Smartphone owners use messaging apps as their new way of communication for many reasons, but one of the most prevalent is that it’s free.
WhatsApp is one of the most popular and used messaging apps today that many iPhone owners are choosing to download. Apple has a default free messaging platform, the iMessage, but owners still download other apps like WhatsApp to connect with their friends. If you’re an iPhone owner, would you stick with iMessage or free download WhatsApp? Below are some of the common features of the two and how they are different to one another.
Cost
Both WhatsApp and iMessage can be used for free. You don’t have to pay for regular SMS rates when you’re using the internet. iMessage is already available in iPhone by default. If you’re connected to the internet, the chat bubble in the messages will turn to color blue, an indication that the iMessage is on. On the other hand, WhatsApp is available for download from the App Store. Like iMessage, it doesn’t cost anything to install the app on your device.
Winner: iMessage and WhatsApp
Web-Based
iMessage and WhatsApp use the web to send and receive messages, but when there’s no more connection, the difference between the two is more evident. WhatsApp loses its meaning when you don’t have an internet connection. You won’t be able to send or receive any message; so you can’t really rely on the app when you’re in a remote area where there’s no Wi-Fi. On the other hand, because iMessage is only activated when you have internet, it can easily switch back to regular text messaging when you lose the connection. Additionally, if someone sent you an iMessage and you’re not online, the message can be sent as a text message. This can be updated in the Messages settings.
Winner: iMessage
Status
Are you the type of person who wants to know if the person they want to send the message to is currently available online? If yes, WhatsApp is the app for you. It has status which you can update depending on your availability at the moment. iMessage does not include status as its feature. It’s either your message will be read right now or later once the recipient goes online. However, some people prefer the absence of a status in their messaging app to protect their privacy.
Winner: iMessage and WhatsApp (depending on your stand on status)
Features
iMessage features free instant messaging and sharing of media like photos and videos. You can also send video messages using iMessage. WhatsApp also has the same features with the addition of the ability to share location and contacts. Although outside iMessage, Apple also has FaceTime – its own voice and video calling app. To use FaceTime, you need to close iMessage and switch to the other app to make free voice or video calls. WhatsApp doesn’t have free voice calling feature yet, although it was already reported that the feature has since started rolling out for Android and will soon become available in WhatsApp for iOS.
Winner: iMessage
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