Samsung Messages vs. Google Messages: Which App Is Better in 2025?

Despite an endless list of messaging apps, old-school texting apps for Android remain the easiest way to communicate with anyone on your contact list. Although Google will be the default text messaging app for most Android devices, Samsung’s preinstalled feature on its phones might be a tempting alternative.

Owners of new Samsung phones are quickly faced with choosing between Google and Samsung to manage their texting. The big question is: Google Messages vs. Samsung Messages, which is better?

If you’ve just unboxed your new Samsung smartphone and are wondering which app deserves to be on your home screen, this article breaks down the key differences to help you decide.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. Samsung Messages vs. Google Messages: Comparison Summary
3. Google Messages vs. Samsung Messages: Which Is Better?
4. Which Messaging App Is Better for You in 2025?
5. The Bottom Line
6. FAQs

Show Full Guide

Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. Samsung Messages vs. Google Messages: Comparison Summary
3. Google Messages vs. Samsung Messages: Which Is Better?
Show Full Guide
4. Which Messaging App Is Better for You in 2025?
5. The Bottom Line
6. FAQs

Samsung Messages vs. Google Messages: Comparison Summary

Google Messages vs. Samsung Messages: Which Is Better?

User Interface & Design

The Google Messages app features a clean design interface with a helpful search bar. There is also a floating action button for composing new messages. It also adapts to Samsung’s One UI design on Samsung devices, aligning with their one-handed navigation philosophy.

The AMOLED-friendly dark mode helps the Samsung Messages app stand out by offering deep blacks that save battery and enhance visuals. Samsung also has more customization options, like chat backgrounds and bubble colors. This will be a big hit, with Android fans wanting to seek as much personalization as possible.

However, there is no avoiding the fact that the Google Messages app feels more intuitive and provides a fresher experience. It also dynamically adapts to your phone’s wallpaper and edges it for everyday use.

RCS Messaging Support

Both apps support rich communication services (RCS), which enable commonly used features like reading receipts, typing indicators, and sharing media.

As you would expect, Google Messages leads in universality, as its RCS functionality works seamlessly across carriers worldwide. In contrast, Samsung Messages’ RCS features are limited to specific carriers, which may restrict functionality for some users.

Unique Features

Google Messages offers AI-powered suggestions, automatic message sorting into categories (Personal, Transactions, OTPs, Offers), and the ability to auto-delete OTPs after 24 hours. The “Smart Replies” feature powered by Google Assistant is also handy.

Integrating Gemini AI in Google Messages allows users to transcribe voice notes, generate images, and interact with an AI chatbot for suggestions or productivity tasks.

Samsung Messages provides a Recycle Bin for recovering deleted messages and extensive chat customization options, such as personalized backgrounds and bubble colors. For many users, the ability to consolidate shared documents within chats will add to the convenience factor.

Integration Capabilities

Google Messages integrates with other Google services, including Google Drive and Google Maps, making it the best choice for most Android users. It also offers a web version for desktops, enabling users to send and receive messages from their PCs.

Samsung Messages integrates well within the Samsung ecosystem, including features like AR emojis and compatibility with Samsung Notes. It supports Microsoft’s Your Phone Companion app for broader cross-platform functionality, though this feature isn’t exclusive to Samsung devices.

Performance & Reliability

Both apps demonstrate reliable performance. Google Messages is optimized for all Android devices, while Samsung Messages is explicitly tailored for Samsung hardware.

However, both apps perform equally well in real-world scenarios.

Privacy & Security

Both Samsung and Google Messages offer end-to-end encryption in RCS chats. However, whereas Google Messages explicitly supports encryption across all RCS-enabled devices, Samsung Messages’ encryption details are less transparent.

Customization & Personalization

Samsung Messages excels in customization, allowing users to personalize chat backgrounds, bubble colors, and fonts. Its AMOLED-friendly dark mode is a bonus for Samsung users.

Google Messages provides limited theme options but compensates with its dynamic Material You integration, which adapts colors to match your wallpaper.

Device & OS Compatibility

Google Messages is available on all Android devices, offers a web version for cross-platform use, and is accessible to a larger audience.

In contrast, Samsung Messages is limited to Samsung devices. This will significantly restrict its appeal to users outside the Samsung ecosystem.

Which Messaging App Is Better for You in 2025?

Google Messages is a better choice for most users in 2025. It offers a clean interface and innovative AI-powered features that work across all Android devices. Its integration with Google services and continuous updates make it a more future-ready option.

Samsung Messages is aimed at users deeply embedded in the Samsung ecosystem looking for extensive personalization from their messaging app. But this feels like an incredibly niche audience.

The Bottom Line

With its AI features, broader compatibility, and innovative features, Google Messages will be the best messaging app for most Android users.

Unless you’re heavily invested in the Samsung ecosystem and attracted by the personalization features, Google Messages will be more practical for messages, whether you use your smartphone or computer.

FAQs