1. Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger is a free OTT messaging app that works over 3G or Wi-Fi, linked to Facebook's social network. Initially, Facebook Messenger was integrated within Facebook, but it has since evolved into an independent app, enabling users to chat with friends and strangers alike.
Messenger allows you to send messages, make phone calls, and video calls for free. The process is simple – just tap the phone or video icon at the top right. Conversations are easier than ever, and you can even start group video calls with up to 50 participants. Additionally, you can customize your chats by changing the text color, renaming participants, or creating group names, making your conversations more engaging.
Website: https://www.messenger.com/


2. Instagram
Instagram is a free platform designed for sharing photos and videos. In other words, it's a social network where users post visual content. Acquired by Facebook in 2012, Instagram has since experienced rapid growth, surpassing Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest in terms of speed. Within a year of merging with Facebook, Instagram reached 150 million monthly users.
Instagram is now available across multiple operating systems, including Apple iOS, Android, and Windows Phone. Users can easily upload photos and videos, sharing everyday moments with their followers or close friends. Additionally, it allows for interaction through likes, comments, and viewing content shared by others. Today, Instagram has become a leading platform in digital communication, whether used for personal, business, or creative purposes, with its user base growing steadily.
Website: https://www.instagram.com/


3. WeChat
WeChat is a widely used messaging app in China, developed by Tencent in 2011. The app supports text, video, image, and voice messaging, as well as the ability to create group chats and find nearby friends.
The core feature of WeChat is messaging, and users are given a unique QR code to exchange contact details with others. WeChat also includes a mini social network called 'Moments' where users can share personal photos, videos, and moments with friends, as well as comment on their posts. One of the most popular features is WeChat Pay, which allows users to make payments for everything from shopping malls to street vendors and even taxis. WeChat is available in over 20 languages and used in more than 200 countries. With over 900 million daily users, more than 38 billion messages are sent every day.
Website: https://web.wechat.com/


4. TikTok
TikTok is a Chinese social media and music video platform launched in 2017 for iOS and Android in markets outside mainland China. The app was created by Zhang Yiming, the founder of ByteDance. ByteDance initially introduced Douyin for the Chinese market in September 2016. TikTok was then launched in 2017 for the international audience. It became globally available, including in the United States, after merging with Musical.ly on August 2, 2018.
Today, TikTok is one of the fastest-growing platforms worldwide, with a massive music video community. Known for its short video format, TikTok allows users to create lip-syncing, dancing, comedy, and talent videos ranging from 3 to 15 seconds, as well as looped videos up to 60 seconds (recently extended to 3 minutes). The range of content you can upload on TikTok is virtually endless, making it a bite-sized version of YouTube where users share everything from tutorials to tech entertainment videos.
Website: https://www.tiktok.com/


5. QQ
QQ, also known as Tencent QQ, is an instant messaging software developed by the renowned tech company Tencent. While QQ initially started as a messaging service, it has since expanded, allowing users to create accounts for various services such as music streaming, shopping, and online gaming.
Using a QQ account is similar to other platforms like Zalo, Facebook, or Yahoo but with some unique features tailored to Chinese users. QQ is highly rated for offering a wide range of services and features, such as high-quality video calls even with weak internet connections. The app's user interface is praised for being intuitive, friendly, and clear. Additionally, QQ offers an extensive collection of icons and emojis to make messaging and social interactions more dynamic. Users can also share videos and images on social networks, and use QQ for gaming and convenient online shopping.
Website: https://im.qq.com/


6. Telegram
Telegram is a free, highly secure messaging app that guarantees fast message delivery and a user-friendly experience. It can be used across multiple devices, with messages syncing seamlessly on all logged-in devices.
With Telegram, you can send various types of content, including text messages, images, videos, audio files, and documents. It also supports the creation of large groups with up to 200,000 members. To find contacts, you can search by phone number or username. Telegram combines features of SMS and email, making it suitable for both personal and business communication. Additionally, Telegram offers end-to-end encrypted voice calls. While it may not appeal to users already satisfied with other messaging apps, Telegram is an excellent choice for those prioritizing security and privacy.
Website: https://telegram.org/


7. Snapchat
Snapchat currently boasts 150 million daily active users and is considered one of the most engaging advertising platforms. It is a photo messaging app designed for mobile devices running Android and iOS.
Developed by a team of Stanford University students, Snapchat was created to share images, videos, text, and drawings, all sent to a select group of recipients. A unique feature of Snapchat is that messages disappear 10 seconds after being viewed, and all content vanishes from the user's wall within 24 hours. Although this self-destructing messaging feature may seem trivial, it has made Snapchat a popular platform, especially among younger audiences. Users can send sensitive messages or images that will disappear shortly after viewing, creating a sense of freedom in conversation. Additionally, Snapchat allows users to draw or add images to their photo messages before sending them to friends.
Website: https://www.snapchat.com/


8. Facebook
Facebook (commonly known as FB) is one of the world's leading social media platforms and the top platform in Vietnam. It allows people from all over the world to connect, bridging geographic gaps. Members can interact by chatting, posting images, videos, comments, and sharing personal updates.
Founded in 2004 in the United States, Facebook was created by Mark Zuckerberg, along with his Harvard University classmates and roommates Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes. Today, Facebook is recognized as one of the Big Four tech companies, alongside Amazon, Apple, and Google. Facebook enables users to connect with friends through various networks such as city, workplace, or school. It also serves as a prime platform for business and commerce, offering a space for entrepreneurs to sell their products. As Facebook continues to grow, it remains a major hub for both social interaction and online business.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/


9. YouTube
YouTube is a social platform where users can share videos uploaded from their computers or phones. Created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, YouTube was acquired by Google in 2006 for approximately $1.65 billion. Since then, it has grown into the largest video-sharing site globally, ranking second in popularity among music platforms worldwide.
Designed specifically for video sharing, YouTube allows millions of users worldwide to create accounts and upload videos for anyone to watch. Every minute, over 35 hours of video content are uploaded by creators. The platform offers a space for users to view, like, share, comment, and upload their own videos. Accessible on PCs, laptops, tablets, and mobile devices, YouTube lets users upload, view, share, add to playlists, report, and comment on videos. The platform also supports WebM technology for video playback.
Website: https://www.youtube.com/


10. WhatsApp
WhatsApp is a leading free messaging and calling platform used by millions worldwide. It has become one of the most popular text and voice messaging apps, enabling users to easily chat across both phones and computers.
The app allows users to send text and voice messages, make voice and video calls, and share images, documents, locations, and more. With its standout features, WhatsApp quickly gained a global user base. As long as you're connected to Wi-Fi or 4G, you can message, send videos and images, and make international calls at no cost. One of the key features of WhatsApp is its end-to-end encryption, which ensures that your conversations are secure and protected from unauthorized access. This makes WhatsApp a top choice for those who value privacy and security in their communication.
Website: https://www.whatsapp.com/


