10 Apps Like Kik Best Messaging Apps Of 2022

Carson McQueen Back in October 2019, news about Kik shutting down roamed the web. At the last minute, however, the company announced that they weren’t going anywhere, much to the delight of longtime fans. Still, the news forced plenty of users to look for Kik alternatives. Even if you already have your staples, it’s worth checking out other messaging platforms to see how they compare to your favorite. If you want to try apps like Kik, then the following should rank on top of your list.

Apps Similar to Kik

WhatsApp2. Viber3. LINE4. Telegram5. Messenger6. MeWe7. GroupMe8. WeChat9. Tango10. Signal

1) WhatsApp

WhatsApp isn’t as popular in the US as it is in the rest of the world. It’s the most used messaging application in over 100 countries, which says a lot about how robust of a platform it is. In case you didn’t know, WhatsApp is owned by Facebook, which purchased it for $16 billion in 2014. The best thing about WhatsApp is its simplicity. You can say that it’s a pure messaging app, one that consists of all the features you need and none of the clutter. The clean and intuitive interface allows users to navigate easily. And by clean, you can expect to see zero ads or in-app purchases. The app is lightweight as well, making it an excellent choice for entry-level to mid-range smartphones.

2) Viber

Viber is another messaging platform that has been around for years. While its interface doesn’t look like Kik, it shares plenty of similarities that will get Kik users up to speed. Viber is feature-packed, compelling users to stick to it and convince their friends to check it out. By linking your number to Viber, you’ll get connected instantly to all of your contacts who’ve signed up the app as well. Many users compare Viber to Skype. This is because you can make voice and video calls for free. Placing international calls to other Viber users is also possible.

3) LINE

In its early years, LINE was mostly used in China and other countries in Asia. But it has grown into one of the biggest messaging platforms in the world. While its user base still pales in comparison to Kik and WhatsApp, LINE is undoubtedly a strong competitor. With LINE, you can enjoy free voice calls, video calls, and messaging. Group chats are also immensely popular on the platform, allowing you to create a group chat with up to 200 users. There’s also a desktop client, so you can still keep in touch with your friends without your phone.

4) Telegram

Telegram might be the least popular messaging app on this list, but it’s one of the best alternatives to Kik right now. Founded in 2013, the app now boasts of 200 million monthly users. It shares the same core functionality as most messaging platforms, but the reason why you should use it is privacy. The app’s primary selling point is keeping messages private through the use of end-to-end encryption. What does this mean? This technology prevents anybody outside of the two people in the conversation from seeing the messages sent. It’s worth noting, however, that this feature isn’t implemented by default. Encryption is only enabled in calls and in secret conversations.

5) Messenger

Here’s yet another entry from Facebook. Messenger has skyrocketed in popularity, mainly because of its integration with Facebook. Since this social media platform has a staggering 1 billion user base, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that tons of people use Messenger as well. You can make the argument that Messenger is the easiest app to use if you want to connect with friends. In case you don’t like Facebook, then you should know that Messenger requires a Facebook profile, but the Facebook app doesn’t have to be installed on your phone. That’s a plus, especially for those concerned about privacy issues. However, Messenger shows ads on its platform, which could be irritating at times. It has a lot of features including messaging, video calls, and games. The “Stories” feature is also very popular, following Snapchat’s stories which have proven to be a huge hit.

6) MeWe

More and more people are learning about MeWe, a social platform that tries to compete against giants like Facebook and Instagram. If you’re tired of getting bombarded with ads, then this is an app similar to Kik you should definitely check out. Aside from the usual functions such as messaging, group chats, and file sharing, the platform claims to have no propaganda. According to MeWe, users don’t have to worry about censorship. That can work both ways. But for people who want absolute freedom in their content, MeWe proves to be a great choice. The only downside is that you have to pay a monthly subscription. There’s a free trial though if you want to test the waters.

7) GroupMe

Looking for an alternative to Kik that’s geared toward group communication? GroupMe may be the perfect app for you. A lot of people aren’t familiar with this app, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worthy of your attention. Skype acquired GroupMe back in 2010, and much like its parent company, GroupMe is a popular choice among business owners. GroupMe works a bit differently from other messaging platforms. A number is associated with each group chat. Users can send messages to this number and all members of the group will receive them. One nifty feature of GroupMe is that it tells you to switch to a text-based service in case you’re in a place with a slow data connection.

8) WeChat

WeChat is huge in China, but it hasn’t had a lot of success outside of its home country. It has more than a billion active users though, so this should compel you to give it a try. For countless people in China, WeChat is the reason why they have stopped using emails and SMS almost completely. Although it doesn’t differ much from other apps in terms of core features, one thing that makes it an interesting Kik alternative is that you can connect and chat with new people. This is as easy as going to the Discover tab and shaking your phone. The app looks for other users who are shaking their phones as well, and you’ll be connected with a stranger.

9) Tango

Tango has been growing in popularity over the past few years, thanks to its unique platform that makes it more than just a run-of-the-mill messaging app. Its platform is more like a social media newsfeed where you can post status updates and see other people’s updates as well. This app has everything you need, but what users love the most is its Tinder-like feature where you can chat with new people. By looking at the profiles of other users, you can swipe left or right depending on whether you want to initiate a conversation or not. Tango also offers big discounts on popular brands, so you might want to forget about Kik for a bit and switch to this app if you love online shopping.

10) Signal

If you want an app like Kik that is miles better in terms of security, Signal should be your go-to. It can’t compete against the apps on this list when it comes to popularity, but if you’re concerned about privacy and other security risks, you can get rid of your worries by using Signal. The app uses end-to-end encryption to keep messages safe from hackers. Even Edward Snowden, the infamous whistleblower, has raved about Signal numerous times in his interviews. Just remember that Signal is a barebones messaging platform. It lacks the social features found in other popular apps. Still, you can’t go wrong with it if private conversations are your priority.

Start Meeting New Friends

These apps have grown beyond the core functions of instant messaging and video calls. Nearly all of them allow you to share files, play games, and even connect with strangers. Each one comes with its own set of pros and cons. While you might still end up with Kik because most of your friends use it, you’d have a lot of fun checking out some of the best alternatives out there. In case I missed anything, don’t hesitate to share them below.