Looking for WhatsApp alternatives? Here are the top 5 - Telegram, iMessage, Line, more

The new year is about to start and maybe it is time to give up on WhatsApp. Why would you want to leave? Because of WhatsApp's relationship to Meta, which has sparked privacy concerns and the various controversies around it.

Check out the best WhatsApp alternatives for instant messaging such as  Telegram, Line, iMessage, Google Message, and more. (REUTERS)

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1/6 Check out the best WhatsApp alternatives for instant messaging such as  Telegram, Line, iMessage, Google Message, and more. (REUTERS)

Telegram: Telegram is one of the best WhatsApp alternatives as they have very similar features in terms of instant messaging. It enables users to easily share texts, files, images, videos, and more. It also has advance features including supergroups, end-to-end encryption, and much more. Telegram is considered as one of the top WhatsApp competitors. (Bloomberg)

2/6 Telegram: Telegram is one of the best WhatsApp alternatives as they have very similar features in terms of instant messaging. It enables users to easily share texts, files, images, videos, and more. It also has advance features including supergroups, end-to-end encryption, and much more. Telegram is considered as one of the top WhatsApp competitors. (Bloomberg)

Google Message: The messaging is integrated with Google services which provide users with a diverse range of features. Additionally, the app has recently received various tweaks which make it more user friendly and intuitive, making it the best WhatsApp alternative. (Google)

3/6 Google Message: The messaging is integrated with Google services which provide users with a diverse range of features. Additionally, the app has recently received various tweaks which make it more user friendly and intuitive, making it the best WhatsApp alternative. (Google)

Snapchat: It's a messaging cum social media app that enables users to send messages on the chat which disappear after 24 hours enabling protection to private chats. It also notifies users if someone has taken a screenshot of their chat, photo or story. Its photos tab enables users to try out engaging face filters to make the experience more fun. In effect, Snapchat can be considered as being more advanced vis a vis WhatsApp. (Bloomberg)

4/6 Snapchat: It's a messaging cum social media app that enables users to send messages on the chat which disappear after 24 hours enabling protection to private chats. It also notifies users if someone has taken a screenshot of their chat, photo or story. Its photos tab enables users to try out engaging face filters to make the experience more fun. In effect, Snapchat can be considered as being more advanced vis a vis WhatsApp. (Bloomberg)

Line: It's a cross-platform messaging app which enables users to chat, make audio or video calls, and more. Additionally, it enables users to see status updates or any changes made by their friends on the app. It comes with attractive stickers, emojis, and themes to make the experience more intuitive.  (Line)

5/6 Line: It's a cross-platform messaging app which enables users to chat, make audio or video calls, and more. Additionally, it enables users to see status updates or any changes made by their friends on the app. It comes with attractive stickers, emojis, and themes to make the experience more intuitive.  (Line)

iMessage: It's a messaging app that is specifically designed for iOS users, therefore, you can only stay in contact with iPhone users through this app. The app swiftly manages to send images, GIFs, videos, and more. However, it does not include voice or video calls like WhatsApp does which may not come in handy for some users. (Apple)

6/6 iMessage: It's a messaging app that is specifically designed for iOS users, therefore, you can only stay in contact with iPhone users through this app. The app swiftly manages to send images, GIFs, videos, and more. However, it does not include voice or video calls like WhatsApp does which may not come in handy for some users. (Apple)