Tech & Work

10 messaging apps to help you communicate more efficiently

By · December 9, 2014, 4:30 AM PST · ErinCarson

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  • Confide

    Confide is an ephemeral messaging app that's end-to-end encrypted, and geared toward professionals. Users run their finger over boxes covering the words of a message in order to only reveal two or three at a time. If someone tries to take a screenshot, the apps kicks them out of the message. Free, available for iOS and Android.

  • Eko

    Eko is a bit newer on the messaging app market. It's geared toward the enterprise in order to facilitate messaging co-workers, teams, and managing tasks. Eko was recently backed by the accelerator 500 Startups. There's a free standard version, as well as a paid enterprise version. Free, available for iOS and Android.

  • Fleep

    Fleep is for one-on-one and group messages. It syncs with email and, if a user wants to message someone who does not use it, Fleep can send the message as an email, and direct responses back to the app. Free, available for iOS and Android.

  • Hike Messenger

    Hike Messengers has the usual functions of a messaging app, but also functions like a social network, allowing for status updates and email. Free, available for iOS and Android.

  • Jongla

    Based in Finland, Jongla supports basic text, pictures, stickers, and a voice-to-text option. Free available for iOS and Android.

  • Red e App

    Like many secure messaging apps, Red e App offers messaging and file sharing. Where it differs is that it's aimed at hourly workers who may not have a desk or spend much time at a one, and who do not have a company email account. Free, available for iOS and Android.

  • Slack

    Slack has gotten a lot of buzz this year. The app includes both one-to-one messaging, as well as group messaging. It also supports file sharing and integration with tools like Twitter, Dropbox, and ZenDesk. Free, available for iOS and Android.

  • Surespot

    For the security-minded, Surespot is end-to-end encrypted and only allows messages to be read by the intended recipient. Images can't be pulled off messages and shared, and voice messages are also encrypted. Free, available for iOS and Android.

  • TalkBox

    TalkBox allows users to communicate through voice messages no more than a minute long. Free, available for iOS and Android. They've also added regular text chat.

  • TigerText

    TigerText is another ephemeral messaging app, though in this case, users can pick how long the message lasts. The app is also compliant with HIPAA, FINRA, Article8, and SOX. Other features include multiple inboxes, voice notes, and delivery confirmation. Free, available for iOS and Android.

Confide

Confide is an ephemeral messaging app that's end-to-end encrypted, and geared toward professionals. Users run their finger over boxes covering the words of a message in order to only reveal two or three at a time. If someone tries to take a screenshot, the apps kicks them out of the message. Free, available for iOS and Android.

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By Erin Carson

Erin Carson is a Staff Reporter for CNET and a former Multimedia Editor for TechRepublic.