There are many free Messenger apps that can be downloaded for free for both Android and iOS. Some offer free unlimited calls/texts or additional phone numbers. Others offer group messaging, pictures, GIFs, and other features. How do you know which free Messenger Apps downloads offer the features you are looking for?

In the post below, we list the top free Messenger apps for Android and iOS, including iPhone and iPad. The ratings are based on our reviews as well as user feedback.

The free apps below are listed in order of review rating by platform, Android then iOS (iPhone & iPad). 

Best Free Android Messenger Apps

Mood Messenger for Android

With a 4.6/5 review score and over 5 million downloads, Mood Messenger is our #1 choice under Android free Messenger apps. Mood Messenger is customizable so you can add your own unique style, and it offers additional features such as typing indicator.

Pulse SMS for Android

Similar to Mood Messenger, Pulse SMS offers some great features and customization.  It also streams your messages on all of your devices. 

Signal Private Messenger for Android 

Using Signal, you can chat with all of your friends for free, as well as create group chats.  Signals servers will not access any of your communication, nor store any data – so you can share media and other files with complete privacy.  

Textra for Android

Textra, like the others allows you to message and send pictures and gifs.  It offers tons of great features, notably 180+ material design theme, bubble & app icon colors. Dark, light & auto-night modes, multiple bubble styles, scheduled (future) SMS & MMS, stop during send, slide to delete, slide to call, quick snap camera, multi-select picture gallery, quick reply SMS popup, awesome MMS GROUP messaging, quick voice memos, GIFs, 21 text sizes, message blocker, and more.  All of these features make Textra one of our favs.  

Messaging SMS for Android 

This is a great free Messenger download if you are looking for something user friendly and basic for simple SMS or MMS Messaging.  It may not have as many features as some of the others, but if all of that jazz is too confusing for you give Messaging SMS a try.  It still has 4.5/5 stars and over 1 million downloads. 

Go SMS Pro 

This is a newer messaging app, but still has over 1 million downloads.  It makes messaging fun with intuitive and personalized features. 

WhatsApp for Android

WhatsApp uses your internet connection to allow you to text and video chat with friends.  This is a popular app, as it bridges the gap for sending pictures and for video chatting from Android to iPhone.  

Telegram Messenger for Android 

Telegram is simply an instant messenger.  It has the ability to sync to all of your devices, and claims to be the fastest messaging app on the market.  

Viber for Android 

Viber is very similar to other basic instant messaging apps.  All it requires in a wi-fi connection.  One unique feature is that is offers international calls, also completely free.  

Messenger for Android 

This app will keep all your friends and families all in one messenger, and open all your social messenger apps just with one click. No need to search for messenger apps every time you want to messenger with your friends and families.

Handcent for Android

Handcent offers tons of handy features to make your life easier, and cloud back-up, so you never worry about long texts ever again.
It offers a reliable guard to keep texts safe and secure.

Facebook Messenger for Android 

Let’s not forget about good old Facebook Messenger.  This offers people a way to find you if they don’t have your number, or even if they are not your Facebook friend.  Even though this app is near the bottom of our list it still has 4.1 stars and over 1 billion downloads.  This is probably a safe bet that you can message almost anyone you know.  

Message Classic for Android 

Message Classic is the stock messaging (SMS & MMS) app ported from the Android native system!
Most of phone manufacturers, for example Samsung, LG, Sony and HTC, build their own messaging apps with different user experience, Message Classic brings you the native taste with Google design. So if you have an Android and are looking for a different messaging experience, you might look elsewhere.  

Best Free Messenger Apps for iPhone & iPad

WhatsApp for iPhone

With a 4.7/5 star rating, Whatsapp is our top choice for free Messenger Apps for iOS.  This app features messaging, video chats, picture sharing and more.  This is a great choice for sending pics and video chatting with your Android user friends.  

WeChat for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch 

WeChat is more than a messaging and social media app – it is a lifestyle for one billion users across the world. Chat and make calls with friends, read news and use local services in Official Accounts and Mini Programs, play games with friends, enjoy mobile payment features with WeChat Pay, and much more.

TextNow for iPhone and iPad 

This app is a great choice if you want to use a separate number for work, dating, or anything else.  Unlimited calls and texts are provided by TextNow.  You can utilize unlimited calls to the US and Canada, as well as free, or low cost international calls all over the World.  

Keeper Chat for iPhone, iPad, iMessage

KeeperChat is a great option for those who have privacy concerns.  With fully encrypted and confidential messaging, Keeper provides safety for sending credit card info, passwords and other confidential information via text message.  

Telegram for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch 

Pure instant messaging — simple, fast, secure, and synced across all your devices. Over 100 million active users in two and a half years. It  is the fastest messaging app on the market, connecting people via a unique, distributed network of data centers around the globe.

 
This is a top choice due to the amount of users alone.  You can now reach anyone you know by searching for them on Facebook Messenger.  This app utilizes basic texting as well as video chats, games, money sending capabilities, photo sharing, group messages and so much more.  This is a great networking app as well as a way to coordinate with a group of people.  
 

Slack brings team communication and collaboration into one place so you can get more work done, whether you belong to a large enterprise or a small business. Check off your to-do list and move your projects forward by bringing the right people, conversations, tools, and information you need together. 

One Chat Lite for iOS

One Chat gives you the ability to add all of you messaging services into one app.  No more opening several different apps that potentially do the same thing… message.  You can consolidate all of your messages into one area so that you are promptly responding to everyone across all social media platforms.  


LINE for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch 

LINE reshapes communication around the globe, bringing you closer to your family, friends, and loved ones—for free. With voice and video calls, messages, and a limitless variety of exciting stickers, you’ll be able to express yourself in ways that you’ve never thought possible. With a 3.5/5 star rating, LINE is lower on our list.  

My SMS for iOS 

With only 3.4/5 stars, My SMS is at the bottom of our list.  This app is used simply to sync all of your messages across your smartphone, tablet and computer.  Your regular iOS texting app will do the same once enabled on all devices.  

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