Whatsapp vs. Line - the messenger in comparison

If you have a choice between the messengers WhatsApp and Line, we will help you make this decision with this comparison.

WhatsApp vs. Line - battle of messengers

Line is one of WhatsApp's biggest competitors. The Japanese messenger is particularly widespread in Asia and now has over 400 million users.

Range of functions: WhatsApp and Line both support the common functions of a messenger. Messages, pictures, videos, locations and contact data can easily be sent to friends or in group chats. Line also offers free audio and video calls, a Facbeook-like timeline for posting events, and its own payment service.
Operation: If you already use one of the two messengers, you will understand the other one straight away. The two apps are structured very similarly.
Security: In terms of security, both services don't take much. Both WhatsApp and Line are criticized because of their poor or hardly existing encryption. However, WhatsApp has announced the integration of secure end-to-end encryption for 2015.
Platforms: Both messengers are available for iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Blackberry and in the browser. Line also works on tablets and WiFi devices without a SIM card and on some smartwatches. Line secures this advantage mainly through the alternative registration via Facebook login.
Costs: Line is completely free in its basic functions. Among other things, you can expand the selection of available stickers for a fee. WhatsApp costs 89 cents annually. Only iPhone users who bought WhatsApp before mid-2013 will use the app for free for life.

WhatsApp is currently much more common, but Line is slowly catching up. In Germany, however, WhatsApp has the edge. In Line you are currently looking in vain for a large number of your WhatsApp contacts.
WhatsApp sees itself only as a slim messenger. Line extends its messenger with a small social network. Not only is a status shared here, but a small timeline is created from images and posts.
Line offers more functions, but it is only a matter of time before WhatsApp also releases a feature for audio and video telephony. At the moment, WhatsApp is at the forefront, at least in Germany.

In the next practical tip, we will show you how WhatsApp performs compared to Threema.