Best for broad reach and everyday messaging
WhatsApp vs Viber vs LINE: which messaging app should you choose?
WhatsApp suits broad everyday reach and private messaging, Viber fits callers who want stickers and communities, and LINE appeals to people who value expressive chats and large groups.
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 combine messaging with voice and video calls, group chats, and media sharing across mobile platforms. Each is free to download, but their reach, ratings, advertising, and distinctive extras differ.
This comparison weighs their Google Play figures, core strengths, trade-offs, and declared data safety where available, so you can decide which app best fits your contacts and communication habits.
How we compared them
We compared the Google Play ratings and install ranges, free pricing, in-app purchase ranges, and ad status for each app. We also considered their stated communication features and the strengths and drawbacks relevant to choosing among them.
Store figures were read from Google Play on 2026-11-07. WhatsApp declares that it shares no data with third parties, collects several categories of information, encrypts data in transit, and lets users request deletion. No data-safety declaration was supplied for Viber or LINE, so we make no comparison claims about their declarations.
WhatsApp Messenger
WhatsApp LLC
4.6 out of 5 on Google Play
Best forreaching friends and family who already use it
- Price
- Free
- Ratings
- 246,492,605
- Platforms
- Android, iOS
- Age rating
- Everyone
WhatsApp has the largest stated reach of the three, with 10,000,000,000+ installs and a 4.6 Google Play rating from 246,492,605 ratings. Its broad user base makes everyday messaging and group chats easier when your contacts are already there, while end-to-end encryption and multimedia sharing cover the essentials.
The trade-off is that registration requires a phone number, and customization is limited compared with apps built around expressive extras. WhatsApp has no ads, and it declares that it shares no data with third parties, though its data-safety disclosure lists several types of information it collects.
What we like
Largest install reach among the threeHighest Google Play rating of the threeNo ads and end-to-end encrypted messaging
What to know
Phone number required to registerFewer sticker-focused extras than Viber or LINE
Rakuten Viber Messenger
Viber Media
4.1 out of 5 on Google Play
Best forvoice and video callers who enjoy stickers and communities
- Price
- Free
- Ratings
- 16,690,539
- Platforms
- Android, iOS
- Age rating
- Teen
Viber pairs messaging with voice and video calls, stickers, GIFs, and communities. Its cross-platform support and privacy-focused encryption make it a capable alternative when your contacts use it, and its 1,000,000,000+ installs show substantial reach.
Its Google Play rating is 4.1 from 16,690,539 ratings, below WhatsApp's but above LINE's. Viber includes ads, and media sharing can be data-heavy; notification delays and a need for an internet connection for most features are also trade-offs.
What we like
Voice and video calls plus messagingStickers, GIFs, and communitiesCross-platform support and privacy-focused encryption
What to know
Contains ads, which can feel intrusiveMedia sharing can use substantial data
LINE: Calls & Messages
LINE (LY Corporation)
3.1 out of 5 on Google Play
Best forexpressive group chats with stickers and emojis
- Price
- Free
- Ratings
- 13,759,359
- Platforms
- Android, iOS
- Age rating
- Everyone
LINE combines voice and video calls with a wide selection of stickers and emojis, and its group chats support up to 200 people. It has 1,000,000,000+ installs, making it a substantial option for people whose friends and family already use it.
Among these three, LINE has the lowest Google Play rating at 3.1 from 13,759,359 ratings. It contains ads, and its reported trade-offs include battery use, storage demands, and reliance on a stable internet connection; WhatsApp is the stronger pick for broad reach and rating.
What we like
Group chats support up to 200 peopleWide variety of stickers and emojisVoice and video calls alongside messaging
What to know
Lowest Google Play rating among the threeContains ads and can take considerable storage
Which one should you pick?
Best for calls, stickers, and communities
Rakuten Viber Messenger
Best for expressive large-group chats
LINE: Calls & Messages
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which app has the highest Google Play rating?
WhatsApp leads with a 4.6 rating, compared with Viber's 4.1 and LINE's 3.1.
Which app has the most installs?
WhatsApp has 10,000,000,000+ installs. Viber and LINE each have 1,000,000,000+.
Which of these apps contains ads?
Viber and LINE contain ads; WhatsApp does not.
Which app is best for large group chats?
LINE supports group chats with up to 200 people, making it the clearest choice here for larger groups.
Appgk 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.