The 8 best texting apps

The 8 best texting apps

It’s safe to say that in the 21st century, most of us are glued to our phones. And if not actively using them, our devices are likely within reach. Texting is the most intimate form of communication businesses can use to reach their customers quickly and almost instantly, no matter where in the world they are. On top of offering similar core functionalities to regular text messages, mobile messaging apps built for businesses provide additional features that enhance the experience, such as more data security and easy access to popular social media networks.

SMS should be a core part of any organization’s marketing and customer communications strategies. Let’s take a look at what features make for a great texting app, what use cases there are, and the best texting apps available on the market for your business. 

What makes the best texting app?

There’s plenty of texting apps available, but what features do the best apps tend to have? The top apps typically share some key features.

1. Available on both iOS and Android: Texting should be available on any type of phone and ideally also computers.

2. Privacy and security: Most top apps will offer end-to-end encryption to protect users' data. 

3. No cost: Making an app free ensures that more users can access the app without financial barriers, making it widely appealing. As a business, you want to reach customers on an app that’s easily accessible. 

4. Support for multimedia messages: The ability to send photos, videos, GIFs and other media enables engaging interactions. Some interactions call for voice notes or direct links to other websites like YouTube or TikTok.

5. Group chat capabilities: Being able to create group chats is a must. Group chat features allow users to connect with multiple people at once and would allow your business to add multiple people to a chat with a customer, such as a sales rep and customer service agent.

6. Automation: Message automation features allow businesses to schedule messages and send automatic replies when customers reach out and wait for live support. 

Does my business need a text messaging app?

Social chat apps are an effective way to build and strengthen digital relationships with customers, as there are unique opportunities for long-term, impactful connections. In 2020 alone, 62% of businesses used WhatsApp to communicate with customers, while Facebook Messenger saw a 51% increase in companies using its platform for effective customer service and engagement.

Mobile messaging apps have transformed how businesses communicate with customers, making interactions less formal and more friendly. Here’s a list of messaging apps that stand out in the crowd.

Business use cases for texting apps

1. Customer support: Texting apps allow businesses to offer instant support, addressing customer inquiries and resolving issues in real-time. 

2. Marketing campaigns: Businesses can send targeted promotional messages, offers, and updates directly to customers. The direct nature of messaging means higher open rates, leading to better engagement and conversions.

3. Order and delivery notifications: Keeping customers informed about their order status, shipment tracking, and delivery confirmations helps manage expectations and improves the overall customer experience.

4. Appointment reminders: Sending automated reminders through texting apps can help reduce no-show rates and improve efficiency in appointment scheduling.

5. Internal communications: Texting apps can facilitate communication within teams, especially for quick updates or urgent information. This functionality supports remote work and enhances team collaboration and productivity.

6. Feedback and surveys: Collecting feedback through brief surveys or messages allows businesses to gather valuable insights on customer preferences and areas for improvement.

7. Personalized offers: Businesses can use customer data to tailor offers and promotions, sending personalized messages that resonate with individual preferences and behaviors, thereby increasing conversion rates.

8. Event invitations and updates: Companies can use texting apps to invite customers to events and provide timely updates or changes, leading to higher attendance rates.

9. Loyalty programs: Engaging customers via messaging apps with updates and rewards related to loyalty programs can encourage continued participation and increase customer retention by recognizing and rewarding loyal behaviors.

These use cases illustrate the versatility of texting apps in supporting various business functions. Now let’s take a look at the best texting apps for your business to try out.

List of top messaging apps

1. WhatsApp

WhatsApp is one of the top messaging apps used across the globe. With an estimated 2 billion users, the platform allows users to communicate with others around the world with simple but useful texting options. WhatsApp’s additional features and functionalities, such as WhatsApp Business or WhatsApp Business API, help the popular app provide businesses with unique ways to engage with customers.

2. LINE

LINE, the Japan-based text message app, also carries a solid user base of about 84 million active monthly users. It’s end-to-end encrypted, ensuring that conversations are secure no matter what. Plus, depending on the company size, LINE offers an option for businesses to connect the app with customer data systems to automate messages according to different requests.

3. WeChat

WeChat is most often used in China, as the country doesn’t permit all mobile chat apps because of data access regulations. Customers can message businesses directly through this platform as if they’re contacting another regular user. So when businesses respond to questions or requests, the message thread will show up on the customer’s main page for convenience.

4. Telegram

Telegram, like LINE, is yet another one of the best messenger apps that support encryption and user privacy. Although it’s not as widely used as the others on this list, it provides the confidentiality that customers may appreciate when discussing their inquiries. Telegram’s secret chat option ensures that conversations remain secure, allowing some users to even self-delete depending on their preference.

5. Viber

Viber is best known for its simple, friendly, and personalized user experience, making it easy for users to differentiate calls and messages on the platform. It allows businesses to create communities for customers so that they not only have the chance to interact with the business itself but with others who may have helpful insight into a specific issue. The app also offers an option for businesses to use chatbots, which help navigate customers to the right solutions.

6. Facebook Messenger

Facebook Messenger is probably one of the most familiar chatting platforms as it’s attached to Facebook itself, making it much easier for businesses to connect with customers. While users often rely on Facebook Messenger for regular, day-to-day conversations with friends and family, they can also use it to contact businesses with individual requests or concerns. In turn, businesses are free to set up automated messages that lead to either a live agent or a FAQ, helping to create a highly personalized customer experience.

7. Kik

Kik is more well-known among younger audiences. It has a unique, inbuilt web browser that makes it more convenient for users to exchange links and videos without exiting the app itself. However, one of its most popular features is its bot shop, where businesses can use free chatbots to engage with customers in a variety of ways by suggesting products or services that fulfill their unique needs.

8. Instagram

Instagram has come a long way from being a simple photo-sharing app to a multifaceted platform where businesses create an impressionable brand and communicate important information to customers via push notifications and Instagram stories. Like other apps on this list, the platform allows businesses to create an automated messaging system that helps customers identify and resolve their needs.

Reach more customers with Twilio WhatsApp Business API

High-quality customer care and engagement determine important digital relationships. Therefore, making the best messaging apps is a must-have for companies seeking memorable experiences for customers.

With tools like Twilio’s WhatsApp Business API, businesses can optimize positive customer and sales interactions. Twilio provides reliable API resources that integrate smoothly with current systems, making customer support, notifications, and all other marketing features easily accessible. Contact Sales to learn more and get started today.