While SMS has been a staple for mobile communication, there’s a growing trend towards modern and feature-rich messaging apps. SMS replacement apps for Android offer users enhanced functionalities, better customization, and additional features for a more interactive messaging experience.
This guide explores some of the top SMS replacement apps that can transform how you communicate on your Android device.
Content Table
The Need for SMS Replacement Apps
Richer Multimedia Messaging
SMS replacement apps go beyond the limitations of traditional text messages. They enable users to send multimedia messages, including images, videos, and audio, enriching the overall communication experience.
Enhanced Security and Privacy
Many SMS replacement apps prioritize security and privacy, offering end-to-end encryption and other protective measures. This ensures that your messages remain confidential and protected from unauthorized access.
Additional Features and Customization
SMS replacement apps often come with additional features such as customizable themes, stickers, and emojis, allowing users to express themselves more creatively in their messages.
Cross-Platform Compatibility
Many SMS replacement apps offer cross-platform support, allowing users to communicate seamlessly across different devices and operating systems.
The Top 10 Text Messaging Apps for Android
Jio Messaging App
With unique features, Jio Chat is a highly recommended messaging app for Android. The app lets you interact with your peers using enhanced-quality of messaging. You can use HD-quality video and voice to communicate and connect with your loved ones without hindrances.
Pros
- You can personalize your texts using your regional language.
- The app allows one-on-one and group messaging features, as well.
- You can engage in conference calls and be a part of the conference rooms.
- It offers a media-rich experience with unique emoticons, stickers, GIFs, pictures, and videos.
Cons
- The lack of end-to-end encryption challenges the overall privacy and confidentiality of communication.
Pricing: Free
Truecaller
The Truecaller app is commonly found among Android and iOS users, mainly as a caller ID and spam-blocking app. Its messaging features are also handy, user-friendly, and reliable. Rated 4.4 on the Google Play store, the app is highly recommended for blocking unknown callers, filtering junk messages, etc.
Pros
- It identifies and blocks spammers.
- It offers filtering junk texts.
- Another exciting feature is its auto-blocking mechanism for telemarketers, robocallers, fraudsters, etc.
- Chatting, one-on-one and in groups, is free.
Cons
- Some of the noted complaints include a lack of confidentiality support.
- It requires a robust 3G connection to work.
Pricing: Truecaller Premium begins at $0.99 per month.
Facebook Messenger
Long after Facebook came into the picture, messaging became quite a phenomenon among youngsters and adults; Messenger became one of the widely used SMS replacement apps. With its instant messaging feature, you can now enjoy additional features of Vanish mode and cross-app calling.
Pros
- Easy audio and video calling.
- Connect with your Instagram peers directly from Messenger.
- You can explore the new emoticons and be more expressive.
- It has a new privacy setting wherein you can who can reach you.
Cons
- It uses comparatively more power and storage space (RAM).
Pricing: Free
Google Messages
The official SMS app of Google, Google Messages, is another top SMS replacement app popular for its eye-catching features and designs, free calls, blocking mechanism, rich audio and video quality, and many more. You can enjoy the RCS feature, i.e., Richer messaging with Chat feature, including SMS and MMS, plus sharing location and other media. Google Messages has a 4.5 rating on Google Play.
Pros
- Auto backup feature
- Archiving messages
- Simple and intuitive designs
Cons
- There is no feature for scheduling text messages.
Pricing: Free
Mighty Text
This is a fantastic alternative to your default SMS app. If you wish to stay away from your Android phone for a while, Mighty Text lets you get in touch with your friends and families via text messaging through your tablet, PC, and Mac. Now, you can send MMS or SMS without binding yourself to your phone.
The app is an excellent solution for SMS when you are working online. It is rated 4.3 on Google Play.
Pros
- It is a handy Gmail plugin.
- Scheduling messages
- Instant synchronization
Cons
- It has a Pro version for advanced features.
Pricing: The Pro version costs $5/month.
Textra SMS
Textra SMS comes with 180+ material design themes and graphics, is superfast, customizable, and has numerous features. Textra SMS has a 4.5 rating on Google Play.
Pros
- SMS blocking and scheduling
- 21 font sizes and several emoji options
- Intuitive and minimalist designs
Cons
The free version is ad-supportive.
Pricing: The paid version costs $2.99 (single in-app purchase).
Mood Messenger
Mood Messenger offers you the basic SMS features of a dark theme, instant messaging, emojis, and blacklisting features. It is rated 3.9 on the Google Play store.
Pros
- SMS encryption
- Privacy locker
- Backup and restore
Cons
- It has a free and paid version, including a one-time payment scheme and a subscription model.
Pricing: A one-time payment option of $10.99 or a monthly choice of $0.99.
Pulse SMS
Pulse SMS is A next-generation solution with a 4.6 rating on Google Play. The app is the ultimate messaging platform for Chrome, tablets, phones, smartwatches, or any other device with an active connection. It is the highest-rated SMS app on Google Play.
Pros
- It supports dual sim mobile devices.
- The texting feature is free.
- It offers additional features of backup, blacklisting, and many more.
Cons
- You need the Pro version to use the app on tablets and web platforms.
Pricing: Its paid version includes a lifetime subscription of $10.99 or a monthly fee of $0.99/month.
Handcent Next SMS
One of the best SMS alternatives for Android users is the Handcent Next SMS app, which has varied features to allow manageable texting with free stickers and emojis. Handcent Next SMS has a 4.4 rating on Google Play.
Pros
- Message customization with many font styles, stickers, colours, ringtones, etc.
- Free cloud storage
- It has a pop-up feature, thus allowing instant messaging.
- Encrypted messaging- Privacy message box feature.
Cons
- International texting is not free.
Pricing: It has a free and standard version.
Chomp SMS
Chomp SMS is a friendly and reliable SMS alternative app if you want fun while texting. It is as old as Android with notable updates such as passcode lock, scheduled SMS, backup, signatures, pop-ups, and many more. It has a 4.4 rating on Google Play.
Pros
- Highly customizable
- Freely available on the Google Play Store
- It has in-app purchases.
Cons
- No free international text messaging.
Pricing: Free
Choosing the Right SMS Replacement App
Considerations for Selection
- Security and Privacy:
- To safeguard your messages, prioritize apps with robust security measures, such as end-to-end encryption.
- Features and Customization:
- Choose an app with features and customization options that align with your preferences and communication style.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility:
- If you communicate across different devices, opt for apps that support cross-platform functionality for a seamless experience.
- User Interface:
- Evaluate the user interface for ease of use and navigation, ensuring a comfortable messaging experience.
- Community and Support:
- Consider the user community and support provided by the app’s developers for assistance in case of issues.
Conclusion
You can go with any of the above ten best SMS alternatives for Android. Install it on Google Play and sync your default messaging app with the third-party application. For instance, the Handcent Next SMS app has an excellent privacy setting, or if you are looking for a that automatically archives and stores your messages in the backup, Mighty Text is your best-fit choice. Choose wisely. Enjoy instant messaging and pranks with SMS Bombing if you want to be naughty. Don’t forget to use emojis!
