Want to chat anonymously over the Internet? Great choice! Besides being pen pals, you can establish a personal connection. We’re talking about becoming friends or even getting into an online relationship while keeping your identity a secret. Should you wish to take it to the next level, most apps allow sending images, static or dynamic, and some even have built-in video chatting functionality. In other words, you can take things at your own pace and make decisions without fear or social pressure, including blocking people you don’t vibe with. With that said, here’s our list of the best anonymous chat apps.
This article is for information purposes only. DO NOT use any anonymous chat applications for anything against the law or intentionally causing problems. You will be responsible for your actions.
How Do Anonymous Chat Apps Work?
Anonymous chat apps work by allowing users to chat with each other without having to register an account or reveal their identity. The level of privacy provided will vary app-to-app. Some of them may require registration but will not reveal the identity to the other party. Others may provide the ability to use guest accounts. The features will be based on what the specific app provides.
Most such applications use end-to-end encryption to make sure that the data being sent between the users is protected and cannot be decrypted. Features such as the “Disappearing Messages”, ability to make anonymous calls, also add to the privacy.
List of the Best Anonymous Chat Apps
After testing numerous chatting applications both for Android and iOS, we have gathered a pretty good list. They are safe, provide anonymity, and have a nice user interface.
Keep in mind that, not all these applications work the same. Some of them provide anonymity in terms of message protection, while others provide complete anonymity. Choose as per your needs. With that being said, here is a list of the top anonymous chat apps.
1. MICO (Android | iOS)
MICO is more than the best app for anonymous chat. It’s a full-fledged social media platform where users can choose to remain anonymous. Regardless of your profile creation, you can quickly find friends both nearby and across the globe, after which the world opens up. Besides sending text messages, you can live stream and watch other people’s live streams, join or create group chats, share photos and short videos publicly (akin to Instagram stories), and even join live video chat with one or up to 9 people you meet on the platform. Also, you can use a built-in translator to break the language barrier in real-time.
2. AntiChat (Android | iOS)
AntiChat is one of the best private apps for chatting with strangers – more than 1.6 million around the world, in fact. It is dedicated to people who don’t feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and emotions with people they know, so they turn to the Internet.
AntiChat not only encrypts the chat, both private and in 1000+ chat rooms but can be set to self-destruct messages per your requirements. More than 70 moderators carefully monitor chat for any inappropriate content, there’s no chat history, no names or personal information, and not even any ads, which is surprising.
3. WhatsApp (Android | iOS)
WhatsApp asks for a phone number during the signup process, but that’s all. You can register a free phone number with Google Voice, or buy a cheap SIM card, and stay incognito on WhatsApp even after the number expires. Any of your conversations, personal or in the group, are secured from prying eyes with a military-grade encryption algorithm.
The decryption key is stored locally, so unless the perpetrator has physical access, the chat looks like gibberish to him or her. Although not great at discovering people, the app is top-notch at protecting your anonymity.
4. SayHi Chat (Android | iOS)
SayHi Chat has a similar user interface (GUI) as WhatsApp but doesn’t have any form of encryption. What it does have is a possibility of opening a map, and seeing strangers’ vague locations marked with pins. Also, to help you find people with common interests, SayHi Chat allows you to set your age, interests, zodiac sign, height, body shape, ethnicity, blood type, and other personal things.
Besides looking up a profile directly, you can join random quizzes, voice or video chats to discover new users. After you match, the app allows you to exchange text, emojis, audio, pictures, and videos, and even send or receive gifts.
5. Moco (Android | iOS)
Moco is a privacy-oriented app for chatting that’s been around for years. Once you set your profile up with a nickname, picture, age, and location, none of which have to be real, the search begins. You get a chance to browse other people’s profiles by age, location, gender, and even sexual preference, and thus find exactly the people you’d vibe with. You also don’t have to settle for 1-on-1 chats either since you can join public lobbies or create group chats yourself. Another unique thing is the ability to do fun activities such as playing mobile games without leaving Moco.
6. HOLLA (Android)
HOLLA claims to have over 30 million users from 190 countries. The app permits chatting via text, audio, or video, directly with one of its users, or groups. After creating the profile you can search by gender or region. Also, all of the chat messages are automatically analyzed and translated into your native language. Conversations can be spiced up with built-in filters and stickers, akin to those on Snapchat. HOLLA also promises to have a 24/7 moderation system to ensure safety. Sadly, they took the iOS app down and have yet to reinstate it.
7. Connected2.me (Android | iOS)
If you’re a fan of Instagram and Snapchat, but need a privacy-oriented chat app alternative, Connected2.me is the answer. You don’t need an account to search, lurk, or chat with people, since the app generates a random username for you. This also allows you to send voice and images to other users. Upon opening the app, you’ll see a list of users nearby. Once you finish or skip, the app will take you to the home page, allowing you to discover users by the Stories they posted. Signing up is only needed if you plan on posting Stories.
8. Chatous (Android | iOS)
Chatous is the best private chat app if you are passionate about certain topics. It works similarly to Twitter, where you can discover passionate discussions based on a topic or field of interest through hashtags. As soon as you enter a hashtag, Chatous will place you into a chat room dedicated to it, and you’re off to the races. Like on Twitter, you don’t have to reveal your identity. You can then send text, audio, pictures, and images, and even search and embed YouTube videos without leaving the app.
9. Whisper (Android | iOS)
Whisper is an anonymous app for chatting. As such, it provides a safe way to express yourself fully, without fear of discovery or judgment. After creating your profile, you can join already established groups or create your own. Furthermore, you can see a list of people nearby based on distance and common interests. If you seek to find a soulmate far away, feel free to browse lists of Popular or Latest temporary posts, akin to Facebook Stories.
10. Wakie (Android | iOS)
Wakie started as a remote alarm app that allowed strangers to wake you up. Since then, it turned into an anonymous chatting app that allows you to hide every part of your profile. Wakie has 1-to-1 text chatting but primarily focuses on voice calls.
For example, companies or users can ask a question. Then, everyone can see it on the live feed and call the poster to discuss it. This works the other way around too. You can listen to other people’s opinions, requests, and suggestions, or just chit-chat via audio.