Best for broad, ad-free everyday messaging
WhatsApp vs Viber vs LINE: which messaging app should you choose?
WhatsApp suits broad, ad-free everyday messaging, Viber fits people who want calls and large group chats, and LINE appeals to sticker fans who value expressive conversations.
At a Glance
| App Name | Rating | Downloads | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
WhatsApp MessengerWhatsApp LLC | 4.6 | 10.00B | Free |
 Rakuten Viber MessengerViber Media | 4.1 | 1.00B | Free |
 LINE: Calls & MessagesLINE (LY Corporation) | 3.1 | 1.00B | Free |
How We Compared
WhatsApp, Viber, and LINE all offer free messaging and voice or video calls, and each is available on Android and iOS. Their differences are in emphasis: WhatsApp pairs a huge install base with an ad-free experience, Viber adds communities and large group chats, and LINE puts stickers at the center of its appeal.
This comparison weighs their Google Play ratings and reach alongside their features, trade-offs, and declared data safety where available. It will help you choose based on how you communicate, not just which app has the most installs.
How we compared them
We compared the Google Play ratings, install counts, prices, ads, and in-app purchase ranges read on November 7, 2026. We also considered each app’s stated communication features and the strengths and drawbacks relevant to choosing between them.
WhatsApp’s Google Play data safety declaration says it shares no data with third parties, collects several categories of data, encrypts data in transit, and lets users request deletion. No data safety declaration is included here for Viber or LINE, so this comparison makes no claims about their declarations.
WhatsApp Messenger
WhatsApp LLC
4.6
- Downloads
- 10.00B
- Price
- Free
- Category
- Communication
- Android
- Varies with device
everyday messaging across a wide circle of contacts
WhatsApp has the broadest reach of these three, with 10,000,000,000+ installs and a 4.6 Google Play rating. Its straightforward interface, multimedia sharing, end-to-end encryption, and lack of ads make it a strong choice for routine chats and calls.
The trade-off is that signup requires a phone number, and file sharing has size limits. It also depends on an internet connection; users may have privacy concerns about metadata, and group chats have limits.
Pros
- Highest Google Play rating of the three: 4.6
- Largest install count: 10,000,000,000+
- Free, ad-free messaging with end-to-end encryption
Cons
- Phone number required to sign up
- File size and group chat limits
Rakuten Viber Messenger
Viber Media
4.1
- Downloads
- 1.00B
- Price
- Free
- Category
- Communication
- Android
- Varies with Device
international callers and large group conversations
Viber combines free voice and video calls with chats, communities, expressive stickers, and group messaging for up to 250 members. It also supports end-to-end encrypted chats and lets users delete sent messages, giving it a useful mix of calling and chat controls.
Its 4.1 Google Play rating is below WhatsApp’s, and the free app contains ads. Long calls can consume a lot of battery, while message delays and the need for a stable internet connection may frustrate users.
Pros
- Free voice and video calls worldwide
- Group chats for up to 250 members
- End-to-end encryption and sent-message deletion
Cons
- Ads in the free version
- Long calls can consume a lot of battery
LINE: Calls & Messages
LINE (LY Corporation)
3.1
- Downloads
- 1.00B
- Price
- Free
- Category
- Communication
- Android
- Varies with Device
sticker-focused chats and large-group messaging
LINE combines free calls and texts with a user-friendly interface, a wide sticker selection, and support for large group chats. Those expressive options give it a distinct feel compared with WhatsApp’s simpler everyday focus and Viber’s emphasis on calls and communities.
Its 3.1 Google Play rating is the lowest of the three, and the free app contains ads. Battery drain, occasional connectivity issues, limited customization, and a large app size are also trade-offs.
Pros
- Wide variety of stickers
- Free voice and video calls
- Supports large group chats
Cons
- Lowest Google Play rating of the three: 3.1
- Ads, battery drain, and a large app size
Our Picks
Best for international calls and large groups
Rakuten Viber Messenger
Best for sticker-rich conversations
LINE: Calls & Messages
Frequently Asked Questions
Which 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.
Which of these apps is ad-free?
WhatsApp is the only one of the three marked as containing no ads. Viber and LINE contain ads.
Which app supports the largest group chats?
Viber supports group chats with up to 250 members. LINE is described as supporting large group chats, while WhatsApp has group chat limits.
Do all three apps offer free calls?
Yes. All three offer free voice and video calls, though they require an internet connection.
About This Comparison
This comparison is independent and provided for informational purposes only. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by Appxis.