New Delhi: WhatsApp today went down for several users for over three hours in India. Amid this outage, many people faced problems like missing important messages, not being able to attend calls, and more. As a result, it becomes important to have a backup plan and keep an alternative app on your mobile phone. If you have the same thoughts then you have come to the right place to find WhatsApp’s substitute.
Below here, we have curated a list of apps that are the best alternatives for WhatsApp users. In the list, the apps include Telegram, Signal, Threema, Spike, Ginlo, and Wire. It must be noted that these apps are ad-free and free to users expecting an App.
1. Signal
Among the alternative app for WhatsApp, Signal is first on the list. The signal app is also based on end-to-end encryption technology. It only required contact list sharing permission before signing up. However, the app does not provide any backup function due to security reasons. The backup of the data can only be taken via manual mode, reducing the chances of the data landing in the wrong hands.
2. Telegram
Telegram, founded by Russian brothers Pavel and Nikolai Durov, is also one of the best alternatives to WhatsApp. This app is very much similar to WhatsApp but users also get a lot of other features that everyone needs in their daily lives. Telegram’s deleting itself feature stops anyone to copy or forward the message if chosen. The most admired feature of Telegram is its limitless, large-scale file-sharing feature.
3. Rakuten Viber
Rakuten Viber, owned by the Japanese company Rakuten, provides message exchange, voice calls, and video chat services. One can also create a group having up to 250 people. The app is free for downloading but it is not ad-free. Moreover, phone calls are not free with expect Viber users.
4. Threema
Threema, messaging app from Switzerland, also provides end-to-end encryption for all messages. Expect the features one gets in WhatsApp, Threema allows users to create a poll under its banner. For private chats, Threema also offers a PIN lock facility. However, this app is not free for iOS as well as Android.
5. Spike
Spike is developed by an Israeli software company. This app requires one’s email account instead of a personal phone number, unlike many other apps. It allows users to send text, and make voice and video calls too.
6. Ginlo
Switching from WhatsApp to Ginlo is a good option as the Germany-based app is a lot similar to it with some extra features. The self-destructing message and scheduling the message are the two best features this app offers.
7. Wire
Wire, founded in 2012 by Skype owner Janus Friis, allows the user to make send messages via WhatsApp and also make group calls. This messaging service app is not much different from the popular app WhatsApp. However, it can be used as a substitute for it.