What is Kik used for?

Kik is a mobile messaging app for private chats, public groups and communities, now published by MediaLab. It is a good fit for joining interest-based public groups and chatting privately with friends.

No. Kik is proprietary (closed-source) software and can't be self-hosted. Open-source alternatives to Kik include Telegram Desktop, SimpleX Chat and Element Android.

What are some alternatives to Kik?

Kik competes with WhatsApp, Telegram and Discord. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source Kik alternatives.

Kik: features, pricing and alternatives

About Kik

Kik is a mobile messaging app for private chats, public groups and communities. Users download the app, often by scanning a QR code on the website, and then message individually or join groups built around shared interests.

The vendor highlights three ways to connect: public groups for finding a community, Kik LIVE for interacting with streamers, and a feature called Kik It for making new one-to-one connections. The app is published by MediaLab, and the site links to a help center, community standards, a privacy policy and law-enforcement information.

Key features

Private one-to-one chats
Public groups for communities
Kik LIVE streamer interaction
Kik It for new one-to-one connections

Good fit for

→Joining interest-based public groups
→Chatting privately with friends

Tags: messaging; mobile-app; public-groups; communities; live-streaming; chat

Kik: questions and answers

What is Kik used for?: Kik is a mobile messaging app for private chats, public groups and communities, now published by MediaLab. It is a good fit for joining interest-based public groups and chatting privately with friends.
Is Kik free?: Yes. Kik is free to use.
Is Kik open source?: No. Kik is proprietary (closed-source) software and can't be self-hosted. Open-source alternatives to Kik include Telegram Desktop, SimpleX Chat and Element Android.
What are some alternatives to Kik?: Kik competes with WhatsApp, Telegram and Discord. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source Kik alternatives.