Alternatives to Snapchat

A messaging app built around photo and video Snaps, chat, Stories and camera Lenses. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.

Replacements

Listings that take over the same core job as Snapchat.

  • WhatsApp

    An end-to-end encrypted messaging and calling app for phones, desktop computers and the web.

    FreeProprietaryWindowsmacOSAndroidiOSWeb

    WhatsApp focuses on end-to-end encrypted messaging and calls rather than Snaps, Lenses and feeds, and adds desktop apps, but still needs a phone number account.

  • Messenger

    Meta's messaging and video calling service for chatting with Facebook friends and family.

    FreeProprietaryWeb

    Messenger reaches Facebook friends and family through a Meta account, with messaging and video calls in the browser, instead of camera Lenses and Stories.

  • Telegram Desktop

    The official Telegram client for the desktop, with open source code and chats that are not end-to-end encrypted.

    FreemiumOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOSWeb

    Telegram Desktop offers open source clients with cloud chats synced across devices, large groups and channels, but ordinary chats are not end-to-end encrypted and a phone number is required.

  • Signal

    An end-to-end encrypted messenger for calls and chats on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux, run by a nonprofit.

    FreeOpen sourceAndroidiOSWindowsmacOSLinux

    Signal replaces an ad-supported service with a nonprofit, open source messenger that encrypts every message and call end to end, though it lacks Snapchat's Lenses and Stories.

  • LINE

    A popular messaging app with free text messages, voice and video calls, and stickers.

    FreeProprietaryAndroidiOS

    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.

  • Viber

    A messaging and calling app with group chats, stickers and public communities, synced across devices.

    FreeProprietaryAndroid

    Viber offers calls, group chats, stickers and communities with desktop sync, but its listed platform is Android and it stays proprietary and centrally run.

  • WeChat

    Tencent's messaging app with chats, voice and video calls, Moments and mobile payments.

    FreeProprietaryWindowsmacOSAndroidiOS

    WeChat bundles chat, calls, a social feed and payments with a large user base in China, trading Snapchat's camera focus for a much broader closed source app.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.