KakaoTalk
KakaoTalk: A free messenger with calls, media sharing and community chats, limited to three listed platforms. Ranked #31 of 32 in Instant Messaging Software by our editors (6.4/10); pricing: Free plan; best for free chat with calls and large groups.
At a glance
- Editor score6.4 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forFree chat with calls and large groups
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Founded2006 · Jeju-si, Jeju-do, South Korea
- Facts checked24 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free plan includes one-to-one and group conversations, Open Chat, and calls.
- Voice and Face Talk include screen sharing.
- Threads, chat folders and message editing help organize conversations.
Where it doesn't
- Listed platform support is limited to Windows, macOS and Android.
- Secret Chat encryption is not documented as the default for all chats.
- The product details do not specify group-chat or file-size limits.
Our verdict on KakaoTalk
KakaoTalk is a free consumer messenger for people who want one-to-one and group conversations alongside public-style Open Chat communities. Its listed audience includes solo and small teams, as well as friends and family. The Free plan covers chat, photo, video and file sharing, plus voice and Face Talk. For people who want calls and group conversation without a paid tier, that is a useful mix; organizations that need a broader set of documented desktop and mobile platforms may find its listed coverage restrictive.
Conversation tools go beyond a basic chat stream. Threads organize discussions, while chat folders, message editing and deletion, and profiles with per-chat visibility settings add ways to manage conversations. Open Chat communities support discovery and participation beyond existing contacts, and short-form content can be shared through chats. Voice Talk and Face Talk include screen sharing. These features make KakaoTalk a fit for casual communities and small groups that value multiple ways to communicate; buyers seeking a narrowly focused business messaging product should compare whether these consumer-oriented features match their workflows.
Privacy requires a distinction: KakaoTalk offers Secret Chat with end-to-end encryption, but the published description does not characterize encryption as the default for every conversation. The listed platform support is Windows, macOS and Android, with desktop and mobile deployment. Kakao's published support channels are email and phone. Choose KakaoTalk if free messaging, group chats, calls and Open Chat are the priority and those platforms fit. Consider alternatives if default end-to-end encryption across all chats or wider listed platform coverage is essential.
Your product? Our editors can test KakaoTalk in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
KakaoTalk pricing
All 1 KakaoTalk plans and prices →
KakaoTalk fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Message history | Not verified |
| End-to-end encryption | Yes |
| Max group size | Not verified |
| File size limit | Not verified |
| Supported platforms | windows, macos, android |
| Guest access | Yes |
| Deployment | Desktop, Mobile |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Android |
| Support | Email, Phone |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | kakaocorp.com |
| Facts checked | 24 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to KakaoTalk
- WhatsAppA free, cross-platform messenger for personal chats, calls, groups, and sharing.9.4
- TelegramA free, cloud-synced messenger built for large groups and access across devices.9.3
- SignalPrivate, free messaging with encrypted calls and an optional paid media backup tier.9.2
See all KakaoTalk alternatives →
Also Ranked In
KakaoTalk is ranked in 2 of our directories.
Used KakaoTalk? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used KakaoTalk for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
KakaoTalk is listed in our Instant Messaging Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/kakaotalk/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/kakaotalk.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update