Messaging these days no longer requires users to have a text message plan included on their smartphone plan, although most come with it as part of the package now. No, all you need is data and a smartphone thanks to the sea of messaging apps available from the Play Store. Yabb is a chat app which allows users to chat and talk with their contacts and send messages back forth as well as photos, and the app also supports voice and video calls as well. The app is a free chat service which supports many of the same things you can find in other chat or messenger apps too.
Before you can get started with free texting you’ll need to head to the Play Store and download the Yabb messenger app.
As stated Yabb is a free messaging app, however any contacts you want to chat with will also need to have the Yabb app installed just like with any other messaging app. If you don’t have any contacts already using it, Yabb makes it easy to send out invites with a dedicated “invite” button.
You can simply send messages, or you can insert photos, but the app also allows you to call for free too. This includes voice and video calls.
You can message contacts one on one if you like, but Yabb also supports group chats so you can gather all of your friends and family in one chat if you like and get everybody talking and on the same page. This proves to be useful as you don’t need to message everyone individually.
If you’re someone who enjoys sending stickers and emojis, Yabb supports the sending of both and even lets you set custom backgrounds for your chats.
You can also search for YouTube videos all from within the Yabb app and share them with your single or group chats so others can experience the fun. While you can chat with your own personal contacts, Yabb also lets you chat with nearby users adding an element of meeting new people.
Those who like to keep things private will enjoy the Secret Messaging feature that allows you to message people in a private chat. This ensures only the people involved in this chat can see the messages, and while you can delete any messages you want manually, you can also set messages to delete on a timer automatically from the recipient’s device.
Another element called “shout out messages” allows you to message multiple people but the contacts can only see that you messaged them and are not aware of the other contacts who received the message. Those who want to talk to contacts internationally can do so as Yabb also supports free voice and chats with international users.
Self-destructing messages can be set to disappear anywhere from 1-15 seconds, and can include messages, videos, photos, and location all which delete after the allotted time set by you. Yabb also has a nice set of built-in photo editor tools so you can do things like add filters and other effects as well as create your own memes.
When it comes to messaging apps Yabb seems to be pretty full-featured and has a lot to offer anyone looking for ways to chat in groups or one on one. The inclusion of things like private messaging with self-destructing contexts is a really nice touch for those who value privacy as is the ability to share things like location, videos, photos and more. The photo editor is also a nice built-in tool that should make it easy and more enjoyable for those who want to share that kind of content.
Ratings
- Speed (4/5) – using the app was effortless and didn’t seem to bog down at all
- Features (5/5) – Lots of stuff here to love. If you want a messaging app with tons of features, Yabb is it
- Theme (3.5/5) – The UI is nice and doesn’t feel cluttered at all. Everything is accessible
- Overall (4/5) – When it comes right down to it Yabb is a pretty good messaging app
Pros
- Lots of features
- Private messages and self-destructing content controlled by the sender
- Free voice calls, video calls, and messaging including to international Yabb users
- Emojis and animated stickers, regular stickers etc.
- Photo editor tools, video search and share via YouTube from within the app
Cons
- The UI is a little dated taking some elements from Ice Cream Sandwich. Would like to see a new and modern material design UI here, but the current UI is still decent
Conclusion
Overall Yabb is a good messaging app that has lots to offer potential users. The ability to message, call, and video call for free even internationally will certainly capture many users, and in an age where privacy is a big concern for a lot of people, having privacy controls for users is a nice touch that you don’t see in some other messaging apps.