Start a phone call with a friend from your computer or turn any Hangout into a live video call with up to 10 friends and keep the conversation going on multiple devices. Send photos, emojis, map locations or messages to friends with Google+ Hangouts. You can also “like” messages in GroupMe, and your friends don’t even need the GroupMe app-anyone can chat with groups over SMS. GroupMe allows you to share photos, animated GIFs, videos and your location, and if you want to send information privately, just tap that friend’s avatar for a direct private message. Set a picture for each group profile to easily identify them.

The free GroupMe app lets you set up multiple texting groups, so you can have a private chat among your fellow movie buffs, reminisce with your college friends, create a dedicated group for all your cousins and more. Create group chats to send friends photos while on your international vacation, keep in touch with colleagues while they’re on a business trip overseas, or arrange a movie night right in your hometown. Since the app works on data and wi-fi rather than sending text messages, your messages aren’t restricted by your network. WhatsApp is a versatile chat client that lets you talk with friends around the world. For a quick guide to these group text messaging apps, be sure to check out the chart at the bottom. Some group chat apps go the extra mile with emoticons and doodles, video calling capabilities and location sharing so your friends can find you.

Group text messaging apps will help you share whatever you want in one fell swoop, saving you the time and effort otherwise required to send that detail individually. Or maybe you’re planning a party and need to send your address to all the attendees.

Sometimes you need to share a photo of your crazy cat with a bunch of friends at once. These group text messaging apps let you have chats with multiple friends, family or co-workers.

3rd party text messaging apps