Alternatives to LINE
A popular messaging app with free text messages, voice and video calls, and stickers. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
LINE
A popular messaging app with free text messages, voice and video calls, and stickers.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as LINE.
WhatsApp
An end-to-end encrypted messaging and calling app for phones, desktop computers and the web.
WhatsApp adds end-to-end encrypted messages and calls with desktop and web apps and a very large user base, but it is proprietary and tied to a phone number.
Telegram Desktop
The official Telegram client for the desktop, with open source code and chats that are not end-to-end encrypted.
Telegram has open-source clients across desktop, mobile and web with large groups and bots, but ordinary chats are not end-to-end encrypted.
Viber
A messaging and calling app with group chats, stickers and public communities, synced across devices.
Viber is a proprietary messaging and calling app with group chats, stickers and communities, where chats sync between mobile and desktop.
WeChat
Tencent's messaging app with chats, voice and video calls, Moments and mobile payments.
WeChat is Tencent's closed-source messenger with calls, Moments and payments, mainly useful for contacts in China, and adds Windows and macOS apps.
Signal
An end-to-end encrypted messenger for calls and chats on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux, run by a nonprofit.
Signal is open source and run by a nonprofit with end-to-end encryption on every message and call, plus desktop apps, but needs a phone number.
Zalo
A Vietnamese messaging and calling app for phones and desktop computers, used by tens of millions.
Zalo is a closed-source messaging and calling app with mobile and desktop versions, widely used in Vietnam but little used elsewhere.
Messenger
Meta's messaging and video calling service for chatting with Facebook friends and family.
Messenger is Meta's closed-source messaging and video calling service for Facebook contacts, usable in a browser and requiring a Meta account.
Threema
Swiss encrypted messenger that works without a phone number or email.
Threema is a paid Swiss encrypted messenger with open-source apps and no phone number required, across mobile, desktop and web.
Also worth comparing
These listings name LINE as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
Snapchat
A messaging app built around photo and video Snaps, chat, Stories and camera Lenses.
LINE offers free messaging, calls and stickers and is widely used in Japan, Taiwan and Thailand, but is a closed source mobile app without camera Lenses.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
