Given the recent turn of events at Indo-Chinese border, Indian government has decided to go full pedal on their mission to “vocal for local” and banned a total of 59 mobile applications.
The list includes a wide range of apps from different categories including mobile live streaming services like Bigo, video platforms like TikTok, and chat applications like WeChat and QQ, among many others. Since then the demand for Indian apps, especially “Indian messaging app” has skyrocketed.
One of the most famous examples of such Indian messaging apps is – Troop Messenger and ShareChat, not only these are made in India but are also highly secure. ShareChat has become one of the most popular chat apps. On the other hand, Troop Messenger is one of the best communication messengers used for office work.
In this blog, we will recommend some of the best Indian messaging apps along with some other international ones.
The recent announcement by WhatsApp stating the change in its data sharing policy with Facebook has irked the messaging app service’s users worldwide. This new policy makes it mandatory for all WhatsApp users to adhere to its new privacy policy that enables sharing of user data with its parent company Facebook. Earlier, the users had the choice of opting out if they don’t wish their data to be shared with Facebook.
The new policy will come into effect from February 8, and the social media is abuzz with the news. The announcement reprimanded various privacy conscious smartphone users’ attention and we are seeing a spike in numbers of people joining other messaging apps in India and looking for WhatsApp alternatives.
From Jan 1 to Jan 6, a sudden 79% increase in Signal app downloads can be seen, according to a TOI report. This jump says something about the ongoing trend of searching for similar apps like WhatsApp. It says that the users’ sentiment around the use of their data by tech giants is changing fast.
We cannot deny that over the years, our constant usage of WhatsApp has made us dependent on it. However, we have to do something if we are at all concerned about our data privacy. The onus is on us if we are okay sharing our data with these companies, not knowing what they might do with it.
Hence you can continue to use your WhatsApp, but if you don’t wish to continue with this new policy, there are other apps like WhatsApp that will keep your data and your information safe.
There are several Indian messaging apps that offer similar features like WeChat and WhatsApp for instant messaging, video, and audio calling. Here are some of the best Indian apps that you can use for messaging:
Developed by Loopytime private limited, Indian Messenger is one of the most popular chat apps in India. Indian Messenger app has banked its marketing on the “vocal for local” campaign and is used by over 130k users across the country.
This Indian messaging app comes with an in-built social networking feature along with calling, story, chat requests, and a global search. The Indian Messaging app allows users to share a message with unlimited number of people. Indian Messenger supports images, videos, voice messages, and different file formats for seamless interaction.
Indian Messaging App Download: Play Store
Hike is probably one of the oldest Indian messaging apps with the motto “building a new social future”. It is the sixth largest mobile messaging application in the world. Hike chat messenger is designed in a way that it works well even for slow network situations.
Hike, WhatsApp alternative Indian app was also one of the first few messengers to include the sticker system for communication. Another reason which makes Hike on of the most popular chat apps in India is its commitment to data safety.
Hike Messenger is not an ad-driven application, nor does it sell the user data to third-party applications for revenue. Instead, it uses micro-transactions, subscriptions, and several other ways to provide the best communication experience at an affordable price.
Disclaimer: Hike Sticker Chat app has been shut down in January 2021
JioChat is free chatting app provided by Jio telecom services. The online chatting app offers text-based chatting, HD voice calling, and HD video calling. JioChat’s biggest advantage is its personalization feature.
Users can change the language setting to a wide range of regional languages for operating the app. JioChat releases topical emoticons, stickers, etc. to provide a media rich experience for the user.
JioChat Indian messaging app also offers businesses to interact with customers through a branded channel. This WhatsApp alternative Indian app provides the social media feel in a chat messenger app with brand offers and exciting video stories.
Further, JioChat offers a video conferencing solution that allows users to conduct live video calls with multiple participants as it’s one of the most popular messaging apps in India. If you are searching for free chatting apps without payment, JioChat is the right option for you.
Jio Chat App for download: Play Store | App Store
Troop Messenger is one of the most premium quality Indian messaging apps. It is suitable for office communication. Troop messenger also allows users to self-host the data as per their personal requirements. This Indian messaging app for businesses has features for instant messaging, audio calling, video calling, voicemail, self-messaging, screen sharing, video conferencing and much more.
Further, Troop messenger provides secure data hosting services, which are extremely crucial for defense operations. Except defense, this Indian messaging app can be used for a government’s internal communication network, non-profits, and NGOs.
Troop Messenger for download: Play Store | App Store
Suggested Read: Best Messaging Apps for Android
Namaste Bharat is one of the most-searched Indian messaging apps that has been introduced to the public. The app is equipped with all the features that a standard chatting app is supposed to offer, such as messages, voicemail, group chat, multimedia sharing, real-time location sharing, etc.
This top chatting app in India offers data synchronization across multiple devices to ensure that the user does not lose all their chats. Moreover, this Indian messaging app has exclusive features for businesses. The whiteboard feature can be used for conducting webinars, while the meeting scheduler helps schedule live conferences.
Namaste Bharat app for download: Play Store | App Store
ShareChat is one of the fastest growing Indian messaging apps. Since its release in 2015, ShareChat has managed to garner about 100 million downloads. This made in India app has become one of the most popular chat apps in India because of its multimedia-rich interface and design. ShareChat is a Facebook-styled Indian messaging app which allows users to share videos, written posts, audio, etc.
It is a perfect amalgamation of TikTok, Facebook, WhatsApp, and several other social media and messaging applications. The reason for ShareChat’s popularity with its users is the local language access.
ShareChat Indian chat app currently supports 15 regional Indian languages which allows the users to express themselves in the most comfortable way. With 5.8 million daily active users, ShareChat is looking for more ambitious growth.
ShareChat App for download: Play Store | App Store
Most Popular Chat Apps in India & Across the World: Apps Similar to WhatsApp
Telegram is one of the most popular chat apps in India and made it as a best WhatsApp alternative messenger in India. Telegram users in India have come to take the benefit of the private cloud messaging system. The app allows users to view and play media files without prior downloading. Plus, it allows users to access their chats through multiple devices.
The biggest benefit for Telegram is that it is a publicly funded app, which makes access completely free with no ads. Telegram, the best chat app in India, has also included the call function, which allows users to make calls through the internet.
Telegram is a famous messaging app in India because of its super secure servers for private interaction. If you were looking for free chatting apps without payment, then Telegram is the right choice for you.
Alternative to WhatsApp for download: Play Store | App Store
Ratings of Telegram on Play Store: 4.5 stars
Ratings of Telegram on App Store: 3.9 stars
Kik is another popular messaging app in India, which allows users to communicate anonymously or otherwise. It also enables users to connect to other people and communities worldwide. Kik is used by various online communities for private interaction.
Users can make searches for their favorite communities like anime, current affairs, national, and international news, etc. and reach out instantly. It does not require a phone number to register. Just pick a username and get registered. Further, Kik offers interactive bots that play quizzes, provide fashion tips, news, and much more. It is a highly engaging and one the best chatting apps in India.
Kik as Alternative of WhatsApp for download: Play Store | App Store
Ratings of Kik on Play Store: 4.0 stars
Ratings of Kik on App Store: 4.3 stars
Powered by Google, Hangouts is an amazing way to reach out to friends and family. It is a widely used online chatting app in India. Google Hangouts allows users to create chat groups of up to 150 people.
This messaging app in India also provides communication facilities such as free video and audio calling up to 10 people in real-time. Google Hangouts helps users streamline their contacts to one location. It is best chatting app in India for communicating without a phone number.
Hangout as Alternative of WhatsApp for download: Play Store | App Store
Ratings of Hangouts on Play Store: 4.0 stars
Ratings of Hangouts on App Store: 4.3 stars
Line is another top chatting app in India. It provides communication through visually attractive stickers. Line is a free chatting app based out of South Korea and Japan. This best messaging app in India has features to conduct group polls and an in-built news portal which keeps the user updated with current events, sports, movie releases, among other information. It also allows users to make free audio and video calls.
Line as Best WhatsApp alternative for download: Play Store | App Store
Ratings of Line on Play Store: 4.1 stars
Ratings of Line on App Store: 3.5 stars
Signal is a widely used online Indian chat messenger, which provides complete end to end data encryption for security. This best chatting app in India has a special focus on privacy of the user. This best messaging app in India allows communication through the chat messenger and HD-supported audio & video calling. Moreover, the open-source design of Signal allows coders to customize the application as per their personal requirements.
Alternative to WhatsApp for download: Play Store | App Store
Ratings of Signal on Play Store: 4.5 stars
Ratings of Signal on App Store: 4.8 stars
Suggested Read: Best Free Video Conferencing Platforms
Messenger by Facebook is an instant messaging app that enables you chat with anyone from anywhere and anytime. With this, you can watch videos with your friends over the video chat and send custom reactions on chat with a lot of emojis. Some other features of this app include animated effects in chat, changing chat themes, sending and receiving money, and replying and forwarding emails.
Best WhatsApp alternative for download: Play Store | App Store
Ratings of Messenger on Play Store: 4.1 stars
Ratings of Messenger on App Store: 4.1 stars
Snapchat is one of the most popular apps that lets you share photos and videos with your friends on the app. With the multiple lenses, you can create and share snaps, do video chat with 16 friends at once, and also create memories with multiple pictures. You can also share your live location with your friends and view live stories across the community around the globe.
Alternative to WhatsApp for download: Play Store | App Store
Ratings of Snapchat on Play Store: 4.1 stars
Ratings of Snapchat on App Store: 4.8 stars
| Indian Messaging Apps | Play Store Ratings | App Store Ratings |
| Indian Messenger App | 4.1 | Not Available |
| Hike Sticker Chat | 4.4 | 4.0 |
| JioChat | 4.1 | 3.3 |
| Troop Messenger | 4.4 | 4.4 |
| Namaste Bharat | 4.1 | 3.5 |
| ShareChat | 4.3 | 4.3 |
Telegram users in India have a misconception that Telegram is an Indian app. It is not an Indian app, Telegram was developed by Russian brothers Nikolai and Pavel Durov who previously created VK a Russian version of Facebook. It was initially started in Russia but then eventually shifted to Germany.
Telegram users in India have a misconception that Telegram is an Indian app. It is not an Indian app, Telegram was developed by Russian brothers Nikolai and Pavel Durov who previously created VK a Russian version of Facebook. It was initially started in Russia but then eventually shifted to Germany. But now Hike has been discontinued.
Plus, this Indian messaging app is also using 128-bit AES (advanced encryption standard) and 2048-bit RSA (Rivest Shamir Adleman) public key cryptosystems for high-level data security.
Download JioChat from the play store (for android) or app store (for iPhone) and run the Indian messaging app. Press the “+” icon at the bottom right corner of the messenger and you will see a pop-up with the following three options:
New Conference > New Group > New Chat
Press the “Chat” option and you will be directed toward your contact list. Select the contact you want to send message to through JioChat and start texting.
There are several messaging apps that you can use for text messaging and video chat. Some of the best apps designed for this purpose are WhatsApp, JioChat, Troop Messenger, Namaste Bharat, ShareChat, Telegram, etc.
The free chatting app is the one that lets you send and receive messages from your friends in real time, without any payment. You can choose from several options like Kik, Hangouts, Line, and Signal for free, instant messaging.
You can also check WhatsApp Vs Signal Vs Telegram: Which is Better WhatsApp Alternative?
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