On the brink of its obsolescence, SMS still has its own advantages. No messaging application can replace normal text SMS in case of an emergency. However, in normal cases, a good messaging application can give you a whole lot of features that a normal SMS can never give you. That’s why most of the users, who used to text a lot, are switching to free online SMS services via smart android messaging applications. We have hundreds of good messaging applications in the Google Play Store. As usual, we have searched, tested, and analyzed many applications and found these ten applications to be most useful. Note: We used a Samsung Galaxy Note 3 to test these applications. These messaging applications work well in any android smartphone. Just make sure that your smartphone fulfills the minimum software requirements.
1. BBM: Free
Many BlackBerry users, who switched to other platforms, were missing BBM on their smartphones badly. Now, we have the official BBM application for the Android platform. It’s a good application for old and new users alike. BBM is free but it has some limitations. The user interface is smooth and has some intuitive features. We liked the “always on” feature where you get the message in the notification bar instantly when someone messages you. You can share photos, files, documents, and voice notes. You can also add emoticons to your messages. After signing up, you get a BBM pin which you can use later to add new friends. Also, the application automatically saves a picture of that pin code (with a bar code) in your gallery application. If you are a new user, you can use the “Invite to BBM” option to add friends. BBM is a cross-platform messaging application and available for Android, BlackBerry (obviously), & iPhone. Features:
Multi platform free messaging Delivered (D’s) and read (R’s) messages information Share photos, files, documents, and voice notes Emoticons to express your emotions properly
Notable Feature: You’re always connected so you don’t miss any messages Downloads: 10,000,000 – 50,000,000 Android Version: 4.0 and up Size: 13M Price: Free
3. LINE: Free and Paid [Optional In-App Payments $1.99 – $46.99]
3.a Free Version
LINE is available for free on the Google Play store. All the necessary features are available for free too. You can send free text, voice, and picture messages to any LINE user across the globe. The user base of this application is quite strong. LINE has more than 320 million users worldwide. Besides messaging, LINE has free voice and video call facilities. Calling to real numbers isn’t supported and the call quality over internet is unstable sometimes. LINE offers a great number of free emoticons (including Emoji) and stickers too.
3.b Paid Version [Price Varies $1.99 – $46.99]
You can buy additional stickers in exchange for coins. “Coins” can be bought via in-app purchases. 100 coins cost $1.99 and you can buy as much as 3400 coins at a time, which cost $46.99. Some Notable features
Send free messages to any LINE user Free Voice Calls and Video Calls Cross-platform – Available for PCs and smart-tablets too Buy additional stickers from the app store
Notable Feature: Send colorful stickers, photos, voice messages and location information Downloads: 100,000,000 – 500,000,000 Android Version: 2.1 and up Size: 19M Price: Free/Optional paid stickers $1.99-$46.99
4. Tango: Free and Paid [Optional Emoticons: $1.99 per Pack]
4.a Free Version
Tango is a free messenger application. The user interface is sleek and easy to use. You can send text, voice, and video messages to any Tango user (160 million and increasing) for free. Tango also offers free voice and video calls. Tango has some unique features too. You can play a mini-game or share photos during a call. It also allows you to share song clips powered by Spotify.
4.b Paid Version [Optional emoticons: $1.99 per pack]
You can buy additional animated emoticons by paying extra money. Each emoticon pack is available at $1.99. Features:
Automatically finds your friends using Tango Free video calls, voice calls & messages internationally Emoji plug-in and animated emoticons Listen & share songs clips powered by Spotify Group chatting Free high quality Voice Calls and Video Calls Play a mini-game or share photos during a call Works across most smartphones, tablets, & PCs Edit your photos & share with friends Extra animated emoticons available @$1.99/pack
Notable Feature: Hold to talk features and video messages included Downloads: 100,000,000 – 500,000,000 Android Version: 2.2 and up Size: 24M Price: Free/optional animated emoticon @$1.99/pack
5. WeChat: Free and Paid [Optional Stickers Starting at $0.99]
5.a Free Version
Like Tango and LINE, WeChat provides all the necessary features for free. You can send Emoticons, images, videos, and your location to any WeChat user. Push notifications work like a charm, and you will be able to stay connected to your friends and family via the “Always on” feature. You can also broadcast a message to many recipients via the “Broadcast message” tab. You can also use the “Real walkie talkie” mode to connect with 40 friends instantly. WeChat has over 300 million users worldwide.
5.b Paid Version [Optional Stickers Starting at $0.99]
You can buy additional stickers from the “Sticker Shop” starting from $0.99 via in-app purchases. Features:
Cross-platform messaging application Broadcast messages-send a message to many recipients Send Emoticons, images, videos, and location Crystal clear voice and video calls Group chats and animated smileys Always on, no logouts, never miss a message Push notifications Share, like, and comment on photos with your friends Import contacts and add friends instantly
Notable Feature: Includes a real walkie-talkie mode for instant communications Downloads: 50,000,000 – 100,000,000 Android Version: 2.1 and up Size: 24M Price: Free/Optional stickers starting from $0.99
6. TextMe!: Free and Paid [Buy credit starting at $0.99]
6.a Free Version
TextMe is available for free in the Google Play Store. You can send video, voice, and text messages for free to any TextMe user. You can add media files from your Dropbox account too. Free voice and video calls are possible between TextMe users. This application supports Google Glass and Pebble smartwatch.
6.b Paid Version [Buy credit starting at $0.99]
To call and text real numbers you need TextMe credits. New users get 10 credits for free. Then you have to buy credits by spending real money. You can buy different credit packs starting from $0.99. The developers of the application are offering 24 hours of free calls to 20 destinations (including US) as a holiday gift (Valid until January 3, 2014). You can also earn free credits by completing offers or watching videos. Features:
Cross-platform messaging and calling Free Texting (real SMS messages) to any Phone number in the United States, Canada and 40 countries. Enjoy Free HD Voice and Video Calls to other TextMe users Complete offers to earn free credits Get your own unique TextMe phone number Synchronise with your Facebook profile and find friends Send and Receive large pictures & videos Send your Dropbox photos and videos via SMS directly from TextMe Group texting
Notable Feature: Supports Google Glass and Pebble Watch Downloads: 5,000,000 – 10,000,000 Android Version: Varies with device Size: Varies with device Price: Free/Optional credit starting from $0.99
7. Viber: Free and Paid [Buy credit/stickers]
7.a Free Version
Viber is a free and good-looking application. You can share photos, videos, voice messages, locations, stickers, and emoticons with other Viber users for free. Free voice and video calling is also allowed between Viber users, but you can’t send free messages to real numbers. Group chat supports up to 100 Viber users to connect seamlessly.
7.b Paid Version [Buy Viber Out Credit, Stickers]
You can buy extra stickers by paying real money. Paid stickers generally cost $1.99. To call and text real numbers, you need “Viber Out” credits. Credits can also be purchased within the application. Viber Out credits are available at different price points for different countries. Features:
200 million Viber users Free messaging and calling to Viber users Viber Out can be used to make calls to non-Viber mobile and landline numbers at low rates Share photos, videos, voice messages, locations, stickers and emoticons
Notable Feature: You can create groups for up to 100 participants Downloads: 100,000,000 – 500,000,000 Android Version: 2.2 and up Size: 17M Price: Free/Optional Viber Out Credit, Stickers
8. TextPlus: Free and Paid [Buy credits for calling $1.99 – $29.99]
8.a Free Version
TextPlus is a free and very useful messaging application. You can send free app-to-app text, picture, or voice messages. TextPlus also allows you to send free messages to any mobile device within the US or Canada, even if the recipient doesn’t have the application installed. TextPlus also offers a “Texts in the cloud” feature.
8.b Paid Version [Buy credits for calling $1.99-$29.99]
To place calls to real numbers you need to buy credits. Credits can be bought via the app store. 40 minutes of calling time costs $1.99 and 1224 minutes of calling time costs $29.99. You can also complete “Tapjoy” offers or watch videos to earn credits. Take a look at the features
Free app to app messaging Text for free to any mobile device within US or Canada-even if the recipient doesn’t have the application installed Send images (take photo or from gallery) Group texting and swift notifications (push notifications) Push to talk and voice notes Cross-platform Usable on tablets too
Notable Feature: Texts in the cloud Downloads: 500,000 – 1,000,000 Android Version: 2.2 and up Size: 5.5M Price: Free/Buy optional credits for calling $1.99-$29.99
Conclusion
The above listed messaging applications will not only reduce your phone bill but also improve the overall messaging experience. After testing all the applications, we came to these conclusions:
If you want a free application for messaging you can use BBM or Talk.to Apps like HeyWire, Tango, and WeChat will offer all the features for free. Pay only if you want to donate to the developer. TextPlus, Vonage, Viber, and Vonage offer you the option to call real numbers TextPlus and HeyWire are the only apps that offer free texting to real numbers
Now it’s your turn to tell us which application you liked the most. Did you like our list of top 10 messaging apps? Did we miss any application that you think should have been on the list? You can let us know in the comments section below.
