If you enjoy communicating via text messages, the default app in your device can’t give you the quality of service you deserve. For android users, there are plenty of third-party messaging apps that allow you to keep in touch with anyone, anywhere. However, with thousands of them out there, you can be spoilt of choices when choosing the best.
The type of app you select may depend on your unique needs or preferences. While some apps are primarily designed for privacy and security, others emphasize broader communication by offering additional features such as audio and video calling.
(Or learn how to build your own Android app.)
Regardless of what you are looking for, here are the best 8 SMS apps for Android:
Chomp SMS
While Chomp SMS is one messaging app that has been existence since the early days, its popularity continues to surge for several reasons. For starters, it allows users to customize the app with over 100 themes/skins which are provided for free. Secondly, it boasts a vast database of Android, Emoji One, iOS, and Twitter emojis. It also features advanced features such as privacy options, passcode app lock, scheduled SMS senders, backup, and blacklisting features that help block texts.
Pricing: Free
Pros
- Highly customizable
- Comes with blacklisting feature
- It is available for free
Cons
- Users on the other end also need to have the app installed in their devices
- It doesn’t offer free international messaging.
Handcent Next SMS
Another texting app that has been around since the” good old days” is Handcent Next SMS. This SMS app brings next-gen texting to Android-powered devices. Although Handcent was established in 2010, it has been updated with a new design, which gives it a fresh and modern appeal. It incorporates outstanding features such as built-in spell checking, theme support, password protection, group texts, and much more. It also allows you to send eCards, make free calls over the internet, and backup your text messages.
Price: Free for the standard version. The pro version is not free.
Pros
- Includes a privacy box that can only be opened using a unique pre-set code
- It comes with a feature that helps pin your favorite contacts on top
- Boasts several emojis and stickers
Cons
- The pro version is not free
WhatsApp boasts a perfect balance of features, convenience, and security. With a distinctive look and feel, this app supports basic text chat, as well as video, photo, and voice messaging. It can also allow group chats of up to 256 participants, and also features end-to-end encryption, which secures all messages sent via this platform.
Price: Free
Pros
- Robust security settings
- Allows international messaging
- Users get a notification if there is something wrong
Cons
- It’s not entirely open source
- No web texting without 3rd party app
Google Messenger
Google messenger is also another top-tier SMS app for Android. The app comes with high-end features that help provide an unmatched text messaging experience. Besides the eye-catching design and free texts, Google Messenger allows users to send audio recordings, take photos, block SMS, and share your location. It is the best Google fi SMS app.
Price: Free
Pros
- You can archive messages
- Auto backups for all texts
- More outstanding group texts than other apps
Cons
- Doesn’t have schedule text messaging feature
- It can overcomplicate things when used with inappropriate hangout qualities
Textra SMS
Renowned for being the first SMS app to embrace the new Material Design, Textra SMS adorns a crisp and fashionable dark theme and comes with customizable color accents. It also boasts additional features such as SMS blocking, scheduled SMS, blacklisting, GIFs, 21 text sizes, and robust emoji database.
Price: Standard version free; pro version subscription starts from $2.89
Pros
- Best android app to block text messages
- Highly customizable
- Clean, minimalist design
Cons
- The free version comes with adds
- Cant schedule messages
Pulse SMS
Pulse SMS app synchs texts from all the devices you use, including tablets, phones, or computers. The app is highly customizable, as it features tons of themes, GIFs, and sound effects. Its additional features include spam blocking, delayed SMS sending, and advanced search in contacts and messages. Its exclusive feature is that it allows you to customize every conversation.
Price: Free
Pros
- Boasts tons of customization
- Delayed messages
- Excellent material design user interface
Cons
- Lacks adequate support
Mighty Text
Mighty Text is a free text message app that allows you to sync texts in your phone, tablet, and the web interface. It will enable you to send and receive SMS and MMS from your tablet or computer, and receive notification from your phone or computer. It also boasts other features such a message scheduling and sending of web pages, photos, or apps to your phone.
Price: Standard version is free; Pro version $5/month subscription
Pros
- Great Gmail plugin
- Easy to schedule message
- Instance sync & easy sharing of videos and photos from phone
Cons
- You need the pro version to access all the app’s features
QKSMS
Although it is not as popular as many of the apps in this article, QKSMS is a good option for those with android devices. The app features a clean and attractive material design and a ton of other exciting features. These include over 200 themes, android wear support, and night mode, among others. The app is entirely open source, and all its features are available in the free version.
Price: Free with in-app purchases
Pros
- Allows you to reply to messages without opening the app
- It boasts per-conversation notification setting
- Convenient Android Wear support
Cons
- Has limited features when compared to other SMS apps
Related Resources
Summary: Best Android SMS APPs
Website | Pros | Cons | |
---|---|---|---|
Chomp SMS |
|
| Browse SMS APIs |
Handcent Next SMS |
|
| Browse SMS APIs |
|
| Browse SMS APIs | |
Google Messenger |
|
| Browse SMS APIs |
Textra SMS |
|
| Browse SMS APIs |
Pulse SMS |
|
| Browse SMS APIs |
Mighty Text |
|
| Browse SMS APIs |
QKSMS |
|
| Browse SMS APIs |
I just started using HandCent Next SMS because Android Messages is malfunctioning after upgrading to Android 10. The comparison box says:
“Users on the other end also need to have the app installed in their devices”
This is not true, I regularly text people who use their stock SMS app on both Apple and Android.
Chomp SMS is an old classic and it’s still one of the best messaging apps. The app has evolved with every new Android release to stay fresh. Some of the best features include quick reply pop-up, blocking, Wear OS support, and a bunch of themes to choose from. Chomp SMS is free with a few optional in-app purchases.
I have used Kik Messenger it is another one of the best instant text messaging app for android. The features of this app like others, you can use unlimited chat messages, share images, share stickers and along with messaging features you can send youtube videos, mobile Web Pages, games, gifts and much more.
…. You can schedule with textra, dunno where you’re getting your info here?
Textra schedule message by hitting the plus on right of message box and tap the schedule icon.
Guy Rouillier: Actually that was said about the Chomp app, not Handsent!
I just want a app.for texting .When I needed to trade in my phone it didn’t let me text
The Chomp Comparison is NOT correct with this comment: “Users on the other end also need to have the app installed in their devices”
I use Chomp and don’t know anyone else that does, and I text Android and iPhone users without issue.