convenience in it is that your ID is simply your number, so there is no hassle creating an account or adding contacts. You can free call or text your Viber friends. Viber supports all devices on iOS, Android, Windows phone, BlackBerry, Windows 8, Mac OS X.
8. Kik Messenger
Kik messenger has an extremely easy to use interface and push is extremely quick. It is available on most iOS, Android, Windows phone, BlackBerry and Symbian operating system for free. Kik messenger is similar to BlackBerry's Messenger and iPhone's iMessage.
9. Beejive IM
Beejive IM allows you to simultaneously chat with all of your instant messaging buddies on your iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, iPad, or iPod Touch. And it has supports for the following IM clients, such as AIM/MobileMe, Facebook IM, Google Talk, Jabber, MSN/Windows Live, Myspace IM, Yahoo! Messenger.
10. Palringo
Just like other chat apps mention above, Palringo is another good choice for messaging. It allows you to stay connected, socialize, send pictures, quick voice messages with your friebds or meet new people who share your interests. It supports iOS, Android, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and Windows Phone.
Other Chat Apps
There are other chat apps that have the similar messaging functions like the top 10 ones above, such as IMO.IM, and Trillian. If you look to the East, there are also some big players, like WeChat, and QQ in Chinese.
If you have more info, or any problem about the chat apps, leave it in your comment to let us know.