No more SMSes, apps the way to go

Gone are the days when buying a mobile phone handset was an easy decision. With intuitive mobile operating systems and apps becoming a driving factor, it is the mobile apps which often sway the buyers' decision.

And in the war between Apple, Android, BlackBerry and the latest entrant Microsoft Windows, Apple's iOS wins hands down with the sheer number of apps available.

Android does take the cake for the maximum number of free apps, while Windows Phone, being the latest software, is still in the process of creating a space for itself in the market.

No matter how expensive the phone is, apps that allow free messaging (like BlackBerry's popular messenger service) are always in demand. Here are five such apps that will help all the twiddling thumbs to cut down on their phone bills by sending free SMSes.

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Viber

Viber is a free app available on both Android and iOS platforms. The app automatically mirrors your phonebook with contacts who have the app installed on their phones. This enables you to message or even call those people for free.

If your friend is in any city in the world and has this app installed, you can SMS or call them for no charge at all. Moreover, the app will notify you if anyone from your contact list installs the app.

Viber, however, will use your existing 3G or WiFi connection to make free calls or SMS, so the data costs needs to be factored in while using this.

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Skype

Skype is known for its video calling capabilities and does it quite seamlessly. All you need is the app on your phone (available across platforms) and a Skype account. This will enable you to make video calls (provide you have a front facing camera on your phone) to other Skype account holders and send free messages anywhere in the world.

The app runs in the background which means you will never miss a message. Don't worry if your friends and family don't have a Skype account as calling them from your Skype account costs significantly less than any international call that your service provider charges.

Apart from one-to-one video call, you can host a group video call between several receivers.

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Jaxtr

Created by the Hotmail founder, Sabeer Bhatia, Jaxtr is one of the latest entrants in the free SMS arena. Bhatia believes that Jaxtr is going to be bigger than his Hotmail that he created years ago.

Jaxtr integrates with your existing SMS inbox, so when anyone sends you a message using Jaxtr, you will receive it in your inbox. You don't need to install the app on your phone to receive SMS.

This is where Jaxtr scores over every other free SMS app available in the market. Although, in Beta stage currently, expect the app to go through some refinement and improvements in time to come. The app is available on all platforms including those low cost Java phones.

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Whats App

Whats App is probably the more accommodating free app that lets you send sms, files and even documents. WhatsApp is not restricted to a particular OS like iOS or Android and is a cross-platform application.

This means that by using WhatsApp, you can send sms to anyone irrespective of the phone and mobile operating system they own.

Installing Whats App is very simple. The app is paid ($0.99) or free depending on the OS it is downloaded on to. It will automatically scan your phone's contact list and give you a 'favourite' list of your contacts those have this app installed.

One can send SMSes to a single recipient or have a group chat or send files, documents, music and so on. If an international sms costs you, say Rs 5 an SMS, using WhatsApp you can send a message for free.

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Skebby

Skebby is one of the oldest free sms app and is still very popular. As the company says, "It's like Skype but for SMS." It is available for the iPhone, Android devices, BlackBerry and Nokia (Symbian) handsets.

The app lets you send free text messages to everyone who has the app installed on their phones. And if your contacts don't have to app installed, you can still SMS then but for a price lesser what your mobile service provider charges.

The app works with your phone number and integrates with phonebook. You can even update your Facebook and Twitter status through a simple Skebby SMS.