BAND
BAND: Free group chat pairs calls and sharing with tools for coordinating activities. Ranked #17 of 55 in WhatsApp Alternatives by our editors (7.5/10); pricing: Free plan; best for clubs and groups organizing activities together.
At a glance
- Editor score7.5 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forClubs and groups organizing activities together
- Free planYes
- Facts checked3 Oct 2026
Where it wins
- Free plan includes group chats, calls, calendars, and file sharing
- RSVPs, reminders, attendance, polls, and sign-up sheets support coordination
- Available on web, desktop, and mobile
Where it doesn't
- No end-to-end encryption detail is verified
- Optional storage and sticker add-ons have no verified prices
- Its many planning tools may be more than a simple chat group needs
Our verdict on BAND
BAND brings group messaging and activity planning together for teams, schools, sports groups, faith communities, and other organizations. Its free plan includes group chats, voice and video calls, calendars and event coordination, and photo, video, and file sharing. That makes it relevant to groups that need more than a conversation thread to organize shared activities, while a group looking only for straightforward messaging may not need its planning features.
Coordination is a notable strength: members can manage event RSVPs and reminders, use to-do lists and sign-up sheets, track attendance, and run polls, quizzes, or surveys. Notices and read receipts support group updates, while albums and folders help organize shared media and files. Live streaming and location sharing add further options for group activities. These features give BAND a broader organizing focus than a chat app centered mainly on messages and calls.
The service spans web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, with deployment across cloud, desktop, and mobile. Desktop notifications are available through a desktop app. BAND says its core service is free, with optional paid add-ons such as additional storage and sticker packs; the published information does not give add-on prices. Support channels include email and documentation. The supplied product information does not verify end-to-end encryption, so groups that require confirmed encryption details should compare alternatives carefully. Choose BAND when shared calendars, attendance, polls, and file organization matter alongside chat; choose a simpler option if those coordination tools would go unused.
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BAND pricing
BAND fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Default E2E encryption | Not verified |
| Max group size | Not verified |
| Desktop apps | Yes |
| Multi-device support | Yes |
| Voice and video calls | Yes |
| Open source | Not verified |
| Deployment | Cloud, Desktop, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Support | Email, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | band.us |
| Facts checked | 3 Oct 2026 |
Alternatives to BAND
- SignalA capable free messenger with default encryption and optional paid media backups.9.3
- TelegramA broad messaging app for communities, with end-to-end encryption confined to Secret Chats.9.1
- ElementAn open, encrypted messaging choice for groups that want control over deployment and data.8.9
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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