Overall Findings
Both offer everything you might want for secure communication and file sharing. Your best approach might be to download both on your smartphone and see which interface you prefer. WhatsApp and Viber both offer:
Support for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows platforms on mobile and desktop platforms, as well as the web. Group functionality, which could use improvement in both cases. End-to-end encryption, so no one can see or hear your communications but you and the recipient.
The Interfaces: Viber’s Extras Make for Clutter
Viber has a rich interface, but it looks cluttered. Viber has an overwhelming library of stickers that clutter and complicate the interface. If you’re addicted to stickers, you’ll prefer Viber. WhatsApp isn’t into stickers. However, WhatsApp has a simple, clear interface that feels comfortable and gives the impression that everything is at hand.
Availability: Both Are Universally Supported
WhatsApp and Viber are supported on iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac platforms. In addition to the app availability, WhatsApp can be accessed as a web app on a computer, and Viber offers a Chrome extension in the Chrome Web Store.
Voice and Video Call Quality: Equally Clear
Voice call quality is an important consideration. Viber has offered voice and video calling for years and is more experienced than WhatsApp. Viber delivers HD-quality voices that are crisp and clear in high-bandwidth connections. With Viber, you can transfer ongoing calls between devices. Voice quality has many aspects affecting it, apart from the services’ codecs and perceived quality. One important factor is the network connection. In this respect, WhatsApp appears to be more robust, especially in re-establishing dropped calls. Viber and WhatsApp offer video calls. There doesn’t appear to be any advantage of choosing one service over the other for video calling.
Self-Destructing Messages: Should You Choose Not to Accept This Mission
With Viber, you can start a secret chat and set a timer that deletes the message at the time specified. You can also set video messages to self-destruct at a specified time after the video is seen once. WhatsApp doesn’t have a self-destruct feature. If this is a dealbreaker for you, check out Kaboom on Google Play or the Apple App Store. You can write a message and set a timer in Kaboom and then share the message with WhatsApp. The downside? The recipient receives a link to the Kaboom online site to view the message, so the integration with WhatsApp isn’t seamless.
Cost: Zero
Viber costs nothing to download and install. Viber-to-Viber calls and messages are free, no matter where the person is located. Calls to numbers that don’t use Viber are made using Viber Out, a service that connects you anywhere in the world for a low fee. Viber offers hundreds of decorative sticker packs to use when messaging. Some of these are free, and some cost money. WhatsApp did away with its $1-a-year fee in 2016 and is now free to download and use for messaging, voice, and video calls. WhatsApp uses an internet connection rather than a cellular connection to contact other WhatsApp members. WhatsApp Calling can place calls to phones worldwide. The only costs occur when you exceed your data limit.
Final Verdict
It’s safe to say there are no losers here. These two apps are similar in services, features, security, and costs. Your choice will probably come down to personal preference for the interface design unless you know people who use one app or the other.
