# WhatsApp Messenger vs BatChat

The clearest difference is rating: WhatsApp Messenger at 4.7 against BatChat's 3.5. WhatsApp Messenger also leads on ratings volume (19M vs 99) and update cadence (every 3 days vs every 2 weeks). BatChat's advantage is review sentiment (86% vs 51%) and ads (none vs shown). On price, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. WhatsApp Messenger sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.00 per month and BatChat sells 27 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

WhatsApp Messenger holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: WhatsApp Messenger has 19M ratings behind it against 99, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 51% of WhatsApp Messenger's written reviews are positive against 86% of BatChat's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

WhatsApp Messenger ships an update every 3 days, BatChat every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | WhatsApp Messenger | BatChat |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (19M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/whatsapp-messenger/id310633997/reviews)** | [3.5 (99 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/batchat-encrypted-messenger/id1661048017/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **19M** | 99 |
| Positive reviews | 50.5% of reviews | **85.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 days** | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#1** | — |
| Size | 361 MB | 276 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | **13.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [WhatsApp Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/310634000) | [ChengDu Ciyuan zhishi Technology Co., Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1661048019) |

## What reviewers say

### WhatsApp Messenger

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

**Currently charting:** #1 Top Free · Social Networking, #15 Top Free, #32 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


### BatChat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/batchat-encrypted-messenger/id1661048017)

This secure messaging app offers end-to-end encrypted communication for both personal and professional use. It features private chat modes, encrypted file storage, and high-definition calls, ensuring data security and privacy.

**Highlights:** End-to-end encryption, Private chat mode with screenshot alerts, Encrypted local file storage, Multimedia file transfer, HD encrypted voice and video calls, Multi-device synchronization, Virtual avatar creation

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (27)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1月的免广告服务 | $0.99 | one-time |
| 1个月靓号服务 | $1.99 | one-time |
| 200MB月容量套餐 | $3.99 | one-time |
| 50BF币 | $6.99 | one-time |
| 500MB月容量套餐 | $7.99 | one-time |
| 蝙蝠1个月VIP | $9.99 | one-time |
| 12个月聊天气泡 | $9.99 | one-time |
| 1024MB月容量套餐 | $12.99 | one-time |
| 1月自动签到服务 | $14.99 | one-time |
| 3个月VIP | $29.99 | one-time |
| 198Bat币 | $29.99 | one-time |
| 1年靓号服务 | $29.99 | one-time |
| 形象月卡 | $29.99 | one-time |
| 200M收藏容量 | $39.99 | one-time |
| 1个月群机器人 | $39.99 | one-time |
| 终身免广告服务 | $45.00 | one-time |
| 6个月VIP | $59.99 | one-time |
| 398Bat币 | $59.99 | one-time |
| 6个月的自动任务服务 | $69.99 | one-time |
| 588Bat币 | $79.99 | one-time |
| 500M收藏容量套餐 | $89.99 | one-time |
| 1年SVIP | $99.99 | one-time |
| 1年自动签到服务 | $129.99 | one-time |
| 3个月群机器人 | $129.99 | one-time |
| 1024M收藏容量 | $149.99 | one-time |
| 6个月群机器人 | $249.99 | one-time |
| 12个月群机器人 | $499.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🔒 Strong privacy and security
- 👍 Simple and clean interface
- 🚀 Fast and efficient performance
- 💡 Unique features like screenshot alerts and self-destructing messages
- 💬 Good for social interaction and making friends

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Login issues and network errors
- 🐛 App not working or crashing
- 🐛 Some users report it's a scam or phishing software
- 🐛 Paid features for encryption
- 🐛 Frequent ads for non-members

**Reported bugs**

- Cannot log in
- Network connection issues
- Cannot send messages
- App not opening
- Login registration fails for Chinese phone numbers

**Requested features**

- Adapt to landscape mode


## Frequently asked questions

### Is WhatsApp Messenger free?

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

### Is BatChat free?

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

### Which has better reviews, WhatsApp Messenger or BatChat?

WhatsApp Messenger is rated higher. WhatsApp Messenger averages 4.7 out of 5 from 19M ratings, while BatChat averages 3.5 from 99 ratings.

### Do WhatsApp Messenger or BatChat have ads?

WhatsApp Messenger shows ads; BatChat does not.

### Which is updated more often, WhatsApp Messenger or BatChat?

WhatsApp Messenger ships an update every 3 days, and BatChat every 2 weeks. Most recently, WhatsApp Messenger was updated on September 24, 2026 and BatChat on September 21, 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.*