Best for broad reach
WhatsApp vs Viber vs LINE: which messaging app should you choose?
Choose WhatsApp for broad reach and private messaging, Viber for calls and communities, or LINE for stickers and international calling.
At a glance
| App | Google Play rating | 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.
How we compared them
WhatsApp, Rakuten Viber Messenger, and LINE all bring messaging and calls to Android and iOS, and each has more than a billion installs on Google Play. Their differences are in audience reach, extra features, advertising, and user ratings.
This comparison looks at their core strengths and trade-offs, along with Google Play ratings, pricing, and declared data safety where available, to help you choose the right fit.
How we compared them
We compared the Google Play ratings and install figures, free-to-download pricing, in-app purchase ranges, and whether each app contains ads. Store figures were 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 categories of data, encrypts data in transit, and lets users request deletion. No data-safety details are included here for Viber or LINE.
WhatsApp Messenger
WhatsApp LLC
4.6 out of 5 on Google Play
Best forconnecting with a wide circle of friends and family
- Price
- Free
- Ratings
- 246,492,605
- Platforms
- Android, iOS
- Age rating
- Everyone
WhatsApp has the broadest reach of these three by Google Play installs, with 10 billion or more, and the highest rating at 4.6 from 246,492,605 ratings. It combines messaging with voice and video calls, and end-to-end encryption is a central privacy feature.
The trade-off is that registration requires a phone number and the app needs an internet connection. WhatsApp contains no ads, but it collects several types of data according to its Play safety declaration, and extensive use can add to data consumption.
What we like
- Largest reach: 10 billion or more installs
- Highest Google Play rating of the three: 4.6
- Messaging, voice calls, and video calls with end-to-end encryption
What to know
- Phone number and internet connection required
- No ads, but Play declares collection of multiple data categories
Rakuten Viber Messenger
Viber Media
4.1 out of 5 on Google Play
Best forcalling and chatting with people who use Viber
- Price
- Free
- Ratings
- 16,690,539
- Platforms
- Android, iOS
- Age rating
- Teen
Viber combines messaging, voice and video calls, group chats, and communities. Its high-quality video calls and large sticker collection give it a more feature-rich feel than WhatsApp, while end-to-end encryption adds a privacy-focused option for chats.
Its 4.1 rating is below WhatsApp’s 4.6, and Viber contains ads in its free version. Some features require payment; users may also encounter notification delays or higher battery use.
What we like
- Voice and video calls, group chats, and communities
- End-to-end encryption for secure chats
- Large sticker collection
What to know
- Contains ads and some features require payment
- Lower Google Play rating than WhatsApp: 4.1
LINE: Calls & Messages
LINE (LY Corporation)
3.1 out of 5 on Google Play
Best forsticker fans and people who make international calls
- Price
- Free
- Ratings
- 13,759,359
- Platforms
- Android, iOS
- Age rating
- Everyone
LINE pairs messaging and free international calls with an extensive sticker collection. That combination gives it a distinct appeal for expressive chats and calling across borders, while its user-friendly interface and cross-platform availability support everyday communication.
Its 3.1 Google Play rating is the lowest of the three, and the app contains ads. Battery use, a large app size, occasional connection issues, and privacy concerns are trade-offs to consider.
What we like
- Free international calls
- Extensive sticker collection
- Cross-platform availability
What to know
- Lowest Google Play rating of the three: 3.1
- Contains ads; battery use and privacy are concerns
Which one should you pick?
Best for calls and communities
Rakuten Viber Messenger
Best for stickers and international calls
LINE: Calls & Messages
Frequently Asked Questions
Which app has the highest Google Play rating?
WhatsApp has the highest rating of these three at 4.6, followed by Viber at 4.1 and LINE at 3.1.
Which app has the most installs?
WhatsApp has 10,000,000,000 or more installs on Google Play. Viber and LINE each have 1,000,000,000 or more.
Which app is best for video calls?
Viber is a strong choice if high-quality video calls are a priority. WhatsApp also supports video calls.
Which of these apps contains ads?
Viber and LINE contain ads; WhatsApp does not.
About this comparison
Appcrazy 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.