16 Best Texting Apps for Business in 2024

The 16 Best Texting Apps of 2024

1. Connecteam — Best for: All-in-one texting app

   Available on

   • Web
   • iOS
   • Android

   Start for free

   

   The best texting app for business is one with specific business-friendly features. This is where Connecteam can help. Designed for organizations of all sizes, Connecteam offers you secure group and one-on-one chat without exchanging any personal contact information.

   Connecteam puts you in full control of separating work chats from social chats. This helps ensure all chats comply with your workplace behavior policies. You can remove users and content that isn’t workplace-friendly.

   Connecteam makes it easy to send files, videos, checklists, photos, and voice messages. You can also send alerts and push notifications. This lets you easily keep teams up-to-date.

   The best texting app lets you get more done. In addition to group messaging and unlimited free texting, Connecteam offers:

   • A knowledge base
   • Clock-in clock-out capabilities
   • Scheduling features
   • Task management
   • A company directory

   With Connecteam, you don’t just get a free text app. You get a platform for managing your operations. Your teams don’t have to hop from a texting app to a CMS to a clock-in system. Everything happens in one place, so no messages get missed. 

   Since Connecteam is designed for business, it’s serious about privacy. Chat is only available to current workers. Secure conversations and media can’t be exported or saved by workers, so personal information stays private. For your security, SSL certificates support 256-bit SSL encryption.

   Connecteam also offers a free for life plan – Join Connecteam!

   Key Features

   • SMS verification for logins

   • Create smart group chats based on role or department

   • Limit who employees can communicate with

   • Send updates with read receipts and reminder notifications

   • Enable chats between co-workers

   • Full-featured free plan for business with up to 10 employees

   Pros

   • Keeps work and private chats separate

   • Includes full suite of employee management features

   • Access to company chats is automatically terminated when an employee leaves

   • Send files, videos, checklists, photos, and voice messages

   Cons

   • Can’t edit messages after sending

   Pricing

   Free-for-life plan availablePremium plans start at $29/month for 30 users

   14-day free trial, no credit card required

   Start your free trial
2. 

   Whatsapp — Good for: International Teams

   Available on

   • Web
   • iOS
   • Android
   • Windows
   • Mac

   

   Originally created as a social chat app, WhatsApp also has a business version called WhatsApp Business. You can send text messages, voice messages, videos, files, and images securely.

   It’s possible to mute chats and send group as well as individual messages. The app lets you send real-time alerts, all without using too much bandwidth.

   The app is minimalist and clean. Images and messages are erased automatically after they’re read, adding to security.

   Learn more about Whatsapp

   Key Features

   • Messages have read status
   • Group and organize messages
   • Silence messages after hours
   • Messages are encrypted

   Pros

   • Free version
   • Familiar format for any messaging app users

   Cons

   • You need to sign up with a phone number and contacts list
   • WhatsApp shares user data, including IP addresses, with Meta

   Pricing

   Contact vendor for price Trial: No Free Plan: Yes

3. 

   Telegram — Good for: Photo sharing and editing
   

   Available on

   • Web
   • iOS
   • Android
   • Windows
   • Mac

   

   The screenshot shows a Telegram webpage, showing text screens on iPhone, iPad, and Android, with bright stickers, images, and text. 

   Telegram is free to use for business. With a strong social component, Telegram lets you create channels and groups. You can:

   • Send and edit photos
   • Send voice messages
   • Send video
   • Livestream
   • Send stickers and emojis

   You’ll need a mobile device and phone number to set up Telegram, even though there are online and desktop versions. Once that’s done, you can import contacts and customize the appearance with different themes, backgrounds, and colors.

   You can choose to send text messages as Secret Chats, which can’t be forwarded to others. They have a self-destruct timer, so they’re erased after a set time. 

   Learn more about Telegram

   Key Features

   • Set a self-destruct timer for messages and images
   • Large library of stickers and emojis
   • Send payments through third parties
   • Find channels and groups with the search bar

   Pros

   • Nearby mode lets users find coworkers in the same office
   • Create video calls with up to 1,000 users at a time

   Cons

   • Fewer features than other texting apps
   • Only Secret Chats are encrypted end-to-end

   Pricing

   Starts at $4.99/month Trial: No Free Plan: Yes

4. 

   Viber — Good for: Companies who want to share sensitive information

   Available on

   • Web
   • iOS
   • Android
   • Windows
   • Mac

   

   Viber is a texting app with many privacy features. The platform offers end-to-end encryption, which prevents messages from being intercepted by third parties. 

   Viber also has high-security secret chats for sensitive information, where recipients can’t forward or take a screenshot of messages they receive. You can also set the message to self-destruct at a predetermined time after being read. 

   Community discussions, standard one-on-one chats, and public chats aren’t encrypted. However, Viber offers end-to-end encryption in group chats, and with individuals you designate as Trusted Contacts.

   Learn more about Viber

   Key Features

   • Send secret chats that self-destruct after being read
   • Secret chats can’t be forwarded
   • Alerts if someone tries to screenshot a secret chat
   • Block communication from outside your Trusted Contacts

   Pros

   • End-to-end encryption of messages
   • Erase your sent messages for yourself and recipients

   Cons

   • Only three color schemes and few customization options
   • Need to pay extra for the Viber Out feature to contact non-Viber users

   Pricing

   Contact vendor for price Trial: No Free Plan: Yes

5. Messenger

   Messenger — Good for: Companies already using Facebook
   

   Available on

   • Web
   • iOS
   • Android
   • Windows
   • Mac

   

   You don’t need a Facebook, now called Meta, account to use Facebook Messenger, but it is easier to sign up if you do. With Messenger, users can:

   • Send texts
   • Send video messages
   • Video chat
   • Voice message
   • Share files

   Encrypted messaging is supported. Facebook is also easy to use, and many workers are familiar with the messaging app on one of the most popular social media platforms in the world. Messages can include stickers, emojis, and files.

   Companies can use Messenger on their business Facebook page to answer customer questions. You can also set up automatic greetings or auto-replies to frequently asked questions. Or, you can direct customers to a member of your team for more help.

   You don’t need a phone number to sign up—and if you need help, chatbots are always available.

   Learn more about Messenger

   Key Features

   • Simple to use, with a clean interface
   • Make payments through the app
   • WiFi calling
   • Live video chat

   Pros

   • 24/7 chatbot support
   • Messages can be encrypted

   Cons

   • Facebook has faced investigations over its security
   • Companies may not want to be closely tied to a social platform

   Pricing

   Free Trial: No Free Plan: Yes

6. 

   Signal — Good for: Companies seeking secure communication

   Available on

   • Web
   • iOS
   • Android

   

   Signal private messenger has unique security features among texting apps. End-to-end encryption (E2EE) is the default, so no one except you and the recipient can see them–not even Signal. In comparison, most texting apps only offer E2EE for some messages.

   Signal is also 501(c)(3) non-profit, so it’s not seeking to make money by selling user data. In addition, it doesn’t store or backup messages, which therefore can’t be secured by third parties, even in lawsuits.

   Signal allows you to send and receive:

   • Texts
   • Files
   • Video
   • Audio files
   • Images

   You can also create group chats and pin your most-used chats to the top of your screen.

   Learn more about Signal

   Key Features

   • Send and receive MobileCoin, a digital currency
   • Photo markup is built-in
   • Sticker packs are included to customize messages
   • Set a lifespan for messages, after which they disappear

   Pros

   • Automatically blur faces in photos in the app to protect subjects’ privacy
   • No ads or trackers

   Cons

   • Must download the mobile app before setting up a desktop version
   • You can’t see the history of a group chat when you join

   Pricing

   Contact vendor for price Trial: No Free Plan: No

7. 

   Slack — Good for: Collaboration
   

   Available on

   • Web
   • iOS
   • Android
   • Windows
   • Mac

   

   The screenshot shows a Slack webpage, with a team planning a meeting. 

   • An onboarding channel
   • A channel for a specific project
   • An all-company channel

   In addition, users can create their own chat groups, send direct messages to colleagues, or send files and links.

   Users can also show when they’re:

   • Away
   • Unavailable
   • In a meeting
   • Traveling

   For international teams, Slack shows what time it is in a colleague’s time zone, so you’re not sending messages in the middle of the night.

   Learn more about Slack

   Key Features

   • Easily add or remove people from channels
   • Archive old channels
   • Simple interface
   • Invite individuals or entire channels to a quick call

   Pros

   • Works asynchronously and in real time
   • Edit messages after you’ve posted them

   Cons

   • Video and audio calls are not as crisp as with other apps
   • One of the more expensive paid options

   Pricing

   Starts at $7.25/user/month Trial: Yes Free Plan: Yes

8. 

   Discord — Good for: Teams sharing many types of media
   

   Available on

   • Web
   • iOS
   • Android
   • Windows
   • Mac

   

   Best known for its use among gamers, Discord is also a powerful multimedia messaging tool for business. You can chat via audio or video with one person or entire teams. You can even set up chat servers for teams, projects, or other group chats.

   You can customize chat servers with emojis or banners. You can set moderators for servers so they can sign up new team members. Discord integrates with many apps, including:

   • Trello
   • Google
   • GitHub
   • Slack
   • IFTTT
   • Twitter
   • YouTube

   Private servers can be used with many types of media. Your teams can watch training videos together, have online parties, listen to meeting recordings, and more.

   Learn more about Discord

   Key Features

   • Works across mobile devices, desktops, and gaming consoles
   • Integrates with many third-party platforms and apps
   • Customize your own servers or join public servers
   • Real-time video and audio chat

   Pros

   • Public and private channels
   • Social elements can be good for employee engagement

   Cons

   • You need to pay to enjoy better quality audio and video calls
   • Being part of multiple servers can get overwhelming

   Pricing

   Starts at $9.99/user/month Trial: No Free Plan: No

9. Kik

   Kik — Good for: Companies who only need basic texting
   

   Available on

   • iOS
   • Android

   

   Kik is a simple text messaging app that lets you send and receive messages, create group chats, and send photos. Unlike with other apps, you don’t have to provide a phone number to get started. You also don’t need to enter your personal information or import existing contacts.

   Kik allows you to chat with up to 10 team members at a time. Kik doesn’t have as many stickers or emojis as other apps and doesn’t offer video or audio call capability. It does encrypt all messages, however. It’s also simple enough for most users to get started fast.

   Learn more about Kik

   Key Features

   • See when a message has been delivered and read
   • Send other users a custom code to join your chat
   • Simple interface
   • Send photos, GIFs, and emojis

   Pros

   • Simple to set up and use
   • Doesn’t require your phone number

   Cons

   • No video or audio messages
   • Fewer features than many other text apps

   Pricing

   Free Trial: No Free Plan: Yes

10. 

    Threema — Good for: Businesses with employees in Europe
    

    Available on

    • Web
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Windows
    • Mac

    

    Threema Work is developed specifically for businesses, so it has encryption and is also GDPR-compliant for European users. This app also doesn’t require users to share personal information to sign up.

    Threema Work allows teams to reach individual colleagues or whole departments. Messages can also be sent to the entire company or even to external partners and customers. 

    Administrators can customize the app with Threema Mobile Device Management (MDM) to meet company requirements and control how it can be used on workers’ phones. 

    One drawback is that there is no free Threema Work version. While plans start at $10.99 per year, the least expensive plan has limited features.

    Learn more about Threema

    Key Features

    • End-to-end encrypted messages
    • Hide contacts you don’t hear from often
    • Dark and light mode
    • Encrypted voice calls

    Pros

    • Set your status to Do Not Disturb
    • Search for individual words and phrases within chats

    Cons

    • Not commonly used, so workers may not be used to it
    • No free version

    Pricing

    Starts at $14.99/year Trial: Yes Free Plan: No

11. 

    TextNow — Good for: Companies who want to offer workers their own mobile service

    Available on

    • Web
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Windows
    • Mac

    

    TextNow is a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service intended to replace wireless phone carriers. Simply place the SIM card in your unlocked phone and download the app. Then, you can place anonymous phone calls and send anonymous texts.

    Create group chats, attach photos, or hold clear conference calls at work. TextNow is a good option for businesses that want to offer a phone service provider for their teams on company devices.

    While TextNow can make phone calls across the United States and Canada and has a basic messaging service, it lacks some of the features of other apps.

    Learn more about TextNow

    Key Features

    • Free phone calls
    • Anonymous phone calls and texts
    • Create your own phone number so you don’t need to share your personal information at work
    • Hold group phone calls

    Pros

    • No monthly charge
    • Includes phone service and a texting app

    Cons

    • Only available in the US
    • Few advanced features for business

    Pricing

    Free for Wi-Fi-only version, $0.99 for SIM card Trial: Yes Free Plan: Yes

12. 

    Line — Good for: Businesses in Asia
    

    Available on

    • Web
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Windows
    • Mac

    

    You can sign up for Line using your cell phone number. Once you have the app, you can make free calls to other Line users and send free text messages. There’s a charge for calling landlines or other cell phones, though.

    Line allows you to send voice messages, pictures, and video files as well as text. A timeline feature lets you share news and updates with groups. There’s even a free photo editor app you can download to touch up your photos before sending them.

    Line includes emojis and stickers and offers additional customizations too. In-app payments are possible through the app.

    Learn more about Line

    Key Features

    • Group messages can include up to 100 people
    • Add people to group messages just by shaking phones with the app together
    • Send QR codes to invite a user to a group chat
    • Over 10,000 stickers and emojis

    Pros

    • End-to-end encryption (E2EE)
    • Self-destructing messages

    Cons

    • No information about pricing
    • You can only use credit cards (not in-app payments) outside of Japan and Thailand

    Pricing

    Free Trial: No Free Plan: Yes

13. Text+

    Text+ — Good for: Texting within the US and Canada
    

    Available on

    • iOS
    • Android

    

    Text+ lets you choose your own phone number and area code, which you can change at any time. Just download the app to transform your device into a phone. You can text anywhere in Canada or the US at no extra charge.

    With Text+ you can:

    • Send and receive unlimited text messages
    • Send GIFs, pictures, videos, documents, and audio clips
    • Text people that don’t have the app
    • Make regular and conference calls
    • Send and receive unlimited voicemail

    Learn more about Text+

    Key Features

    • Choose your phone number and area code
    • Send unlimited texts for free
    • Recipients don’t need to have the app
    • Add video, pictures, and other files

    Pros

    • Inbound calls are free
    • No signup fees

    Cons

    • Outbound international calls add up, starting at $0.02/minute
    • Fewer features than other texting apps

    Pricing

    Free Trial: No Free Plan: Yes

14. 

    Skype — Good for: Video calls
    

    Available on

    • Web
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Windows
    • Mac

    

    Skype allows users to:

    • Text
    • Video conference
    • Hold voice chats
    • Send and receive files
    • Share their screen

    The app offers good video and audio quality, so calls feel like in-person meetings.

    Skype is available in 39 languages and is one of the few text message apps that can translate calls in real time. You can call other Skype users anywhere in the world for free, but if you call a cell number or landline international charges will apply.

    Learn more about Skype

    Key Features

    • Import contacts from Outlook
    • Indicate your status as Online, Away, Do Not Disturb, Invisible, or Offline
    • Send video and voice messages, text, files, and conference call requests
    • Intuitive interface and menus

    Pros

    • Free for up to 10 users
    • Add callers and share files or screens during video calls

    Cons

    • The app’s focus is on video calls rather than chat
    • Paid subscriptions offer unlimited calls to specific destinations only

    Pricing

    Starts at $2.99/month Trial: Yes Free Plan: Yes

15. 

    WeChat — Good for: Organizations doing business in China
    

    Available on

    • iOS
    • Android
    • Windows
    • Mac

    

    WeChat is a Chinese texting app available to users all over the world. It offers:

    • • Texting
      • Photo sharing
      • A social media feed
      • Add-ons called mini programs that offer additional functionality

    • In-app payments and money transfers to other users

    Within the WeChat browsers, users can access any web app, so it’s possible to place online orders or to check other social media platforms within WeChat. 

    Some people have expressed concerns about security with WeChat. The app doesn’t offer end-to-end encryption. Chinese numbers may also be subject to censorship.

    Learn more about WeChat

    Key Features

    • In-app purchases let users play games, buy stickers, and customize their experience
    • Make purchases inside the app
    • Broadcast messages to groups
    • Location sharing

    Pros

    • Used by most mobile users in China
    • Free to use

    Cons

    • No end-to-end encryption
    • Data sent may be monitored

    Pricing

    Free Trial: No Free Plan: Yes

16. 

    GroupMe — Good for: Social and casual chats in the workplace

    Available on

    • Web
    • iOS
    • Android

    

    GroupMe is a texting app that lets users send group and direct texts. The app can be used to transfer money and schedule events. You can create private groups for departments, teams, and projects.

    The texting app lets you add people to any private or group app. You can also send a QR code to let people join a group. You can edit your photos or turn them into memes before sending.

    GroupMe has many emojis and GIFs for texting. Many are free, though some can be purchased in-app. Since GroupMe is also for social use, some emojis and GIFs are not appropriate for work.

    Learn more about GroupMe

    Key Features

    • News feed
    • Send notifications to workers for company announcements or urgent news
    • Easy file sharing
    • Video conferencing

    Pros

    • Set up avatars for your groups
    • Set different text notification sounds for each group

    Cons

    • No way to erase past posts
    • Not easy to turn off pop-up notifications

    Pricing

    Contact vendor for price Trial: No Free Plan: Yes