Determining the right ingredients

You want to be independent of your phone number when using a messaging app and you are using an Android device? Then there is only one last question to answer:

“I want to use an app which is available for free in the Google Play Store.”
If this fits for you → recipe using Snikket

" I am willing to pay for an app or, alternatively, use F-Droid to download an app."
If this fits for you → recipe using Conversations

Note:
If you are unsure: Don’t panic!.
You can switch your app whenever you want to. If you simply want to try if independent messaging is the right thing for you then you can choose the free way.
If you change your mind later: Just install the other app and login using your credentials. You can even use both apps at the same time.