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Top Rated Social Networking Software with Chat/Messaging in 2026

Verified reviewer profile picture
Verified reviewer profile picture

All user reviews are verified by in-house moderators and provider data by our software research team.  Learn more

Last updated: April 2026

Chat/messaging enables direct, private conversations, fostering personal connections and real-time interactions. It supports communication with friends, family, and customers, enhances user engagement, and facilitates business transactions and customer support. Our reviewers in social networking software rated this feature as important.

3 Best Social Networking Software with Chat/Messaging

  • Meta for Business - Highest rated for chat/messaging
  • Microsoft Viva Engage
  • Instagram

See other top Social Networking products with chat/messaging

How we picked the 3 top rated products

We chose the high-performing solutions on this list based on verified user ratings on our site. Depending on available data, qualifying products either had to be among the most user-reviewed or the most searched-for products in the social networking software category. They also needed to have sufficient reviews about chat/messaging, have a minimum user rating of 3 out of 5 for that feature, and show evidence of U.S. market presence. We then added a distinction for the product with the highest rating for chat/messaging based on our proprietary ratings and reviews. Sponsorship or client status has no influence on the selection of these products, but it may impact the order in which products appear.

Details for the 3 best products

Meta for Business logo
4.4
(2.3K)
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User insights about the chat/messaging feature

Reviewers appreciate Meta for Business's chat/messaging capabilities for their speed and efficiency in exchanging messages. They value the ability to manage messages from multiple platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp in one place. Users find it helpful for communicating quickly with customers, scheduling appointments, and resolving issues. They also highlight the broadcast channel feature for sending messages to multiple groups and the ability to set automatic responses. However, some users mention occasional message delays and confusion due to the separate app interface.
“Chat is so critical to have, especially if a majority of your clients go to your social channels for customer service. It's great to have certain automatic responses and templates set up to make responding quicker and more efficient. It's great. ”
Verified reviewer profile picture

Gina K.

Marketing Director

“I like That you can create a broadcast channel and send message to a multiple group of people at once. ”
TM

Tobias M.

Graphic Designer

Social Networking key features coverage

Meta for Business offers 4 out of the 5 key features for Social Networking software identified by reviewers:

Social Promotion4.4
Activity/News Feed4.4
Content Management4.4
User Profiles4.4
Alerts/Notifications

Pros and cons based on 2,372 verified reviews

59% of users rated Meta for Business 5 out of 5 stars, while 2% gave it 1 or 2 stars. To determine these pros and cons insights we analyzed 2,372 reviews and identified the topics where users expressed positive and negative sentiment.

Pros:

Connecting with family

Global connectivity

Maintaining relationships

Community engagement

Facilitating business growth

Cons:

Inconsistent content moderation

Privacy concerns

Ineffective customer support

Fake and hacked accounts

Notification overload

See pros and cons details

Pricing

Free version:Not available|Free trial:Not available

Prices may vary depending on the number of users and features.

Microsoft Viva Engage logo
4.2
(819)
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User insights about the chat/messaging feature

Reviewers indicate that Microsoft Viva Engage's chat/messaging feature is useful for team communication and sharing information. They appreciate the ease of sending messages, kudos, and interacting with team members, which helps reduce the feeling of isolation in remote work. Users find it helpful for staying updated on company happenings and engaging in discussions. However, some feel that it is redundant if they are already using Microsoft Teams, and others mention difficulty in locating the chat feature on the platform.
“Chat / messaging allows responses to articles, questions, and for sale ads directly to the appropriate individuals. ”
KS

Karen S.

Technical Professional IV

“Easy to send messages / kudos to team mates. Removes the feeling of remote siloed working.”
Verified reviewer profile picture

Jack H.

Comms and digital

Social Networking key features coverage

Microsoft Viva Engage offers 4 out of the 5 key features for Social Networking software identified by reviewers:

Social Promotion
Activity/News Feed4.5
Content Management3.6
User Profiles4.3
Alerts/Notifications4.4

Pros and cons based on 819 verified reviews

45% of users rated Microsoft Viva Engage 5 out of 5 stars, while 4% gave it 1 or 2 stars. To determine these pros and cons insights we analyzed 819 reviews and identified the topics where users expressed positive and negative sentiment.

Pros:

Global colleague communication

Efficient file sharing

Centralized news sharing

Enhanced employee engagement

Cons:

Overwhelming notifications

Disorganized post management

Outdated user interface

See pros and cons details

Pricing

Starting price:$8 per user/per month|Free version:Available|Free trial:Not available

Prices may vary depending on the number of users and features.

Instagram logo
4.7
(5.1K)
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User insights about the chat/messaging feature

Reviewers highlight Instagram's chat/messaging feature for its ease of use, flexibility, and high-quality communication. They appreciate the ability to send texts, voice notes, images, and videos, as well as the customization options like chat themes and emoji reactions. Users find it valuable for staying connected with friends, family, and clients, and for its real-time communication capabilities. However, some users note occasional glitches, difficulty managing multiple messages, and the need for improvements in audio message handling and file sharing.
“Chatting on Instagram allows users to have direct, private conversations with individuals or groups. It provides a convenient way to connect and communicate with friends, family, colleagues, or even customers without having to rely on public comments or posts.”
Dp

Devi p.

Transcriber

“The chat/messaging feature on Instagram plays a key role in communication and interaction between users, brands and influencers. It provides a platform to build closer relationships, facilitate collaborations and provide support.”
MA

Mateus A.

Vendedor

Social Networking key features coverage

Instagram offers 5 out of the 5 key features for Social Networking software identified by reviewers:

Social Promotion4.5
Activity/News Feed4.5
Content Management4.5
User Profiles4.6
Alerts/Notifications4.5

Pros and cons based on 5,143 verified reviews

73% of users rated Instagram 5 out of 5 stars, while 1% gave it 1 or 2 stars. To determine these pros and cons insights we analyzed 5,143 reviews and identified the topics where users expressed positive and negative sentiment.

Pros:

Connecting with family

Following celebrities

Supporting small businesses

Sharing photos

Effective marketing tools

Cons:

Issues with spam

Algorithm challenges

Account management issues

Excessive advertising

Mobile-centric limitations

See pros and cons details

Pricing

Free version:Available|Free trial:Not available

Prices may vary depending on the number of users and features.

Other Top Rated Social Networking Software with Chat/Messaging in 2026

Instagram logo
Category Leaders

Capture, edit, and share photos, videos, and messages

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Instagram is a social networking app which lets users share photos & videos from their mobile phones, like posts, comment, send private messages, and more

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monday.com logo

Project management software

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monday.com is the collaboration tool for teams to do more together. Easily collaborate with your team in one place.

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Hootsuite logo

Social media management & scheduling for SMBs and enterprise

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Hootsuite helps brands manage social media better, from the smallest businesses to the largest enterprises across CPG, finance, healthcare, tech, higher-ed, and government services.

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Meta for Business logo

Personalized marketing plans for businesses on Facebook

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Facebook for Business provides personalized marketing plans, industry insights, step-by-step guidance, and more.

Read more about Meta for Business

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Workplace from Meta logo
Category Leaders

A simple and secure way to connect your organization.

learn more
Workplace from Facebook is a secure social networking platform for enterprise that allows co-workers to connect immediately via Work Chat instant messaging

Read more about Workplace from Meta

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Bitrix24 logo

All in one business management workspace

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Bitrix24 is free social intranet software available both in cloud and on premise. It's 100% free when used by small teams. Bitrix24 comes with over 35 free intranet tools, open source code, mobile apps, API, content management systems, social and classic interfaces.

Read more about Bitrix24

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Microsoft Viva Engage logo
Category Leaders

Enterprise Social Network (ESN) to connect and communicate

learn more
Microsoft Viva Engage is a private enterprise social networking solution that enables employees to collaborate securely across time and distance. Microsoft Viva Engage provides a single, secure platform on which companies can share information, resources and business applications

Read more about Microsoft Viva Engage

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ToucanTech logo

Association management tool to power community engagement

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ToucanTech is an all-in-one community management software that helps businesses consolidate database management, association management system functions, website hosting, and multi-channel communication capabilities into a single integrated environment. The platform is designed for educational institutions, membership associations, and nonprofit organizations seeking to centralize alumni relations, fundraising operations, and community engagement within one solution.

Read more about ToucanTech

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Jobin.cloud logo

All-In-One tool to Find and Engage People

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Automated Social Profile Import, data Aggregation and auto Update, ATS, CRM, AI powered ranking filtering, Process Automation, recruiting workflow, sales pipeline, automatic Outreach, mass Mailing, messaging templates, multiplatform communications.

Read more about Jobin.cloud

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Clinked logo

White-label Client Portal & Collaboration Software

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Clinked is a cloud-based client portal & collaboration software. Allow clients, internal teams and project groups to efficiently work within branded, secure and intuitive workspaces. Increased brand recognition and productivity of Clinked will drive client retention and setup apart from competition.

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Simpplr logo

AI-powered employee experience and intranet tool

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Simpplr is the leading modern intranet with internal social networking built in.

Trusted by more than 1000+ leading brands, our customers are streamlining internal communications and improving employee engagement.

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Wimi logo

Reinvent your teamwork

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Wimi is an all-in-one collaboration tool that helps teams save time daily. Wimi integrates all essential services for efficent teamwork : team Channels, documents and drive, group calendar, task management, and video chat, screensharing.

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AlumnForce logo

Alumni success, networking, and engagement

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AlumnForce is a private professional social network solution for managing alumni networks. The modular platform facilitates the management of school, university, and other educational networks, and allows students, graduates, alumni, recruiters, teachers, and staff to engage and connect.

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Bettermode logo

All-in-one community platform for branded communities

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Bettermode is an all-in-one customer community platform to build engaging and fully customized social networks. Allow users to discuss and connect under your brand. Members can explore, follow, ask questions, start discussions and polls, upvote, comment and share multiple types of content.

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eXo Platform logo

Digital Workplace Software

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Engage employees, promote an open enterprise culture and Facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing with eXo Platform’s social networking capabilities.

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Raklet logo

All-in-one community management platform

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Raklet is a community management platform which offers tools like unlimited contacts, automated messages, online payments, event ticketing, advanced reporting, custom forms and pages, and more. Raklet is accessible on any internet-enabled mobile and desktop device.

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MangoApps logo

Bring your frontline and office teams together

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MangoApps is a unified communications and social networking platform that serves as a bridge between desk and deskless workers.

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Graduway logo

Your force for alumni engagement.

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Create a thriving community of alumni with a tailored network platform, mentoring tools, exclusive groups, job and internship boards and personalized multi-channel messaging at scale.

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facelift logo

Own the Social Media Game.

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Facelift helps you to align, execute, and grow with AI-Powered Orchestration for Social Media and Beyond

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Mighty Networks logo

Build a different kind of community on a Mighty Network.

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Mighty is where creators, entrepreneurs, and brands build digital communities with cultural software. Be a part of something different #OnMighty.

With Mighty, you can bring your courses, memberships, and offers together in a powerful community under your own brand on iOS, Android, and the web.

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mooSocial logo

The Best White-label PHP Social Network Software.

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mooSocial is a "white labeled" php social network software. It is light, fast, easy to customize, and mobile-friendly.

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phpFox logo

Social networking software for businesses and communities

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phpFox is a social networking platform that helps businesses manage activity feeds, user profiles, events, groups, campaigns and subscriptions, among other processes. The members page lets users view community members based on multiple criteria, including gender, location, age, and other keywords.

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SocialEngine logo

Best PHP Social Networking Script And CMS - SocialEngine

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Hivebrite logo

Most powerful, all-in-one solution for community engagement.

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Key features for Social Networking software

Based on GetApp's analysis of verified user reviews collected between July 2021 and August 2024.

  • Social Promotion: Reviewers highlight the ability to boost posts, create targeted advertising campaigns, and increase brand visibility and engagement across platforms. 92% of reviewers rated this feature as important or highly important.
  • Activity/News Feed: Reviewers value staying updated with real-time content, personalized feeds, and the ability to engage through likes, comments, and shares. 92% of reviewers rated this feature as important or highly important.
  • Content Management: Users find it useful for organizing, scheduling, and analyzing content, ensuring consistent branding and effective audience engagement. 91% of reviewers rated this feature as important or highly important.
  • User Profiles: Reviewers highlight customization options, ability to showcase personal or professional identity, and the ease of connecting with others. 91% of reviewers rated this feature as important or highly important.
  • Alerts/Notifications: Users appreciate customizable notifications for real-time updates on likes, comments, messages, and new content, enhancing engagement and responsiveness. 87% of reviewers rated this feature as important or highly important.