The widely used WhatsApp and Viber
communication apps are similar in services offered and in cost. Your
decision might come down to which app your friends and family use. Here,
we review what each offers.
Overall Findings
WhatsApp
- Free to download.
- End-to-end encryption.
- Group and video calling.
- Works over 3G, 4G, and Wi-Fi.
- Instant messaging, voice, and video calls to other users.
- Share photos, documents, spreadsheets, and audio and video clips.
Viber
- Free to download.
- End-to-end encryption.
- Group and video calling.
- Works over 3G, 4G, and Wi-Fi.
- Instant messaging, voice, and video calls to other users.
- Share photos, documents, spreadsheets, and audio and video clips.
Both offer everything you might want for secure communication and
file sharing. Your best approach might be to download both on your
smartphone and see which interface you prefer.
WhatsApp and Viber both offer:
- Support for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows platforms on mobile and desktop platforms, as well as the web.
- Group functionality, which could use improvement in both cases.
- End-to-end encryption, so no one can see or hear your communications but you and the recipient.
The Interfaces: Viber's Extras Make for Clutter
WhatsApp
- Streamlined.
- Emphasis on user-friendliness.
Viber
- Lots of stickers and other features.
- Can be a bit overwhelming.
Viber has a rich interface, but it looks cluttered. Viber has an
overwhelming library of stickers that clutter and complicate the
interface. If you're addicted to stickers, you'll prefer Viber. WhatsApp
isn't into stickers. However, WhatsApp has a simple, clear interface
that feels comfortable and gives the impression that everything is at
hand.
Availability: Both Are Universally Supported
WhatsApp
- Compatible with iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac.
- Offers a web interface.
Viber
- Compatible with iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac.
- Offers a web interface.
- A Chrome extension is available.
WhatsApp and Viber are supported on iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac
platforms. In addition to the app availability, WhatsApp can be accessed
as a web app on a computer, and Viber offers a Chrome extension in the
Chrome Web Store.
Voice and Video Call Quality: Equally Clear
WhatsApp
- Excels at reconnecting dropped calls.
- Robust connection capabilities.
Viber
- A history of voice and video call service.
- HD quality.
- Transfer calls between devices.
Voice call quality is an important consideration. Viber has offered
voice and video calling for years and is more experienced than WhatsApp.
Viber delivers HD-quality voices that are crisp and clear in
high-bandwidth connections. With Viber, you can transfer ongoing calls
between devices.
Voice quality has many aspects affecting it,
apart from the services' codecs and perceived quality. One important
factor is the network connection. In this respect, WhatsApp appears to
be more robust, especially in re-establishing dropped calls.
Viber
and WhatsApp offer video calls. There doesn't appear to be any
advantage of choosing one service over the other for video calling.
Self-Destructing Messages: Should You Choose Not to Accept This Mission
WhatsApp
- The self-destructing function is available only through third-party apps.
Viber
- An option to set message and video destruction timers.
With Viber, you can start a secret chat and set a timer that deletes
the message at the time specified. You can also set video messages to
self-destruct at a specified time after the video is seen once.
WhatsApp
doesn't have a self-destruct feature. If this is a dealbreaker for you,
check out Kaboom on Google Play or the Apple App Store. You can write a
message and set a timer in Kaboom and then share the message with
WhatsApp. The downside? The recipient receives a link to the Kaboom
online site to view the message, so the integration with WhatsApp isn't
seamless.
Cost: Zero
WhatsApp
- No fees to contact other members.
Viber
- Stickers are mostly free, but some cost money.
- Can call any non-Viber cell or landline for a small fee.
- No fees to contact other members.
Viber costs nothing to download and install. Viber-to-Viber calls and
messages are free, no matter where the person is located. Calls to
numbers that don't use Viber are made using Viber Out, a service that
connects you anywhere in the world for a low fee.
Viber offers hundreds of decorative sticker packs to use when messaging. Some of these are free, and some cost money.
WhatsApp
did away with its $1-a-year fee in 2016 and is now free to download and
use for messaging, voice, and video calls. WhatsApp uses an internet
connection rather than a cellular connection to contact other WhatsApp
members. WhatsApp Calling can place calls to phones worldwide. The only
costs occur when you exceed your data limit.
Final Verdict
It's
safe to say there are no losers here. These two apps are similar in
services, features, security, and costs. Your choice will probably come
down to personal preference for the interface design unless you know
people who use one app or the other.