I used Kik through college and a bit after. I liked the usernames, the quick chats, and those messy group threads that felt alive at 2 a.m. When my main group drifted, I went looking for apps that gave me the same feel. If you're on the same quest, my deeper dive into apps like Kik that actually worked for me breaks down the pros and cons in even more detail.
I didn’t want my phone number flying around. I wanted big groups, easy media, and a little chaos—good chaos.
Here’s what I tried, what stuck, and what didn’t. I’ll keep it real. I used these apps for family stuff, team chats, travel plans, and yes, a sleepy book club that got very loud on Friday nights.
What I wanted from a “Kik-ish” app
- Usernames or some way to hide my number
- Big group chats that don’t break
- Fast media sharing (gifs, stickers, voice notes)
- Simple tools to block or mute weird messages
- Fun, but not a junk yard
You know what? Not every app nailed all of that. But a few came close.
Telegram — big, fast, a bit loud
I run a neighborhood swap group on Telegram. We trade plants, lamps, and once, a giant beanbag I regretted carrying up the stairs. Usernames help a lot. I don’t share my number, and I still chat just fine. Bots run polls; stickers get silly; files send fast.
- What I like: usernames, huge groups, quick media, bots, channels
- What bugs me: open groups can get spammy; real end-to-end privacy only in Secret Chats; too many public invite links
Tip: I set “Who can add me to groups” to contacts only. Cuts down on random invites by a lot.
Discord — amazing for groups, busy for DMs
My book club meets on Discord. We have channels for picks, spoilers, and snack pics. Voice chat for reading sprints is gold. It feels like a clubhouse more than a simple chat app. DMs work, but servers are the heart.
- What I like: clear channels, roles, voice rooms, good mod tools
- What bugs me: the UI can feel busy; takes more setup; not great for quick one-on-one chats with strangers
If your old Kik crew wants a “home,” Discord is great. If you only want fast DMs, maybe not.
Signal — private, calm, almost too calm
I use Signal with my partner when we travel. It’s private by default (end-to-end), which gives me peace. Disappearing messages help when we share IDs or flight details. Signal now lets you share a unique name so you don’t have to share your number with strangers, which is nice. But you still sign up with a number.
- What I like: strong privacy, clean layout, no randoms
- What bugs me: fewer fun extras, smaller vibe; some friends won’t switch
Great for serious chats and small groups. Not ideal for huge public rooms.
WhatsApp — everyone’s there, but your number is too
I use WhatsApp for family overseas. It just works. Voice notes, photos, group calls—no drama. Communities help organize many groups under one roof. But you do share your number, and that’s the trade.
- What I like: stable, common, good calls, multi-device now works well
- What bugs me: number is public to the group; limited usernames; fewer playful bits
If your crew already lives here, it’s an easy win.
Snapchat — fast, playful, not great for records
My cousin and I keep a streak. We send nonsense. It’s fun. Group chats are okay, and usernames help with privacy. But chat history fades, which I love until I need to find an address I forgot to save. Oops.
- What I like: quick snaps, Bitmoji, silly energy, usernames
- What bugs me: messages vanish; not great for long-term plans
Use it for fun, not planning.
If your chats ever tilt toward flirty snaps or NSFW selfies, it’s worth brushing up on safety basics before you hit “send.” A straightforward French guide—je montre mon minou—walks you through consent checkpoints, smart camera angles, and privacy tips so your spicy pics stay fun and secure instead of becoming tomorrow’s headache.
LINE — stickers with feelings (and a lot of them)
I used LINE to plan a Japan trip with two friends. The sticker packs are a whole mood. You can set a LINE ID, which helps with privacy. Calls are fine, and group chats feel cozy.
- What I like: cute stickers, themes, LINE ID, solid group calls
- What bugs me: busy interface; not common in my U.S. circles
If your friends are on LINE, it’s lovely. If not, it’s hard to pull them over.
GroupMe — great for teams, a bit plain
My rec soccer team lives on GroupMe. New players join fast, and no one overthinks it. I like that it feels light. But media gets fuzzy, and search is meh when I try to find that one field map.
- What I like: easy groups, low friction, works for casual teams
- What bugs me: no end-to-end privacy, basic features, media quality
Perfect for “we play at 7, bring water.” Not for deep chats.
Viber — solid calls, lively stickers
My cousin in Eastern Europe likes Viber, so I use it with her. It does calls and stickers well. Groups hold up fine. It uses your phone number, though.
- What I like: good voice/video, fun sticker packs, big groups
- What bugs me: number required; promo messages pop up sometimes
If your family uses Viber, you’ll be happy here.
Threema — private without a phone number
I bought Threema for a small film crew chat. No phone number needed—just a random ID. It feels safe and simple, and it’s a one-time purchase, not a subscription.
- What I like: strong privacy, no number, clean app
- What bugs me: paid app; smaller user base, so it’s hard to convince friends
If you want Kik-style anonymity but safer, this hits the mark.
Element (Matrix) — nerdy, but powerful
I set up an Element room for a local maker club. It uses usernames, supports big rooms, and has end-to-end privacy in private spaces. You can even run your own server, which is cool but… yeah, nerdy.
- What I like: usernames, strong privacy in private rooms, open system
- What bugs me: setup can be confusing; invites can be clunky for new folks
Great for communities that like tools and don’t mind a learning curve.
So which one actually feels like Kik?
- Most “Kik-like” vibe: Telegram (usernames, big groups, loud energy)
- Best for big, organized groups: Discord
- Strongest privacy for small chats: Signal or Threema
- Easiest for family: WhatsApp or Viber
- Most playful: Snapchat or LINE
- Low-effort teams: GroupMe
If you want the username + big group chaos like old Kik rooms, start with Telegram. If you want a home base with channels and voice, go Discord. For true private stuff, pick Signal or Threema.
Before you make the leap, Woopid offers a smart side-by-side look at these apps that can help you decide in minutes. And if you’re venturing into dating territory and wondering about new chat-forward options, check out my honest take on whether Duet is a good dating app.
Prefer to ditch the pixels altogether and meet talkative new people in the flesh? The coastal lounge vibe at Tryst Long Beach offers themed mixer nights, clear dress-code guidance, and practical etiquette tips so you can glide past small-talk jitters and dive straight into real conversation.
For an even broader comparison of group messaging platforms, the deep-dive rundowns from Messente and Lark Suite give a clear view of where each app shines.
Small things that made a big difference
- Mute smart: I mute noisy groups but keep mentions on. Saves my sanity.
- Keep a “parking lot” chat: I drop addresses and key info in a quiet DM with myself, so it won’t vanish.
- Use IDs when you can: Usernames or IDs help you chat without giving your number. It’s a nice boundary.
- Set join rules: On apps with open groups, I keep invites in trusted circles. Fewer weird DMs.
Honestly, I miss Kik some days—the messy threads, the surprise new people, the energy. But I don’t miss the randoms or the chaos that never slept. With the right mix—Telegram for big groups, Signal for close friends—I get the fun and the calm