WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging platforms in the world, with over 2 billion monthly active users. WhatsApp offers web and desktop apps that allow you to use WhatsApp on your computer’s browser or as a desktop application. But which WhatsApp computer app should you use – WhatsApp Web or Desktop?
Key Differences
Here is a quick overview of the key differences between WhatsApp Web and Desktop:
| Feature | WhatsApp Web | WhatsApp Desktop |
|---|---|---|
| Use | In web browser | As desktop app |
| Notifications | No native notifications | Native notifications |
| App Open | Require browser tab open | Runs in background |
| Features | Less features | More features |
As you can see from the table, WhatsApp Desktop has some advantages over WhatsApp Web, like native notifications and more features. But WhatsApp Web is simpler to use directly in your browser. Let’s explore each app in more detail.
WhatsApp Web
WhatsApp Web allows you to use WhatsApp directly in your browser, without needing to download anything. Here are the key details about WhatsApp Web:
How it Works
To use WhatsApp Web, you simply go to web.whatsapp.com in your web browser. This will open up a QR code scanner. You then open WhatsApp on your phone, tap Menu > Linked Devices > Link a Device, and scan the QR code displayed on the WhatsApp Web screen. This will sync your phone’s WhatsApp account with WhatsApp Web, allowing you to send and receive messages seamlessly between devices.
Features
WhatsApp Web has the core messaging capabilities you’d expect:
- Send and receive messages, photos, videos and files
- Create group chats
- See all your existing WhatsApp chats synced from your phone
You can do voice and video calls as well.
WhatsApp Web also shows your contact’s profiles and statuses. You can search for contacts and groups.
However, WhatsApp Web lacks some features available on the mobile app and desktop app:
- No native desktop notifications
- Limited theming options
- Can’t message without phone connected
- No sticker or emoji search
- No dark mode
Pros
- Easy to use – just open web browser
- Syncs with phone
- Lightweight
Cons
- Requires phone connection
- No native notifications
- Lacks some features
- Tab must stay open
Overall, WhatsApp Web gives you quick access to core messaging capabilities directly in your browser in a lightweight package. But the need for a phone connection and browser tab to stay open limits it as a complete desktop messaging solution.
WhatsApp Desktop App
The WhatsApp Desktop app takes the WhatsApp experience further into desktop territory. Here’s an overview:
How it Works
The WhatsApp Desktop app can be downloaded from www.whatsapp.com/download. It is available for both Mac and Windows. The app needs to be linked to your phone’s WhatsApp account the first time you use it, by scanning a QR code just like WhatsApp Web. After that, the app can run standalone on your computer.
Features
The WhatsApp Desktop app contains all the core messaging capabilities:
- Send messages, photos, videos
- Make voice and video calls
- View statuses
- Create and manage groups
And it includes some key desktop enhancements:
- Native desktop notifications
- Dark mode support
- Keyboard shortcuts
- Sticker and emoji search
- More theming options
The desktop app can run in the background without an open browser tab. You can pick up conversations right from your desktop without needing your phone after the initial link.
Pros
- Native desktop notifications
- Runs in background
- More features than WhatsApp Web
- Fully native desktop experience
Cons
- Requires app download/install
- Still requires occasional reconnect to phone
The WhatsApp Desktop app brings WhatsApp much closer to a true desktop messaging experience with enhancements like notifications and background running. The tradeoff is needing to install the app versus the browser-based simplicity of WhatsApp Web.
Verdict: WhatsApp Desktop Is Better Overall
While both WhatsApp Web and Desktop provide convenient ways to access WhatsApp from your computer, the WhatsApp Desktop app delivers the most complete experience.
Here are three key reasons why WhatsApp Desktop is better overall:
More Feature-Rich
WhatsApp Desktop has important enhancements like native desktop notifications, darker mode, stickers, emoji search, and more theming options. This makes it feel much more like a true desktop app compared to the relatively basic WhatsApp Web.
Runs in Background
You can keep WhatsApp Desktop open in the background or system tray without any active browser tabs. This means you can quickly access WhatsApp without having to reopen browser tabs, and you won’t miss notifications when WhatsApp is in the background.
Less Reliant on Phone Connection
While WhatsApp Desktop still requires an occasional reconnect to your phone, day-to-day use is much less reliant on an active phone connection compared to WhatsApp Web. This frees you up to use your computer without worrying about losing connectivity.
Overall, while WhatsApp Web delivers the core messaging capabilities, WhatsApp Desktop’s enhancements make it much closer to a native desktop messaging app. The extra features and flexibility make it the better overall experience for most users.
However, WhatsApp Web remains a quick and easy option for accessing WhatsApp from browsers and computers where you can’t install apps. Both have their place depending on your specific needs and setup.
Key Takeaways
Here are some key summary points on WhatsApp Web vs Desktop:
- WhatsApp Web provides core messaging via browser, but requires a phone connection and open tab.
- WhatsApp Desktop has native desktop features like notifications, runs in background, and is less reliant on phone.
- WhatsApp Desktop has more features including dark mode, stickers, emoji search.
- WhatsApp Web is better for quick access from browsers with no installs.
- WhatsApp Desktop delivers a more complete desktop experience and is less limited.
In summary, while both provide desktop access to WhatsApp, most users are better off with the more fully-featured WhatsApp Desktop app. But WhatsApp Web still serves a niche for quick browser access where installing apps is difficult or limited.
So consider whether you need full desktop functionality or quick browser access, and choose WhatsApp Web vs Desktop accordingly based on your specific computer setup and needs. With both options, you can stay seamlessly connected to WhatsApp contacts right from your computer.