Best for broad reach and ad-free messaging
WhatsApp vs Viber vs LINE: which messaging app should you choose?
WhatsApp suits broad, private everyday messaging; Viber is a strong pick for expressive calls and chats; LINE appeals to sticker fans and group video callers.
At a glance
| App | Google Play rating | Price | Platforms | Age rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp MessengerWhatsApp LLC | 4.6 out of 5246,492,605 ratings | Free | Everyone | |
 Rakuten Viber MessengerViber Media | 4.1 out of 516,690,539 ratings | Free | Teen | |
 LINE: Calls & MessagesLINE (LY Corporation) | 3.1 out of 513,759,359 ratings | Free | Everyone |
Ratings and age ratings come from the Google Play listings, read on Nov 7, 2026. Listings change over time.
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How we compared them
WhatsApp, Rakuten Viber Messenger, and LINE all offer messaging and internet calls across Android and iOS. Each is free to install, has more than a billion installs on Google Play, and supports features for chats and calls.
Their differences are in reach, extras, and trade-offs: WhatsApp has the highest Play rating and no ads, Viber pairs calls with stickers and communities, and LINE emphasizes stickers and group video calls. This comparison weighs their store figures and stated features to help you choose.
How we compared them
We compared the Google Play ratings, install ranges, prices, ad status, and in-app purchase ranges read on November 7, 2026. We also considered each app’s communication features and the strengths and drawbacks described for it.
WhatsApp declares that it shares no data with third parties, collects several types of information, encrypts data in transit, and lets users request deletion. No data-safety declarations are included for Viber or LINE in this comparison, so we do not draw conclusions about their privacy practices.
WhatsApp Messenger
WhatsApp LLC
- Google Play
- 4.6 out of 5
- Price
- Free
- Best for
- reaching friends and family across a large network
WhatsApp is the strongest all-round choice for everyday messaging when broad reach matters: it has 10 billion-plus installs, a 4.6 Play rating, end-to-end encrypted messaging, multimedia sharing, and free international messages and calls. It is also the only one of the three that does not contain ads.
The trade-off is a phone-number requirement and fewer chat customization options than sticker-focused alternatives. Backups depend on specific cloud services, and group chats are limited to 1,024 users.
What we like
- Highest Play rating of the three: 4.6
- 10 billion-plus installs for broad reach
- No ads and end-to-end encrypted messaging
What to know
- Requires a phone number to set up
- Group chats are limited to 1,024 users
Rakuten Viber Messenger
Viber Media
- Google Play
- 4.1 out of 5
- Price
- Free
- Best for
- expressive chats and voice or video calling
Viber combines messaging with voice and video calls, group messaging, and communities. Its stickers and GIFs give chats more expressive options than WhatsApp, while end-to-end encryption and cross-platform support add useful strengths.
Its 4.1 Play rating is below WhatsApp’s, and the free version contains ads. Call quality can be affected by weak connectivity, prolonged use can use more battery, and some features need a strong internet connection.
What we like
- Voice and video calls alongside communities
- Wide choice of stickers and GIFs
- End-to-end encrypted messaging
What to know
- Ads appear in the free version
- Can use more battery during prolonged use
LINE: Calls & Messages
LINE (LY Corporation)
- Google Play
- 3.1 out of 5
- Price
- Free
- Best for
- sticker-rich chats and group video calls
LINE offers free global voice and video calls, group video calling, stickers, and emojis. Its multi-device support is another advantage for people who want to use the service across devices.
Its 3.1 Play rating is the lowest of the three, and the app contains ads. Battery use, occasional connection issues, a large app size on some devices, and paid features are drawbacks to weigh against its chat extras.
What we like
- Group video calls
- Stickers and emojis for expressive chats
- Multi-device support
What to know
- Lowest Play rating of the three: 3.1
- Contains ads and some features require purchases
Which one should you pick?
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Frequently Asked Questions
01Which app has the highest Google Play rating?
WhatsApp has the highest rating of the three at 4.6, compared with Viber at 4.1 and LINE at 3.1.
02Which of these messaging apps has no ads?
WhatsApp is the only one of the three marked as containing no ads. Viber and LINE contain ads.
03Which app is best for stickers and GIFs?
Viber is a strong choice for stickers and GIFs. LINE also offers stickers and emojis, while WhatsApp supports multimedia sharing.
04Which app is best for private messaging?
WhatsApp and Viber both offer end-to-end encrypted messaging. WhatsApp also declares that it shares no data with third parties, though it collects several types of information.
About This Listing
App-foxy 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 and fees are shown for reference and can change.