Important points
- The Android operating system provides native support for third-party texting apps.
- Google Messages may be the most popular texting option on Android, but many third-party developers are building their own solutions.
- Here are some of the most popular and best-running texting apps currently available on the platform.
One of the great benefits of Google’s Android operating system is that it’s relatively open. For example, if you want to switch your default Short Message Service (SMS) texting app to another option, it’s a very simple and easy process.
These days, alternative instant messaging services such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Telegram have largely replaced traditional SMS texting. Along the way, Google leveraged support for the new Rich Communications Services (RCS) text messaging protocol to build its own superior text messaging service.
It’s such a shame that Google doesn’t provide the RCS platform in API form for other developers to use in their own text messaging apps. However, I strongly believe that there is still room in the market for third-party messengers, even if they are hampered by outdated SMS standards. Here are six Android apps in particular that provide a great texting experience to end users.
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An iconic staple of the Android texting scene
text sms
It is a popular third-party Android texting app with rich customization options.
Texta has long been known as one of the best third-party Android texting apps, and for good reason. There were plenty of customization options, including callout styles, theme and accent colors, and emoji styles.
Textra also includes a feature that I’m really not happy with: a send delay timer.
The app also has a great design, and although it’s not the latest 3rd generation version with the Material You theme, it fully embraces Google’s Material Design language. To be fair, I’ve always enjoyed the visuals of Lolipop-era Material Design. Because this gives me nostalgia in the best way.
Textra also includes a feature that I’m really not happy with: a send delay timer. Toggling this setting on removes a short grace period, giving you a chance to cancel any messages you accidentally (or unfortunately) clicked Send.
Textra SMS is free to download and may display ads by default. In-app purchases give you a completely ad-free experience.
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2 pulse sms
Reliable and secure texting app with rich customization possibilities
pulse sms
A well-designed third-party Android texting app with customization options and cross-device sync.
Pulse SMS is another popular third-party Android texting app that includes many of the same customization perks as Textra SMS. Per-conversation themes and coloring options, delayed sending features, and more are all explained here.
Pulse also has the ability to sync SMS messages across other smart devices, and this is done in encrypted form via the company’s proprietary account creation tool. Unfortunately, the basic SMS texting standard doesn’t include end-to-end encryption, so it’s great to see developers on the up-to-date when it comes to digital privacy.
Unfortunately, the basic SMS texting standard doesn’t include end-to-end encryption, so it’s great to see developers staying up to date when it comes to digital privacy.
Pulse SMS is free to download from the Google Play Store, but it displays ads by default. These ads can be disabled via the optional Pulse SMS+ upgrade, which provides additional benefits such as text messages from multiple devices. Pulse SMS+ is available for a one-time fee, but monthly and annual subscription options are also available.
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3 munch on SMS
munch on SMS
An alternative texting app for Android created by the same developer as Texta SMS.
Chomp SMS is an alternative texting app built by the same team behind Textra SMS. You’ll see much of the same DNA here, from in-app customization options, send delay features, and classic Material Design themes.
Chomp also offers a password lock option, an option to pin the chat to the top of the interface, a “scheduled send” tool, and more. The app offers a clean and streamlined user interface without unnecessary clutter.
If you’ve tried Textra in the past, Chomp SMS will be familiar to you. This app can be downloaded for free from the Google Play Store. Optionally, a single purchase limit is also available to remove occasional ads.
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4 simple sms messenger
Probably the most streamlined and attractive of all Android texting apps.
simple sms messenger
A lightweight SMS texting app for Android inspired by Material You.
Speaking of streamlined interfaces, Simple SMS Messenger might be the prime example of a lean, lightweight texting app available for Android. The app has a compact download size of just 29 MB and offers a simple yet elegant user interface.
Simple SMS Messenger uses the latest version of Google’s Material Design language.
Unlike many other third-party SMS apps on this list, Simple SMS Messenger employs a more modern rendition of Google’s Material Design language. The interface is packed with rounded corners, pleasant animations, and an automatically activated dark mode. The downside here is that it doesn’t offer as many customization options as the aforementioned competitors.
Simple SMS Messenger can be downloaded for free from the Google Play Store, but you’ll soon see ads. The optional pro version allows you to remove ads and unlock additional customization options that can be accessed for an annual subscription fee.
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5 Microsoft SMS Organizer
Yes, Microsoft offers its own Android SMS app
Microsoft / Pocket-lint
Microsoft SMS Organizer
SMS texting app for Android built by Microsoft. It focuses on segmenting text based on categories.
It may come as a surprise to many, but Microsoft has published its own SMS texting app on the Google Play Store. It’s called SMS Organizer, and it’s pretty cool. The app attempts to automatically organize your text message threads into categorized categories. These include personal, promotional, transactional, etc.
Another big selling point here is the ability to translate incoming SMS messages from English to other languages, as well as automatic reminders for upcoming events, layover dates, and more.
One caveat here is that this app is not yet available in all regions. Support is currently limited to the US, UK, and Australia.
SMS Organizer is part of the Microsoft Garage Project, an otherwise inaccessible platform for experimental software releases from the tech giant. This app works completely offline and is completely free to download and install.
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6 Beep: Universal Chat
The same beep that (briefly) brought iMessage to Android
Beep: Universal Chat
An integrated text message inbox app that pulls messages from other platforms like WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, and Slack.
Beeper made headlines earlier this year when it briefly engaged in a cold war with Apple. The company tried to bridge the gap between green and blue bubbles and was able to bring iMessage to the Android platform in a short period of time.
Beeper may have lost the iMessage battle with Apple, but its apps are still a good overall choice. In addition to pulling both SMS and RCS threads into the service, Beeper also functions as a unified inbox that supports WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Facebook Messenger, Twitter DM, Slack, Discord, LinkedIn, Google Chat, and IRC. I will. matrix chat.
Beeper may have lost the iMessage battle with Apple, but its apps are still a good overall choice.
Beeper is a great tool for streamlining your texting, especially if you’re like me and are constantly bouncing between multiple instant messaging services to keep in touch with friends, family, and work colleagues. It’s fascinating.
Beeper can be downloaded and installed for free from the Google Play Store. In the future, the developer plans to introduce a paid subscription tier with benefits such as access to multiple accounts per network.
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