15 Best Free Chat Apps in 2024

1. WhatsApp

WhatsApp is perhaps the most famous messaging app right now. The app is for tablets and smartphones. It lets you send text messages, share files, and make VoIP calls. You can also share your GPS location and track others' locations.

Key Features:

• Supported platforms: iOS, Android, macOS
• Create groups of 250 individuals
• End-to-end encryption
• Can send files up to 100 MB
• No ads

Download Link:

iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/whatsapp-messenger/id310633997

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.whatsapp&hl=en_US&gl=US

Bonus Tip

The start of the year is often a time for buying a new phone. You may think “How can I transfer the data of those apps to the new phone? ” In this case, you can use a third-party app. For example, if you want to transfer WhatsApp/LINE/Viber/Kik/WeChat data, you can use Dr.Fone – WhatsApp Transfer tool for the purpose. Using this tool, it becomes easy to effortlessly transfer your chat history, videos, images, and other data from one device to another.

2. LINE

LINE is one of the best free chat apps for Android and iOS. This one-on-one and group chat app lets you connect with your loved ones in any corner of the world. You can call them with free international and domestic video and voice calls. In addition, LINE offers core features, including premium themes, stickers, and games for a nominal price.

Key Features:

• Supported platforms: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS
• Transfer money
• Create groups with up to 200 individuals
• LINE OUT feature to connect with anyone, even those who don’t use the LINE app.

Download Link:

iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/line/id443904275

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.naver.line.android&hl=en_US&gl=US

3. Kik

With Kik, you can connect with everyone you want, regardless of your device. Indulge in a one-on-one chat with the whole group, or even a bot! You don't need to provide your phone number to run the app. Simply sign up with your email and maintain your privacy.

Key Features:

• Supported platforms: iOS and Android
• Simple, easy to use, and impressive interface
• Use Kik Codes to connect quickly and easily
• Chat, play games, do quizzes, and more with Kik bots

Download Link:

iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/kik/id357218860

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kik.android&hl=en_US&gl=US

4. Viber

Viber supports text messages, video calling, emojis, and a built-in QR code scanner like other apps. In addition, this free messaging app also offers paid premium features, including Viber Out. Using this paid feature, you can contact all people on their mobile devices and even landline using Viber credit.

Key Features:

• Supported platforms: iOS, Android, Linux, Windows
• Download Viber’s Sticker Market for lots of fun stickers
• Use extensions to share audio and videos via chat.
• Money transfer.
• Use Viber’s polling feature to create custom polls and gather opinions

Download Link:

iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/viber-messenger-chats-calls/id382617920

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.viber.voip&hl=en_US&gl=US

5. WeChat

Alt Name: wechat chat app

WeChat is China's most used messaging app and the world's third most used chatting app in the world. This instant messaging app is mainly known for its solid cross-platform compatibility. In addition, WeChat's mobile payment feature is so powerful that it's been referred to as a potential competitor to MasterCard and American Express.

Key Features:

• Supported platforms: Android, iOS, desktop, browsers
• Create and send out customizable ecards
• Pin key contacts or chat groups
• Create groups with 500 members
• Make calls to smartphones at low rates

Download Link:

iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/wechat/id414478124

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tencent.mm&hl=en_US&gl=US

6. Voxer

If you prefer instant voice messaging, go for Voxer. It's s a walkie-talkie app for live voice messaging that supports texting, image transfer, and emojis. It also features high-end, military-grade encryption and security. In addition, you can upgrade to Voxer Pro to access advanced features like unlimited message storage, message recall, chat broadcasting, and admin-controlled chats.

Key Features:

• Supported platforms: iOS, Android, browsers
• Real-time voice messaging
• Hand hands-free walkie-talkie mode
• Share files from Dropbox
• Post status updates on profile

Download Link:

iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/voxer-walkie-talkie-messenger/id377304531

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rebelvox.voxer&hl=en_US

7. Snapchat

Snapchat is the best free chat app that specializes in sending multimedia messages. You can create and send multimedia "snaps" stored for a small period before getting deleted permanently.

Key Features:

• Supported platforms: Android, iOS
• Send personalized Bitmoji avatars
• Create and share Snapchat’s stories
• Use Snap Map to watch Snaps submitted by Snapchatters worldwide
• Send and receive payments

Download Link:

iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/snapchat/id447188370

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.snapchat.android&hl=en_US&gl=US

8. Telegram

Alt Name: telegram app for chatting

Popular in Iran and Uzbekistan, Telegram allows people to send and receive voice, video, and text messages worldwide. You can access this cloud-based messaging app from any device you have. In addition, you can mute notifications, share your location, and transfer files.

Key Features:

• Supported platforms: Android, iOS, Windows, Linux
• Extremely lightweight and fast
• Ad-free chat app
• Secret Chat feature utilizes end-to-end encryption
• Includes lots of free stickers
• Delete and edit sent messages
• Reply messages in threads

Download Link:

iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/telegram-messenger/id686449807

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.telegram.messenger&hl=en_US&gl=US

9. Google Hangouts

Google Hangouts is a cloud-based communication platform. This enterprise-focused app allows private, one-on-one chats and group chats with 150 members. You can share images, videos, emojis, stickers. This best free chat app also allows you to share locations with others directly. In addition, you can suppress notifications from conversations and archive messages.

Key Features:

• Supported platforms: iOS, Android
• Video and voice call in groups of up to 10 members
• Synchronize with your Google account
• Use Google Voice to send texts to non-Hangouts users

Download Link

iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hangouts/id643496868

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.talk

10. HeyTell

HeyTell is a push-to-talk, cross-platform voice chat app. Using this messenger, you can instantly locate people and connect with them. You don’t need to sign up. Simply launch the app, choose a contact, and push the button to start chatting. You can also use premium features like a voice changer, ringtones, message expiration, and more.

Key Features:

• Supported platforms: iOS, Android, Windows
• Sends voice messages quicker than SMS
• Very low data usage
• Easy to use

Download Link

iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/heytell/id352791835

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.heytell

11. Facebook Messenger

Facebook Messenger is the second biggest free chat app for Android and iOS. Using this best free chat app, you can stay in touch for free with anyone who uses Facebook. Simply download the messenger and start chatting right away. In addition, you can send text messages, video calls, and voice calls to your contacts added to Facebook Messenger.

Key Features:

• Supported platforms: Android, iOS, Windows 10
• Facebook’s code scanning feature to add contacts by scanning their unique codes
• Archive messages
• Use the Secret Conversations for end-to-end encrypted messages

Download Link:

iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/messenger/id454638411

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.facebook.orca&hl=en_US&gl=US

12. Silent Phone

Silent Phone is the best free chat app preferred for high-level security. It facilitates one-on-one video chats, multi-party video meetings with six people, voice memos, and more. In addition, all messages between Silent Phone users are end-to-end encrypted. So, it's a great app for both personal and business uses.

Key Features:

• Supported platforms: iOS
• Secure voice and video calling with worldwide coverage
• Highly focused on encryption and privacy
• Burn feature lets you set auto-destruct time for messages from 1-minute to 3 months.

Download Link:

iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/silent-phone/id554269204

13. SkyPe

Skype is a free chat app that facilitates text messages, video calls, and voice chats. You can go for the premium version to make voice calls to regular landline or smartphone devices. You can also group chats on this platform.

Key Features:

• Supported platforms: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux
• Instant messaging and video messaging
• Send and accept files
• Suitable for business communication

Download Link:

iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/skype/id304878510

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.skype.raider&hl=en_US&gl=US

14. Zello

This dual-purpose app has a walkie-talkie feature with a push-to-talk style. So, you can connect with anyone on the fly. In addition, the app provides a lot of chat-room-style features. For example, you can create private and public chat rooms with 6,000 members. Though it feels like a standard, old-school internet chat room, Zello makes one of the best chat apps for Android and iOS.

Key Features:

• Supported platforms: iOS, Android, desktop
• Clear broadcasts over Wi-Fi and cell networks
• Best for enterprises

Download Link:

iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/zello-walkie-talkie/id508231856

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.loudtalks

15. Whisper

Whisper is another classic chat-room-style messaging app that has a large community of 30+ million active users. You can create and find chat rooms for fun and informative topics.

Key Features:

• Supported platforms: iOS, Android
• Tweet-style posting

Download Link:

iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id506141837?mt=8

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=sh.whisper

By now, you know what the best free chat apps for Android, iOS, and other devices are. When selecting an app, make sure you consider the hardware. Also, confirm that people you want to talk to also use the app. So, choose the best free chat app as per your needs.