Along with the boom in smartphones around the world, instant messaging applications created by technology tycoons or startups have been downloaded in almost every mobile device. The main reason why these apps are such a big hit with users is because they are easy to use and, more importantly, free.

WhatsApp

WhatsApp Messenger is a cross-platform mobile messaging app that allows users to exchange messages without having to pay for them.

On February 19, 2014, Facebook Inc. announced it was acquiring WhatsApp Inc for $19 billion. Currently, it has 450 million active monthly users, according to the company.

WhatsApp\'s facebook official account

Viber

Developed by Viber Media, it is a proprietary cross-platform instant messaging voice over Internet protocol application for smartphones. In addition to text messaging, users can exchange images, videos andaudio messages.

On 14 February 2014, the company was acquired by Rakuten for $900 million. It has more than 300 million subscribers.

Viber\'s facebook official account

WeChat

WeChat, the mobile messaging application released by China\'s Internet giant Tencent, has 450 million monthly active users.

WeChat\'s facebook official account

LINE

LINE is a Japanese proprietary application for instant messaging on smartphones and personal computers that allows users to make free voice calls and send free messages. Stickers and emoticons used in the app are popular among teenagers.

The company announced on February 25, 2014, at a press conference in Tokyo that it will open its sticker marketplace to designers and companies.

Line\'s facebook official account

KakaoTalk

KakaoTalk is a multi-platform texting app created by South Korean team that allows iPhone, Android and BlackBerryusers to send and receive messages for free. It has achieved 100 million subscribers since its release on March 18, 2010.

Kakao Talk\'s facebook official account

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Kik

Kik Messenger is an instant messaging application for mobile devices. Kik Messenger was released on October 19, 2010, by Kik Interactive.

The company was founded in 2009 by a group of students from the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

Kik\'s facebook official account

Tango

According to a US magazine, The Network Journal, Tango is a free video chat app that allows users to send texts, make video and phone calls, share photos and videos, and even play games with their family and friends while calling them.

It works seamlessly across all smartphones, tablets and PCs and requires no logins and passwords.

Tango\'s facebook official account

Nimbuzz

Nimbuzz is a proprietary cross-platform instant messaging aggregator for smartphones, tablets and personal computers developed by Nimbuzz B.V.

According to ACNielsen, Nimbuzz is a strong competitor to Facebook Messenger in Asia, especially India. As of March last year, India had 25 million Nimbuzz users out of 100 millionmobile Internetusers.

Nimbuzz\'s facebook official account

Hike

Hike is a communication app that offers both instant messaging and SMS under one roof, according to NDTV.com, an Indian TV network. It has been developed by Bharti Softbank, which is jointly held by India\'s Bharti Telecom and Japan\'s Softbank telecom provider. The app is the brainchild of Kavin Bharti Mittal.

Hike\'s facebook official account

MessageMe

MessageMe is a free smartphone messenger that offers the freedom and versatility to express users\' own unique personality in every message.

Based in Los Angeles, the app was officially launched in 2013 in the intensely competitive IM market.

MessageMe\'s facebook official account