WhatsApp not free for you anymore? Check-out these 5 apps

NEW DELHI, INDIA: WhatsApp is no doubt, one of the best and most popular file sharing apps in the world. The app has for several people become a part of their daily life. However, the app is not free for iPhone users and is free only for a year when it comes to Android users.

But, the good news is that now there are hoards of free messaging apps on Google Play, Apple App store, BlackBerry OS and Symbian. Let us take a look at five alternatives to WhatsApp.

WeChat: With messaging capabilities similar to WhatsApp, WeChat is available for free on smartphone platforms iOS, Android, Windows, Symbian and BlackBerry. WeChat, owned by China-based Tencent, is eyeing a user-base surge which currently stands at roughly 300 million. It has also recently wedged deals with Yahoo Cricket, Tradus, Goibibo, Cafe Coffee Day and Big Bazaar. To check-out this app, click here.

Viber: An app that is probably most widely used after WhatApp is Viber. With a rating of 4.4 on Google Play and iTunes, this free calls, messages and file sharing app seems to be hugely popular. According to the figures shown on Google Play, this app is being user by 200 million people worldwide. ''Anyone who gives this less than 5 stars is crazy! Its a free application that provides calling just as if you were on the telephone. The clarity is so amazing. It doesn't make your phone hot and it didn't bug on me at all. Love it !'' says a users review on Google Play. To know more about this app, click here.

LINE: A lesser known app when compared to WhatsApp, but LINE apparently has 160 million users worldwide, according to its description on Google Play. Along with features like free messaging, file sharing and calls, the app also has a social network feature where users can post updates on their 'Timeline'. There is also a PC Version of the app. Click here to know more about this app.

Skype: You can send instant messages and make free Skype-to-Skype video calls via this app. ''Free voice and video calls to anyone else on Skype, whether they're on an Android, iPhone, Mac or PC,'' says its description. Users can send pictures, videos and files to any of their contacts, according to Skype. To learn more about Skype, click here.

KakaoTalk: KakaoTalk is a free mobile messenger application for smartphones with free text and free call features. It is available on iOS, Android, Bada OS, BlackBerry and Windows Phone. KakaoTalk provides free call and text messaging service. In addition, users can share diverse contents and information from photos, videos, voice messages, URL links to contact information. Both one-on-one chat and group chats are available. Users in group chats can do free call. Furthermore, if someone doesn't want to call in group chats, he or she can push ignore button. To learn more about the app, click here.

So, after going through the description of the apps, which app according to you is the alternative for WhatsApp? Do let us know.