Looking for Something Different? Give These 8 Kik Alternatives a Shot!
Are you fed up with Kik and in search of a change? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! I’ve compiled a list of eight fantastic alternatives that you should definitely give a try. So, let’s dive in and explore what these exciting platforms have to offer!
The Kik messaging app is well-loved because it’s easy to use and respects your privacy. It allows you to connect with new people without giving out your personal phone number to strangers.
As time goes on, you might be considering switching to a different messaging app. With so many options out there, it can be tough to choose the one that’s right for you.
Usually, people stick with the messaging service that most of their friends and other chatters use. But there are advantages to trying out other apps too.
Now, let’s talk about the features of Kik. One thing that’s become an issue with the surge of apps is that popular ones like Kik feel the need to constantly add new features. They want to stay competitive and not get overshadowed by a new chat app. Kik became popular because you could chat anonymously, along with connecting with friends.
However, in recent years, Kik has tried to do more than just messaging. They’ve added video chat, Snapchat-like filters, stickers, and other things that most users don’t really need. This has made the app bigger and more unstable. Now, it’s mostly filled with spam and underage users, which makes it challenging to have a conversation without being bombarded with spam or talking to a high school student from a different state. All of this makes Kik a less appealing choice for both chatting with friends and meeting new people online.
So, if you’re tired of dealing with constant spam or want to move away from the young crowd that has taken over Kik, let’s take a look at seven great alternatives for both iOS and Android.
First up is WhatsApp. It’s available for both iOS and Android.
WhatsApp may not be as widely used in the United States as apps like iMessage or Hangouts, but it has a massive global following. In fact, over half of the world relies on WhatsApp as their go-to communication app. It’s no wonder that it dominates in a staggering 109 countries, as of 2016.
Owned by Facebook, WhatsApp ranks as the second most popular messaging app in the world. Unlike other messaging apps, WhatsApp focuses primarily on messaging without burdening your phone with unnecessary drains on its resources or poorly optimized features. It keeps things simple and efficient.
Hey, let’s talk about the design differences between WhatsApp versions. WhatsApp really pays attention to design guidelines for both iOS and Android, depending on which platform you’re using.
When it comes to iOS, the app has a clean blue-and-white design that’s clearly inspired by iMessage.
But on Android, the app looks quite different. It has a tab-based interface and a solid forest green color scheme that’s more similar to the messaging apps we’ve seen on Android, like Google’s own SMS messaging app or Hangouts.
Both versions, though, offer similar features within their designs. In the Android app, the tabs divide the app into calls, chats, and your contacts list. On the other hand, the iOS version keeps your chats right in the spotlight. Plus, both versions make it easy for you to start a new chat with an icon that’s always within reach on the main display.
When it comes to features, both the iOS and Android versions of the app are practically the same, offering all the standard messaging features that people expect in 2018. So, once you open the chat interface, you’ll see options to send photos from your gallery or camera, share video or audio clips with your friends using WiFi or data, send location information, and even exchange contact details with your loved ones via the app.
Now, even though the design of the conversation display may differ slightly between the two versions, the chat interface itself looks pretty much identical in both. Below the conversation thread, whether it’s a one-on-one chat or a group message, you’ll find the familiar text field, along with a send button and an option to include photos in your message.
But what else does WhatsApp have to offer besides basic chats? Well, let me break it down for you. First and foremost, the app is absolutely free. That means no pesky fees, no annoying ads, and no in-app purchases to worry about. It’s the perfect choice for anyone who wants a completely free messaging app. Plus, WhatsApp is incredibly light on resources, especially when compared to apps like Facebook Messenger. While Messenger tries to be your one-stop app for everything under the sun, from games to mobile payments, WhatsApp focuses on getting the basics of messaging right without all the extra fluff. In fact, WhatsApp is nearly half the size of the Messenger app on both iOS and Android. Without all the extra features of Messenger weighing it down, WhatsApp can load and run faster on any type of phone, whether it’s a budget device or a high-end one.
The only standout feature that WhatsApp offers, apart from standard messaging and calling, is its social aspect. You can post statuses and stories, somewhat similar to AIM and Snapchat, respectively. It adds a fun and personal touch to the app, giving you the chance to share moments and updates with your contacts.
Overall, WhatsApp is a fantastic alternative to Kik. Adding contacts on WhatsApp is a bit easier, although I wish it were as simple as sharing Kik usernames. This app runs smoothly and doesn’t drain your battery, giving you a great experience compared to poorly optimized chat apps.
Using WhatsApp is a breeze. Calls sound excellent whether you’re on WiFi or using mobile data, and there are no annoying ads or unnecessary features that slow things down. While WhatsApp may not completely replace Kik for anonymous conversations, it’s definitely worth a shot. It’s a top-notch app that you should definitely keep on your phone.
App Details Android
App Details iOS
Facebook Messenger
IOS, Android
Hey there! I want to share my second recommendation with you, and guess what? It’s another app owned by Facebook. But this one, Messenger, has become super popular right here in the good ol’ USA. You know why? Because Facebook is everywhere in our culture these days. With a whopping 2 billion users, Messenger is the go-to app for chatting with the people you already know. Although, I have to admit, the discovery tools could use a little work.
Let’s start with the basics. If you haven’t used Facebook Messenger before, chances are you’re not on Facebook either. No surprise there, because you do need a Facebook profile to use Messenger. But the cool thing is, you don’t need to have Facebook installed on your phone. Once you hop into the main app, you’ll see that it’s pretty busy.
At the top, there’s a search bar and a tab-based interface for your inbox, active users, group messages, and calls. In the inbox tab, your messages are neatly organized in reverse-chronological order. Plus, there’s an “Active Now” feature built right in.
Now, if you scroll up, you’ll uncover Messenger’s hidden gem: the “Stories” feature. Yep, it’s a direct copy of Snapchat’s own stories. But to be honest, you won’t find a whole lot of people using it. And at the very bottom of the app, there are a few more tabs: home, contacts, camera, games, and a cool feature that lets you message brands and companies on Facebook.
The chat interface is simple and elegant, featuring a refreshing blue-on-white color scheme. When you enter a chat thread, you’ll find a variety of options available for sending messages. In the top section of the messaging interface, you have the ability to initiate voice or video calls with any user, making it convenient to connect with anyone, regardless of the operating system they use.
At the bottom of each chat, you’ll discover endless possibilities for sending messages to individuals and groups. You can share your current location, pictures, videos, audio recordings, emojis, stickers, and even transfer money, all within the convenience of a single app.
When you want to personalize a chat thread, just click on the information button in the top-right corner. From there, you can customize how notifications work, change the chat’s color theme, choose the emoji that appears automatically (usually a like), give nicknames to people in the app, enable a “secret conversation” mode that deletes messages after a certain time, and more.
What sets Messenger apart from other messaging apps is its ability to be customized. This is something that most other apps don’t offer, making Messenger a unique choice among the many options available.
As I mentioned earlier, Facebook Messenger has more features than most people will ever need. One distinctive feature is the Snapchat-style augmented reality (AR) filters and stickers. This lets you add effects and designs to your photo messages, similar to what you can do on Snapchat, and send them to other users.
So, here’s the thing: there’s this Stories copycat that nobody really seems to be using much. And then, there’s this cool gaming feature in Messenger where you can play multiplayer games against your friends and compete for points and high scores. Some might argue that all of these extra features make the app a bit bloated, but truth be told, they also make it one of the most comprehensive chat apps out there.
Now, the main downside of Messenger is its discovery feature. Unlike other apps like Kik, you don’t necessarily have to be friends with someone on Facebook to message them. But the catch is, your message might end up in a “Message Request” category, where it’s automatically hidden. This can make it tricky to meet and communicate with new people.
All in all, Messenger is a top-notch app. One of its biggest advantages is its massive user base. You don’t have to convince your friends to switch to a new messaging app because chances are, they’re already on this one.
The app is loaded with features that can pretty much replace any other communication app on your phone. Some of these features might seem familiar because they’ve been borrowed from apps like Snapchat or Venmo. But hey, they work well, so why not?
Just a heads up, though, Messenger can be a bit of a drain on your battery and resources. It’s not the slimmest app out there, but it’s definitely a great alternative to Kik.
