Best text messaging apps in 2023

Magic Compose in the Google Messages app making my text more Shakespearean
(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

Text messaging is a big part of phone use for many people, and while all phones come with native messaging clients, they can be painfully, horribly bad. Some native text messaging apps also don't handle MMS the way we'd like, while others are laid out poorly or just lacking in features.

Thankfully we have the option to use one of many, many third-party SMS clients on Android — some are minimal messaging apps, and others offer features above and beyond the rest.

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Get from: Google Play Store

Google Messages

Messages is Google's official SMS app, and it features a simple interface and loads of features such as high-quality video sharing, emoji reactions to messages, and more. It also supports Google's RCS features, which allow for iMessage or WhatsApp-like features like read receipts and larger file transfers. The best part is, this text messaging app is completely free to use.

Get from: Google Play Store

Free with IAPs: Google Play Store

Pulse SMS

Pulse SMS is an interesting and very, very customizable text messaging app fro Android. but that's not the real draw. Pulse helps bring your text messages to all your other devices, from tablets to computers. Pulse also offers a password-protected private conversations box in case you need to protect the identity and messages of your sources, for example.

Free with IAPs: Google Play Store

Free with IAPs: Google Play Store

Textra SMS

A long-time favorite, Textra is a clean-looking SMS app with plenty of features for hardcore users. Textra offers a slew of customization options with various theme colors, notifications, and per-contact settings. There's even built-in SMS scheduling, quick replies, improved group messaging, SMS blocking, and more.

Free with IAPs: Google Play Store

Get from: Google Play Store

Signal Private Messenger

Originally, Signal Private Messenger was designed to be a more secure form of standard messaging. Then, an update brought the ability to use this as your default SMS client. In addition to the end-to-end encryption, you can also use Signal for audio and video calls.

Get from: Google Play Store

Free with IAPs: Google Play Store

Chomp SMS

Chomp SMS is one of those apps that has been around since seemingly the dawn of the Play Store. The messaging app has transitioned and been updated on a regular basis and continues to be a fan favorite. While it works great as your default SMS client, you can also take advantage of integration with the likes of Pushbullet or MightyText for cross-platform support.

Free with IAPs: Google Play Store

Get from: Google Play Store

YAATA - SMS/MMS messaging

If you want an app that allows you to customize every single aspect of your messaging experience without taking up a bunch of space, then YAATA is the answer. The app offers the standard SMS/MMS support, including Group Chats, Archiving, and more. There is also a slew of customizable notification options, including the ability to use Chat heads similar to Facebook Messenger.

Get from: Google Play Store

Get from: Google Play Store

SMS Organizer

SMS Organizer arose from a Microsoft Garage project and has turned into quite a popular SMS replacement. The Android app automatically organizes your inbox, while offering smart assistant options. These include creating tasks if you need to pay your friend back, for example. Microsoft has also included auto-backup to Google Drive in order to keep your messages safe and secure.

Get from: Google Play Store

Free with IAPs: Google Play Store

Handcent Next SMS messenger

Another app that has seen quite the transition over the years is Handcent. The texting app is now named Handcent Next and includes major features such as desktop notifications, cloud backups, and much more. Handcent continues to add more and more features and customization options in hopes to keep its user base happy while attracting new users.

Free with IAPs: Google Play Store

The best text messaging app also happens to be completely free

There are so many different SMS applications on the Google Play Store, so it can be hard to decide what's the best texting app for Android. Sometimes, you don't really need to look too hard. Google's Messages app comes pre-installed on many devices and is a great way to send text messages to your friends, family, and whomever else you wish. There are plenty of great selling points that make it the best text messaging app for Android.

Google has done such a great job with Messages over the years. Starting from RCS chatting features to file sharing and video calling, the app has really grown into its own. What was once a bare-bones texting app has now become one of the best Android apps, period. You can use the Messages app from your computer, view YouTube videos in-app, reply to individual threads, give emoji reactions, chat bubbles, star important messages, and so much more. Once Magic Compose is more widely available, Messages will become even more powerful than it is now.

If, for some reason, you don't want to use Google Messages, we recommend Pulse SMS as the next best messaging app. This comes from the makers of Talon for Twitter, and is just as customizable, if not more so. All of your conversations are encrypted from end-to-end and you can easily set up and take advantage of the web app to leave your eyes on your computer and not your phone.

Andrew Myrick
Senior Editor - Chromebooks, tablets, and wearables

Andrew Myrick is a Senior Editor at Android Central. He enjoys everything to do with technology, including tablets, smartphones, and everything in between. Perhaps his favorite past-time is collecting different headphones, even if they all end up in the same drawer.