WhatsApp is a free messaging service launched in 2009 and bought by Facebook in 2014 for a whopping $19 billion. On WhatsApp, you are able to make audio calls, video calls and send messages including photos, videos and voice notes. It is available on app stores of both mobile and desktop devices. It allows for those with different operating systems to connect for free without using texts due to the fact that it uses Wi-Fi or cellular data to function. With approximately 2 billion users around the world, WhatsApp is the world’s most popular mobile messaging app.
Part of what makes WhatsApp so appealing to so many people is that it’s widely available on all phone operating systems and also on Macs and PCs. However, you are not able to conduct calls (audio or video) on the desktop version of the app
. On WhatsApp, you can either message one on one or make group chats. WhatsApp’s user interface is rather simple and is very similar to that of Apple’s iMessage. Services offered by WhatsApp include the ability to customise a background wallpaper, share your location and even take photos and videos through the app. Another part of WhatsApp appeal is the security offered by the app.
WhatsApp functions with end-to-end encryption meaning that only the sender and recipient of the messages are able to view them – the ensures that all conversations are private and not even the people behind WhatsApp can view your messages. WhatsApp also uses two-factor authentication thus adding to the safety of the app. WhatsApp can also import your pre-existing contacts into the app making communications and use of the app that much easier. In addition to this, you can send invite codes to those who don’t already have the app installed, allowing them to download it. Due to the fact that it uses Wi-Fi or cellular data, WhatsApp can offer free international calls making connecting to people all around the planet completely simple and hassle-free in comparison to pricey telephone calls. Another great benefit is that you are always logged in on the app and therefore as long as your notifications are on, you cannot miss a message. You can also update your status and change your profile picture, therefore, making it more personalised than other messaging services like iMessage. Not only can you send photos and videos through the app, but you can also send GIFs and documents however these can only be up to 100MB.
Being able to make international calls is one of the main benefits of the app making it largely popular with people whose friends and families live in different countries around the world. It is available in 180 countries globally and outperforms its competitors in all but 25 of them, where they have been beaten out by both WeChat and WhatsApp’s sister company, Facebook Messenger.
WhatsApp also has a specialist app for businesses named WhatsApp Business. The creators themselves say that they built this especially with the “small business in mind”. WhatsApp Business makes it easy for businesses to build a more personal relationship with clients, allowing them to answer customer questions directly. You can also build a catalogue of your products on the app as well as having automated messages and quick replies (pre-typed replies that can be sent with just one click). WhatsApp Business is free to download to anybody.
