Samsung is discontinuing their Samsung Messages app starting in July 2026, and forcing their users to switch to Google Messages. Have no fear Samsung users – there are alternatives! 😁
Format Changes: Starting this month, I will now be publishing category alternative articles every other week. On non-category alternative weeks, I’ll be sharing Boycott News Updates, similar to my Latest Boycott News Round Up post from last fall.
What does this mean? You will still get a new article every week, nothing changes there!
Why are you doing this? I had actually intended to do this at the start of this year, but ended up covering a new category nearly every week. However, the depth and breath of category articles is not sustainable on a weekly level with the other things I do: make videos, activism work, The Learning Curve podcast, Live Q&As, etc. This change enables me to balance out my workload and keep my sanity, frankly 😂 while still giving you weekly updates.
Live Q&A Recap for paid subscribers: The first live session was last week, woo! I’m working through reviewing & editing the recording to share with those who were unable to attend, more updates to come.
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I shared Discord Alternatives earlier this year if you’re looking for other chat/messaging options, though none of the apps featured support SMS messaging. You can also check out my Cellphone Carrier Alternatives article if you’re looking for a new provider.
For more Google Alternatives, check out Part 1: Search, Google Gemini & ChatGPT Alternatives, or Part 2: Browser & Extension Alternatives. This is an ongoing series, so make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out!
There’s a couple of key things to understand for context on the options available:
SMS Messaging Does Not Support Encryption: This means any SMS messaging alternative will not have encryption for messaging, because the technology doesn’t support it.
RCS (Rich Communication Services) Messaging: RCS is basically trying to be the new standard of messaging for devices/carriers/operating systems, because it supports more functionality (media, reactions, read receipts, typing indications, etc.) and security through encryption. iOS phones have RCS, and Google and Apple have integrated end-to-end encryption between Android and iOS devices with supported carriers if the iPhone/iOS user has the new iOS 26.5 installed and the Android user has the latest version of Google Messages. Notably, my recommended carrier alternative, US Mobile, is not one of the supported carriers with this update.
What does this all mean? While RCS seems to be generally a good thing by improving cellphone/text message capabilities and security, it seems that if you want to utilize RCS on an Android phone, the only way is through Google Messages and you can’t use RCS via other apps. In my opinion, RCS is a nice-to-have but not a must-have.
For friends, family, and close contacts that you talk to often, use Signal. The other person will need to have Signal in order for them to receive your message, but it’s worth having a conversation with people you speak with frequently to see if they are willing to download the app. Signal has end-to-end encryption without having to worry about RCS.
To receive messages from people you don’t know, or for verifications, etc. I recommend Fossify Messages. It is an open-source, simple functional app that does not have ads, share your personal information with third-parties, or have AI features.
Signal: Open-source, end-to-end encrypted messaging app, however: it does not replace standard SMS messaging. If you are trying to send or receive a text, you will need a separate app as Signal only works if the other person has an account with Signal.
The Details: Signal is owned by the Signal Foundation, a non-profit organization that’s funded by the people who use it, not advertising or investors. While they don’t have a public diversity policy, three out of their five board members are women which is pretty refreshing for a tech organization. Signal Foundation does not have a profile on OpenSecrets, though if you search and see “Signal Group”, that is for a lobbying firm, not the chat app.
Privacy: Proton and Mozilla both have deep-dives on Signal’s privacy and overall recommend it as a decent if not good option. Signal does run partly on AWS, which board member Meredith Whittaker discusses why here.
Features: Chat (including emoji reactions, stickers, some formatted text), Voice & Video calls. You can screenshare when using their desktop version.
What’s missing: Signal does not send SMS messages.
Can you send and receive messages without the other party having the app? No
Cost: Free
Available On: Android, iOS, Desktop (Windows, Mac, Linux)
Fossify Messages: Privacy-focused option that’s free without ads. Android Authority has a good overview of Fossify’s features from a product review perspective.
The Details: Fossify is a community-led, open-source effort to create privacy-focused, ad-free mobile apps. There isn’t a ton of information on their website, but it seems to be volunteer-led.
Privacy: Fossify does not collect your data, beyond what is needed for the app to function (like your phone number), or share with third-parties like advertisers, making it more private.
Features:
Easily block contacts or unknown numbers, and can export/import blocked numbers for easy transfer/backup.
Back-up your messages for easy export/import
Customize lock-screen notifications for extra privacy
Message Search: easily search through your messages
Message scheduling
Dark theme option
Lightweight & fast app
Does not require an account to use
Can use offline
Can you send and receive messages without the other party having the app? Yes
Cost: Free with no ads
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Textra SMS: Decent option, but the app comes with ads which means more of your data will be shared with Textra SMS and third-party advertisers.
The Details: Created by Delicious Global, which also made the Chomp SMS app. I can’t find a ton of information on Delicious Global, except that it is registered as a private company in Australia and headquartered in New South Wales. Delicious Global does not have a profile on OpenSecrets nor a public diversity policy.
Privacy: Textra SMS may collect the following information for advertising purposes: Android Advertising ID, Browser, IP address, Phone model, Language, Mobile Carrier, Screen Resolution, Phone Orientation, WiFi or Mobile Connection and Android version (User Agent).
Features:
Block messages from unwanted contacts
Message Scheduling
Message Reactions for both iPhone and Android users
Delayed Send messaging: Can set a 1 to 10 second delay on messages allowing you to cancel message within this window
Voice memos
Dark, black, night modes available
Copy any part of the text in a message bubble (versus the entire message)
Can you send and receive messages without the other party having the app? Yes
Cost: Free with ads, or upgrade to Pro for a one-time fee of $9.99 for an ad-free version.
Available On: Android
Chomp SMS: A more customizable version of Textra SMS.
The Details: Created by Delicious Global, which also made the Textra SMS app. I can’t find a ton of information on Delicious Global, except that it is registered as a private company in Australia and headquartered in New South Wales. Delicious Global does not have a profile on OpenSecrets nor a public diversity policy.
Privacy: Chomp SMS may collect the following information for advertising purposes: Android Advertising ID, Browser, IP address, Phone model, Language, Mobile Carrier, Screen Resolution, Phone Orientation, WiFi or Mobile Connection and Android version (User Agent).
Features:
Customization options for message notifications: change colors, ringtones, vibrate patterns
Customization options for app display: screen color, font style, text size & background
Passcode lock
Block messages from unwanted contacts
Signature options
Cancel/stop a text options
Backup message options
Can you send and receive messages without the other party having the app? Yes
Cost: Free with ads, or upgrade to Pro for a one-time fee of $9.99 for an ad-free version.
Available On: Android
ZenSMS: If you want to avoid spam texts, or need an organized messaging app for your small business ZenSMS might work for you.
The Details: According to their Google Play store description, ZenSMS is built by a solo founder (likely this Github user). ZenSMS does not have a profile on OpenSecrets nor a diversity policy since it’s one person.
Privacy: ZenSMS does not collect personal data and is not supported by ads as far as I can tell.
Features:
Spam filtering with tons of features like blocking all unknown senders, whitelisting trusted senders, adjustable sensitivity settings
Message folders
Import existing SMS history
Message cancellation/send delay options
Can you send and receive messages without the other party having the app? Yes
Cost: Free to use, but upgrade options are available. Note: I can’t find the pricing without downloading the app, and I don’t have an Android device to do so.
Available On: Android, GitHub. How-to Guide for switching from Samsung Messages.
Pulse SMS: Another ad-supported option with limited privacy.
The Details: Created by Maple Media LLC, which was acquired by Skybound Entertainment in 2025. Skybound Entertainment and Maple Media both support diversity, and have not spent money on lobbying. Skybound Entertainment was founded by Robert Kirkman, creator of The Walking Dead and Invincible comic series. Skybound Entertainment (as far as I can tell) is owned by Kirkman and his co-founder, David Alpert, and funded through venture capital and crowd-sourcing campaigns.
Privacy: SMS messages do not support encryption, but messages stored in the cloud are end-to-end encrypted. Since the app is run through ads, more of your data (i.e. device, location, etc) will be shared with Pulse/Maple Media.
Features:
Can access messages across devices (mobile, tablet, desktop/laptop, etc)
Block messages from unwanted contacts
Customization options down to the contact level
Dark mode
Message search functionality
Schedule messages & Message delay options
Can you send and receive messages without the other party having the app? Yes
Cost: Free with ads, otherwise you can pay $0.99/mo, $5.99/yr, or a one-time payment of $10.99 for a lifetime membership.
Available On: Android, with web, Windows, Mac, and Linux connected app options available. How-to Guide for switching from Samsung Messages.
These are apps where the companies aren’t necessarily bad, but they collect a lot of personal data for advertising.
Handcent Next SMS: Reading through their privacy policy it looks like Handcent collects way more data than the other ad-supported apps.
The Details: Created by the Handcent Corporation (HK) Limited, based in Hong Kong. Handcent does not have a profile on OpenSecrets nor a public diversity policy.
Privacy: Handcent may collect your phone number, IP address, device ID, location, SMS/MMS messages, contacts, audio and files, photos, videos or other information necessary to provide the app services. SMS messages do not support encryption, but their “Private Box” feature encrypts messages within it.
Features:
Can access messages across devices (mobile, tablet, desktop/laptop, etc)
Customize themes, notifications, etc.
Backup & restore options available
Private box: encrypted “box” of messages that can only be accessed via a unique passcode
Block messages from unwanted contacts
Schedule messages & Message delay options
Message search functionality
Giphy integration
Can you send and receive messages without the other party having the app? Yes
Cost: Free with ads, or pay for the premium version to remove ads. Note: I can’t find the pricing without downloading the app, and I don’t have an Android device to do so.
Available On: Android, with web, Windows, Mac, and Linux connected app options available.
Mood Messenger: Their holding company, Appvestor ApS, has a weird Caller SDK product that from my understanding, shows ads when you send or receive calls, and I’m not sure if that’s integrated into Mood Messenger. Beyond Caller SDK, their privacy setup for Mood Messenger still isn’t great either.
The Details: Mood Messenger is owned by Appvestor ApS, a Danish company, per their privacy policy. Appvestor does not have a profile on OpenSecrets, and notes they have an “inclusive culture” on their website but nothing else on a diversity/inclusion policy.
Privacy: Appvestor is a company that partners with app developers to grow users (downloads) and develop monetization strategies for your app. As such, they use a lot of your data for advertising purposes, and share it with a number of data partners.
Features:
Message scheduling
Customization for chat display
Themes
Can you send and receive messages without the other party having the app? Yes
Cost: Free to use with ads, but you can buy customization upgrades or other premium features/subscriptions.
Available On: Android
Simple SMS Messenger: Simple Mobile Tools, including Simple SMS Messenger, was sold to Israeli app publisher ZipoApps in 2023. If you want something similar, I’d recommend Fossify SMS as they’re trying to revive the original legacy of Simple Mobile Tools before it was sold.
QKSMS: It’s an open-source SMS messenger, but it looks like it has not been updated since 2021. I would recommend Fossify SMS if you’re looking for something similarly open-sourced.
WhatsApp: Owned by Meta, who also owns Facebook & Instagram. I don’t think it’s necessary to give Zuckerberg more of your data. If you’re looking for social media alternatives to Facebook & Instagram, check out my article.
Telegram: Do not recommend for multiple reasons, see more information here.
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