WhatsApp or BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) - a comparison
WhatsApp dominates the messenger market across platforms. But the Blackberry Messenger (BBM) is really competing with the giant. Here you can read the advantages and disadvantages of both messengers.
WhatsApp vs. BBM: The messenger services cost that
You can download both messengers for free. WhatsApp asks you to checkout annually by in-app purchase if you have downloaded the app after June 17th, 2013. Anyone who has downloaded the app before can look forward to free lifelong service. The cost per year is 89 cents. Blackberry Messenger is completely free.
- You can download WhatsApp for free for your iPhone or Android smartphone. Messenger is also available for Windows Phone 8 users in the Windows App Store.
- The BBM also runs on the iPhone, Android smartphones and on Windows devices.
How can you register with WhatsApp and BBM?
You registered with both messenger services within a few minutes. But only a messenger is ideal if you value privacy and control:
- With WhatsApp, log in with your mobile phone number. It works quickly and easily. However, this also has a disadvantage. If you have given your number to contacts, you cannot control who is in the WhatsApp contact list and who can write to you. Of course, you can block unwanted contacts. But once you have your mobile number, you can bother yourself with calls or SMS.
- It's different at the BBM. You register with your email address. You will then receive a "Blackberry PIN". You can add friends if they have your PIN. But contacts are not on your list until you accept the request. Also, you don't have to give out your cell phone number to chat with someone.
Which data can be sent via the messenger?
Chatting alone is no longer enough these days. But which content can you send with which messenger?
- With WhatsApp you can easily share pictures, videos, voice messages, contacts or your location.
- With Blackberry Messenger you can send photos, files, appointments, documents or voice memos. There is also "BBM Voice". This enables you to make free voice calls to other BMM contacts. With the BBM you chat with several people in a chat without having to form a group.
BBM's strength now also on WhatsApp
WhatsApp is undoubtedly a good messenger that is widely used. Now he is also moving into a function for which the BBM was particularly interesting:
- With the BBM you can see exactly whether your message has been read or not. If you see a "D" it means "Delivered" - speaks delivered. If an "R" is displayed, your contact has read the message.
- This has also been available at WhatsApp since the end of 2014: You can see from the gray ticks that your message was successfully delivered and from the blue ticks that the message was also read.
- WhatsApp has also followed suit when it comes to encryption: The company now states that it uses end-to-end encryption for private chats. The BBM "only" uses transport encryption. However, both companies are covering themselves with precise procedures, which is why you should continue to be critical.
The messenger conclusion
The Blackberry Messenger is not as widespread as WhatsApp, but currently offers you security features that the competition does not have. However, you can also use WhatsApp on a PC - a clear advantage. From a data protection perspective, both messengers are not very transparent. In comparison with Threema, you can see what good data protection and security can look like.
In other practical tips you can read a comparison between WhatsApp and WeChat.