Exploring App Stores: Five alternatives to WhatsApp

With everything going mobile, instant messaging applications have more or less replaced IM services like Yahoo talk, AIM, AOL and MSN Messenger. At present, WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging applications, but what if you have a smartphone that still doesn’t have WhatsApp? For example, a Bada OS handset or even a Java phone. Or, what if you want to keep the conversation going on, even if you are on your laptop or desktop and don’t want to switch over to your smartphone. All of this and more, can be found in our five alternatives to WhatsApp messenger below. 

GroupMe - Android, iPhone, BlackBerry, WP7

This application is quick to install and takes very little of system resources. It’s got a refreshing blue user interface as well. Though it’s not available over all existing mobile platforms, this app is one of the easiest ones to use, if you want to stay in touch with your friends. One interesting feature that comes with this application is Open Groups – you can talk about what you want by simply finding open goups using the Discover tab.

Group Me

Here are a few of the features of this particular App:

• Start groups with the people already in your contacts - no need to remember usernames or PINs.
• The conversation starts instantly. The app uses your data connection, so even tablets can join in on the fun.
• When you have a poor connection, the app can switch to receiving messages via SMS. You'll never miss a message!
• Share photos online—take them on-the-go or choose from ones you've already taken.
• Add your location to any message you send.
• See all group members on a map.

JaxtrSMS - Android, iPhone, BlackBerry, Java, Symbian

This application has the widest support for platforms at the moment, including both Symbian and Java phones. It’s got a simplistic feel to it, but is an extremely powerful application on its own. What more, the makers also have a scheme that lets users SMS for free to Zone A Countries - (including USA and India). It works even if one of the users has JaxtrSMS installed. 

Jaxtr SMS

Here are a few of the features of JaxtrSMS:

• Automatically integrated with your address book
• Works with WiFi and network coverage
• If the receiver doesn't have JaxtrSMS, messages appear as a normal SMS/text message in their inbox
• If the receiver does have JaxtrSMS, messages appear as a threaded conversation with special notifications