WeChat is by far the most valued messaging app in China, according to the numbers (over a billion users). The messaging app isn’t as popular in other parts of the world, but it’s still very popular in many of them. One of Asia’s biggest companies by market value, Tencent owns WeChat, a good chat app. It also has fun little games, a way to read interesting stories, and a quick way to pay with your phone. While it does work, it could be more safe and public, just like other Chinese apps. A new study from CitizenLabs found that WeChat spies on the content of all users, not just Chinese ones. This is a very big problem. If it makes you feel bad, here are the seven best WeChat options you can use in 2023 instead.
7 Best Sites like WeChat for Android and iOS
It’s not easy to find the right app to replace WeChat, that works for more than one person. We’ve put together a variety of messaging apps that can make a good match with Tencent’s service and even outperform it in some ways. A group video call, secure messaging, or news tracking app are just a few of the apps that have made it into our list. So, irrespective of your top goal, finding an app that can satisfy your wants shouldn’t be difficult. Now it’s time to look at the best iPhone and Android apps that work like WeChat!
1. Telegram
Telegram‘s 400 million daily users make it one of the most secure messaging apps, even though it isn’t nearly as famous as WhatsApp or as flexible as WeChat. Only with reason do many people compare this messaging app to Apple’s famous Messages app, primarily because of its ability to provide advanced protections for personal messages. The app protects all your data, like chats and media, with 256-bit symmetric AES encryption, 2048-bit RSA encryption, and Diffie–Hellman secure key sharing to make it safer.
Install: iOS and Android (Free)
2. WhatsApp
Need an introduction to WhatsApp? Or a reason to explain why it’s at the top of this list. Undoubtedly, the most popular messaging app in the world is the one owned by Facebook. It has over 2 billion users in 180 countries. The most recent numbers show that more than 2 billion talk and video calls are made daily on WhatsApp. In any case, these numbers show that the messaging app is very popular. So, if you’re looking for an app like WeChat that can not only make a good match in terms of features but also beat it in terms of fame, look no further than WhatsApp.
You can communicate with WhatsApp using pictures, videos, documents, and voice messages, just like with WeChat. The app can help you communicate with your friends and loved ones without any issues, irrespective of the method you find most handy. In comparison, WhatsApp is more reliable regarding video and voice calls due to its ability to function well, even with a slow internet link.
Regarding group video talking, WhatsApp lets up to 8 people join a video call, compared to 9 for WeChat. This number may be more than enough for most situations. Additionally, while working on your computer, you can use WhatsApp Web to stay in touch with your buddies. Status, which enables users to set a picture or video as status for 24 hours, is one of my favorite features of this app. Not to mention the ability to delete a message sent by mistake, which often keeps us from embarrassment. To sum up, WhatsApp is a great option for WeChat. Read our WhatsApp tips post to get the most out of it if you want to use it.
Install: iOS and Android (Free)
3. iMessage
With its deep connection with iDevices like the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac, and Apple’s well-known privacy policy, iMessage makes messaging easy. The app is fun because it has many cool elements, such as Animoji, Memoji, and messaging effects. It stands out as a great alternative to WeChat thanks to its enormous iMessage App Store, which allows users to download and install iMessage games and apps and Apple Pay, the most secure mobile payment system.
The ability to manage messages with fairly fluid motions is one of my favorite features of Apple’s Messaging app. This makes it very easy to manage messages. Also, one of my top picks has always been the ability to hide alerts from people who keep giving me annoying messages. As you already know, the only drawback of iMessage is that it is intended to play within the Apple environment. You would love every blue bubble if you could live in this small but very safe environment.
Comes Built In
4. Messenger
I recommend carefully considering Messenger if you are set on finding the most feature-rich WeChat replacement. The fact that it works with Facebook is the best thing about this messaging app. Most of your friends and loved ones may already be using the social networking app, given how widely used Facebook is (about 2 billion users). So, it’s simple to stay in touch with them.
The app lets you communicate in several different ways. It can handle any message, whether a text message, voice message, phone call, or video call. Thanks to a recent update, Messenger can now hold more video conferences with up to 50 people than WeChat’s nine users. Not only that, but Messenger also offers a comparatively quick and secure payment method. I also like how Facebook is working to make the Messenger app less cluttered, making it one of the best options for WeChat on the market.
Install: iOS and Android (Free)
5. Signal
If the recent story on WeChat made you think you no longer trust big companies with your private messages, you should get Signal. A tool for end-to-end private messaging that is used by writers all over the world is called Signal. Even the company Signal cannot read your messages because the service is so secure. Your messages are secure using the app’s open-source Signal Protocol. There’s no need to say that your private messages are safe.
When it comes to features, the app has a nice interface and all the chat features you’d expect from a good messaging app. You can make groups, send text messages with photos and files attached, and call people on voice and video. There are no ads, and the service doesn’t track how much you use it. A non-profit group runs the company; you can use it for free forever. There is no better messaging tool than this one if you want it to be secure. You can’t find a more secure WeChat substitute than this one.
Install: iOS and Android (Free)
6. Snapchat
Snapchat has been a great social app for a long time. If you want to spice things up, this could be the best way to add lots of fun to your social networking. Yes, you did understand! In terms of making communication fun, Snapchat is much better than WeChat. You can quickly take cool pictures with the app’s smart camera and send them to your friends. And because there are so many beautifully designed filters, you can give your photos the look you want based on themes.
Another cool thing about Snapchat is that it has a lot of cool glasses and effects. Those lenses and effects can come into play when you want your photos to stand out. In the same way that WeChat lets you catch up on news, original shows, and community stories, Snapchat does too. Compared to WeChat, Snapchat’s news and story gathering is more reliable and better managed. Not to mention that I love Snap Map because it makes it easier to see where my friends are and where they are. The ability to play games with friends has also caught my attention. Snapchat has a lot of hidden tricks, so these are just the beginning.
Install: iOS and Android (Free)
7. Skype
The market is rife with video talking apps, but few can compare to Skype‘s feature set. If you want good video quality, I recommend Skype. The app also lets you chat via quick messages and communicate via video and voice talks. A better user experience can be found in Skype compared to WeChat. It’s better designed and works well on iPhone, Android, Mac, and Windows, among other devices.
Skype lets you send a type of GIFs thanks to its extensive library. You can also add notes to pictures and even share funny emojis. Additionally, it lets you send SMS messages to anyone worldwide at a comparatively low cost and call landlines worldwide. You will need Skype Credit or a Skype contract to communicate with non-Skype users or friends who aren’t online. Remember that Skype plans start at $2.99 a month in the US and may be more or less depending on where you live.