Facebook has released his wallet yesterday to buy WhatsApp for $ 16 billion . A huge sum that betrays the importance of the transaction to the social network. Although with 450 million users worldwide and a strong growth, the instant discussion was becoming more used to exchange messages even before the SMS.
Now that WhatsApp is not an independent service, but that belongs to Facebook, at least a portion of its users do not want more. If you too are allergic to social network, you probably are looking for an alternative. Fortunately, similar applications do not fail ... quick overview of six of them.
iMessage is accessed from an iOS device or a Mac. The service is completely free and it offers no additional function, even if Apple allows in audio or video call with FaceTime .
LINE is free, but supported by in-app purchases. A mobile application is available on all platforms, you can also count on a PC Version and Mac . Besides the cat, the service includes a feature audio and video calls.
Skype is available with all mobile and desktop platforms, including from a simple browser. The free service is funded by credit to call any number and advertisements in the iOS app.
Free, Viber is funded through in-app purchases and credit "Viber Out" which allows you to call any number. In addition to the chat, you can call audio only. The service is available on all mobile platforms and on all computers (Windows, Mac and Linux client).
Hangouts is for iOS or Android devices, even if they can be accessed from a browser. The service is completely free and includes a function call audio and video.
Free, BBM works on iOS, Android and BlackBerry products. The service also allows you to call in audio or video.
Now that WhatsApp is not an independent service, but that belongs to Facebook, at least a portion of its users do not want more. If you too are allergic to social network, you probably are looking for an alternative. Fortunately, similar applications do not fail ... quick overview of six of them.
iMessage
Apple offers its users an instant chat with iMessage . This service is not a direct competitor, since it is restricted to Apple products can not be used to send a message to a user of Android smartphone. On the iPhone, the application messages automatically switch to traditional text messages if necessary and if your package integrates as is often the case in France, it is not too inconvenient.iMessage is accessed from an iOS device or a Mac. The service is completely free and it offers no additional function, even if Apple allows in audio or video call with FaceTime .
LINE
LINE is one of the most popular services after WhatsApp , perhaps the best candidate to succeed him is. Born in Japan, the application starts to be popular around the world and it stands out from its competitors with an impressive amount of options and associated functions. As everywhere, you can buy virtual stickers to send to your contacts, but you can also change the theme with clear differences. The editor even designing games with a kind of integrated App Store.LINE is free, but supported by in-app purchases. A mobile application is available on all platforms, you can also count on a PC Version and Mac . Besides the cat, the service includes a feature audio and video calls.
Skype
The primary function of Skype is not the exchange of text messages, but the Microsoft also offers this feature and you can also use it as a replacement for WhatsApp . Cat side, however, the more limited: you can send text, photos, and that's about it. In return, the application is very simple to use and it does not overwrite the user dozens of paid options. This for years, the service is widely used.Skype is available with all mobile and desktop platforms, including from a simple browser. The free service is funded by credit to call any number and advertisements in the iOS app.
Viber
Viber is a VoIP client first competitor to Skype, but it also offers a chat feature. Also widely used, this service was among the first to sell stickers to enrich conversations. For the rest, it does not provide specific functions, but found all the basic ones. Note that the service was recently purchased by Rakuten, business website online Japanese: we do not yet know if this will have an impact.Free, Viber is funded through in-app purchases and credit "Viber Out" which allows you to call any number. In addition to the chat, you can call audio only. The service is available on all mobile platforms and on all computers (Windows, Mac and Linux client).
Hangouts
Provided by Google, Hangouts is a pretty similar service in the spirit in iMessage. On Android devices, it is even now the default application to send messages, SMS or not. It is not however restricted to Android and can be used on the iPhone and send messages to service users. Needless to rely on a plethora of functions, we have the minimum here: you can send only photos with the text and there are no stickers or theme.Hangouts is for iOS or Android devices, even if they can be accessed from a browser. The service is completely free and includes a function call audio and video.
BBM
BBM is both the oldest in this selection, and the last to be released on the App Store. BlackBerry service is no longer reserved for smartphones manufacturer, we can now use it on iOS and Android devices. The application does not have a standard interface, but it does not lack arguments with even some exclusive features, especially for groups. Still BBM is probably out too late exclusivity and service users and lack of appeal.Free, BBM works on iOS, Android and BlackBerry products. The service also allows you to call in audio or video.