By the end of 2020, we all have made or developed some new hobbies, or more specifically, I can say new talents. With all of us wearing masks and watching Netflix, we searched for different alternatives to different apps, whether it was PUBG or Tiktok. But now, as 2021 has just started, we already have a new app to search alternatives, and this time it is none other than the most popular messaging application of all time, Whatsapp Messenger.
Recently the Facebook Inc. owned application rolled out the new Whatsapp privacy policy and terms of services that allow the company to share the user’s data to the other Facebook apps and third-party applications. And if any user refuses these terms and conditions, then he/she will not be able to use their services anymore.
As we all know that Privacy is a myth, and all these tech giant businesses have been using the user’s data for a long time, but now that WhatsApp has publicly cleared their intentions, people are not going to use their app for a long time anymore. As far as privacy is concerned, all the big names like Elon Musk have already urged people to change the messaging apps.
Here we have shortlisted some alternatives for WhatsApp that you can consider. Here’s an overview:
Signal
The signal is the best WhatsApp alternative, which is currently available in 2021. It does not collect any user data, and it is end-to-end encrypted, just like Whatsapp. All it asks you for the mobile number while creating the new profile, but that too isn’t linked with your personal profile anywhere.
They need it only for verification purposes. The phone number is used to generate a private key for the user registration, not for tracking their data or location.
As the features, you will be getting the one on one chats, groups, voice and video calls, hiding messages, and a privacy lock for your personal messages. The user interface is so simple and easy that you will not miss WhatsApp anyway.
Telegram
Telegram is one of the most popular alternatives to Whatsapp Messenger. In 2021 it has gained popularity after WhatsApp’s new terms and conditions. The app provides you all the features that WhatsApp provided earlier, but it also has other features like mega groups of people up to 100000 individuals in the same group.
It has features like public channels, usernames, the ability to share multimedia files up to 1.5GB, password lock, end-to-end encryption, and many more like secret chats. But in my view, the best feature is that you can delete a message anytime, even after years and too, from both sides.
The only thing where it lacks is video calling, so if you’re not always using video calls, you must try this app. And about security, be ensured it is completely safe.
iMessage
All iPhone users are already familiar with this app called iMessage. This app is only available for Apple devices, but it is still one of the best messaging apps, and it deserves to be on the list because it is straightforward with a smooth and simple UI. Despite being so simple, it never fails to get your attention.
When it comes to privacy, then no other company is better in this game than Apple. The iMessage app is encrypted so that even Apple themselves cannot read your messages while they are in the transmission between devices.
So if someone wants to read your information, he must need the passcode or biometrics of your apple device to login into the system.
Skype
There is no doubt that Skype is still the best business chat application in the market. The app owned by Microsoft has left all other business chat application behind way back. But it is just the opposite of the repo when it comes to normal messaging. Skype is a secure app that is specially designed for business purposes.
It has got end-to-end encryption for both voice and video calls. When it comes to video calls and group video calls, no other app is even close to Skype. It is currently available for almost all platforms, including Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Web, for free of cost.
Hangouts
Google Hangouts is one of the perfect WhatsApp replacements available now. You can connect to all your friends or known ones who are having a Gmail account. It has a different application for messaging, and you can also use this feature of Google inside their Gmail.
The app provides you features like group chats, one on one messages, sending files as attachments, and searching the text messages. The only drawback is that you cannot chat on it with a friend who does not have a Gmail Account.
However, Hangout conversation does not end to end encrypted, but the good thing is that Google encrypts them in transit so that no one can steal your information.
Discord
Discord was one of the most popular apps to chat with your fellow gamers in the gaming world a few days back. But things have changed now. Now you can enjoy their new features like sending messages, emojis, GIFs, images, and doc files too.
You can also video call, voice call, and share your screens with the other users while browsing the app. It has done clean integration with platforms like twitch, Spotify, Reddit, GitHub, so this will satisfy all your desires. Using discord is safe and secure as they will not violet their user’s privacy.
Threema
Threema is a messaging app like WhatsApp, but unlike WhatsApp, it takes the user data’s security very seriously. The app encrypts all the data like shared files, sent and received messages, status updates, etc.
This app doesn’t need any email id or phone number from you while creating its account. So you remain anonymous. This app doesn’t even log into your IP Addresses or any metadata that helps them tracking users. But unlike all the apps mentioned in the list, Threema is not a free app, and it doesn’t even have any free trials.
Session
So the interesting fact about this app is their privacy policy that states, “Session never knows who you are, who you’re talking to, or the contents of your messages.” It is an end-to-end encrypted messaging app whose features of reducing the sensitive metadata makes it one of the most powerful alternatives for Whatsapp Messenger in 2021.
The session never asks you for any email id or phone number so that you can use this app anonymously. In this app, you will get features like group calls, voice notes, sending attachments, et. It also has a dark mode.
Conclusion:
So, here we have got some WhatsApp alternatives available for now. Now, as the heat is just going high, so we will keep you posted about it. And if you know of any other alternative option that can take WhatsApp’s place, do let us know in the comments below. If you have any further queries and need help, you can post too. I will be happy to help.
Do share this post with your friends who are worried about the new privacy policies for Whatsapp. These could become our next messaging partners for the long term.
That’s all for now. I will be back soon with another interesting article. Keep visiting HiTricks. Don’t forget to join our Telegram Channel for the latest tech updates.
Anuj is a passionate blogger from Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. Currently pursuing B.sc in Programming and Data Science from IIT Madras. Apart from being an avid learner and a tech enthusiast, he loves playing PC Games and likes to keep himself updated with the latest trends in the tech industry.
