# WhatsApp Messenger vs Locket Widget

WhatsApp Messenger and Locket Widget both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 80% of Locket Widget's written reviews are positive against 51% of WhatsApp Messenger's. WhatsApp Messenger's advantage is ratings volume (19M vs 569K) and chart position (#2 vs #15). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. WhatsApp Messenger sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.00 per month and Locket Widget sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for WhatsApp Messenger against 4.8 for Locket Widget. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: WhatsApp Messenger has 19M ratings behind it against 569K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 51% of WhatsApp Messenger's written reviews are positive against 80% of Locket Widget's.

WhatsApp Messenger ships an update every 3 days, Locket Widget weekly. Both last shipped on September 25, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | WhatsApp Messenger | Locket Widget |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (19M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/whatsapp-messenger/id310633997/reviews) | **[4.8 (569K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/locket-widget/id1600525061/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **19M** | 569K |
| Positive reviews | 50.5% of reviews | **80.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 days** | Weekly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#2** | #15 |
| Size | 361 MB | 137 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | **15.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [WhatsApp Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/310634000) | [Locket Labs, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1600525063) |

## What reviewers say

### WhatsApp Messenger

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/whatsapp-messenger/id310633997)

**Currently charting:** #2 Top Free · Social Networking, #19 Top Free, #40 Top Grossing · Social Networking (US App Store)

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:** Siri integration, Apple Wallet, Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| No ads (1 account) | $4.00 | per month |
| No ads (4 accounts) | $21.99 | per month |
| No ads (5 accounts) | $26.99 | per month |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- 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


### Locket Widget

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/locket-widget/id1600525061)

**Currently charting:** #15 Top Free · Social Networking, #64 Top Grossing · Social Networking (US App Store)

Share live photos with your closest friends directly on your Home Screen. See real-time updates from your best friends every time you unlock your phone. React to their photos and build a shared history of memories.

**Highlights:** Live photo widget for Home Screen, Real-time photo sharing with friends, Send photos by tapping the widget, React to friends' photos with emojis, Build a history of shared Lockets, Monthly recap videos of shared photos, Dedicated widgets for specific friends

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Locket Gold | $1.99 | per month |
| Locket Gold | $2.99 | per month |
| Locket Gold | $3.99 | per month |
| Locket Gold | $4.99 | per month |
| Locket Gold | $10.00 | per year |
| Locket Gold | $15.00 | per year |
| Locket Gold | $16.00 | per year |
| Locket Gold | $20.00 | per year |
| Locket Gold | $36.00 | per year |
| Locket Gold | $36.00 | per year |
| Locket Gold | $48.00 | per year |
| Locket Gold | $60.00 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 💗 Fun and unique app
- 🤝 Great way to stay connected with friends
- 🏠 Convenient home screen widget
- 🔒 Safe and private social interaction
- 👍 Easy to use

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Glitches and bugs
- 🔍 Limited friend/widget options
- 🔍 Can't select who to send photos to
- 🔍 Can't delete or edit photos
- 🔍 No notifications when friends send photos

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent app crashes
- Widget not updating with new photos
- Issues with sending/receiving photos
- Login/account problems

**Requested features**

- Add ability to upload photos from camera roll
- Allow more than 20 friends
- Add option for multiple widgets for different friends/groups
- Implement photo editing tools (text, drawing, filters)
- Add video/boomerang support


## Frequently asked questions

### Is WhatsApp Messenger free?

WhatsApp Messenger is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Locket Widget free?

Locket Widget is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, WhatsApp Messenger or Locket Widget?

Locket Widget is rated higher. WhatsApp Messenger averages 4.7 out of 5 from 19M ratings, while Locket Widget averages 4.8 from 569K ratings.

### Do WhatsApp Messenger or Locket Widget have ads?

Both WhatsApp Messenger and Locket Widget show ads.

### Which is updated more often, WhatsApp Messenger or Locket Widget?

WhatsApp Messenger ships an update every 3 days, and Locket Widget weekly. Most recently, WhatsApp Messenger was updated on September 25, 2026 and Locket Widget on September 25, 2026.

### Which is more popular, WhatsApp Messenger or Locket Widget?

WhatsApp Messenger currently peaks at #2 in the App Store charts, and Locket Widget at #15. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*