Best for broad reach and an ad-free experience
WhatsApp vs Viber vs LINE: which messaging app should you choose?
WhatsApp suits people who want a widely used, private-feeling messenger, Viber fits callers who value communities, and LINE appeals to users who want stickers and 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 | Everyone | |
 Rakuten Viber MessengerViber Media | 4.1 out of 516,690,539 ratings | Free | Yes$0.99 - $99.99 per item | Teen | |
 LINE: Calls & MessagesLINE (LY Corporation) | 3.1 out of 513,759,359 ratings | Free | Yes$0.29 - $394.99 per item | 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, Viber, and LINE all offer messaging and free voice and video calls across Android and iOS. Each has a large install base, but they differ in ratings, advertising, extra features, and their appeal to different communities.
This comparison weighs their Google Play figures against their stated features and trade-offs, so you can choose the app that best fits your contacts and priorities.
How we compared them
We compared the Google Play ratings, rating counts, install ranges, prices, in-app purchase ranges, and ad status read on November 7, 2026. These figures are store snapshots, not a measure of call quality or performance.
We also compared each app's stated features and the strengths and drawbacks relevant to messaging, calls, privacy, and usability. WhatsApp's Google Play data safety declaration says it shares no data with third parties, collects several categories of information, encrypts data in transit, and lets users request deletion. No data safety declarations are included for Viber or LINE in this comparison.
Best forconnecting with a broad circle of friends and family
WhatsApp Messenger
WhatsApp LLC
- Google Play
- 4.6 out of 5
- Price
- Free
- Installs
- 10B+
- Age rating
- Everyone
WhatsApp leads this group in Google Play rating, at 4.6 from 246,492,605 ratings, and has the largest install range at 10 billion or more. Its user-friendly interface, end-to-end encryption, free calls, and support for different media formats make it a strong general-purpose choice. It also contains no ads.
The trade-off is that sign-up requires a phone number, and group chat limits and cloud backup constraints may matter to some users. WhatsApp's declared data safety practices include collecting contacts and other information, even though it says it shares no data with third parties.
What we like
- Highest Google Play rating and largest install range of the three
- End-to-end encrypted chats and free voice and video calls
- No ads and broad media format support
What to know
- Requires a phone number to use
- Backup options and group chat limits may be restrictive
Best forcalling and joining communities beyond one-to-one chats
Rakuten Viber Messenger
Viber Media
- Google Play
- 4.1 out of 5
- Price
- Free
- Installs
- 1B+
- Age rating
- Teen
Viber combines free voice and video calls with secure chats, multimedia sharing, and communities. Its cross-platform support and large user base make it a compelling alternative for people whose contacts already use it, while its community features give it a distinct social angle.
Its Google Play rating is 4.1 from 16,690,539 ratings, below WhatsApp's, and the free version contains ads. Reliable internet is needed for calls and messages, and users may encounter notification delays or limited customer support.
What we like
- Free voice and video calls with end-to-end encryption
- Communities add a wider social option
- Cross-platform messaging and multimedia sharing
What to know
- Ads appear in the free version
- Requires a stable internet connection
Best forexpressive chats with stickers and groups
LINE: Calls & Messages
LINE (LY Corporation)
- Google Play
- 3.1 out of 5
- Price
- Free
- Installs
- 1B+
- Age rating
- Everyone
LINE offers free voice and video calls, group chats, and an extensive sticker collection, giving conversations a more expressive style than the other two. It also works across Android and iOS, making it a practical option for contacts who already use LINE.
Its Google Play rating is 3.1 from 13,759,359 ratings, the lowest in this comparison, and the free version contains ads. Internet access is required, and concerns around data use may give privacy-focused users pause.
What we like
- Extensive sticker collection for expressive messaging
- Free voice and video calls
- Group chats and cross-platform support
What to know
- Lowest Google Play rating among the three
- Free version has ads, and data-use concerns may matter to privacy-conscious users
Which one should you pick?
Best for communities and calls
Rakuten Viber Messenger
Best for sticker-filled 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 of the three at 4.6 from 246,492,605 ratings. Viber is rated 4.1, while LINE is rated 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 is best for stickers and group chats?
LINE is the clearest fit if stickers are a priority: it has an extensive sticker collection and supports group chats.
Do WhatsApp, Viber, and LINE offer free calls?
All three offer free voice and video calls. They need an internet connection, and Viber notes that a stable connection is required.
Reviewed 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.