10 Best WeChat Alternatives for Android Smartphones in 2023
WeChat is one of the popular messaging and communication apps in China. WeChat is more than a messaging and social media app – it’s a lifestyle for over a billion users worldwide. Through WeChat you can chat and call friends, read the news or play mini games with friends. Apart from that, the app also offers video calling and real-time location sharing features.
The app is currently used by billions of users around the world. But despite its popularity, it scores low in terms of security and privacy. Recent reports from CitizenLabs claim that WeChat monitors files shared by international users to strengthen censorship in China.
This is a major concern, and if you care about your security and privacy, it’s time to switch to WeChat alternatives. Many messaging apps in the Google Play Store can be used instead of WeChat.
List of the best WeChat alternatives for Android
In this article, we will share some of the best WeChat alternatives for Android smartphones. These messaging apps offer better features than WeChat. Let’s see.
1. Twitter
We understand that Twitter is the odd one out on the list, but it’s still on the list of WeChat alternatives for Android. In addition to regular messages, WeChat also provided a place to read various articles, and the same is done by Twitter.
You can use Twitter to explore different topics that match your interests. In addition, you can also stay informed about the latest happenings worldwide via Twitter. So only count Twitter if you have used WeChat to read articles.
2. Snapchat
Snapchat is another best option you can consider. It is a top-rated social networking app that is popular for its different lenses and other fun elements.
Snapchat lets you express yourself with lenses, filters, bitmoji, and more. New lenses and filters were added regularly to keep users engaged. In addition, Snapchat also has Stories from which you can discover the latest news and exclusive, original Shows.
3. WhatsApp
WhatsApp is the best instant messaging app available for Android and iOS users. WhatsApp has an even more active user base than WeChat and is available in over 180 countries.
The instant messaging app allows users to make voice and video calls. Apart from that, there is GIF support, sticker support, etc.
4. Messenger
If you have a Facebook account, you need to install the Messenger app. It is a free, all-in-one communication app owned by Facebook.
With Messenger, you can exchange text messages, make video & voice calls, group video calls, etc. In addition, Messenger also allows you to record and send voice and video messages.
5. Skype
The popular desktop video calling app is also available for Android. Compared to WeChat, Skype has a more attractive user interface and is optimized to run smoothly on all platforms.
With Skype, you can easily communicate with your friends via voice and video calls. You can even use Skype to send text messages to mobile numbers all over the world. Overall, Skype is one of the great WeChat alternatives that one can use on Android.
6. Telegram
If you are looking for a privacy-focused instant messaging app for your Android smartphone, Telegram might be your best choice. This is because the instant messaging app for Android puts privacy as a top priority.
Guess? Every conversation on Telegram is secured by a 256-bit symmetric AES encryption. Some of the main features of Telegram are group chats, file sharing, GIFs, channels, etc.
7. Signal Private Messenger
When it comes to privacy and security, nothing beats Signal Private Messenger. The instant messaging app for Android offers privacy-focused features like disappearing messages, timers, etc.
As for the features, Signal Private Messenger allows you to exchange text messages, make voice and video calls, etc.
8. Viber
When it comes to features, Viber shares many similarities with WhatsApp. We’ve listed Viber because it offers superior call quality for WeChat. Also, like WhatsApp, Viber relies on your phone number to create an account.
Once created, you can exchange text messages or voice calls from your contacts with anyone using Viber.
9. Kik
It is another popular messaging app available for both Android and iOS. Kik Messenger has a huge user base in the US and other parts of the world.
However, KiK offers fewer features than WeChat and would be shutting down soon. With Kik Messenger, you can chat one-on-one and in groups, share photos, videos, gifs, games, etc.
10. IMO free video calls and chat
If you are looking for a free and lightweight WeChat alternative for video calling and texting, IMO might be your best bet.
The messaging app is known for its high quality video and voice calling features. It also allows you to send free and unlimited messages over 2G, 3G, LTE or Wi-Fi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is WeChat banned in India?
Yes, WeChat is blocked in India and some other countries. If you live in a country where WeChat is banned or blocked, you will not find the app in the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
How to unblock and use WeChat?
If you live in a country where WeChat is blocked, you can use a VPN or a proxy on your device to download and use the app. However, you will still miss many useful features.
What is the best dating app like WeChat?
WeChat is not originally a dating app, but its nearby search feature allows users to find profiles within a short distance. If you want to date, check out the dating apps for android.
What is the best WeChat alternative?
There are many best WeChat alternatives available for Android and iPhone. If we had to choose the best, we would choose WhatsApp or Signal. WhatsApp has more features; while Signal is more private and secure.
Are these WeChat alternatives free?
Yes, almost all of the WeChat alternatives we shared in the article are free to download and use. You need to create an account with your number on these apps and start using it for free.
So, these are some of the best WeChat alternatives you can use on Android. If you know of any other such apps, let us know in the comment box below. I hope this article helped you! Please share it with your friends too.
