WhatsApp is the top choice for global personal communication due to its universal reach.
Telegram suits power users who love customisation and large groups.
Slack is the premier pick for workplace collaboration and team productivity.
Top 10 Chat & Messaging Apps, compared| RANK | ENTRY | BEST FOR | SCORE | FROM |
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| 1 |  WhatsAppWhatsApp has over two billion active monthly users worldwide. | Everyday personal messaging | 95.0 | Free |
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| 2 |  TelegramTelegram allows group chats to hold up to 200,000 members. | Large communities and customisation | 92.7 | Free |
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| 3 |  SignalSignal is funded entirely by grants and donations rather than advertising. | Privacy-conscious users | 90.3 | Free |
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| 4 |  SlackSlack integrates with over 2,600 external third-party software tools. | Tech companies and startups with complex toolchains | 88.0 | 6.67 GBP per user per month |
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| 5 |  Microsoft TeamsMicrosoft Teams is deeply integrated into the Microsoft 365 office suite. | Large enterprises using Microsoft 365 | 85.7 | 3.30 GBP per user per month |
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| 6 |  DiscordDiscord handles millions of concurrent voice users daily through low-latency channels. | Open source projects and gaming communities | 83.3 | Free |
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| 7 |  Apple MessagesApple Messages seamlessly routes between SMS and internet-based iMessage. | Apple ecosystem users | 81.0 | Free |
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| 8 |  Facebook MessengerMessenger supports cross-app communication with Instagram users. | Connecting with Facebook friends | 78.7 | Free |
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| 9 |  ViberViber Out allows users to call non-Viber landlines and mobile numbers globally. | International calling | 76.3 | Free |
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| 10 |  LineLine originated in Japan following the 2011 earthquake to help restore communication. | Users in East Asia | 74.0 | Free |
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How to choose
Start from what you need it for. Where each entry fits best:
- WhatsApp (#1): Everyday personal messaging
- Telegram (#2): Large communities and customisation
- Signal (#3): Privacy-conscious users
- Slack (#4): Tech companies and startups with complex toolchains
- Microsoft Teams (#5): Large enterprises using Microsoft 365
- Discord (#6): Open source projects and gaming communities
- Apple Messages (#7): Apple ecosystem users
- Facebook Messenger (#8): Connecting with Facebook friends
- Viber (#9): International calling
- Line (#10): Users in East Asia
Each entry's full verdict is below.
The ranking, in detail
01
Simple, reliable, secure messaging
A globally dominant messaging platform offering end-to-end encryption for text, voice calls, and video chats.
Free
PROS- End-to-end encryption by default
- Extremely large global user base
CONS- Requires a mobile phone number to register
- Owned by Meta, which raises privacy concerns for some users
- Best for
- Everyday personal messaging
- Where it falls short
- It requires a mobile phone number to register.
- Pick something else if
- you do not want to link your phone number.
95.0
02
A new era of messaging
A cloud-based instant messaging service known for speed, security, and support for massive broadcast channels.
Free
PROS- Cloud storage allows seamless multi-device syncing
- Supports very large groups and channels
CONS- Secret chats are not enabled by default
- Uses custom MTProto encryption rather than standard protocols
- Best for
- Large communities and customisation
- Where it falls short
- Secret chats are not enabled by default.
- Pick something else if
- you require end-to-end encryption to be on by default.
92.7
03
Speak freely
A privacy-focused messaging app that uses advanced open-source end-to-end encryption for all communications.
Free
PROS- Industry-leading privacy and metadata protection
- Completely open-source protocol
CONS- Smaller user base compared to WhatsApp
- Lacks some advanced customisation features
- Best for
- Privacy-conscious users
- Where it falls short
- It has a smaller user base compared to WhatsApp.
- Pick something else if
- you need the largest possible network of contacts.
90.3
04
Where work happens
A channel-based messaging platform designed for professional teams and workplace productivity.
From 6.67 GBP per user per month
PROS- Extensive app directory with thousands of integrations
- Intuitive and highly customisable user interface
CONS- Can become expensive for larger organisations
- Message history is limited on the free tier
- Best for
- Tech companies and startups with complex toolchains
- Where it falls short
- The free tier restricts message history, which hinders long-term information retrieval.
- Pick something else if
- you need unlimited message history without paying.
88.0
05
Chat, meet, call, and collaborate
A comprehensive business communication platform combining workplace chat, video meetings, and file storage.
From 3.30 GBP per user per month
PROS- Deep integration with Microsoft Office applications
- Robust enterprise-grade security and compliance features
CONS- Interface can feel cluttered and overwhelming
- Resource heavy application performance on desktop
- Best for
- Large enterprises using Microsoft 365
- Where it falls short
- The interface can feel cluttered and overwhelming for users.
- Pick something else if
- you prefer a simpler interface.
85.7
06
Your place to talk and hang out
A voice, video, and text communication service originally built for gamers but now used by diverse online communities.
Free
PROS- Exceptional free voice and video channels
- Highly customisable bots and automation
CONS- Less structured for formal corporate hierarchy
- Notifications can be distracting outside of work hours
- Best for
- Open source projects and gaming communities
- Where it falls short
- It is less structured for formal corporate hierarchy.
- Pick something else if
- you need a platform built for formal corporate hierarchy.
83.3
07
Say more with iMessage
The native instant messaging service built into Apple iOS, iPadOS, and macOS devices.
Free
PROS- Pre-installed on all Apple devices
- Rich media sharing and fun effect animations
CONS- Restricted strictly to Apple hardware ecosystems
- Lacks official cross-platform Android support
- Best for
- Apple ecosystem users
- Where it falls short
- Restricted strictly to Apple hardware ecosystems.
81.0
08
Be together, whenever
A popular instant messaging application connected to the Facebook social network ecosystem.
Free
PROS- Linked directly to the vast Facebook network
- Includes fun games and interactive filters
CONS- App can be heavy and drain battery quickly
- Data collection practices are linked to Meta
- Best for
- Connecting with Facebook friends
- Where it falls short
- App can be heavy and drain battery quickly.
78.7
09
Connecting people freely and securely
A cross-platform instant messaging and VoIP application featuring secure chats and affordable international calls.
Free
PROS- Good rates for international landline calling
- Built-in end-to-end encryption for private chats
CONS- Contains ads within the free mobile interface
- Smaller user base in Western countries
- Best for
- International calling
- Where it falls short
- Contains ads within the free mobile interface.
76.3
10
Closing the distance
A comprehensive lifestyle and messaging application exceptionally popular in parts of East Asia.
Free
PROS- Packed with stickers, games, and mobile payment features
- Extremely popular in Japan, Taiwan, and Thailand
CONS- Interface can feel cluttered with extra features
- Low adoption rates in North America and Europe
- Best for
- Users in East Asia
- Where it falls short
- Interface can feel cluttered with extra features.
74.0
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Frequently asked questions
Which messaging app is the most secure?
Signal is widely considered the most secure messaging app due to its open-source protocol and commitment to collecting minimal user metadata.
Do I need to pay to use these messaging applications?
Most consumer chat apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal are completely free to use, while workplace tools like Slack require paid subscriptions for advanced features.
Can I use WhatsApp without a smartphone?
Yes, WhatsApp allows you to link your account to multiple companion desktop devices without needing your phone to stay online constantly.
Sources
Where we checked each company's facts, and when.
Some links on Lister are affiliate links. Rankings are not affected.