9 alternatives to Google Hangouts for conference calls and encrypted messaging

With the introduction of Android 4.4 KitKat, Google replaced its default SMS app with Google Hangouts. Some users were left wholly indifferent, while others were left harbouring less than positive feelings for Mountain View's decision. Luckily, the open nature of Android lets everyone that has a beef with Google+ and Hangouts seek out an alternative messaging app, and it just happens that the market is so full of choice!

We've rounded up nine messaging apps that do SMS, chats, email, audio and video conferencing, along with almost everything else in-between. Some of them offer complete functionality for the price of free, others have paid features, and there are some that give up certain functionality in exchange for extended privacy and data protection. Whatever you might be looking for, chances are you will find it here. And if it isn't there, it might be up to you to devise your own messaging start-up!