With the news that Facebook now owns WhatsApp, is there anywhere else to turn for your mobile messaging?
When Facebook emptied their collective pockets looking for loose change and found $19 billion to buy up WhatsApp, most people were surprised. That later turned to skepticism, as people began to wonder about what Facebook was going to do with their data and whether or not they could trust the messaging platform anymore, so here are a few alternatives if you’re looking to make the switch away from Zuckerberg’s latest expensive toy.
Telegram
Hard to believe that these lads haven’t yet been sued by the good folks at WhatsApp/Facebook, but that surely won’t last too long now that they’ve got cash to burn, because this is pretty much an exact replica of WhatsApp and is just as easy to use. That’s the selling point that will make this one the most viable alternative in our view, and have your friends jumping ship if you can convince them.
Pic via TechnoMove.com
The only big change is that you can now have protected conversations which are private, and
there is also the option to use it on your desktop so that you don’t have to keep looking down at your phone in work, which makes you look more productive too. “I’m not messing around, I’m really working quite hard here…”
Apparently 5 million people signed up to Telegram, which is based in Berlin, in the wake of the WhatsApp buyout, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see that number growing in the next few weeks.
Viber
Mainly used for calls, Viber is also a handy one for messaging, and is pretty similar to WhatsApp. The other option of being able to call, especially if you have friends living abroad, is a fantastic bonus, but the quality of those calls isn’t exactly perfect, we must admit.
Pic via PressandUpdate
Still, it’s handy to make calls, and WhatsApp liked the idea so much they’re copying it themselves this April. Viber also boasts a desktop app, which is something that WhatsApp has been sorely lacking for those chained to their desks from 9-6. They don’t make money yet, but last week they were also sold to a company in Japan, so there may be more changes in the next few months on this service.
Kakao
Kakao is hugely popular in Asia, in particular South Korea, and is a bit more of an all-in-one app than either of the other two, which are pure messaging apps. It offers social media sharing of photos a la Instagram, as well as shopping, gaming, and pretty much everything you could want, and it looks like they have no intention of stopping at that either.
The interface is very vibrant and eye-catching, and looks a little bit like Viber, except with some fun looking animal friends to keep you company, seeing as the likelihood is that no one you know is on this service. Yet, anyway, but that might change. There are some interesting sounding services available through this platform, but if you’re leaving WhatsApp over concerns about your data, then this is probably not the app for you. One thing of interest is a feature called Plus Friend, where you can get messages, and more importantly coupons from brands like McDonalds or other information from your favourite celebrities, but this all involves a fee.
Line
Another free app, Line is not as popular in Europe and the United States as it is in Asia, but it does seem to be a product that is on the grow. Similar to Kakao, they’re going to try and sell you things once you’re in the door, in particular stickers and emoji style things that you can post in your groups.
Pic via jingdaily.com
They’re also expanding and adding to the services they offer their users as the mobile platform proves to be increasingly profitable, so you can get things like Line Camera and Line Tools, if they’re your cup of tea. The option of connecting it with your Facebook account is also there too, however.
Kik
With around 100 million users, Kik isn’t quite as popular as some of the other services, but it has a unique selling point, as they say in the business world, because it is the first messaging app that also has a built-in browser.
Pic via imore.com
In terms of functions it’s pretty similar to WhatsApp as you can do group-chats, you can send picture messages and YouTube videos, and it seems pretty simple to interact with once you get used to the differences.
If none of those options appeal to you, you can always go back to text messages or use Snapchat (who turned down an offer from Facebook recently) to share your n00dz. Your choice.
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