# Direct Message for WhatsApp vs BudChat

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: BudChat at none against Direct Message for WhatsApp's 7. BudChat also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 3 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Direct Message for WhatsApp sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. BudChat asks for nothing beyond the download.

Direct Message for WhatsApp ships an update every 3 months, BudChat every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Direct Message for WhatsApp | BudChat |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (896 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/direct-message-for-whatsapp/id1411992307/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **896** | — |
| Positive reviews | 37.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 62 MB | 164 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 13.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Metromedya Digital Ad Agency](https://appshunter.io/developer/444159679) | [SMARTLIFE SWITCH INNOVATIVE CONSULT NIGERIA LIMITED](https://appshunter.io/developer/1582143204) |

## What reviewers say

### Direct Message for WhatsApp

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/direct-message-for-whatsapp/id1411992307)

Send messages on various platforms without saving contacts. Quickly send messages, auto-detect numbers, and use message templates. Keep your phonebook clean and conversations private across multiple messaging apps.

**Highlights:** Send messages without saving contacts, Auto-detect numbers from clipboard, Support for multiple messaging platforms, Quick message templates, Message history and recent contacts, Font formatting (bold, italic, strikethrough), Check WhatsApp profiles of unknown callers

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Plan | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Plan | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited Direct Message | $5.99 | per month |
| Monthly Plan | $5.99 | per month |
| Yearly Plan | $59.99 | per year |
| Yearly Plan | $59.99 | per year |
| Lifetime | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Smooth performance
- 👍 User-friendly interface
- 🔒 Secure messaging
- 💡 Convenient for temporary contacts

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Compatibility issues with 9-digit numbers
- 💰 Expensive monthly subscription
- 🔑 Restricted functionality without paid version

**Reported bugs**

- Unable to input phone numbers
- App crashes on launch
- Keyboard not working properly

**Requested features**

- Copy-paste support for phone numbers
- Contact list integration
- Multilingual support


### BudChat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/budchat/id6464466941)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Direct Message for WhatsApp free?

Direct Message for WhatsApp is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is BudChat free?

BudChat is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Direct Message for WhatsApp or BudChat have ads?

Neither Direct Message for WhatsApp nor BudChat shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Direct Message for WhatsApp or BudChat?

Direct Message for WhatsApp ships an update every 3 months, and BudChat every 2 weeks. Most recently, Direct Message for WhatsApp was updated on October 20, 2026 and BudChat on October 10, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*