Photo: Tim Douglas
Cover Photo: Tim Douglas

Get to know the pros and cons of the messaging apps listed below

The internet is a powerful tool that makes life easier for people in the modern world. Some of its gifts include messaging apps that help deliver thoughts and feelings with a tap of a finger.

In this article, Tatler lists some of the world's safest and most accessible mobile messaging apps.

Related: Social Media Fasting: What Is It And Should You Do It?

1. Signal

Tatler Asia
Photo: Netral News
Above Photo: Netral News

Pros: Developed by the Signal Technology Foundation and Signal Messenger LLC., Signal Chat is a cross-platform instant messaging software that allows its users to verify the identity of their contacts.

Cons: Because the app secures the integrity and identity of its data channel, users can only make one account per phone number. 

2. Rakuten Viber

Tatler Asia
Photo: Fintech Times
Above Photo: Fintech Times

Pros: Rakuten Viber or just "Viber"  is an instant messaging software application owned by Japanese multinational company Rakuten. The app can be installed via Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows, macOS and Linux platforms. On its official website, the developers assured that Viber can’t read users' personal chats (one-on-one chats and group chats) or listen to one-on-one audio or video calls. 

Cons: With Viber, users do not have the option to block unknown and random calls. Unlike other messaging apps, Viber cannot connect its users to their contacts without a stable Wi-Fi connection. 

3. Discord

Tatler Asia
Photo: Android Central
Above Photo: Android Central

Pros: The gamer community found solace in the messaging app Discord; this is because the software was developed by founders Jason Citron and Stan Vishnevskiy who both shared a love for video games. The software allows easy setup of servers for specific groups and one-on-one private messaging.

Cons: If you're not much of a gamer, there are other messaging apps with better graphic user interfaces. 

Read more: How To Safeguard Your Online Presence? Experts Weigh In On Phishing, Passwords, And More

4. Telegram

Tatler Asia
Photo: The Wallstreet Journal
Above Photo: The Wallstreet Journal

Pros: Telegram allows its users to share large amounts of photos and videos (up to 1GB). The messaging software is focused on security and speed which helps people to make group chats with more or less 5,000 members.

Cons: With Telegram, users will not be able to know the status (online, offline, or away) of their contacts. 

See also: Must-Know Smart Phone Photography Tips From Portrait and Fashion Photographer Artu Nepomuceno

5. Kakao Talk

Tatler Asia
Photo: The Korea Herald
Above Photo: The Korea Herald

Pros: Kakao Talk (commonly referred to as KaTalk in South Korea) is an instant messaging software that has 220 million registered and 49 million monthly active users in and out of Asia. Its users can use the free call function that can be accessed even with a 3G connection. To top it all off, this app has a very beautiful graphic user interface that offers customisable themes, stickers, and more. 

Cons: The app doesn't have a computer version and users have to pay for emoticons that are otherwise not free.

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