Best for broad everyday messaging
WhatsApp vs LINE vs Messenger: which messaging app should you choose?
WhatsApp suits broad, private everyday messaging, LINE is for sticker-rich chats and calls, and Messenger fits people who want Facebook-connected conversations.
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 |
 LINE: Calls & MessagesLINE (LY Corporation) | 3.1 out of 513,759,359 ratings | Free | Yes ($0.29 - $394.99 per item) | Android, iOS | Everyone |
 MessengerMeta Platforms, Inc. | 4.7 out of 5114,813,598 ratings | Free | Yes ($0.05 - $7,999.99 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, LINE, and Messenger are free communication apps for messaging and calls, and all are available on Android and iOS. WhatsApp has the largest install count of the three, LINE brings a distinctive sticker culture, and Messenger ties conversations closely to Facebook.
The right choice depends on your contacts, preferred features, and comfort with each app’s trade-offs. This comparison looks at their Google Play figures, core strengths, drawbacks, and declared data safety so you can choose the best fit.
How we compared them
We compared Google Play ratings, install counts, prices, ads, and in-app purchase ranges, alongside each app’s communication features and the strengths and drawbacks noted for it. Store figures were read on November 7, 2026.
For data safety, we include the Google Play declarations available for WhatsApp and Messenger: both say data is encrypted in transit and that users can request deletion, while their declared sharing and collection categories differ. No data safety declaration was provided for LINE in this comparison.
WhatsApp Messenger
WhatsApp LLC
4.6 out of 5 on Google Play
Best forprivate everyday chats across a wide network
- Price
- Free
- Ratings
- 246,492,605
- Platforms
- Android, iOS
- Age rating
- Everyone
WhatsApp pairs an easy-to-use interface with end-to-end encrypted messaging, voice calls, and video calls. Its 10 billion-plus installs and cross-platform support make it a practical choice for reaching a broad circle of friends and family.
Its main trade-off is that registration requires a phone number, and customization is limited. WhatsApp’s Google Play declaration says it collects several categories of information, including contacts and device identifiers, while sharing no data with third parties; it also notes that metadata can still raise privacy concerns.
What we like
- End-to-end encrypted messaging
- Free voice and video calls
- More than 10 billion installs
What to know
- Phone number required to register
- Limited customization options
LINE: Calls & Messages
LINE (LY Corporation)
3.1 out of 5 on Google Play
Best forsticker-filled chats and calls with friends
- Price
- Free
- Ratings
- 13,759,359
- Platforms
- Android, iOS
- Age rating
- Everyone
LINE makes expressive conversations its strength, with a wide range of emojis and stickers alongside free voice and video calls. Its noted low data consumption during calls may also appeal to people who want to keep calls lighter on their connection.
Compared with WhatsApp and Messenger, LINE has a much lower Google Play rating at 3.1, and its free version includes ads. Users may also encounter connectivity issues or high battery consumption, while premium items are available through in-app purchases.
What we like
- Wide range of emojis and stickers
- Free voice and video calls
- Noted for low data use during calls
What to know
- Ads in the free version
- Lower Google Play rating than both rivals
Messenger
Meta Platforms, Inc.
4.7 out of 5 on Google Play
Best forFacebook-connected conversations and expressive chats
- Price
- Free
- Ratings
- 114,813,598
- Platforms
- Android, iOS
- Age rating
- Everyone
Messenger is the natural fit for people already connected through Facebook, with free messaging and calls, video calls, and a broad selection of stickers and emojis. It has the highest Google Play rating of these three apps, at 4.7, and more than 5 billion installs.
The Facebook connection is also a limitation: Messenger requires a Facebook account. Its Google Play data safety declaration includes sharing several identity and device categories and collecting a broad range of information; battery drain and occasional connectivity issues are other reported trade-offs.
What we like
- Highest Google Play rating among these three
- Facebook integration
- Stickers, emojis, and free calls
What to know
- Facebook account required
- Broad declared data collection and sharing
Which one should you pick?
Best for stickers and expressive chats
LINE: Calls & Messages
Best for Facebook-connected chats
Messenger
Frequently Asked Questions
Which app has the highest Google Play rating?
Messenger has the highest rating of these three at 4.7, followed by WhatsApp at 4.6 and LINE at 3.1.
Which app has the most installs?
WhatsApp has more than 10 billion installs, compared with more than 5 billion for Messenger and more than 1 billion for LINE.
Which app is the best fit for privacy?
WhatsApp is the clearest fit in this comparison for privacy-focused messaging because it offers end-to-end encryption and declares that it shares no data with third parties. Its declaration also lists collected data categories, so encryption does not mean it collects no information.
Are WhatsApp, LINE, and Messenger free?
All three are free to download. Each offers in-app purchases; LINE also contains ads, while WhatsApp and Messenger do not.
ViaAPK 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.