When comparing Instagram Direct vs Antox, the Slant community recommends Antox for most people. In the question“What are the best messaging apps for Android?” Antox is ranked 28th while Instagram Direct is ranked 47th. The most important reason people chose Antox is:
Antox is licensed under Creative Commons with source code available on [GitHub](https://github.com/subliun/Antox). Being open source makes it possible to make sure your messaging are not controlled by a corporation.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Video & photo messages
Photos have to be cropped to be square.
Pro Filters
That can be applied to photos and videos.
Pro Group messages
With up to 15 people.
Pro Free, open source
Antox is licensed under Creative Commons with source code available on GitHub. Being open source makes it possible to make sure your messaging are not controlled by a corporation.
Pro Peer-to-peer
There is no middleman, all communication happens between the users.
Cons
Con Walled garden
Can't communicate with people outside of Instagram.
Con High data usage
Antox uses the Tox protocol which is Peer to Peer, so there will be high data usage and battery drain. WiFi only mode is currently recommended for now.
Con Still in early development
Antox is still really early in development, being in beta currently.
Con Battery drain
Antox uses the Tox protocol which is Peer to Peer, so there will be high data usage and battery drain.