Windows can come off as a pretty basic OS. It doesn’t even have half the versatility and finesse than an averagely priced Android can get you.

Macs are clearly taking the lead in the market thanks to their superior OS infrastructure and high quality apps. But all is not lost yet.

Windows users often express jealousy that they cannot access messaging services like people with Android smartphones or Mac PCs.

While getting your text messages to display on your Windows PC would take a real bit of work, there are certainly other options to turn to, which can give your productivity quite a boost without needing to put in much effort.

Here are 6 most popular messaging apps you can use on your Windows Phone or PC in 2018.

6 Most Popular Messaging Apps for Windows in 2018

Whatsapp

Whatsapp is surely the most popular messaging service in the internet world, exceeding most other apps and services by quite a margin in terms of serviced users, customer satisfaction and many other crucial parameters.

It recently introduced end-to-end encryption on messages both in personal chats as well as group conversations, which keep conversations private.

You’re free to send photos, videos, audios and documents too. Sharing location comes in handy when you’re trying to meet your friends. It’s pretty interesting.

Also Check :

• List of Abbreviations for Whatsapp Users
• Top 5 WhatsApp Alternatives

You can login to Whatsapp by visiting web.whatsapp.com and scanning the QR code displayed through the Whatsapp app on your smartphone. You’ll find the option in the app menu on the top right.

Viber

Viber tries to break the mold by introducing conversations for major news outlets in group chat format, called Public Chats.

But more than that, the app is available with full functionality of Windows, Mac as well as Linux.

It lets you delete messages you sent accidentally, and have the app encrypt all media received through the messaging app along with your texts.

There are also games to play on the app, and you can share scores with your friends via text messages. It certainly deserves to be in the top 3 apps.

Kik

Among the earliest players in the field is Kik Messenger which still remains among the most popular messaging apps used across devices.

The thing that stands out with Kik is that your phone number is not revealed to one and all by the app.

You can join group conversations and exit them without the least bit of fear for unknown creepy callers blasting your phone at 2 at night.

Get a funky username and share it with your friends to connect with them.

Kik has better video chatting than Whatsapp since you can communicate with more than one person at a time, and there are even a few nice filters to have some fun with during those calls.

Kik was also the first apps to introduce bots, which are great to keep yourself informed about latest news, events, and also get to know your favorite brands a little better.

iMessage

iMessage has been around for a pretty long time, and it is easy to see why it is so popular.

The app has been a staple in the iPhone and you can access messages on Macs too, which ups the utility of the service.

Also Check : Ultimate Guide To Setup iMessage On Windows PC

The messaging service is, in fact, something of a staple, and thinking of the word text immediately brings its interface in mind.

The white background and the grey and blue chat bubbles are well known. The app also effortlessly syncs with Siri.

There are a few ways to use iMessage app on Windows OS, with varying levels of difficulty. You can find some methods to Download iMessage for PC. See this resource.

Facebook Messenger

The USP of Facebook Messenger is that virtually everyone has it.

All one needs is a Facebook account and you can contact them on the messenger.

Even if they don’t have the app, they can still read and respond to your texts and access/send media through web browsers, whether it be through mobile or through a Windows or any other PC.

You need not login through Facebook’s website to access it either. Just visit Messenger.com and you can login to see your messages.

It’s helpful if you end up scrolling through your news feed every time you login to the main account. Facebook Messenger also supports video calling to multiple people.

Google Hangouts

I love using Google Hangouts because it is so simple and easy.

Plus, the app can be accessed by merely logging in to your Gmail account, or through the apps meant for Android and iOS or via the Chrome extension available for Windows PCs as well as Macs.

Google Hangouts are great because they allow video calling multiple people, and all you need is their email.

This makes it a great way to keep in touch with business clients, your work superiors as well as peers, since you are likely to have their email IDs with you on your account.

The app can also take on a casual vibe with its stickers and doodle options, as well as video filters. It’s a pretty versatile app. too bad it’s not as commonly used.

These are some of the very best messaging apps you can use on PCs. The most popular messaging apps for Windows in 2017 are a combination of utility and enjoyability.

It’s one of the few things these diverse and versatile apps share in common.