Comparison

WhatsApp Messenger vs Linktree

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

WhatsApp Messenger

Connect with friends and family globally through private messaging and high-quality calls. Share moments, documents, and stay in touch across devices, even on slow connections. Your conversations are secured with end-to-end encryption.

Highlights
  • End-to-end encrypted messaging
  • High-quality voice and video calls
  • Group chats and calls
  • Cross-device connectivity
  • Status updates
  • Location sharing
Features
Read full description

WhatsApp from Meta is a free messaging and calling app used by over 2 billion people across 180+ countries. It's super simple, reliable and private, making it perfect for staying in touch with your friends and family worldwide. WhatsApp works across mobile, tablet, and desktop even on slow connections, with no subscription fees*. Private messaging and calls across the world Your privacy is our priority. With end-to-end encryption, you can be sure that your personal messages and calls stay between you and who you send them to. And no one, not even WhatsApp, can read or listen to them. Simple and secure connections, right away All you need is your phone number - no usernames or logins needed. Easily view your contacts on WhatsApp and start messaging. And what's more, you can easily link your other devices, including iPads, for seamless connectivity. High quality voice and video calls Enjoy free, secure video and voice calls with up to 32 people for free. Your calls work across devices, even on slower connections, using your phone or tablet’s Internet service. Group chats to keep you in contact Stay close to friends and family through end-to-end encrypted group chats and calls. Share messages, photos, videos and documents across mobile, tablet, and desktop. You can also use call links and screen-sharing to make group calls and collaboration easy. Stay connected in real time You can share your location with those in your individual or group chats while using WhatsApp on your mobile phone. Or record a voice message for those moments when just text isn't good enough. Share daily moments through Status Share your everyday life with those who matter. With Status you can share text, photos, video, and GIF updates that disappear after 24 hours. You're always in control of who sees your status. Just choose who you want to share it with - all your contacts or selected ones. And bring your everyday to life. *Data charges may apply. Contact your provider for details. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you have any feedback or questions, please go to WhatsApp > Settings > Help > Contact Us Terms of Service: https://www.whatsapp.com/legal/terms-of-service Learn more about messaging privately: https://www.whatsapp.com/privacy Learn more about WhatsApp safety: https://www.whatsapp.com/security

About

Linktree

Create a single, customizable link to house all your online content. Share your social media, products, music, and more from one central hub. Track audience engagement with detailed analytics.

Highlights
  • Create a free Linktree URL
  • Add various content types (links, music, videos, products)
  • Customize design with colors, fonts, and backgrounds
  • Share link across social media and other platforms
  • Track audience insights and analytics
  • Organize saved, bought, and subscribed items
Features
Read full description

Linktree is the largest link in bio tool used by over 70 million people and organizations around the world. Make your free Linktree in minutes to focus your fans, grow your following, and sell products with one simple link. NEW: Now you can find everything you've saved, bought, downloaded and subscribed to within in the Linktree app. With Linktree, you can be your whole self on one platform rather than a sliver of yourself on many. All the things you do online. All together now. Here’s how it works: 1. Claim your Linktree URL for free (linktr.ee/yourname) 2. Add links, music, playlists, videos, podcasts, forms, causes, products, profiles, a store, your menu, live stream, anything you want! 3. Customize your design to match your brand and style. Get complete control of colors, fonts, button styles, add a bio, and even upload custom background images and videos. You can also select from pre-made themes to get going even faster. 4. Share your Linktree everywhere and anywhere to connect everyone with everything you do. Add your Linktree to your social profiles, email signature, resume and even get your own QR code to use on menus, brochures, or maybe project it on the side of a building, it’s up to you! 5. Learn what works, get insights and detailed insights about your audience, what they click on, where they come from, and tons more. Tell your story with Linktree. Download today and get creating.

Screenshots

WhatsApp Messenger4 screens
Linktree4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Linktree at none against WhatsApp Messenger's shown. WhatsApp Messenger's advantage is ratings volume (19M vs 61K) and chart position (#2 vs #52). On price, rating, review sentiment and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. WhatsApp Messenger sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.00 per month and Linktree sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for WhatsApp Messenger against 4.8 for Linktree. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: WhatsApp Messenger has 19M ratings behind it against 61K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 51% and 51% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

WhatsApp Messenger ships an update every 3 days, Linktree weekly. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
WhatsApp Messenger versus Linktree: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWhatsApp MessengerLinktree
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (19M ratings)4.8 (61K ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.5% of reviews50.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings19M — better61K
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterWeekly
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#2 — better#52
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.1 — better15.5
Further details — not scored
Size361 MB129 MB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperWhatsApp Inc.Linktree

Customer experience

WhatsApp Messenger

All ratings18,645,986 ratings
Positive92.2%
Neutral3.0%
Negative4.8%
Written reviews16,421 reviews
Positive50.5%
Neutral8.2%
Negative41.3%

Linktree

All ratings61,225 ratings
Positive95.5%
Neutral1.6%
Negative2.9%
Written reviews869 reviews
Positive50.9%
Neutral6.1%
Negative43.0%

User reviews

WhatsApp Messenger

From 19M App Store ratings

What we love

  • 💬 Great communication tool
  • 🌍 Connects people globally
  • 🔒 Secure and private messaging
  • 📱 Versatile features (calls, video, groups)
  • 🆓 Free to use

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Bugs and glitches (freezing, crashing, notification issues)
  • 🔒 Privacy concerns with data sharing
  • 🙈 Lack of customization and control (status, groups)
  • 📤 Backup and restore issues
  • 🚫 Arbitrary account bans

Linktree

From 61K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🏆 Excellent for consolidating online presence
  • 👍 Easy to use and customize
  • 🚀 Streamlines sharing of links
  • 💡 Innovative tool for influencers and businesses
  • ⭐ Fantastic app with great features

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Glitches and bugs with recent updates
  • 🤯 Difficult to reorganize links
  • 💰 Expensive subscription fees
  • 🤔 Limited free features
  • 🤖 Poor customer support and unresponsive

Bugs and requests

WhatsApp Messenger

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App freezing and crashing issues
  • Notification problems (missing, delayed)
  • Backup and restore failures
  • Arbitrary account bans with poor support

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add dark mode option
  • Improve group management features
  • Allow more customization of status and notifications
  • Enhance backup and restore functionality
  • Provide better customer support and appeal process

Linktree

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Unable to log in or create new account
  • Inability to edit or remove links
  • Inconsistent performance and UI issues
  • Broken link sharing and analytics features
  • Accounts being banned without clear explanation

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add ability to group links
  • Improve analytics and insights
  • Allow more customization options
  • Integrate with more social platforms
  • Fix issues with login and account management

In-app purchases

3 purchases

WhatsApp Messenger

Subscriptions3
  • No ads (1 account)$4.001 Month
  • No ads (4 accounts)5 variants$21.991 Month
  • No ads (5 accounts)4 variants$26.991 Month
12 purchases

Linktree

Subscriptions12
  • Linktree Starter$4.991 Month
  • Linkstree Starter$7.991 Month
  • Linktree Pro7 Days trial$12.991 Month
Show 9 more
  • Linktree Pro7 Days trial$14.991 Month
  • Linktree Premium$23.991 Month
  • Linktree Premium$34.991 Month
  • Linktree Starter$47.991 Year
  • Linktree Starter$69.991 Year
  • Linktree Pro7 Days trial$129.991 Year
  • Linktree Pro7 Days trial$143.991 Year
  • Linktree Premium$234.991 Year
  • Linktree Premium$359.991 Year

Questions

Is WhatsApp Messenger free?
WhatsApp Messenger is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Linktree free?
Linktree is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, WhatsApp Messenger or Linktree?
Linktree is rated higher. WhatsApp Messenger averages 4.7 out of 5 from 19M ratings, while Linktree averages 4.8 from 61K ratings.
Do WhatsApp Messenger or Linktree have ads?
WhatsApp Messenger shows ads; Linktree does not.
Which is updated more often, WhatsApp Messenger or Linktree?
WhatsApp Messenger ships an update every 3 days, and Linktree weekly. Most recently, WhatsApp Messenger was updated on September 24, 2026 and Linktree on September 24, 2026.
Which is more popular, WhatsApp Messenger or Linktree?
WhatsApp Messenger currently peaks at #2 in the App Store charts, and Linktree at #52. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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