6 Best Chat Apps for Android Smartphones

Are you an Android user who enjoys chatting with friends, both old and new? If so, you should explore the most popular chat apps available on Android.

These apps offer a range of exciting features for chatting. Let's take a look at the complete list!

1. WhatsApp Messenger

Almost everyone is familiar with WhatsApp. This app is renowned for its extensive features.

WhatsApp has various standout functionalities, including multimedia support for sending photos, videos, documents, and voice messages, as well as group chats, custom wallpapers, and notification sounds. I particularly appreciate the one-shot photo sending feature and the ability to send HD quality photos.

Additionally, WhatsApp messages can be backed up via Google and iCloud accounts, ensuring you don't lose your messages if you switch devices. You can also delete and edit messages as needed. WhatsApp ensures user privacy with end-to-end encryption.

WhatsApp Web and the desktop version allow access on various platforms like laptops, PCs, and MacBooks, which I find extremely convenient. For workers, students, or families, WhatsApp groups facilitate conversations among more than 10 users. Stickers and emojis add a fun element to chats.

Like Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram, WhatsApp has a Stories feature for daily sharing. However, Android users might find that video and photo uploads are sometimes compressed, resulting in blurry quality.

Despite this, WhatsApp Messenger remains the world's most popular messaging app. This free app, owned by Facebook, attracts a massive user base, including myself. Download WhatsApp on the Google Play Store.

What I like about WhatsApp:

• Maintains privacy and security with end-to-end encryption
• Allows message backup in Gmail and iCloud accounts
• Offers multimedia sharing with HD quality
• Features for editing and deleting messages in chatrooms
• Facilitates communication with WhatsApp Groups
• Allows easy chat archiving
• Provides accurate location sharing
• Enables sending messages to your own number

Things to note about WhatsApp:

• Video and photo uploads in Stories can be blurry on Android
• One-time photo uploads and chatroom contents can be screenshotted without notification

2. Telegram

Telegram makes message sharing simple and also supports video calls, voice calls, recordings, and short videos, with the option to set messages to automatically disappear after a certain time.

On Telegram, you can create an ID that other users can search for. To add a friend, you only need their ID.

One of Telegram's unique features is the secret message sharing option, ensuring that messages are only seen by you and your friend.

Telegram groups are often used for sharing movies or the latest news, and you can share documents, photos, and locations with good accuracy in groups or one-on-one chats.

Telegram offers a Premium service that includes features like last seen leaks, Telegram Business, Telegram Story, unlimited cloud storage, large file sharing, and converting voice messages to text.

Both Telegram and WhatsApp have their pros and cons. For private conversations, I prefer Telegram. What about you?

What I like about Telegram:

• Allows setting message durations in chat rooms
• Includes a secret message feature
• Offers Telegram Premium with many features
• Uses IDs to find and add friends
• Supports short video recording
• Provides a variety of stickers
• Allows creating open groups
• Ensures end-to-end encryption for messages, video, and phone calls

Things to note about Telegram:

• Cloud storage expansion and Telegram Story are premium features
• Limited detail on last seen status

3. Messenger

Facebook users are likely familiar with this chat app since it is part of the social media platform. In some countries, like the United States, Messenger is among the most popular chat apps.

Messenger offers several features, including unlimited text messaging, voice and video calls, group video chats, dark mode, multimedia support, and cross-platform use.

Similar to Telegram, Facebook Messenger also has a secret message feature. I enjoy using Messenger because it allows customization of chatroom themes, nicknames in chats, and read-receipt options that can be adjusted as needed.

Since it's linked to Facebook, logging into Messenger is easy. This app is available for download from the Google Play Store.

Things I like about Messenger:

• Direct login with Facebook, hassle-free
• Customizable chatroom themes like on Instagram
• File sharing options with various extensions
• Secret chat rooms
• Free, unlimited premium service

Things to note about Messenger:

• Requires an active Facebook account to log in

4. LINE

LINE is one of the most popular chat apps for Android users. I've been using this app for a long time to communicate with my loved ones. A fun feature of LINE is the option to share cute stickers, which can be purchased at the LINE sticker store using LINE coins.

In my opinion, the most interesting aspect of LINE is LINE VOOM. VOOM is a way to share news through posts on the timeline. It also allows me to share stories via Story, accessible from the LINE VOOM homepage.

As for messaging, LINE offers everything you need. You can make voice or video calls, share voice messages, and send text messages, all for free. You can also create groups with multiple members on LINE.

What I like about LINE:

• Cute stickers to use during chats
• Minimalist, user-friendly interface
• LINE VOOM and Story for sharing updates
• "Unsend" option to delete messages, just like on Instagram

Things to note about LINE:

• Cannot edit messages in chatrooms

5. Snapchat

Snapchat is quite popular among Android phone users, especially in the United States. This app was the pioneer of the "Story" feature that disappears after 24 hours. Snapchat is still widely used today, including by myself.

I enjoy this chat app because messages automatically disappear after 24 hours. However, you can manually save messages in the chatroom if needed.

On Snapchat, you can also share photos called "Snaps." If the person you're talking to sends a Snap in return, you’ll get a 1-point snapscore and streaks. The higher the score, the cooler the user. By the way, these Snaps will also vanish after 24 hours. If you screenshot or save the photo, a notification will be sent to both you and the other person.

Snapchat uses avatars instead of profile pictures. You can customize your avatar's appearance, including hair color, eye shape, nose shape, and clothes.

Another interesting feature is Snap Map, which allows you to share your location with friends and see when they were last active on Snapchat.

Things I love about Snapchat:

• The Snapstory feature and sharing photos that disappear within 24 hours
• Snap Map to know the location and last active time of other users
• Cool sticker and avatar customization options
• The "Spotlight" feature, similar to TikTok's FYP
• Snapchat Plus allows you to see who viewed a Story more than once

Things to note about Snapchat:

• The disappearing photo and chat features can be misused
• Messages in chatrooms cannot be edited
• Some avatar items require payment

6. Discord

Discord is a free voice, video, and text chat app that has been downloaded over 100 million times on the Play Store. People use Discord to discuss everything from art projects and family trips to homework and mental health support. I often use Discord to stream games.

On Discord, you can create a dedicated server, which functions similarly to groups in other chat apps. You can add other Discord users as members of your server.

Discord also supports communication via video or voice calls, as well as chat. It offers paid premium options with Discord Nitro. One option, Nitro Basic, gives access to exclusive stickers and emojis for chatting.

Things I like about Discord:

• The option for private chats and good video call quality
• The availability of Discord Servers, which allows you to meet more friends
• Screen sharing with friends, which is great for streaming games

Things to note about Discord:

• Exclusive stickers and emojis are included in the premium service

So, that's a collection of popular chat apps on Android with many users worldwide. Which chat app is your favorite?