Kik messaging app is a free and popular instant messaging app that offers many more features than just chatting and messaging.
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It currently has millions of downloads on the Google PlayStore and a decent rating of 4.0 from around 2.5 million reviews.
Like any other social networking messaging app, you can send text, photos, video messages, and many other fun ways to communicate with friends and family.
The difference is that no phone number is required (just choose a username), making it an attractive option in terms of anonymity.
In addition, Kik promises secure and untraceable communication, valuable for people who want more privacy. You can even find new friends with similar interests through the app.
In addition to more privacy, you also have the option of anonymous chats, group chats of up to 49 people and so-called promoted chats, which allow users to follow and send messages to different brands from different sectors.
They also have specific protection policies for minors in relation to using the app.
But of course, not all apps are perfect, and even those privacy features can be a double-edged sword. This could be one of the reasons why some people switch to other instant messaging apps.
Kik has a built-in dating style feature and it can sometimes pose a danger or expose users to unwanted or lewd content.
This added anonymity can pave the way for cyberbullying or malicious users to take advantage of the situation or even harm other users, especially children. Sharing private information can prove dangerous and have serious consequences.
While there were rumors that Kik would shut down in 2019, the company announced that won't happen and is still operational.
However, many people have already started looking for alternative Kik apps. If you are one of them, in this article we will help you find apps similar to Kik, so let's get started.
Be sure to read to the end of the article because we have also listed some apps that don't require a phone number just like Kik.
(The ranking of the apps below is in no particular order):
Index
1) Viber
Who does not know Viber or does not know the message tones? Not many people I suppose. That's because Viber is very popular and you know exactly how popular it is. Viber comes preinstalled on many Android smartphones.
Viber is one of the most convenient and ultimate instant messaging apps. Of course, it's free to download and very versatile in terms of its user base. It is modern enough for young people and at the same time appropriate enough for businesses to use as well.
There are many organizations like a basketball team or maybe brands or artists that use Viber as their primary means of internal and public communication. You get the usual text, image, and video messages, but perhaps Viber is pretty famous when it comes to free phone calls.
You can create large group chats of up to 200 people and your stickers are very popular. There are also cool and fun Viber games you can play to while away the time (or get hooked). Viber has over 100 million users and was recently acquired by Japanese company Rakuten for $900 million.
2) WhatsApp
Whatsapp is one of the undisputed best instant messaging apps in the world. It has over a billion users worldwide and unsurprisingly enough belong to Facebook.
WhatsApp features include the ability to start group conversations or calls with up to 8 people, share your location or broadcast your status to your contacts, and send and receive messages through your computer.
You also have the ability to customize your wallpaper, notifications, messages to multiple people at once and the app saves your messages, you won't miss any of them even if your phone is off.
Whatsapp also attaches great importance to data protection. It has several advanced security features to protect its users. Maybe that's why it attracts so many people.
An important feature is end-to-end encryption, which ensures that only you and your recipient can read your messages, even Whatsapp itself.
None of your information is stored and only approved people or contacts can communicate with you. The app also uses two-factor authentication to ensure no one can access your account and has a good ability to block unwanted contacts.
It's stylish, simple and straightforward to use, so it's a great choice no matter where you are.
3) line
A little background on Line Messenger: This app was developed after the catastrophic tsunami in Japan in 2011. All normal channels of communication were cut off or unreliable during this time, and so Line was created by an Internet company called Naver.
To date, Line Messenger is very popular in Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia and, of course, Japan. It has 220 million monthly active users, which proves its increasing popularity. If you ask why or how? So it's most likely due to its overall functionality.
Line as a messaging app works similar to FB Messenger or Whatsapp. You can communicate with your friends with these funny and crazy stickers and emojis while playing games with them.
But maybe it's preferred because Line lets you browse the news or book taxis, find discounts on coupons, stream music, and even make mobile payments.
It's convenient, it's a full messaging app, and perfect for people with busy lifestyles.
4) Facebook-Messenger
Another popular messaging app, this is surely another great Kik alternative. Since integrating with the Facebook platform (replacing the aging messaging system), it's no surprise that this messaging app rose to prominence when it launched and has never looked back.
If you're looking for a no-fuss instant messaging app, this is it. It's easy to use and offers fun stickers, emojis and games, as well as all the features you need as a means of communication.
Great for video calls, group chats and you have the option to mute or block contacts as needed. The latest feature allows you to send money through the app.
It's convenient to use and the app keeps finding ways to not only make communication easy, but also to send messages and intentions clearly to the recipient(s).
5) WeChat
Ever heard of WeChat? Well, it's easily the biggest and most popular messaging app in China. And just like in the movies, if it's big in China, it's big around the world.
WeChat has around a billion users, after Whatsapp and Facebook Messenger.
Like Line, WeChat offers its loyal users more than just regular chats or video calls. It allows people to make payments through their platform and even book hotels and flights.
Another great feature of WeChat is widgets, which are essentially apps within the WeChat app.
However, keep in mind that WeChat is monitored by the Chinese government, so there's not much privacy here (unless of course you have nothing to hide, then don't worry about privacy, right!! ).
6) KaKaoTalk
KakaoTalk is South Korea's entry into the instant messaging fray. It was released in 2010 and if I remember correctly it has cute and funny adverts that catches people's attention immediately.
KakaoTalk has a traffic of 55 billion messages per day. Not only is it a convenient way to chat and call your contacts, but the app has also become a great way to connect with your friends or make new friends.
It has a shake option and a QR code to communicate when your friends are around and to easily create group chats. Nevertheless, KakaoTalk convinced me with the sweet commercials.
7) Deposit
Signal prides itself on being the safest messaging app. How or why? It is based on the open source and secure "Signal Protocol" which is in fact one of the most secure ways of communication in this digital world.
It was created by Moxie Marlinspike (a cryptographer developer) and Brian Acton, co-founder of WhatsApp.
It uses end-to-end encryption and doesn't store your data, so no one, not even the government, can ask for any information about you or your messages.
And its open-source nature means it checks your security logs, since software developers can access and check your code.
Don't worry, it still has all those fun stickers and/or emojis.
8) Telegram Messenger
From one secure app to another, Telegram Messenger is also an organized and highly secure way to communicate with people.
Its best features, aside from end-to-end encryption, are its cloud-based nature, which means you can access your messages on other devices, even your computer.
This type of programming gives you the legal ability to reject your messages on the servers and also delete them from the other party's site.
Telegram also has a cool hidden chat option for more private conversations and an option to self-destruct messages with a specific timer.
It has no media or news boundaries and is perfect for more professional conversations. You can even create coordination groups with up to 200,000 members.
9) GroupMe
GroupMe is a messaging application owned and published by Microsoft (also Microsoft).
It's popular with students because it's a convenient and fun way to form small groups and allows you to plan activities on a calendar.
This in turn would allow users to invite people, create polls, and upload photos and videos.
You can use it on your phone or on your computers, whichever is more convenient. It also works via SMS.
10) TwinMe
TwinMe is another instant messaging app with the slogan "Master your online life". What immediately comes to mind is privacy, yes this app is secure but they do things a little differently.
You have a simple and effective way to communicate with everyone, including strangers, but at the same time you have the opportunity to block contacts who don't want anything.
It's free and the peer-to-peer system ensures that no server comes between you and the recipient.
Messages remain on both devices involved. Enjoy HD audio and video calls with maximum freedom and privacy.
Just like Kik, TwinMedoes not use or require a phone numberor email address to use the app. So this app can be a real Kik alternative in terms of privacy etc.
They also claim that "no cold calling, no harassment, no spam is possible with twinme' when you block someone who no longer wants to communicate.
11) KingsChat
KingsChat seems like the newcomer on the block but it's not, it already exists, has almost a million downloads on Google PlayStore and based on reviews it's an underrated app.
But it doesn't really offer anything new or innovative on the table. Easy chat messages, HD videos, images, emojis and location sharing are guaranteed with the app.
Right now the developers need to think outside the box and come up with a cool update in upcoming versions to make it stand out. But it still has all the important features of a communication app and more.
The developers are also very responsive (even on app store reviews) which means they care deeply about the app.
12) IWir
MeWe is like Viber, but smaller in everything. It has the usual chat and video communication features while also being able to be an open chat group platform for stars, artists and celebrities to connect with their fan base.
It has a policy-free agenda, a privacy-by-design platform, and you can safely share your content.
It has a cool MyCloud feature that allows you to organize your content on it. And a patented enhanced permission control looks promising.
Well, the app looks promising, so you better pay attention to it, especially its reliable operating model and privacy features.
13) Google-Hangouts
Google Hangouts is obviously integrated into the Google platform. So you can imagine that any app or feature related to Google will add to the capabilities of this messaging app. However, Google Hangout is perfect for the corporate environment.
With all the tools at your disposal, you can easily manage any work-related task, with instant and constant communication with colleagues, either via chat or video calls/conferences.
They also have the cool and convenient way of streaming live video calls on Youtube which they call Google Hangouts on Air. This is very useful when conducting seminars or even talk shows.
With Hangouts you don't need a phone number, your Gmail account is enough to communicate.
14) Discord
If you are a gamer then you must be quite familiar with Discord. Online gaming has been around for a long time and there has always been a problem of communication, especially within a fanbase, or just waiting to organize a group for an upcoming session.
Discord has around 250 million users to date and is a great way to chat.and chat with your friendswhile in game. It has a cool UI and is modern for kids and kids at heart.
Although mostly used by gamers, many developers and engineers from open source projects have started using it to communicate and collaborate on their projects.
15) Riot.im
Riot.im is a messaging application based on the Matrix protocol, an open and decentralized network for secure communications.
It's lightweight and supports end-to-end encryption as you now know it for secure communications.
Riot.im prides itself on being focused on modern communication. Provides options to easily organize rooms for any team or community. Chat, file sharing, voice or video calls are guaranteed and even conferences.
It's not popular, but it has a loyal following.