• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

Best Free and Fastest SMS App for Android?

Virtually the same and a matter of personal opinion & style:
ChompSMS
Go SMS
Hancent

I tried Pansi SMS and I thought it was cool until I noticed that I wasn't receiving texts until I removed that app. Then all the texts that I was not receiving came pouring in all at once. Maybe just a coincidence or a glitched install but I'll be staying away from that app.

As for the other ones, unless you want the popup notification, the OEM messaging app works just fine.
 
Upvote 0
The best will be the one that suits you perfectly. Some people like Handcent, I dont. I prefer Go SMS, not because of the features (most of which I don't use) but because I like how it looks better (its cleaner without all the images). Fastest will also depend on the phone. One some phones handcent lags, on others it works faster than Go SMS. There are too many variables to say one is better than the other. Basically, the best SMS app for anyone is the one that has all the features they need, looks the way they want it, and runs fast on their particular phone.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Crashdamage
Upvote 0
The stock messenger, at least on my Samsung, puts your email address right at the top of the app. I don't really have any controversial sms, but don't like email addy showing.

I do have apps that are best used by sharing. Audubon Birds to another bird watcher in a group is one.

I can memorize email and phone numbers for at least an hour. Long enough to write it down. While not stealing info, could sign you up for spam. (I don't)

I figure if I can do this, so can someone else.
 
Upvote 0
I've tried them all, but have settled on Pansi - it's fast and takes up less space on my phone's memory. I've never had any issues with it at all.

What surprises me is that there are really only 4 SMS apps worth downloading, and the OP mentioned them all. There's a keyboard app for almost every day of the year, but only 4 decent SMS apps.

Why is this?
 
Upvote 0
Read the reviews on each, try each one for yourself and then make your own decision. It's like asking which gloves fit your hands the best? My personal opinion means very little, because it's a personal thing.
I tried several SMS apps and then settled for Handcent. But it's my own gloves ;-)
 
Upvote 0
So are these apps just for the messaging process itself or do they take the place of, say Verizon's, text/messaging plan (that has to be paid for) ?
My wife heard that there are apps for free texting/messaging services and wants to dump our Verizon plan for a freebie. Is this the same thing?

This topic is about the former: apps that work with the standard messaging process. There are some apps that function as messaging apps, but use your data/WiFi and not your messaging plan, but that's a totally different ballgame.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Parshooter
Upvote 0
Tried them all except for pansi (haven't heard of it till this thread) Chomp seemed a little "laggy" to me... Handcent was descent but was looking for something more "up to date". Found GoSMS and haven't looked back. Nice and smooth on my phone, nice themes, and great dev support. Like someone said earlier, it's a personal preference... Try them all and see which one suits YOUR NEEDS....
Cheers
 
Upvote 0
GoSMS/expandable has group feature for contacts and also manages the contacts in groups through expandable. However they forgot to have a search option for contacts. I have over 2000 contacts. I can not manage contacts in the groups through alphabetical scroll downs the thousands of contacts that I have. Looking for others.
Handcent does not do group messages. Wants other applications to be installed.
 
Upvote 0

BEST TECH IN 2023

We've been tracking upcoming products and ranking the best tech since 2007. Thanks for trusting our opinion: we get rewarded through affiliate links that earn us a commission and we invite you to learn more about us.

Smartphones