Download Messaging App - Best Software & Apps

WhatsApp Messenger2.18.78

License: free Download
Platform: Android; Windows; Windows Phone; iPhone; Mac

Send free text, audio and video messages from your Android phone

13029 votes

PROS: Lets you send photos, audio, video, location, and links, Group messaging, Works across different platforms, Support for Android Wear, Syncs with web version, Free calls, Save chats automatically to Google Drive
CONS: Only works if the other person has the app

Messenger(Facebook Messenger) Varies with device

License: free Download
Platform: Android; Windows; iPhone; Windows Phone; Mac

Text, voice calls, and video calls now included

3635 votes

PROS: Supports chats, voice calls, video calls, Support third party apps, Easy to use
CONS: Compatible apps require new download

imo free video calls and chat9.8.000000010161

License: free Download
Platform: Android; Windows; iPhone; Web Apps

Another messaging app you don't need

2480 votes

PROS: Voice and video calls, Share photos, Group chat, Completely free!
CONS: Offers nothing new

Facebook for Windows 101.3.0.9

License: free Download
Platform: Windows

The free official Facebook app for Windows 10

2309 votes

Download

PROS: Excellent user experience, Responsive controls, Ideal for Facebook use on tablets, Displays most important status updates
CONS: No new functions, Account and privacy options could be improved

WeChat2.6.0.1018

License: free Download
Platform: Windows; Android; Mac; Windows Phone; iPhone

The popular chat app from China gets an English version

305 votes

PROS: Simple and easy to use, Excellent file transfer and screenshot tools
CONS: No video or audio support

Telegram4.8.9

License: free Download
Platform: Android; Windows; iPhone; Mac; Web Apps

Fast and secure messaging app

419 votes

PROS: Supports group chats, Share videos up to 1GB, Send batches of photos, "Snapchat" style Secret Chat, Higher level of privacy compared to WhatsApp
CONS: Voice messages supported but no voice calling, Small user base compared to WhatsApp

Google Translate4.4.0.RC01

License: free Download
Platform: Android; Windows; iPhone; Web Apps

Your pocket translator

377 votes

PROS: Translates from text, picture, voice, and SMS, 60 supported languages, Functions to translate offline, Good voice recognition, You can hear the pronunciation
CONS: The translations are not always perfect

Hangouts

License: free Download
Platform: Android; Windows; iPhone

Google's complete messaging app

175 votes

PROS: Excellent sync across devices, Feature rich, Easy to use
CONS: No Google Drive integration, Collects data on how you use the app

Yahoo! Messenger0.8.288

License: free Download
Platform: Windows; Android; Mac; Java; Pocket PC

The new instant messenger from Yahoo!

3224 votes

PROS: Amazing video quality!, Highly customizable, Great privacy settings
CONS: Animated backgrounds are ad-ridden, Long installation process, Too much bloat

Way2SMS2.5

License: free Download
Platform: Android; Java

Free App for News Lovers

137 votes

PROS: Available in eight different Indian languages, Regular news updates
CONS: Plagued with pop up ads, Format is a bit cluttered

iCloud4.0.3.56

License: free Download
Platform: Windows; Web Apps

Automatically synchronize content between iOS and PC

299 votes

PROS: Control panel is easy to use, Integration with Windows Explorer
CONS: Limited storage space

Twitter for Windows 10

License: free Download
Platform: Windows

Native Twitter app for Windows 8

209 votes

Download

PROS: Tweet in a Modern UI app setting, Easy to navigate, Can view web pages and media within the app, Mention notifications
CONS: Mentions must have exact username to link to profiles, Can encounter daily tweet limits, Doesn't natively support multiple accounts

Hike Messenger

License: free Download
Platform: Android; Windows Phone; iPhone

Send free SMS messages with this WhatsApp-style app

238 votes

PROS: Fast and easy to use, Lets you share multimedia, location, etc., Group chat, Plenty of emoticons, Supports Hidden chats
CONS: Not innovative, Some bugs

Baidu App Store5.0.1.8503

License: free Download
Platform: Windows

Download Apps From A Chinese Store For Free!

49 votes

Download

PROS: Great for Chinese users, Multilingual support
CONS: Mostly Chinese apps, Small selection

LINE for Windows 10

License: free Download
Platform: Windows

The ultimate communication app, also on Windows 10

368 votes

Download

PROS: Simple to navigate, High quality voice calls, Send voice recordings to chat messages
CONS: Requires access to your location, Will only work with Windows 8 and upwards

Tango1.6.14117

License: free Download
Platform: Windows; Android; iPhone; Windows Phone

The Tango app for your PC

2468 votes

PROS: Makes video calls to mobile phones, Good audio and video quality, Simple and efficient
CONS: Very basic options, Video quality varies

Facebook 4 Mac4.0

License: free Download
Platform: Mac

Use Facebook without the browser

31 votes

Download

PROS: Separates Facebook from your browser, No installation required, Manage from your system tray app
CONS: No options, Nothing new or unique, Not essential

ooVoo Video Call, Text and Voicevaries-by-device

License: free Download
Platform: Windows

Free App for Smart Callers

39 votes

Download

PROS: Free text messaging and video calls, Ability to send pictures
CONS: The interface is rather confusing, Calls are rather expensive

GO SMS Pro

License: free Download
Platform: Android

A SMS app that really delivers

115 votes

Download

PROS: Focus on privacy and security, Send images, videos and voice messages, Close enough to stock messaging app to make it very easy to use, Customize your messages with different themes, fonts and photos
CONS: No overall app lock, Appearance is a touch boring

Kik10.4.0.6032

License: free Download
Platform: Android; Windows Phone; Java; Symbian; BlackBerry

Basic chat app that aims to be more than just a messaging service

186 votes

PROS: Play games in the app, Easy to use, Send videos, images, sketches and memes, Bots
CONS: Limited features, Basic user interface, A lot of spam

Softonic’s Best Rated Software for this topic
#	Name	Version	Votes	Rating	Platform
1	imo free video calls and chat	9.8.000000010161	2480	8.3	Android, Windows, iPhone, Web Apps
2	Messenger	(Facebook Messenger) Varies with device	3635	8.1	Android, Windows, iPhone, Windows Phone
3	WhatsApp Messenger	2.18.78	13029	7.8	Android, Windows, Windows Phone, iPhone
4	Tango	1.6.14117	2468	7	Windows, Android, iPhone, Windows Phone
5	Yahoo! Messenger	0.8.288	3224	6	Windows, Android, Mac, Java

Softonic’s Best Rated Software for this topic

Version

Votes

Rating

imo free video calls and chat

9.8.000000010161

2480

8.3

Android, Windows, iPhone, Web Apps

Messenger

(Facebook Messenger) Varies with device

3635