WhatsApp and Google Chat are two of the most popular messaging apps available today. With over 2 billion users, WhatsApp is the market leader, while Google Chat (formerly Hangouts) has over 1.3 billion users. Both apps allow you to send messages, make voice and video calls, and share photos, videos and other files. But which one is actually better?
Popularity
Based on user numbers alone, WhatsApp is by far the more popular messaging app worldwide. It has around 2 billion monthly active users, compared to roughly 1.3 billion users on Google Chat. WhatsApp saw tremendous growth after being acquired by Facebook in 2014. Since then, it has become the de facto messaging app in many countries.
Google Chat has a decent user base, but it hasn’t seen the same explosive growth as WhatsApp. However, Google Chat comes pre-installed on all Android phones and is deeply integrated with other Google services like Gmail, Drive and Calendar. So it has an advantage on Android devices. But on iOS, WhatsApp is far more commonly used.
User Base
| App | Monthly Active Users |
|---|---|
| 2 billion | |
| Google Chat | 1.3 billion |
Based on the overall size of its user base across platforms, WhatsApp is the more popular choice worldwide.
Features
WhatsApp and Google Chat share many of the same core messaging features. On both apps, you can:
- Send individual and group text messages
- Make voice and video calls
- Share photos, videos, documents and other media
- Set up group chats with contacts
- Use fun stickers and emoji
However, there are some differences when you look at their additional capabilities:
Unique WhatsApp Features
- WhatsApp Stories – share photos/videos that disappear after 24 hours
- WhatsApp Pay – make payments right in the app (available in some countries)
- WhatsApp Web – use WhatsApp on your computer
- Third-party apps – integrates with other apps like Skype and Dropbox
Unique Google Chat Features
- Integration with Gmail and Google Workspace
- File sharing from Google Drive
- Better group chat features like threaded conversations
- Video meetings with Google Meet integration
- Chat bots and automated responses
WhatsApp has a slight edge when it comes to fun extra features like Stories. But Google Chat is better integrated with other Google services and has stronger group chat capabilities.
Ease of Use
Both WhatsApp and Google Chat are designed to be simple, intuitive chat apps for everyday messaging:
- Contact list based on phone numbers – easily message people in your address book
- Quick setup using just your phone number
- User-friendly interface and layout
- Reliable push notifications
- Fast messaging with little lag or delay
WhatsApp may have a slight edge when it comes to ease of use. Its UI is a little cleaner and less cluttered. Google Chat has buttons and icons that can sometimes be confusing. But overall, both are straightforward and simple to use, even for less tech-savvy people.
Privacy and Security
Privacy and security have become major concerns for any messaging app. Users want to know their conversations are safe from hacking and surveillance. Both WhatsApp and Google Chat use end-to-end encryption for messages:
- Messages can only be read by the sender and recipient
- Encrypts messages with unique locks and keys
- Prevents third parties from accessing conversations
However, encryption does not apply to backed up messages or other metadata that could reveal who you are chatting with and when. There have also been vulnerabilities found in both apps in the past, allowing sophisticated hackers potential access to messages.
Overall, most experts agree WhatsApp may have a slight edge in privacy and security:
- Fully encrypts even call logs and contact lists
- Limits some types of metadata that Google collects
- Owned by Facebook, which relies heavily on encryption
But neither app is perfect when it comes to privacy. Users who want maximum security may need tools like Signal rather than mainstream chat apps.
Cost
One of the best aspects of both WhatsApp and Google Chat is that they are completely free to download and use. There are no subscriptions, hidden fees or in-app purchases.
You can get full access to all the core messaging features at no cost. WhatsApp used to charge a nominal $1 annual subscription, but has been free for several years now. Google Chat has always been free.
The only cost is your mobile data or WiFi usage. On most plans, messaging uses very minimal data, so it won’t add significantly to your phone bill. Overall, cost is not a factor as both services provide excellent value at no charge.
Availability and Support
In terms of availability, WhatsApp has the advantage of being a cross-platform app that works on iOS, Android, and even desktop operating systems. You can download WhatsApp from the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, Microsoft Store, and even install desktop clients for macOS and Windows.
Google Chat, on the other hand, is primarily limited to Android devices and the web. There is no native desktop or iOS app available currently. However, the web and mobile experience is quite robust.
For customer support, both WhatsApp and Google Chat offer some self-help through FAQs and forums. But there are no calling or live chat options available. If you need assistance, you’ll have to rely on email, community forums or help articles. Overall, the level of customer service is average but not great for either platform.
| Category | Google Chat | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Availability | iOS, Android, Web, Desktop | Android, Web |
| Customer Support | Email, FAQ, Forums | Email, FAQ, Forums |
Messaging Experience
With hundreds of millions of users, both WhatsApp and Google Chat excel when it comes to reliability and performance. They can handle heavy messaging loads without slowdowns or interruptions. Messages are delivered instantly in most cases.
WhatsApp has a leg up in terms of multimedia messaging. It makes it seamless to share photos, videos and voice notes. Google Chat can sometimes compress media during upload. WhatsApp also supports document sharing through Dropbox and Google Drive integrations.
However, Google Chat has better native group chat capabilities. Its interface is designed to handle multiple participants, threaded conversations and easier search. WhatsApp groups can get cluttered and confusing.
Overall, most users will have an excellent experience with either app. But WhatsApp may appeal more to users who frequently share multimedia content.
User Experience
In terms of overall user experience, WhatsApp has the advantage thanks to its focus on messaging. The app opens directly to your message threads with convenient access to contacts and groups.
Google Chat tries to pack in many additional features like Meet, Spaces and integrations with Gmail and Drive. This can clutter the interface and make the core chat functions more tricky to use. Switching between services isn’t always smooth.
WhatsApp also offers a better mobile experience, especially on iOS, thanks to its well-designed native app. Google Chat must be accessed through the browser for iOS users, which isn’t always seamless.
For new users, WhatsApp is likely the easier app to get started on. Google Chat may appeal more to power users who need integration with Google’s other services.
User Experience Comparison
| Criteria | Google Chat | |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Very Easy | Moderate |
| Interface Design | Clean and simple | Cluttered at times |
| Mobile Experience | Excellent | Good |
Conclusion
WhatsApp comes out as the winner when compared overall to Google Chat. It has a larger user base, focus on messaging features, strong privacy protections, and excellent user experience across platforms. The app makes chatting simple and seamless for everyday users.
Google Chat lags behind in some areas, but does integrate well as part of Google’s ecosystem. It may appeal more to Android and Google Workspace users who want tighter integration with Gmail, Drive and other services. But as a pure mobile messaging app, WhatsApp is hard to beat for most consumers.
Here is a quick summary of the main differences:
WhatsApp Pros
- Larger user base
- Best for multimedia messaging
- Strong privacy protections
- Minimalist and easy to use interface
- Excellent mobile experience across iOS and Android
Google Chat Pros
- Tighter integration with Google services like Gmail
- Better native group chat features
- Video chat support with Google Meet
- Works as a web app on desktop
So in summary, WhatsApp is the best bet for most mobile messaging users. But Google Chat has some strengths, especially for Android loyalists and Google ecosystem users. Both apps can provide a great messaging experience – so the right choice depends on your needs and preferences.