In the United States , texting via the app or software that comes loaded with your phone is the common way of life for people to stay in speck with supporter and family . This is calledSMS(abbreviation for Short Message Service ) texting . Throughout most of the rest of the globe , however , masses use a separate third - party app .
The enceinte one of these is WhatsApp . Since its launching in 2009 , it has remained the texting app of choice in countriesas diverse as Spain , South Africa , Brazil and India , with penetration rates of over 50 percent to over 90 percent of fluid phone drug user . ( In the U.S. , just 12 percent of mobile phone user had download WhatsApp , according to Statista . ) In all , more than2 billion peoplein 180 country have used WhatsApp to text , send off audio clip , and make sound recording and video telephone call . That tremendous user base made it an irresistible fair game forFacebook , whichpurchased WhatsAppin 2014 for a mind - heave $ 19 billion .
It ’s certainly not the only messaging app around . Others , like WeChat ( over1 billion users in China ) , Viber ( big in Eastern Europe ) , Facebook Messenger ( North America ’s favorite ) and others areall vying for the same users . These message apps are n’t just shaver ’s play . Some experts believethey will overtake social mediagiants like Facebook and Twitter in the next few years as a means for intercommunicate with others .
The Appeal of Text MessagingApps
So why does the ease of the world favor these apps over using SMS ?
" Free , unlimited SMS message is more common in the U.S. than many other countries and that has fix the need for over the top mobile messaging apps like WhatsApp that can offer consumers a cheaper alternative to regular wandering services , " says eMarketer principal analyst Jasmine Enberg via electronic mail . " iPhones are also more commonly used in the U.S. than most countries worldwide , so the far-flung use of iMessage has also hold back WhatsApp acceptance . In short , there has been less need for an app like WhatsApp in the U.S. than in the rest of the world . "
WhatsApp has several characteristic that help explain its widespread appealingness . For one , it ’s destitute , and unlike so many other apps , it does n’t have ads , nor do you have to enter to an associated social media account to use it . The app discover substance abuser through their telephone set numbers , so after you set up the app , your phone contact become your WhatsApp contacts , without extra steps like postulate for your Friend ' usernames or info .
In the U.S. , carriers often admit text messages as part of a flat monthly fee , but in other places , like Europe , cell phone carriersoften tutelage per - text feesthat can cursorily add up up – entail messaging apps can aid user save a pile on their cellphone earpiece bills .
The fact that WhatsApp is an independent , freestanding app is also to its advantage .
" OTT ( over - the - top ) message apps that are n’t join to an operating system , like WhatsApp , also allow smartphone users with different operating systems to message each other using peregrine information or WiFi , which can bring down mobile avail costs and allow user to communicate when there is no jail cell signal , " say Enberg . " That also enables smartphone users in different countries to message each other without incurring additional international charges . "
Of course , it ’s still possible to accumulate obscene data charges using WhatsApp . If you video schmoose or send huge files via your cell signal instead of WiFi , you could be in for a surprisal when you see your phone bill .
WhatsApp , WeChat , Viber , and other apps are superior to SMS with regard to the variety of subject matter you could send . There are no limits on the bit of characters in your messages , and of course , you could make spokesperson and video calls , even internationally , for gratuitous . you’re able to also bond written document of all form , as well as telecasting and audio clips . And if your cell phone overhaul is edit off because you have n’t pay the visor , you’re able to still communicate with people if you ’re near a WiFi hot spot .
Notably , WhatsApp also use potent end - to - end encryption which see to it that your content are confidential and fairly secure . ( Your distinctive SMS message is not encrypted . ) Many experts have proclaim the app ’s commitment to privacy . Government delegacy , however , say theapp pretend it easierfor criminals and terrorists to communicate their wretched plan with one another without getting get .
Security return aside , it remain to be seen whether WhatsApp will retain its huge lead on other messaging rival . The company has unveiled a business enterprise variation ( for which it charges subscription fees ) , which will undoubtedly arise the app ’s footprint . But the fact that WhatsApp is owned by Facebook has chafe some privacy - focus users the unseasonable way , andthey’ve continuedtheirsearch for alternatives . These apps have name like Telegram and Threema .
