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Best Messaging Apps

235+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

4.3 avg rating
20 free apps
Updated July 2026

If you already know Telegram Messenger, this is the deeper bench. 235+ messaging apps for iPhone, all reviewed and ranked by user rating, recency, and download trend as of July 2026.

Compare top Messaging Apps (July 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1Telegram MessengerTelegram MessengerFree4.0β˜… (275K)NoYesJul 2026
2Signal - Private MessengerSignal - Private MessengerFree4.7β˜… (1.1M)NoYesJul 2026
3WhatsApp MessengerWhatsApp MessengerFree4.7β˜… (18M)YesYesJul 2026
4MessagesMessagesFree4.1β˜… (32K)NoNoJul 2026
5GroupMeGroupMeFree4.7β˜… (1.6M)NoYesJul 2026
6MessengerMessengerFree4.7β˜… (13M)YesYesJul 2026
7Kik Messaging & Chat AppKik Messaging & Chat AppFree4.3β˜… (484K)YesYesJul 2026
8Text Free: Second Phone NumberText Free: Second Phone NumberFree4.7β˜… (594K)YesYesJul 2026

Top Picks for Messaging

Telegram Messenger#1

Telegram Messenger by Telegram FZ-LLC

Fast. Secure. Powerful.
Editor's Choice
🌐 Social Networking
4.0😊(275K ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
#3in Social Networking
Telegram Messenger screenshot 1
Telegram Messenger screenshot 2
Telegram Messenger screenshot 3
Telegram Messenger screenshot 4
Telegram Messenger screenshot 5
Telegram Messenger screenshot 6

A fast, secure, and powerful instant messaging app synced across all devices. It offers unlimited media and file sharing, robust encryption, and extensive group chat capabilities. Enjoy a simple, private, and customizable communication experience.

What We Love

  • πŸš€ Fast and efficient
  • πŸ”’ Secure and private
  • πŸ‘ Customizable and user-friendly
  • πŸ’‘ Innovative features like channels and bots

Room to Improve

  • πŸ› Buggy and unstable at times
  • πŸ”‹ Battery life issues
  • 🚫 Lack of video calling feature
Signal - Private Messenger#2

Signal - Private Messenger by Signal Messenger, LLC

Say β€œhello” to privacy.
Strong Contender
🌐 Social Networking
4.7😊(1.1M ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
#10in Social Networking
Signal - Private Messenger screenshot 1
Signal - Private Messenger screenshot 2
Signal - Private Messenger screenshot 3
Signal - Private Messenger screenshot 4
Signal - Private Messenger screenshot 5
Signal - Private Messenger screenshot 6

This messaging app prioritizes your privacy with strong end-to-end encryption for all communications. It offers free text, voice, and video messaging, including group chats and disappearing stories, all without collecting your data.

What We Love

  • πŸ”’ Security and privacy
  • πŸ‘ Ease of use
  • πŸš€ Great call quality
  • πŸš€ Smooth and pleasant user interface

Room to Improve

  • πŸ› Delayed message delivery
  • πŸ› Inconsistent image/video quality
  • πŸ› Buggy call functionality
WhatsApp Messenger#3

WhatsApp Messenger by WhatsApp Inc.

Simple. Reliable. Private.
Worth Considering
🌐 Social Networking
4.7😊(18M ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
#2in Social Networking
WhatsApp Messenger screenshot 1
WhatsApp Messenger screenshot 2
WhatsApp Messenger screenshot 3
WhatsApp Messenger screenshot 4
WhatsApp Messenger screenshot 5

Connect with friends and family globally through private messaging and high-quality calls. Share moments, documents, and stay in touch across devices, even on slow connections. Your conversations are secured with end-to-end encryption.

What We Love

  • πŸ’¬ Great communication tool
  • 🌍 Connects people globally
  • πŸ”’ Secure and private messaging
  • πŸ“± Versatile features (calls, video, groups)

Room to Improve

  • πŸ› Bugs and glitches (freezing, crashing, notification issues)
  • πŸ”’ Privacy concerns with data sharing
  • πŸ™ˆ Lack of customization and control (status, groups)

More Messaging apps to explore

4
Messages
Messages
Messages
by Apple
Free

Communicate with contacts through unlimited texts, photos, videos, and documents. Supports iMessage for Apple devices and RCS, SMS, and MMS for others. Features include message editing, unsending, and scheduling.

Send unlimited texts, photos, videos, and documentsiMessage, RCS, SMS, and MMS supportEdit and unsend messages
🌐 Social Networking
(32K)
free
5
GroupMe
GroupMe
GroupMe
Group Chats, Events, Calling
Free

Connect with family, friends, and colleagues through group chats, direct messages, and shared media. Easily add members via phone number or email, control notifications, and express yourself with custom emojis and GIFs. Share photos and videos to relive memories later.

Group chat creationDirect messagingCustom emoji and GIFs
🌐 Social Networking
(1.6M)
free with in-app purchases
6
Messenger
Messenger
Messenger
Text, audio and video calls
Free

Connect with friends and family through text, audio, and video calls. Share photos, videos, and large files, and express yourself with custom themes and animated content. Features an AI assistant for help and support.

Text, audio, and video callsHigh-definition photo sharingShared photo albums
🌐 Social Networking
(13M)
free with in-app purchases
7
Kik Messaging & Chat App
Kik Messaging & Chat App
Kik Messaging & Chat App
Messaging, Chatting & Live
Free

Connect with friends and discover new ones through chat. Share photos, videos, games, and more without needing phone numbers. Explore interests and join groups for seamless communication.

Connect with friendsGroup chatsShare photos and videos
🌐 Social Networking
(484K)
free with in-app purchases
8
Text Free: Second Phone Number
Text Free: Second Phone Number
Text Free: Second Phone Number
Texting, Call and 2nd Line Now
Free

Get a free, personalized local phone number for unlimited calling and texting. Share photos, videos, GIFs, and more. Customize tones and wallpapers for a unique experience. Upgrade for ad-free use and verification codes.

Free local phone numberUnlimited calling and textingSend photos, videos, and GIFs
🌐 Social Networking
(594K)
free with in-app purchases
9
Session - Private Messenger
Session - Private Messenger
Session - Private Messenger
Privacy you can trust
Free

This secure messenger prioritizes your privacy with a decentralized network and end-to-end encryption. It offers anonymous account creation, IP address protection, and private group chats without collecting any metadata. Share messages and files with confidence, knowing your communications are truly private.

Anonymous account creationDecentralized server networkNo metadata logging
🌐 Social Networking
(4.6K)
free
10
Zangi Private Messenger
Zangi Private Messenger
Zangi Private Messenger
Safe. No Trace. Encrypted
Free

A secure messaging app prioritizing user privacy with end-to-end encryption and no data collection. It allows private registration without a phone number and prevents unsolicited contacts, ensuring your conversations remain confidential.

Private registration without phone numberNo unsolicited contactsNo data collection on servers
🌐 Social Networking
(8.7K)
free with in-app purchases
11
TextNow: Call + Text Unlimited
TextNow: Call + Text Unlimited
TextNow: Call + Text Unlimited
Phone Number & Data Plans
Free

This app provides free nationwide calling and texting, offering a private second phone number or a dedicated business line. It features flexible data plans, including a free option for select apps, and affordable international calling.

Free nationwide talk and textFree local phone numberFlexible data plans (daily, weekly, monthly)
🌐 Social Networking
(913K)
free with in-app purchases
12
Google Chat
Google Chat
Google Chat
Π­Ρ„Ρ„Π΅ΠΊΡ‚ΠΈΠ²Π½ΠΎΠ΅ ΠΎΠ±Ρ‰Π΅Π½ΠΈΠ΅ Π² ΠΊΠΎΠΌΠ°Π½Π΄Π΅
Free

Connect, collaborate, and accomplish tasks with AI-powered messaging. Streamline teamwork with integrations and smart features. Securely communicate with your team, whether in real-time or asynchronously.

AI-powered conversation summariesAutomatic message translationAI-powered search
πŸ’Ό Business
(304K)
free with in-app purchases
13
Rakuten Viber Messenger
Rakuten Viber Messenger
Rakuten Viber Messenger
Message & Chat with Confidence
Free

Connect with people worldwide through secure messaging and free audio/video calls. Enjoy group chats, disappearing messages, and low-cost international calls. Express yourself with stickers, GIFs, and AI bots.

Free text, photo, sticker, GIF, and file messagingUnlimited free Viber-to-Viber audio and video callsEnd-to-end encryption for all communications
🌐 Social Networking
(832K)
free with in-app purchases
14
Snapchat
Snapchat
Snapchat
Share the moment!
Free

Instantly share photos and videos with friends and family. Express yourself with creative tools, connect through live messaging and video calls, and discover content from the community. Save your favorite moments and explore shared memories.

Camera with Lenses and FiltersLive Messaging and Video ChatFriend and Group Stories
πŸ“· Photo & Video
(5.9M)
free with in-app purchases
15
Discord - Talk, Play, Hang Out
Discord - Talk, Play, Hang Out
Discord - Talk, Play, Hang Out
Group Chat That’s Fun & Games
Free

Connect with friends and communities through voice, video, and text. Customize your chat experience with unique emojis and sound effects. Seamlessly join conversations and share activities like watching videos or playing games, all from your PC, phone, or console.

Group voice, video, and text chatCustomizable chat with emojis and soundboardsHigh-quality, low-latency streaming
🌐 Social Networking
(3.5M)
free with in-app purchases
16
Messenger for Messages
Messenger for Messages
Messenger for Messages
Messenger SMS: Fast & easy SMS
Free

This app redefines text messaging with unlimited sending, rich formatting, and multimedia integration. Organize conversations, search quickly, and personalize your chats with themes and stickers. Enjoy enhanced security and cross-device synchronization for a seamless communication experience.

Unlimited messagingRich text formattingMultimedia integration
🌐 Social Networking
(307)
ad-supported
17
WeChat
WeChat
WeChat
Calls, chats, and more
Free

Connect with friends and family through messaging, voice, and video calls. Discover news, local services, and games within the app. Features mobile payment and health tracking capabilities.

Text, photo, voice, and video messagingGroup chats up to 500 membersHigh-quality voice and video calls
🌐 Social Networking
(80K)
free with in-app purchases
18
라인 LINE
라인 LINE
라인 LINE
by LINE Corporation
Free

Connect with friends and family through free voice and video calls, messages, and a wide array of stickers and themes. This communication platform offers a seamless experience across mobile, desktop, and smartwatches, with enhanced privacy features and content discovery options.

Free voice and video callsMessagingStickers and emojis
🌐 Social Networking
(18K)
free with in-app purchases
19
BiP - Messenger, Video Call
BiP - Messenger, Video Call
BiP - Messenger, Video Call
Chats, Calls & More
Free

A secure and easy-to-use communication app offering rich messaging, HD voice and video calls, and group chats. It provides features like disappearing messages, instant translations, and emergency alerts.

Secure encrypted communicationHD-quality voice and video callsDisappearing messages
🌐 Social Networking
(11K)
free with in-app purchases
20
Voxer μ›Œν‚€ν† ν‚€ Walkie-Talkie PTT
Voxer μ›Œν‚€ν† ν‚€ Walkie-Talkie PTT
Voxer μ›Œν‚€ν† ν‚€ Walkie-Talkie PTT
Push a button and talk - easy!
Free

This app offers real-time voice messaging with walkie-talkie functionality, alongside text, photo, and video sharing. It allows for instant communication and message playback, with options for offline message creation and end-to-end encryption.

Push-to-talk walkie talkie messagingReal-time voice communicationSend voice, text, photos, videos, location
πŸ’Ό Business
(1.8K)
free with in-app purchases

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FAQ about Messaging

What are the best messaging apps for iPhone?
Telegram Messenger tops our messaging apps ranking as of July 2026, with a 4.0-star average from 275K App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
Yes β€” 20 of the top messaging apps we rank are free to download, including Telegram Messenger and Signal - Private Messenger.
Telegram Messenger has no ads and offers in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of July 2026.
We track 235+ messaging apps on the iOS App Store as of July 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.
Telegram Messenger is a fast, secure, and powerful instant messaging application that syncs seamlessly across all your devices. It prioritizes speed, security, and user privacy, offering features like unlimited file sharing and large group chats.
Key features include cross-device synchronization, unlimited sending of media and files up to 2GB, highly secure encryption for all chats, large group chats for up to 200,000 members, customizable themes, animated stickers, and bots for task automation.

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