WhatsApp Alternative: Signal, Telegram, Line Are All Worth Exploring

WhatsApp truly took us by surprise when on Wednesday it sent us updated terms and privacy policy, where it revealed that it will be sharing the user data on the messaging app with its parent company Facebook.

Reuters

The data WhatsApp decided to share included account registration number (basically your mobile number), transaction data, service-related information, data on how you interact with other users as well as businesses while using WhatsApp services, information about the device the app is installed on, device¡¯s IP address.

This truly upset responsible WhatsApp users given Facebook's history of mishandling of user data. And in case you¡¯re one of the many who don¡¯t like these changes and are looking to switch to a better platform, we¡¯ve got some really cool messengers for you that are not only end-to-end encrypted but will also keep your data secure and away from Facebook¡¯s access.

Signal app

This messenger is truly a no-brainer. Whether its the security it offers in terms of peer to peer encryption on texts, video or voice calls, or the fact that it doesn¡¯t want to earn revenue from you and thus has no trackers of any sort -- Signal is doing many things right.

Play Store

Created by the co-founder of WhatsApp, Brian Acton, the messenger has also received a recommendation from the world¡¯s richest man, Elon Musk. The app is available for free on both Android and iOS.

Telegram app

The #deleteWhatsApp brigade might be waking up to Telegram just now, but Telegram messaging app has been around for quite some time now, and it has had a steady market-share over the years.

Reuters

There's a big reason to consider Telegram as a powerful WhatsApp alternative, because frankly Telegram offers features that builds on Signal's amazing end-to-end encryption and puts WhatsApp to shame.

Dust app

If you like the concept of Snapchat but hate the revamped UI with all the ¡®Discover¡¯ elements, you should definitely check out Dust. While it has the standard end to end encryption on chats, it takes things to the next level by allowing you to delete messages in a conversation from yours as well as the recipient¡¯s phone.

Play Store

Moreover, if someone tries to take a screenshot, you get notified about it. And all text history disappears after 24 hours How cool is that?

Wickr Me

Wickr Me is a no-nonsense texting app that offers the ability to communicate with tight encryption along with a clean, simple to use UI.

Play Store

However one of the coolest features of Wickr Me is that it doesn¡¯t need any phone or email ID to get people signed up on the platform. Moreover, every message is encrypted with a new key using advanced vetted end-to-end encryption.

Line

Line is a fun yet secure texting app that originates from Japan. Developed as a disaster response tool to help people communicate during the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami for employees at NHN Japan, today Line offers secure end to end encrypted messaging with a bunch of cool stickers and gifs to help make your conversations fun without compromising on security.

Play Store

iMessage

If you¡¯re using an iPhone, the most secure messenger you could possibly use is iMessage.

Play Store

Not only is iMessage end to end encrypted, but it also gets a bunch of cool messaging tips and tricks like stickers, Memojis, Animojis and the ability to send interactive messages, which have a unique charm altogether.

Briar

Briar boasts that it is the texting app for activists, journalists, anyone who wants their message to travel freely and without coming in the hands of people snooping in. What¡¯s unique about the messaging app is that it allows users to connect with or without the internet.

Play Store

Without the internet, the app uses the conventional mesh network using Wi-Fi & Bluetooth to send texts from one user to another. When the internet is back up, it connects to Tor servers to keep users stay out of the radar.

So which WhatsApp alternative caught your fancy the most: Is it Signal app or Telegram, or one of the others? Let us know in the comment sections below.