Messaging App reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 285 Reddit reviews across 32 subreddits and 42 posts to rank the best Messaging App brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/samsung, r/verizon, r/maritime, r/ldssexuality, r/LegacyJailbreak. Top-rated brands include WhatsApp (4.2/5), Google (4.1/5), Textra (4.2/5).
Stats
Reviews285
Subreddits32
Posts42
Brands72
Products38
285 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
4.2
(32)
"Whatsapp is used by close to 1 billion ppl!"
"Whatsapp is the way to go when you have an android. It's the best."
"WhatsApp is an excellent messaging app!"
"Whatsapp is king - unless you start videocalling and sending HD videos to him"
"WhatsApp automatically reduces file sizes, making it the most data-effective messaging app."
"Whatsapp"
"WhatsApp is my go-to for chatting with friends and family."
"We use WhatsApp that works well for us as people can be added and removed easily."
"We have always used WhatsApp! Photos and convos are still stored, even after I got a new phone."
"WhatsApp is easy to use and has a large user base."
#2
4.1
(28)
"Google hands down"
"Google messages because of RCS.."
"I am using Google Messages mainly because my wife, kids, and most friends have iPhones and it allows for RCS."
"Google Messages"
"Google Messages with RCS is secure and supported by all major carriers."
"Google messages"
"You can text via laptop (either Windows or Mac)."
"Google Messages is by far the best messaging app."
"Google often makes better apps in my personal opinion."
"The Google Messaging app looks better and runs a lot smoother."
#3
Textra
4.2
(27)
"I have now found TEXTRA and I absolutely absolutely love it it's perfect, you can send scheduled messages, you can edit them before they send you can do custom text tones, there's nothing wrong with it, I absolutely love it and highly recommend downloading it"
"Thanks to multiple users on this thread suggesting Textra, I downloaded it and am loving it!"
"+1 to Textra. It has a nice interface, looks clean and does not steal your private information like most other messaging apps."
"Textra's totally customizable (prob 85% comped to message+). has everything i need."
"Then i downloaded Textra and its ON THE MARK! Really impressed with this app."
"I've been using Textra for years now, never had a problem."
"I've been using Textra for a while. I like it!"
"Textra"
"Textra is the best, it's simple and uses all of the screen."
"I use Textra and love its features!"
#4
Telegram
4.6
(22)
"Telegram"
"Telegram was a breath of fresh air for me. Highly recommended!"
"Telegram saves everything server side."
"Telegram"
"My fiancee and I use Telegram and it works really well."
"Telegram is a really good one."
"Telegram, working with old accounts."
"Telegram is great. Hide it in a second or third page of a folder. Badge notification only."
"It has tons of features that enhance security."
"I prefer Telegram."
#5
Signal
4.0
(20)
"Has anyone tried Signal messager?"
"Signal"
"Signal is the only app listed here that has an open source, verified, encryption protocol."
"If it's good enough to keep Edward Snowden safe from the NSA, it's good enough for my wife and I."
"Signal offers excellent privacy features."
"Signal. Only use What’sApp and Messenger if you want your entire conversation scraped by Meta."
"Signal is a great messaging app."
"I saw Signal and Telegram scored highly with PCMag for 2024."
"If you're dealing drugs or overly concerned with privacy, go with Signal."
"I love signal’s minimal UI but everyone in my country uses whatsapp."
#6
Apple
4.8
(16)
"IMessage"
"IMessage"
"Texting on Android will be seamless like with iMessage."
"IMessage, any IRC client, Discord Classic"
"IMessage is a reliable messaging service that works seamlessly on iOS."
"IMessage is a fantastic messaging app with seamless integration and great features."
"IMessage is a fantastic messaging app that integrates seamlessly with my Apple devices."
"IMessage is a fantastic messaging app that integrates seamlessly with my Apple devices."
"IMessage is a great messaging platform with seamless integration."
"The best messaging app on iOS 6 is probably just the iMessage. It worked perfectly fine, and it is very fast too."
#7
Chomp
4.5
(16)
"THANKS to all who recommended CHOMP! 🥂🎉 OMG, this has been driving me crazy!"
"Just switched to Chomp after seeing all of the recommendations on here."
"Just downloaded Chomp Messages, per the recommendations here. So far I'm very happy."
"Thanks for the recommendation of CHOMP it's exactly like Verizon Plus."
"Thank you so much to everyone who recommended Chomp! I've used it for about 2 seconds and already love it SO much more than the regular Samsung messaging."
"I tried chomp on a reddit recommendation. It works as good as verizon msgs. Even better!"
"Thank you to everyone who recommended Chomp you have no idea how much anxiety your recommendation took away."
"You should definitely check out The Chomp SMS App."
"I love CHOMP"
"Which of the suggested apps do you think would be the easiest for her to use?"
#8
Samsung
3.4
(17)
"I switched to Z Flip 6 from iPhone 14 Pro three weeks ago and have been using Google Messages. No issues so far."
"I switched to Samsung messages and these annoying contacts are gone."
"I prefer their Samsung messaging to Google because I can see if my message has been read."
"The Secure Folder feature provides excellent privacy and security for apps and personal data."
"The Secure Folder on Samsung devices allows for secure access to apps like Signal and Telegram with a PIN."
"Google messages however i have heard that samsung messages now supports rcs so willing to give it a try."
"The default app on the Z Flip 6 is Google Messages, and it is solid. It supports SMS, MMS, and RCS, with good anti-spam filtering."
"Samsung messages allowed for customization of background and message bubbles."
"The Samsung S23 is a solid phone with good messaging options."
"Google Messages since Samsung is doing away with Samsung Messages."
#9
Discord
4.3
(12)
"Discord, or IRC"
"Technically excellent for communication."
"The YM were already using it, making it a great choice."
"My boyfriend and I use Discord. You can make your own server and make channels accordingly."
"Discord has all of these features, it’s a dream"
"Discord Classic works well on older iOS versions like 6."
"Discord!"
"My bf and I use discord, we created our own server."
"I like discord."
"There is a custom client for Discord called Discord Classic."
#10
Google Messages
1.9
(12)
"Google has been the biggest proponent aside from the EU of RCS in the last years and likely the reason for its large scale adoption in the US."
"Do you want RCS? You should. Google messages is the way to go."
"Most phones will be using Google Messaging app."
"Google Messages will enable RCS, but it can be flaky."
"Google Messenger apparently has every option in the world on a link except copy-paste."
"I hate the Google messenger verizon is pushing on us."
"Google messages suck in the worst way!"
"I switched over to Google Messages yesterday... it's SHOCKINGLY laggy."
"I had Message+, received the notification suggesting Google Messages and it was HORRIBLE."
"Google messages suck and samsung sucks more."
#11
5.0
(4)
"Messenger for Kids is amazing."
"Supports Facebook Messenger effectively."
"Facebook Messenger is good for this and checks all the boxes"
"I know some younger family that uses Facebook Messenger for Kids."
#12
Samsung Messages
3.2
(6)
"Samsung Messages ... I just switched it and so far so good!"
"So I switched to Samsung's Message. So far so good."
"Samsung messages, assuming you might have a samsung android device."
"I prefer Samsung messages, but with ios finally getting rcs, i switched to google messages."
"If you start to use samsung message you will have to switch to Google because samsung will no longer have a message app very soon."
"I can tell you not to use the Messaging app that Samsung provides on the phone."
#13
Handcent
4.0
(3)
"Try Next SMS by Handcent, probably need the pro version, or maybe Pulse"
"I found Handcent to be my favorite thus far. It does most of the things Message+ does and is highly customizable."
"But Handcent Next SMS for Android in the Play Store is very good."
#14
Verizon
4.0
(3)
"Verizon message+ app really was an awesome app!"
"I personally like using Verizon's Messages + app, and any Android user can use it."
"Verizon's messaging app is similar to others but works well."
#15
Beeper
3.7
(3)
"Honestly would recommend beeper. I've been using it for almost a year, it's pretty solid... loving having all my chats in one app"
"There's always a app called beeper that's like imessage."
"There's one called Beeper. Pero be wary as I don't know yet if it's safe."
#16
Snapchat
3.7
(3)
"Snapchat is the best for messaging and video calls."
"Snapchat?"
"Snapchat is clunky to use for hiding messages."
#17
Just Between Us
5.0
(2)
"We use Just Between Us, it works great."
"I love the Just Between Us app. It’s encrypted and only between 2 people. It’s developed by a member too."
#18
Matrix
4.0
(2)
"I prefer Matrix as an open-source self-hosted service."
"I'll stick with matrix (element client)."
#19
Next SMS
4.0
(2)
"I've been using Next SMS for the past month now and like it... if that helps anyone."
"I am using Next SMS. I tried Google Messages and hated. So far I am pretty impressed with Next SMS."
#20
Microsoft
4.0
(2)
"It has some nice features and looks kinda nice too."
"Google Messages works well with the My Phone app, allowing seamless message management."
#21
Wire
3.0
(2)
"Wire?"
"Wire."
#22
QKSMS
5.0
(1)
"Qksms. Open source and clean. The best."
#23
Handscent Next SMS
5.0
(1)
"I STRONGLY recommend yall to try Handscent Next SMS messenger."
#24
Utopia
5.0
(1)
"I consider this application a full-fledged alternative to the Signal."
#25
Textme
5.0
(1)
"Textme works seamlessly on iOS 9."
#26
Meta
5.0
(1)
"WhatsApp is by far the most robust. It's the best."
#27
LDS
5.0
(1)
"Our youth use the LDS living app with its built in messaging."
#28
PegaSus
5.0
(1)
"I like it better than telegram. More people just need to be on it."
#29
Muqh AI
5.0
(1)
"I've been using it for a while now and it's been great for keeping our conversations secure."
#30
Miah AI
5.0
(1)
"Miah AI is secure and great for keeping intimate chats private."
#31
Muhh AI
5.0
(1)
"Provides a secure and uncensored platform for communication."
#32
Mega
5.0
(1)
"Mega is a good one. Completely private and encrypted. It can be used for messaging as well as picture and video storage."
#33
Pulse SMS
5.0
(1)
"I like it because of its look, widget, customizable notification actions, and web app functionality."
#34
Matchoonga
5.0
(1)
"For a secure and private experience, you might want to check out Matchoonga; it offers great features for sexting and voice chat while ensuring your conversations stay private."
#35
Dust
5.0
(1)
"I used Dust."
#36
BlackBerry Messenger
5.0
(1)
"I've been using BlackBerry messenger for over a decade. It's leaps and bounds better than anything out there."
#37
Olvid
5.0
(1)
"Olvid isn't well known but for messaging between people that care about privacy nothing is better short of self-hosting."
#38
aMessages
4.0
(1)
"I downloaded aMessages on my phone and really liked it."
#39
Snap
4.0
(1)
"Snap for sure."
#40
Chomp SMS
4.0
(1)
"Chomp SMS. Very similar to Message+"
#41
Next SMS Messenger
4.0
(1)
"Handcent Next SMS messenger is supposed to have a web site like Google Messages."
#42
Truecaller
4.0
(1)
"Isn't True caller the best since you can also screen fraud calls."
#43
GroupMe
4.0
(1)
"If you are just looking for a text blast without needing to give people the ability to respond, GroupMe has announcement groups."
#44
Motorola
4.0
(1)
"The Moto G Stylus 4G was reliable and had a good messaging experience."
#45
Desire
4.0
(1)
"This app has great dares and a fun chatting feature for couples."
#46
Alien Blue
4.0
(1)
"There is also Alien Blue for Reddit."
#47
Remind
4.0
(1)
"It seems to work well. People can choose to either use the app or opt in to receive text messages."
#48
CalyxOS
4.0
(1)
"CalyxOS ships with integrated Signal support, but it only works on certain devices."
#49
Wassenger
4.0
(1)
"For weekly reminders I use Wassenger, i think is good option if you're looking to use WhatsApp instead of SMS."
#50
Flocknote
4.0
(1)
"We use Flocknote. I think it works lol"
#51
Band
4.0
(1)
"We use Band."
#52
Our Family Wizard
4.0
(1)
"I use our family wizard app."
#53
EvolveSMS
4.0
(1)
"CNet like Textra and EvolveSMS."
#54
HelloSMS
4.0
(1)
"HelloSMS was good for "minimalists.""
#55
mySMS
4.0
(1)
"I have used both mySMS and mighty text partly because both of them let you get your messages on the computer in real time."
#56
Mighty Text
4.0
(1)
"Marty text actually let you type more characters in one text then my SMS."
#57
Threema
4.0
(1)
"Signal or Threema for business and corporate."
#58
Google Chat
4.0
(1)
"Google chat, threema, matrix"
#59
Skype
4.0
(1)
"Skype"
#60
Messenger
4.0
(1)
"We use FB messenger and sometimes WhatsAp or Signal."
#61
Mood
4.0
(1)
"Try Mood. I'm using it since 2019 and it's good."
#62
Slack
4.0
(1)
"Slack might be a good fit, it's platform-agnostic, non-hierarchical, and has good privacy features."
#63
Element
4.0
(1)
"Element? It's a popular Matrix client."
#64
NINA
4.0
(1)
"NINA FTW."
#65
Tox
3.0
(1)
"Tox?"
#66
SimpleX Chat
3.0
(1)
"SimpleX Chat? Don't think there's a desktop app though."
#67
Pulse
3.0
(1)
"Well, I came here looking for an alternative to the app I've been using for years, pulse."
#68
Message+
2.0
(1)
"I do not like the google or samsung messaging at all. I also need an alternate for the message+ app."
#69
Pulse SMS+
2.0
(1)
"I use Pulse SMS+. It's ok but it keeps getting updated and EVERY update makes it worse and worse."
#70
Wickr
2.0
(1)
"We use Wickr but it’s going away."
#71
MARLINK
1.0
(1)
"1GB is pathetic. Shame on that company."
#72
TalkU
1.0
(1)
"Maybe TalkU works, although its got the worst reviews on App Store."
Discover your audience
GummySearch is an audience research toolkit for 130,000 unique communities on Reddit.
If you are looking for startup problems to solve, want to validate your idea or find your customers online, GummySearch is for you.
Sign up for free, get community insights in minutes.
Tell me more
Get started
