In Android KitKat Google has changed the main app to send and read SMS which is now called Hangouts which also includes the Google chat service, absolutely not necessary. In Android previous versions the default app for SMS is called Messages which works well but is very simple.
On other smartphones such as Samsung Galaxy the SMS app is often simple, not very innovative and impractical, especially inferior to the alternatives described in this article
Like everything in Android, if you want to change something, just download an alternative app and also for SMS messages there are several free applications alternative to the default one, with some more functions.
In this article, the best apps to send receive and read SMS on Android phones, clearly better than the system default, which in both the old and new Android versions really leaves something to be desired.
READ ALSO: Receive and Send SMS from your computer (Android and iPhone)
1) Textra SMS is a really elegant app with a nice bright interface that makes it easy and pleasant to read SMS messages and browse received ones.
It includes a number of additional features including animated emojis, a popup for quick reading and response, MMS, group messages and customization of the theme, from light to dark.
Textra SMS was the app that I had initially chosen as the default on my Android smartphone, in my opinion the best ever.
After the ad appeared, however, my preference went to the second of this list, Google Messenger.
2) Messenger, the Google SMS app, installable on all smartphones, very fast, light and fluid, with different options such as that to block unwanted text messages.
Messenger displays the messages received directly on the screen and allows you to reply on the fly or mark it as read.
3) Facebook Messenger can send and receive SMS as the default app.
4) ChompSMS is another very popular and long used app to manage SMS on Android smartphones better than Hangouts or the default Messaging app.
This app, really comfortable and with a nice minimalist interface in gray, uses the profile photos of the contacts in the address book and inserts them in small circles in the left pane.
Touching any circle opens the list of SMS sent and received by that contact.
The application also makes it easier to send photos with MMS and the window of each contact also gives options to call them or open their profile.
Chomp SMS also allows you to customize sounds and notifications of message reception.
This application is very light, minimal, which works well even on older or low memory phones.
5) GO SMS is the most popular alternative, also because it has existed for a long time, by the authors of Go-Launcher.
The application has a much more invasive and heavy interface, but it is also full of extra functions.
Among the many we mention the possibility to make an online backup of the messages so as not to lose them and possibly bring them back to another phone, the possibility to cancel the sending of an SMS sent, block SMS from unwanted numbers.
Unfortunately, there is also advertising that can only be removed by paying for the Pro version.
6) QKSMS is a free application for Android with options to customize the graphic theme, with the ability to make a quick response, change the font thickness and size, hide or disable avatars and to change several other things.
7) Handscent SMS is another popular app that has been around for a long time, widely used and very easy to use, with many configuration options to customize the appearance and reading of messages.
It supports emojis, has a powerful search function and supports scheduled SMS sending
8) EvolveSMS has an interface very similar to that of Hangouts, with some customization options, themes and various more options and functions that can be unlocked only by paying.
The app is very fluid, with the SMS displayed in the form of a conversation, with the photo of the contact profiles.
You can easily send pictures, GIFs, audios, videos, contact cards and your current location.
You can back up your messages in Dropbox, create templates and protect your messages.
EvolveSMS also comes with a widget to add on the main screen.
9) Pulse SMS is a really beautiful SMS app graphically, among the best, free, with updated and modern graphics.
10) MySMS, very fluid app that I had already talked about, which allows you to backup messages online and which also works to send SMS from your PC or tablet
READ ALSO: Filter calls and block unwanted SMS from unwelcome numbers (Android)
