Best Google Messages Alternatives in 2026
The top Google Messages alternatives are Signal, Telegram and Element: 15 WhatsApp alternatives our editors would look at instead of Google Messages, in our ranking order.
Google Messages: A free Android messaging app that combines SMS, MMS and supported RCS with web access. Where it falls short: limited to android and web access.
Switching from Google Messages? For most whatsapp alternatives buyers the best Google Messages alternative is Signal, built for privacy-focused users wanting a full-featured messenger. Telegram offers the most max group size (200000 members).
Why People Look for a Google Messages Alternative
- Limited to Android and web access
- RCS availability and features vary by carrier, region, and device
- End-to-end encryption applies to eligible RCS chats, not SMS or MMS
- No desktop apps — 4 of the alternatives below have it
- No voice and video calls — 6 of the alternatives below have it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallSignal9.3
Privacy-focused users wanting a full-featured messenger
Visit Signal - Lowest priceSignal9.3
Paid plans from $1.99/mo
Visit Signal - Best free optionSignal9.3
Has a free plan
Visit Signal - Most max group sizeTelegram9.1
200000 members
Visit Telegram - Best for desktop appsTelegram9.1
Desktop apps (Google Messages: no)
Visit Telegram
All 15 Google Messages Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.
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Best forPrivacy-focused users wanting a full-featured messenger
- Better than Google Messages:
- Voice and video calls
- Editor score 9.3 vs 7.1
A capable free messenger with default encryption and optional paid media backups.
- Voice and video calls
- Open source
9.3/10★★★★★Visit Signal -
Best forLarge communities and cross-device messaging
- Better than Google Messages:
- Desktop apps
- Editor score 9.1 vs 7.1
A broad messaging app for communities, with end-to-end encryption confined to Secret Chats.
- Desktop apps
- Open source
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Telegram -
Best forTeams and communities wanting open, self-hostable messaging
- Better than Google Messages:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 7.1
An open, encrypted messaging choice for groups that want control over deployment and data.
- Open source
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Element -
Best forPeople who want free messaging, calls and group chats
- Better than Google Messages:
- Desktop apps
- Editor score 8.8 vs 7.1
A free messenger with calls, group chats and synced desktop and mobile apps.
- Desktop apps
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Viber -
Best forPeople who want encrypted chats on mobile and desktop
- Better than Google Messages:
- Voice and video calls
- Editor score 8.7 vs 7.1
A free messaging app with default end-to-end encryption across devices.
- Voice and video calls
- Open source
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Delta Chat -
Best forPrivacy-minded users avoiding phone-number identities
- Better than Google Messages:
- Voice and video calls
- Editor score 8.6 vs 7.1
Private messaging across mobile and desktop, with encrypted calls and identifier-free connections.
- Voice and video calls
- Open source
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit SimpleX Chat -
Best forPeople willing to pay once for private messaging
- Better than Google Messages:
- Desktop apps
- Editor score 8.5 vs 7.1
A paid messaging app with encrypted calls, groups, backups, and desktop access.
- Desktop apps
- Open source
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Threema -
Best forFree messaging with large groups and translation
- Better than Google Messages:
- Desktop apps
- Voice and video calls
- Editor score 8.4 vs 7.1
A free messaging app with large groups and automatic encryption for one-to-one chats and calls.
- Default E2E encryption
- Desktop apps
- Voice and video calls
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit BiP -
Best forCommunities that prioritize voice and video
- Better than Google Messages:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 7.1
A free community chat platform built around voice, video, and shared servers.
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Discord -
Best forUsers wanting free, open-source calls and messaging
- Better than Google Messages:
- Voice and video calls
- Editor score 8.2 vs 7.1
A privacy-focused WhatsApp alternative with messaging, calls, and SIP support at no cost.
- Voice and video calls
- Open source
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Jami -
Best forOrganizations coordinating securely with external guests
- Better than Google Messages:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 7.1
A secure messenger with guest collaboration and business administration features.
- Open source
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Wire -
Best forPeople who want private chats without phone registration
- Better than Google Messages:
- Voice and video calls
- Editor score 8.0 vs 7.1
Private messaging with pseudonymous IDs, onion routing, and a free plan.
- Voice and video calls
- Open source
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Session -
Best forFree group messaging with calls and chat organization
- Better than Google Messages:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 7.1
A free messenger with flexible chat organization, but its listed platforms exclude iOS.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit KakaoTalk -
Best forPeople seeking free web and mobile messaging
- Better than Google Messages:
- Editor score 7.8 vs 7.1
A free, familiar messenger for everyday personal chats, groups and calls.
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Messenger -
Best forPeople who want multiple messaging networks in one inbox
- Better than Google Messages:
- Editor score 7.7 vs 7.1
Beeper brings supported messaging networks into one inbox, with paid tools for organizing chats.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Beeper
Google Messages Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Google Messages?
Signal: #1 in our WhatsApp Alternatives ranking, with an editor score of 9.3 out of 10. A capable free messenger with default encryption and optional paid media backups.
Is there a free alternative to Google Messages?
Yes. Signal, Telegram, Element, Viber and Delta Chat have a free plan or a free tier (14 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
What is the cheapest paid alternative to Google Messages?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Signal starts lowest, at $1.99/mo.
Why do people look for Google Messages alternatives?
Limited to Android and web access; RCS availability and features vary by carrier, region, and device; End-to-end encryption applies to eligible RCS chats, not SMS or MMS.
Which Google Messages alternative has the most max group size?
Telegram, with 200000 members.
How do I switch from Google Messages?
Export your data from Google Messages (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Google Messages.
How to Switch from Google Messages
- Export your data from Google Messages (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Google Messages.
Google Messages vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Default E2E encryption | Max group size | Desktop apps | Multi-device support | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | Google Messages | Yes | None | Yes | — | No | Yes | 7.1 |
| 1 | Signal | Yes | $1.99/mo | — | — | — | — | 9.3 |
| 2 | Telegram | Yes | — | — | 200000 members | Yes | — | 9.1 |
| 3 | Element | Yes | — | — | — | — | — | 8.9 |
| 4 | Viber | Yes | — | — | 250 members | Yes | — | 8.8 |
| 5 | Delta Chat | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | 8.7 |
| 6 | SimpleX Chat | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | 8.6 |
| 7 | Threema | No | $7.49/unit one-time | — | 256 members | Yes | — | 8.5 |
| 8 | BiP | Yes | None | Yes | 1000 members | Yes | — | 8.4 |
| 9 | Discord | Yes | $29.99/user/yr | — | — | — | — | 8.3 |
| 10 | Jami | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | 8.2 |
| 11 | Wire | Yes | €7.45/user/mo | — | — | — | — | 8.1 |
| 12 | Session | Yes | $2.99/mo | — | — | — | — | 8.0 |
| 13 | KakaoTalk | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | 7.9 |
| 14 | Messenger | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | 7.8 |
| 15 | Beeper | Yes | $99.99/yr | — | — | — | — | 7.7 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update