12 best chatting apps in India in 2024 (free and secure messaging)

Messaging has become a part of our daily lives be it for chatting with friends and family or having a discussion on work-related projects. With advanced features being built right into the chatting apps, these can do a lot more apart from sending and receiving a couple of texts like video calling with screen sharing, sending large amounts of files and even customising the app’s theme to your heart’s content. That being said, let’s take a look at the top free chatting apps that can be used on mobile phones and laptops.

Best chatting apps for phone and laptop

Here’s a quick look at some of the best chatting apps for Android mobile phones, iPhones, and laptops that you can use to catch up with your friends, family, and colleagues:

WhatsApp

• WhatsApp is the most popular chatting app out there that supports all kinds of communication modes such as text messaging, voice and video calls, group chats, and even stories which WhatsApp calls “status”.
  
• Apart from messaging, users can also make UPI payments in India, create channels and communities, and share their device’s screen when in a video call.
  
• WhatsApp is officially available as an app on Windows and macOS and can also be accessed on a browser by heading over to web.whatsapp.com and scanning the QR code from a mobile phone that has WhatsApp installed.

Download – Android, iOS, Windows, macOS

Telegram

• Telegram is a versatile messaging app that is loaded with features more than any other app on this list. Some of the key features include group polls, theme customisation, message scheduling, bot integration, channels, stories, and more.
• Apart from the standard text and group chats, the app also supports video calls and real-time screen sharing. Telegram even allows live streaming to groups and channels.
• Private and group chats on Telegram are not end-to-end encrypted by default until you turn on the ‘Secret chats’ feature.
• Telegram is available to download for Windows laptops and MacBooks and retains most of the key features of the mobile app.

Download – Android, iOS, Windows, macOS

Signal

• Signal is a privacy-focused messaging app with full-fledged end-to-end encryption for private messages, group chats, audio calls as well as video chats with live screen sharing.
• As for customization features, it may not be as advanced as other messaging apps but certain personalisation options are present like changing the colours of chat bubbles, setting gradient wallpapers, and more.
• If message privacy and security have always been your concern, Signal is worth giving a shot.
• Apart from Android and iPhone, Signal can be downloaded for Windows as well as Macs through its official website.

Availability – Android, iOS, Windows, macOS

Messenger

• Next up is Facebook Messenger which is one of the oldest messaging services that has been around even before smartphones existed. Over time, the app has been updated with tons of features and communication options.
  
• Just like other chatting apps, you find all the common features such as private and group messaging, audio clips, voice & video calls and even a secret chat feature for sending end-to-end encrypted messages.
  
• The app also supports uploading stories and can be set as the default SMS app on Android devices.
  
• While the app is easily available on mobile phones, laptop users can download Messenger from the platform’s official website on Windows and Mac App Store.
  

Download – Android, iOS, Windows, macOS

Google Chat

• Google Chat is yet another messaging platform from the search giant. This has replaced the old-age Hangouts and sits in a dedicated section on Gmail’s desktop site and mobile app.
• The Google Chat app has a simple and straightforward UI with minimal features. As long as a person has a Gmail account, they can reach out to anyone on Gmail via a message.
• The perfect use case of Google Chat would be to communicate among colleagues in enterprises and organisations to reach out to them easily instead of exchanging emails for casual and routine stuff.
• Google Chat can be accessed via the left panel on Gmail’s website while on Android and iOS, it’s present on the bottom tab of the mobile app.

Availability – Android ,iOS, and Gmail website

Skype

• Skype is one of the first platforms to bring video calling to the masses. What sets Skype apart from the rest is that you can call on any mobile number by paying a small nominal fee.
• It also supports group video chats as well as normal text messaging with other Skype users. What’s more, is that users can utilise Bing AI chat with Skype to ask questions, write content, ask for recommendations, and much more.
• Furthermore, the app also packs some nifty features such as sending files of various formats, sticker support and the option to toggle your active status manually.
• The chatting app is also available to download on Windows laptops and MacBooks through its website.

Availability – Android, iOS, Windows, macOS

Botim

• Botim has been recently gaining popularity thanks to its identical user interface to WhatsApp. In countries where WhatsApp is banned or can no longer operate, Botim Messenger is the perfect alternative.
  
• Although the app lacks some major features present in other chatting apps, it has got you covered with one-on-one voice and video calls, group chats with up to 500 members, and payment support in selected countries.
  
• The app also allows its users to use Botim on their computers by scanning a QR code on its website or downloading the app on Windows and Mac.

Availability – Android, iOS, Windows, macOS

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Google Messages

• Google Messages is the default SMS and messaging app present on most Android phones.
• It utilises the RCS protocol to send and receive not only text messages but also images, video and audio in high quality from any phone number.
  
• Unlike conventional chatting apps, it doesn’t require any signups or verification through OTP.
  
• A distinctive feature of Google Messages is the deep integration of Google Assistant within private or group chats, which lets you set calendar events and reminders, and even suggest message replies.
  
• The app is not available for Apple devices due to its exclusivity to Google and Android. That said, users can access the message service on their laptops by scanning a QR code, just like WhatsApp web.

Availability – Android and Web

iMessage

• If you own an iPhone, you might have heard of iMessage. It’s an Apple-exclusive app that allows users to send messages to other Apple users in a very seamless way.
  
• To make messaging a bit enticing, users can send animated messages that show beautiful animations to the recipients in a chat. Extension support is a key feature that enables deep interaction with others.
  
• Standard features like message reactions, sent message editing, and location sharing are all present in here.
  
• iMessage just requires an Apple ID to get started and works on iPhones, iPads and MacBooks.
  

Availability – iOS and MacOS only

Line

• Line is an all-in-one communication app that features tons of ways to connect with friends, family, and loved ones which include text messaging, voice calling, and video calling.
• To make the app more customisable and personal, users can apply themes to the overall app. For privacy and security, Line deploys something called Letter Sealing that encrypts messages, call history, and location information.
• The app also comes as a dedicated app for Windows and macOS that boasts several nifty features for professional work such as sharing screen when in a video call, saving files to Keep which is Line’s cloud service, and taking partial screenshots with extensive editing support.

Availability – Android, iOS, Windows, macOS

Snapchat

• Next up on the list is Snapchat, a highly popular communication and photo-sharing app among millennials and Gen Z. With the app installed, users can share updates regarding the happenings in their lives through images and videos.
• Apart from chatting, there are hundreds of filters and lenses available on the app. These allow users to come up with funky and trendy-looking content to share with friends and create ‘streaks’.
• To stay updated, Snapchat can be downloaded on desktops and laptops to chat and video call with friends from anywhere. The app also has its own AI chatbot called “My AI” which does everything from generating content, helping in work, solving complex queries, and more.

Availability – Android, iOS, Window

Viber

• Just like Telegram, Viber is an extensive and feature-rich chatting app that does so much more than just sending or receiving messages. To name a few features, Viber comes with the support of group chats and calls, communities, and creating and sharing stickers.
• Users can purchase credits according to their needs to make VoIP calls to any mobile number or landline in the world. Apart from that, Viber has deployed end-to-end encryption to chats for maximum security.
• The developers of Viber also offer the app on desktop which comes in handy for indulging in video calls with friends and colleagues on a big screen.