Facebook Messenger is one of the most popular messaging apps, with 1.2 billion users. That huge audience makes it extremely useful but it also means that Messenger doesn’t need to fight for a consumer’s trust. There’s no shortage of ways to text friends and family for free. One can choose from WhatsApp, Skype, Google Hangouts, Signal, Telegram, Skype, Apple’s iMessage, or literally scores of other options. In a time where Facebook’s guarantee to protect your information is rocky, it is smart to have options.