When comparing iMessage vs Hop, the Slant community recommends iMessage for most people. In the question“What are the best messaging apps for iOS?” iMessage is ranked 5th while Hop is ranked 27th.
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Secure end-to-end encryption
Pro Cross-platform within Apple ecosystem
iMessage is available on iPhone, iPod, iPad, and Mac.
Pro Supports voice messages
Short voice recordings/messages can be quickly sent, and messages can be easily dictated into written messages as well.
Pro Free and unlimited messages over Wi-Fi and data
Messages clearly indicates whether messages are being sent over iMessage (blue) or SMS (green) where messaging rates apply. iMessages do not count as SMS messages with your carrier, instead they use a negligible amount of data to send over Wi-Fi and cellular data networks.
Pro Clear indicators for message delivery and receipt
The app indicates when messages have been sent, when they have been read, and when someone is typing.
Pro Comes pre-installed
No need to download or sign up for a new service.
Pro Seamlesss switching between SMS messages
Pro Friends don't need to "sign up"
You can just message them using their existing phone number or Apple ID and they will get your message.
Pro Clean UI
UI is minimalistic, and clear. And there is a plethora of stuff on the left of text box if you wanna use them.
Pro Apps and games for iMessage are available
For example, you can play games like pool or you can show someone a destination to go to.
Pro Turns your e-mail into mobile messaging
The app takes your email provider such as Gmail, Yahoo, AOL, or iCloud and uses their infrastructure and your established contact-list there and creates a messaging platform.
Pro Users can see when another person is typing
Users can even see when another person is typing, as you would with iMessage or chat.
Pro Supports voice and video calling
Pro Hop is the ultimate unified conversational tool for productivity and communication
Cons
Con Not cross-platform
iMessage is not available on anything but Apple devices.
Con Can't send separate texts to individuals who share a Contact record
iMessage is an utter disaster. It can't send separate texts to anyone who is on a shared Contact record but with separate mobile phone numbers (e.g., "Paul and Angie Smith"). It merges ALL threads that ever went to ANYONE on that shared Contact record. Want to text just the husband to set up a surprise party for the wife? Not possible. iMessage will ONLY add that new text to the EXISTING thread you had with the wife. Duh! iMessage is pitifully incompetent.
Con Blocking Spam Messages takes 3 steps more than is needed
You have to open the message, select the sender, open info on the sender, then block sender. The default Android message app, select the message, block sender. it automatically deletes the message and blocks the sender.
Con iCloud sync of message is not stable
Sometimes, the messages on different devices with the same ID will be different, the syncing function work poorly.