For all the things that Android does really well, messaging is the one area that is still a little subpar compared to that other popular mobile platform.

That’s because manufacturers have traditionally preloaded a utilitarian texting app that looked like it was built in an overnight jam session right before the ship date. You can do better. Here are four solid options (clearly developers like the color blue for their app icon) that will give you a better texting experience throw in a few extra tricks to make things more personalized efficient. 

Android Messages

If you want the quick simple answer for what texting app to get, go with Android Messages. Formerly known as Messenger, it’s the focus of ’s efforts to build a better texting system through a technology called RCS. en that future arrives, probably sometime around 2025, you’ll get real-time typing notifications, more reliable messaging, support for sending images at a higher resolution.

Since that won’t be here soon, you may want to focus on the current benefits. The app lets you differentiate conversations by assigning a different color to contacts, which is very helpful for keeping things straight. It also supports app shortcuts, so you can hop right into a conversation with someone specific. I’ve sent the text to the wrong person about a billion times when using an ione, but it’s never happened with this app since it’s clearer to differentiate.

The apps also flawlessly implements GIFs emoji to liven up the conversations. Other options are relatively straightforward, such as getting SMS delivery reports (kills the excuse of “I didn’t get your text”) tweaking the sounds. The real benefit is that is finally taking messaging seriously, so you can trust this app should see future development.

Textra SMS

Hs down the best alternative to Android Messages is Textra SMS. In my day-to-day usage I stick to the former choice because has finally decided to put more stock into a default xel app, but I know that many people love swear by Textra.

Textra is a great choice if you really want to jazz up your text interface you love customization choices. You have what feels like a limitless way to tweak the interface, changing up the colors aesthetic view of the message bubbles.

The animations are also nice, putting some extra spunk into your texting. so, be sure to download the Textra Emoji add-on so you can get access to everything from the latest Unicode stard.

A great power user feature is the ability to force the texts to go from SMS to MMS for longer messages.  This avoids the garbled message groups that sometimes happen with longer conversations. Spend time in the settings to customize this many other tweaks available.

Signal

A lot of people have taken a greater interest in privacy these days. But getting everybody to get on board with your new secret messaging app is the pain point of any over-the-top service. Signal might have the solution for you, as it hles end-to-end encryption but will also do regular ol’ texting.

You can tell the app to be your default SMS application, so it can receive both those encrypted messages through the service stard texts. A banner will appear at first at the top of conversations sent via SMS so you can encourage your friends family to join you in the world of enhanced privacy.

Beyond that, Signal offers a clean interface builds a nice bridge to a more secure system that you may want to drag others into. It also tells you right in each text when if they were delivered, so there’s no question if the contact got the message. You have a few choices for customization, but the main focus is on privacy eliminating the need for two messaging apps.

Voice

Speaking of , there’s always the freshly updated Voice. OK, so it means you might have to use a different number than the one you have now, but there are some things to consider that might make Voice the right choice.

If you miss the ability to message contacts from the desktop, you’ll appreciate the freshly designed Voice web app. And if you tend to bounce between devices like the idea of all your calls, voicemails, texts easily accessible from any place, then Voice is worth another look.

The key will be if sticks to its pledge to keep building up the service after the recent revamp. It was essentially aboned for years, if goes that route again we’ll have to reverse our recommendation.

fe as a green bubble can be tough. You may be shunned by those in iMessage world, but the upside is you have considerably more freedom to message the way you want. th that spirit in mind, take some time to try out these apps or peruse the ay Store to find something that will deliver the experience you’re after.