Zalo
Zalo: A free everyday messenger with broad device coverage and PC file transfers up to 1 GB. Ranked #30 of 32 in Instant Messaging Software by our editors (6.5/10); pricing: Free plan; best for free messaging with large PC file transfers.
At a glance
- Editor score6.5 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forFree messaging with large PC file transfers
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Message historyUnlimited
- Founded2012 · Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Facts checked24 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free messaging, voice calls and group conversations
- Send files up to 1 GB on Zalo PC
- Works on web, Windows, macOS, iOS and Android
Where it doesn't
- The 1 GB file-transfer limit applies to Zalo PC
- Support channels listed are documentation only
- PIN-hidden conversations do not establish encryption protection
Our verdict on Zalo
For everyday personal communication, Zalo brings messaging, voice calls, group conversations and content sharing into a free app. Its web, Windows, macOS, iOS and Android coverage suits people who move between desktop and mobile, including solo users and small teams. The vendor also describes Private Feed as free, while professional offerings such as Official Accounts are separate from the consumer messaging product.
File sharing is a notable practical strength: Zalo PC supports sending and receiving files up to 1 GB. Shared content can be saved, searched and managed in My Documents, giving users a way to return to items exchanged in conversations. Group tools include mentioning members and replying to specific messages. The published category specifications list unlimited message history, so Zalo may suit people who want conversations to remain accessible over time. The stated 1 GB transfer limit is specifically for Zalo PC, rather than a general promise across every platform.
Selected conversations can be hidden behind a PIN, which adds a privacy control for access to those chats. That feature should not be taken as a claim about end-to-end encryption. Zalo lists documentation as its support channel, so people who expect other support routes may prefer a product that publishes them. Choose Zalo for free messaging, calls, broad platform coverage and substantial PC file transfers; look elsewhere if your decision depends on a verified encryption posture or support beyond documentation. Zalo Business, zStyle and zCloud are distinct professional tools, not part of the consumer app's free messaging offer.
Your product? Our editors can test Zalo in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Zalo pricing
Zalo fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Message history | Unlimited |
| End-to-end encryption | Not verified |
| Max group size | Not verified |
| File size limit | Not verified |
| Supported platforms | web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Guest access | Not verified |
| Deployment | Cloud, Desktop, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Support | Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | zalo.me |
| Facts checked | 24 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Zalo
- 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
Also Ranked In
Zalo is ranked in 2 of our directories.
Used Zalo? 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 Zalo 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
Zalo 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/zalo/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/zalo.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