Top 7 - Facebook Messenger Alternatives | Hiring Article

Facebook made a blunt change in its mobile app. It stripped it off its messaging functionality, which had absolutely zero wrong with it, and forced Facebook Messenger on our devices. Because, you know, so many people chat on Facebook, thus everyone will be better off doing it in a separate app, right? Well, some of you are happy with how things went down, switching between the two apps while constantly keeping them on. Others are mighty annoyed with Messenger and are either keeping it off their system, or seeking alternatives.

Facebook apps were well known to make the phone slow and sluggish. In one of the recent experiments conducted by The Guardian, it was proved that Facebook apps (Facebook, Messenger, etc) can impact other apps installed on your phone and can also reduce battery life by 20%.
If you have a good number of friends who want's to stay in touch with you through instant messenger, then you might be looking for alternatives.

So, here are the list of Top 7 alternative to facebook messenger .


1. WhatsApp

WhatsApp is one of the most popular multimedia messaging apps. It is a cross-platform mobile messaging app which has recently launched its video call feature , allows you to exchange messages without having to pay for SMS. WhatsApp Messenger is available for iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, Windows Phone and Nokia and yes, those phones can all message each other! Because WhatsApp Messenger uses the same internet data plan that you use for email and web browsing, there is no cost to message and stay in touch with your friends.

In addition to basic messaging WhatsApp users can create groups, send each other unlimited images, video and audio media messages.
The most recent addition to the list is the addition of GIF support along with Apple iOS 10 API support which enables Siri to send messages using voice commands and the roll-out of mentions support to tag users in group conversations.It also provide ability to use WhatsApp on your web browser.WhatsApp Web is simply an extension of your phone: the web browser mirrors conversations and messages from your mobile device -- this means all of your messages still live on your phone.


2. Skype

Skype is the most popular free voice-over IP and instant messaging service globally. It allows users to text, video and voice call over the internet. Users can also call landlines and mobiles at competitive rates using Skype credit, premium accounts and subscriptions.

Features:

1.  Find all of your friends and family in an instant - search for friends, groups, conversations or new contacts on Skype. With over 300 million people using Skype, you’re bound to bump into someone you know.
2.  Call your world for free - Free voice and video calls let you talk to your heart’s content with all your friends and family on Skype.
3. · Make low cost calls to mobiles and landlines - Keep in touch with anyone even if they’re not on Skype, with low cost calls to mobiles and landlines.
4.  Instantly get in touch - No matter where you are, your friends are always available with free instant messaging.
5.  Share moments - Send photos, record and send video messages, share your location or share web content with the people who matter most.
6.  Available for Apple Watch - see your notifications and chat on your Apple Watch so you’re always part of the conversation.
7.  Skype is available everywhere - on smartphones, tablets, Macs, PCs, and even TVs. Whatever your friends or family use, Skype is there. Simple.
8. The Skype that you use at home is great for smaller businesses of up to 20 employees. It is free to use, unless you want to buy credit to make calls to landlines and mobiles.
9. Skype for Business lets you add up to 250 people to online meetings, gives you enterprise-grade security, allows you to manage employee accounts, and is integrated into your Office apps. It costs from $2 per month per user.

3. Google Hangouts

Hangouts is a messaging app that lets you send and receive messages, photos and more, and even start free video and voice calls – one to one or with a group!
"Hangouts" are places used to facilitate group video chat (with a maximum of 10 people participating in a single Hangout at any point in time).
Within the 10 person limit participants may use voice only phones to dial in to the hangout instead of the desktop or mobile video chat feature.
On a desktop or laptop environment hangouts also contain the integration of group chat, Google document sharing, and synchronous viewing of YouTube videos.

4. Google Allo

Google just released another messaging app that adds AI assistant functions to your everyday chat and SMS app. Google Allo (Android, iOS) has your typical mobile messaging features such as chat, photo messaging, stickers, emoji, and a doodle/annotation tool for photos, but the standout addition is its use of Google Assistant, a Siri or Cortana-like in-app assistant that can suggest quick message replies, or find information relevant to your chat conversations, such as nearby restaurants, the weather report, and more. Additionally, there's an Incognito chat mode that features end-to-end encryption, private notifications, and self-destructing messages.

5. Telegram

Telegram, which has gained a lot of traction in the last year or so in particular thanks to its fantastic level of security.
A mobile messaging app for the post-Snowden age, Telegram(Android, iOS) is aimed squarely at the security conscious user. Telegram features fast, encrypted chat messaging, with client-server encryption for standard chats. A Secure Chat mode provides end-to-end encryption so that only you and your intended recipient can read it. You can even set messages to self-destruct. You can share videos, documents and participate in group chats of up to 200 users.

6. Line

LINE is a Japanese application for instant messaging on smartphones and PCs, which described as a cooler version of Skype, which is probably a decent enough summation. Line users exchange text messages, graphics, video and audio media, make free VoIP calls, and hold free audio or video conferences.
That’s not to say that LINE is the new kid on the block when it comes to Facebook Messenger alternatives, because this already has a huge following in and around Asia with millions using the app’s cross platform messaging and calling capabilities every day. The timeline function is a nice touch, and media sharing is good but could be better, but where the app really stands out is when it comes to its voice messaging.

7. Viber

Viber (Android, iOS) is easy to set up and still offers a variety of options. Viber uses your phone number as your login, and the app syncs with your phone to help you find Viber-using contacts. You can use this app to send text, stickers and emoticons, photos, voice and video messages for free to other Viber users. The Viber Out feature lets you call non-Viber numbers and landline phones worldwide (for a fee). In addition, Viber's also introduced encrypted messaging features to the app, with a color-coded icon indicating chat security and encryption. You will need a SIM card and phone functionality to set up Viber.

Viber is available for many smartphones and platforms. Support for the Viber Desktop application on Windows, Mac, Linux and Windows 10.