WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 2 billion users. It allows users to send messages, photos, videos, documents, voice messages, and make voice and video calls for free. While WhatsApp originated as a mobile app, desktop versions are also available that allow users to access WhatsApp on their computers. But how much RAM (random access memory) does the WhatsApp desktop app use? Let’s take a look.
What is RAM and Why Does an App Like WhatsApp Need it?
RAM (random access memory) is a type of computer memory that stores data for quick access by programs and apps. It acts like short-term memory – storing data that is currently being used. The more RAM available, the more data an app like WhatsApp can store for fast access, allowing it to run more smoothly.
When you open an app like WhatsApp on your computer, it gets loaded from storage into RAM. This allows the CPU (central processing unit) to access the app code and data much faster than having to fetch it from storage every time. The app data and code is kept in RAM as long as the app is running.
Having enough RAM is important for running apps smoothly and efficiently. If the available RAM fills up, the computer will start slowing down and using virtual memory, which stores data on the hard disk and is much slower to access.
WhatsApp RAM Usage on PC
The amount of RAM WhatsApp uses depends on the operating system and version being used. Here is an overview of WhatsApp’s RAM usage on different platforms:
Windows
On Windows PCs, WhatsApp is available as a desktop app from the Microsoft Store, or can be downloaded as a web-based app from WhatsApp’s website.
The desktop app downloaded from the Microsoft Store uses about 200-300MB RAM when idling or with light usage. During active usage, like sending media files or video calling, its RAM usage can go up to 500-600MB.
The web-based WhatsApp app for Windows uses around 300-500MB on startup, going up to 700MB+ with heavy usage. It relies more on the browser (Chrome, Firefox etc.) that it’s running in, so browser choice also impacts RAM usage.
Mac
On macOS, WhatsApp is available as a desktop app from the App Store or as a web app.
The App Store version uses 150-200MB RAM on startup, going up to 300-400MB with active use. The web app for Mac has a similar RAM usage profile to the Windows version, ranging from 250-750MB based on browser and usage.
Linux
There is no official desktop app for Linux. The WhatsApp web app runs in the browser, using around 200-400MB RAM depending on browser and usage intensity. Electron-based unofficial apps are also available which use similar RAM to the Windows app – 200-600MB range.
Chrome OS
On Chromebooks, WhatsApp can be used via the web app or Android app. The web app uses 250-500MB RAM while the Android app uses 100-300MB RAM based on usage. The Android app has lower RAM requirements since ChromeOS can efficiently manage Android memory usage.
Factors Affecting WhatsApp’s RAM Usage
Some key factors affect how much RAM WhatsApp utilizes on your PC:
- Operating system – Windows, Mac, Chrome OS etc. have different memory management.
- App type – Desktop, web, Android etc. have different codebases.
- Active usage – More intensive usage with media sharing uses more RAM.
- Group size – Larger groups increase RAM needs.
- Browser choice – Some browsers are more memory efficient.
- PC specs – More RAM available can lead to higher usage.
- Background apps and tabs – Other running programs also consume RAM.
Generally, WhatsApp is designed to adapt to the available resources. So the more RAM you have, the more it will utilize to deliver optimal performance.
Tips to Reduce WhatsApp RAM Usage
Here are some tips to reduce how much RAM WhatsApp consumes on your PC:
- Close unused browser tabs – Each tab consumes RAM, so close ones not needed.
- Quit other inactive apps – More free RAM lets WhatsApp run faster.
- Disable auto-launch on boot – Prevent WhatsApp from always starting up.
- Use web app in lighter browser – Try using WhatsApp Web in Opera/Vivaldi rather than Chrome.
- Limit groups – Leave groups you don’t really need.
- Update Windows/macOS – Updates include memory optimization.
- Add more RAM – Upgrading to 16GB or 32GB means more RAM for apps.
- Check for app updates – Bug fixes and updates improve memory usage.
Following these tips can potentially decrease WhatsApp’s RAM utilization by 100-300MB, depending on your system.
WhatsApp RAM Usage Compared to Other Apps
Compared to other messaging apps and social media platforms, WhatsApp has relatively lower RAM requirements, especially on mobile. Here’s how it compares:
| App | RAM Usage |
|---|---|
| WhatsApp (mobile) | 100-300MB |
| Facebook Messenger | 250-600MB |
| Telegram | 300-500MB |
| Discord | 500MB-1GB |
| Slack | 500MB-1GB |
| Facebook app | 400-900MB |
| 400-800MB | |
| 300-700MB |
As you can see, WhatsApp consumes significantly less RAM than chat apps focused on advanced features as well as full-fledged social media platforms. This allows it to run smoothly on budget smartphones with limited memory. The RAM requirements also scale up well on PCs depending on usage intensity and device specs.
Conclusion
To summarize, WhatsApp for PC uses between 150-700MB of RAM depending on the platform, app type, usage activity, browser choice and PC specs. Lighter usage keeps it under 500MB on most devices while video calls and media sharing can use 700MB+.
Compared to other social and chat apps, WhatsApp is quite light on system memory. Its low RAM overhead allows it to run smoothly even on low-end PCs and budget smartphones. Following tips like closing unused apps/tabs, upgrading RAM and keeping usage moderate can help further reduce WhatsApp’s RAM footprint. But in general, WhatsApp’s efficient coding allows it to provide a full-featured messaging experience without consuming too many system resources.