SMS was prevalent in the past, but now is the era of messaging apps like WhatsApp, Viber, WeChat, etc.
The first two are the most popular and we will make a comparison between them to let you decide for yourself which app is right for you!
Availability
WhatsApp is available on multiple operating systems such as Android , iOS , BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, Nokia S40 and S60.
On the other hand, if you want to download Viber and you have a Nokia S40 device, we're sorry but you won't be able to! However, Viber is available on Nokia Symbian S60, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, iOS, Android and Bada. It can also be installed on desktop computers with Windows or Mac operating systems.
Design
WhatsApp has a very simple design that will make your life easier when using the application. However, keep in mind that it varies from platform to platform. If you use WhatsApp on Nokia S40 you will not be able to send text and emoticons on the same line and you will not be able to see your friends' profiles properly. On BlackBerry and Symbian it comes with the simplest design while on Windows Phone, iOS and Android it has the blue/green color. The voice calling feature is only available for smartphones with Android, iOS, BlackBerry 10 and Windows Mobile. There is also a rumor that a video calling feature will be added but it has not been confirmed.
On the other hand, Viber has the same white and purple color scheme across all platforms, whether on mobile or desktop. It is also very easy to use and allows you to make both voice and video calls, but these features are limited to devices running Nokia S40 Symbian.
Band Width
When you send text messages from both apps, you don't use much bandwidth. However, it seems that WhatsApp's voice calling feature initially used a large chunk of bandwidth but was later fixed by the developers.
On the other hand, Viber's voice calling is a little more stable than WhatsApp's and uses less bandwidth.
Functions
Using WhatsApp you can send photos, videos, contacts, notes, location, etc. You can also add your own profile photo and status. Also, you don't have to log in and out every time you use it. You can receive messages while you are offline, which are stored on the application's servers until you log in again. You can also email your conversations, send broadcast messages, and participate in group conversations.
Viber does the same things but its big plus is the video calling feature. You can also use the Viber Out feature and make calls to landlines and mobiles as long as you have units on your phone. Finally, Viber now supports public chats!
