WhatsApp vs Viber vs LINE: which messaging app should you choose?
Choose WhatsApp for broad reach and a high Play rating, Viber for calls and chat extras, or LINE for stickers and large group conversations.
At a Glance
| App | Google Play rating | Price | In-app purchases | Platforms | Age Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 WhatsApp MessengerWhatsApp LLC | 4.6 out of 5246,492,605 ratings | Free | Yes ($0.40 - $199.99 per item) | Android, iOS | Everyone |
 Rakuten Viber MessengerViber Media | 4.1 out of 516,690,539 ratings | Free | Yes ($0.99 - $99.99 per item) | Android, iOS | Teen |
 LINE: Calls & MessagesLINE (LY Corporation) | 3.1 out of 513,759,359 ratings | Free | Yes ($0.29 - $394.99 per item) | Android, iOS | Everyone |
Ratings, prices and age ratings come from the Google Play listings, read on Nov 7, 2026. Listings change over time.
How We Compared Them
WhatsApp, Rakuten Viber and LINE all offer messaging, voice and video communication across Android and iOS. Each is free to download, but all three also offer in-app purchases; Viber and LINE display ads, while WhatsApp does not.
The main differences are audience reach, call and chat features, and trade-offs such as ads or phone-number signup. This comparison weighs their Google Play figures and declared features to help you choose the messenger that fits your priorities.
How we compared them
We compared Google Play ratings and install counts, along with price, ads and in-app purchase ranges. We also considered each app’s stated features and the strengths and drawbacks described for its messaging, calls, groups, privacy and usability.
The store figures were read on November 7, 2026. WhatsApp is the only app here with a Google Play data-safety declaration included: it says data is encrypted in transit, no data is shared with third parties, and users can request deletion. We do not infer equivalent declarations for Viber or LINE.
Best forconnecting with a wide circle of contacts
WhatsApp Messenger
WhatsApp LLC
- Google Play
- 4.6 out of 5
- Price
- Free
- Platforms
- Android, iOS
- Age Rating
- Everyone
WhatsApp has the broadest reach in this comparison, with 10 billion-plus installs and a 4.6 Google Play rating. Its straightforward interface, multimedia sharing and group chats make it a practical choice for everyday conversations, while end-to-end encryption supports private chats.
The trade-off is a phone-number requirement and relatively limited theme customization. The listed drawbacks also include no built-in message scheduling and no cloud backup for chat history on iOS. It has no ads, though it does offer in-app purchases.
What We Like
- 10 billion-plus installs, the largest reach here
- Highest Google Play rating of the three
- No ads and end-to-end encrypted chats
What to Know
- Requires a phone number to sign up
- No message scheduling or iOS cloud chat backup
Best forpeople who want calls, communities and chat extras
Rakuten Viber Messenger
Viber Media
- Google Play
- 4.1 out of 5
- Price
- Free
- Platforms
- Android, iOS
- Age Rating
- Teen
Viber combines messaging with voice and video calls, group messaging and communities. Its stickers and GIFs add expressive chat options, and its 1 billion-plus installs give it a substantial cross-platform audience. The app also supports end-to-end encrypted messaging.
It has a lower Google Play rating than WhatsApp, and ads are present. Some features are behind in-app purchases, and the listed drawbacks include battery use and occasional connectivity problems in rural areas. Like WhatsApp and LINE, Viber requires a phone number to register.
What We Like
- Voice and video calls plus group messaging
- Communities alongside regular chats
- Stickers and GIFs for expressive conversations
What to Know
- Contains ads and some paid features
- Phone-number signup and reported rural connectivity issues
Best forsticker fans and people coordinating large groups
LINE: Calls & Messages
LINE (LY Corporation)
- Google Play
- 3.1 out of 5
- Price
- Free
- Platforms
- Android, iOS
- Age Rating
- Everyone
LINE brings voice calls, messaging, large group chats, stickers and emojis together, making it a lively option for group conversations. It has 1 billion-plus installs and is available on Android and iOS, with end-to-end encryption among its privacy features.
Its 3.1 Google Play rating is the lowest of these three, and the app contains ads. The listed trade-offs also include battery use, a need for a strong internet connection and slower performance on older devices. In-app purchases are available, with a higher maximum price than the other two.
What We Like
- Large group chats for coordinating conversations
- Stickers and emojis built into the chat experience
- Free voice calls and cross-platform availability
What to Know
- Lowest Google Play rating in this comparison
- Contains ads and may be slow on older devices
Which One Should You Pick?
Best for broad reach
WhatsApp Messenger
Best for calls and communities
Rakuten Viber Messenger
Best for stickers and large groups
LINE: Calls & Messages
Frequently Asked Questions
01Which app has the highest Google Play rating?
WhatsApp leads with a 4.6 rating, compared with Viber at 4.1 and LINE at 3.1.
02Which messenger has the most installs?
WhatsApp has 10 billion-plus installs. Viber and LINE each have 1 billion-plus.
03Which of these apps contains ads?
Viber and LINE contain ads; WhatsApp does not.
04Which app should I choose for group chats?
All three support group conversations. WhatsApp offers group chats for everyday coordination, Viber adds communities, and LINE is a strong fit if large groups and stickers are priorities.
About This Comparison
Appwesome compares apps independently. We don't make, own or distribute any of these apps and have no affiliation with their developers, Google or Apple. Names, icons and trademarks belong to their owners; store details are shown for reference and can change.