Obviously, a text messaging app has to let you send text messages, and adding photos and videos is more or less the standard with these type of apps. All use data, so any texting limits you have with your carrier don't apply and the ones that make calls are free for people who have the app. To its credit, Apple has made strides with iOS' Messages app with features such as being able to send your location and voice memos, while Android will let you send contacts and other business-related tasks, but there's not much fun in that.įortunately, third-party messaging apps are mostly free, offer fun extras, and some even have added features like encryption to keep your messages secure. Sure, you can send photos and videos, and probably emoticons, but beyond that the default chat apps are pretty bare. While every smartphone has a default messaging app, none have many extras. There is no shortage of third-party messaging apps in either the iTunes App Store or the Google Play Store and it's pretty easy to see why.

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