Facebook Messenger: the best alternatives for Android devices

If the Facebook Messenger for your Android smartphone no longer appeals to you, we will show you four successful alternatives in this practical tip.

ChatSecure: Safe alternative to Facebook Messenger

Download the free ChatSecure app and log in to your Facebook account. You can then send your messages encrypted.

• To do this, select the "New account" and "Connect to existing account" options in the "Settings". Tap on "Jabber (XMPP)" and log in to your Facebook account.
• Your Facebook friends will then appear within the app. Normal chats remain unencrypted. You can only start encrypted chat if one of your friends also installs ChatSecure.
• Note: Compared to the following apps, your messages are really securely encrypted at ChatSecure. However, this does not mean that the other providers are insecure. If you attach great importance to the potential security of your data, you are well served with ChatSecure.

IM + Pro: alternative for Facebook Messenger

The Android app "IM + Pro" could be an alternative for your Facebook messenger. Not only do you use the app to write to your Facebook friends, you can also use Skype to call your colleagues.

• The multi-messenger supports ICQ, MSN, Facebook, Skype and Hangouts (formerly Google Talk).
• Multiple accounts are possible.
• Contacts are saved in the app. For example, you can write people on Facebook without being friends with them and without constantly having to search for them again.
• The app currently costs just under 4 euros. You can get a free version here.

Talk.to: Alternative Facebook Messenger

With the "Talk.to" app you can also chat with several services. SMS can also be sent with the free Android app. This is how "Talk.to" becomes your new news center.

• Supports multiple services: Hangouts (formerly Google Talk), Facebook and SMS.
• Simple design and easy management of multiple accounts.
• The app is also available as a desktop version.
• The Android app is free.

Nimbuzz Messenger: alternative for Facebook Messenger

As a last alternative, we present the "Nimbuzz Messenger". With this messenger you can reach your friends in different ways. Send not only text messages, but also audio messages to your friends, for example.

• Make calls with Voice over IP. This saves you money, especially when you make calls abroad.
• Simple messenger app with all the important functions that is easy to use and available free of charge.
• Note: With the PC version of Nimbuzz you can also connect to Facebook, Yahoo or Hangouts and stay in touch with your friends. However, this function is not available on the smartphone.

All 4 apps are a good alternative to conventional Facebook messengers. In addition, the apps offer you the opportunity to chat with your contacts on other channels without any problems. You don't always have to switch messengers. This practical tip shows you how you can prevent spam on Facebook in the future.