You can even send a text from the web through Pulse and your phone.
We also enjoy features like private messages, password encryption, batch-deletes, archives, text message backup options, Wifi messaging or calling and more. Yes, GIF support in a 3rd party text app. It’s fast, easy to use, works with Wear OS, and you can even send or view GIFs and videos inside the app.
Or, download additional themes from the Play Store from 3rd party creators, making the options endless. Not only can you customize every aspect of this application, but you can apply entire themes with ease. It’s a great text app alternative worth considering and we love all the notification controls and options. The developer is popular in the world of Android, known for making great apps that are highly customizable, and Pulse is no exception. It’s another great choice for users.Īnother powerful text messaging app is Pulse SMS, from the developer of the old EvolveSMS app. It works with Pushbullet, MightyText, supports dual SIM for texting and more. Users can long-press messages for more options, or “blacklist” numbers from texting you with ease. Chomp SMS has a quick compose feature too, although we prefer Textra. Some features include scheduled SMS sending, group MMS, delayed send, pinning favorite conversations to the top, and number blocking. You can choose from hundreds of free themes to personalize your messaging experience. It’s a great touch, and something many enjoy. Just like Textra, you can customize the color of notifications for each specific contact, if you want. If you like having pictures behind all your text messages, like a background wallpaper, give Chomp a try. It isn’t as pretty as Textra but has plenty of options. They explain their app as a souped of version of your stock text and MMS app, and that’s basically what it is. If you like tons of customization with your texting setup, try Chomp. Honestly, it’s probably the only app that truly gives Textra a run for its money. Carriers are working on something similar, but hopefully, they all just integrate into something like Google Messages.
You’ll enjoy smart replies, different themes, emojis, stickers, RCS-support, and much more.įurthermore, at the end of 2019 Google finally turned on full RCS support in Messages for US users, which gives you iMessage features on Android. Google’s Messages app is fast, easy to use, customizable, and even has an option where you can send and receive texts from a computer or tablet, send texts for free, and even make calls over wifi. It’s what we recommend the most, and is your best bet if you don’t want to customize everything on Textra. Luckily, it’s already installed on several phones on the market today and it’s full of useful features.
Perhaps the best overall text messaging app, or experience, is Google’s own Android Messages app. Otherwise, you’ll have a little ad at the end of your conversation list. They do have an optional in-app purchase, but it’s totally worth it. Some apps on our list are great, but they’re not very easy to use. This app offers text delivery reports, will automatically save pictures from texts to your gallery, and we love the quick reply option in the notification pulldown bar. There’s even an option to have a quick compose bar always present in your notification shade so you can send a text without opening any apps.Īll said and done, Textra is beautiful, easy to use, customizable and fast. You can change the notification icon for individual contacts, too. I like being able to make the font and bubble colors what I want, then match the notification icon to that color. From the font size, color, or bubbles, to an entire dark mode or custom backgrounds.