Best all-round choice
WhatsApp vs Viber vs LINE: which messaging app should you choose?
WhatsApp suits broad, private everyday messaging; Viber fits people who want international calls and communities; LINE appeals to sticker fans and large group chats.
At a glance
| App | Google Play | 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.
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How we compared them
WhatsApp, Viber, and LINE all bring together messages, voice and video calls, group conversations, and stickers. Each is free to download, but all offer in-app purchases, and Viber and LINE also contain ads.
WhatsApp leads the three in Google Play rating and installs, while Viber emphasizes international calling and LINE offers group chats for up to 200 people. This comparison looks at their features, trade-offs, store figures, and declared data safety to help you choose.
How we compared them
We compared the Google Play ratings, install figures, prices, in-app purchase ranges, and ad status read on 2026-11-07. We also considered each app's stated calling, messaging, group chat, sticker, and privacy features, alongside the strengths and trade-offs described for each.
WhatsApp declares that it shares no data with third parties and collects several categories of information, including contacts, payment information, approximate location, diagnostics, and app interactions. It says data is encrypted in transit and can be deleted on request. No data safety declaration was supplied for Viber or LINE, so this comparison makes no claims about their data handling.
WhatsApp Messenger
WhatsApp LLC4.6 out of 5 on Google Play
Best for private everyday messaging across a wide circle of contacts
WhatsApp is the strongest all-round choice here for everyday communication: it combines end-to-end encrypted chats with voice and video calls, group conversations, and easy media sharing. Its 4.6 Google Play rating and 10,000,000,000+ installs are also higher than Viber's and LINE's figures.
The main trade-off is account access: registration requires a phone number, and an internet connection is needed to communicate. Customization is limited, media auto-download can use data, and there is no built-in message scheduling. It is free, with no ads.
- Price
- Free
Pros
- Highest Google Play rating of the three: 4.6
- Largest install reach: 10,000,000,000+
- Encrypted chats, calls, groups, and media sharing
Cons
- Requires a phone number to register
- Limited customization and no built-in scheduling
Rakuten Viber Messenger
Viber Media4.1 out of 5 on Google Play
Best for international calling and chat communities
Viber is a good fit for people who prioritize free international calls and a straightforward interface. It also combines encrypted chats, group messaging, communities, contact integration, and a broad sticker selection, giving it a strong mix of social and calling features.
Its Google Play rating is 4.1, below WhatsApp's 4.6 but above LINE's 3.1. Viber contains ads, and some features require in-app purchases. Battery use, occasional connectivity problems, and inconsistent notifications are potential drawbacks.
- Price
- Free
Pros
- Free international calls
- Encrypted chats with group messaging and communities
- Contact integration and a wide sticker selection
Cons
- Contains ads and some features require purchases
- Notifications can be inconsistent
LINE: Calls & Messages
LINE (LY Corporation)3.1 out of 5 on Google Play
Best for sticker-rich chats and groups of up to 200 people
LINE combines free worldwide voice and video calls with messaging, stickers, and group chats for up to 200 people. That group size is a clear advantage over the other apps in this comparison, while its playful sticker selection gives conversations a distinctive style.
Its 3.1 Google Play rating is the lowest of the three. LINE contains ads, video calls can use substantial data, and some features are not available globally. Connectivity issues and limited customization are other trade-offs.
- Price
- Free
Pros
- Group chats support up to 200 people
- Free worldwide voice and video calls
- Large selection of stickers
Cons
- Lowest Google Play rating of the three: 3.1
- Contains ads, and video calls can use substantial data
Which one should you pick?
Best for international calls
Rakuten Viber Messenger
Best for large group chats
LINE: Calls & Messages
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which app has the highest Google Play rating?
WhatsApp has the highest rating at 4.6, followed by Viber at 4.1 and LINE at 3.1.
Which app is best for international calls?
Viber is a strong choice for free international calls. LINE also offers free worldwide voice and video calls, while WhatsApp supports voice and video calling.
Which app supports the largest group chats?
LINE supports group chats of up to 200 people, making it the clear pick for larger groups among these three.
Which of these apps contains ads?
Viber and LINE contain ads. WhatsApp does not.
Appwee 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 prices are shown for reference and can change.