Comparison

WhatsApp Messenger vs GroupMe

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

Head to head
About

WhatsApp Messenger

This app offers free private messaging and high-quality voice/video calls for groups of up to 32 people. It ensures your conversations are secure with end-to-end encryption and works across multiple devices, even on slow connections.

Highlights
  • End-to-end encrypted messaging
  • High-quality voice and video calls
  • Group chats and calls
  • Cross-device compatibility
  • 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

GroupMe

Connect with family, friends, and colleagues through group chats, direct messages, and shared media. Easily add members via phone number or email, control notifications, and express yourself with custom emojis and GIFs. Share photos and videos to relive memories later.

Highlights
  • Group chat creation
  • Direct messaging
  • Custom emoji and GIFs
  • Photo and video sharing
  • Notification control
  • Web access
Features
Read full description

GroupMe - the free, simple way to stay in touch with the people who matter most. Family. Roommates. Friends. Coworkers. Teams. Vacations. Greek Life. Bands. Faith Groups. Events. “Lifechanger.... utterly indispensable” -Gizmodo START CHATTING Add anyone to a group via their phone number or email address. If they don’t have the app, they can start chatting over SMS immediately. CONTROL NOTIFICATIONS You’re in charge! Mute specific chats, or the entire app – you can even leave or end group chats. SAY MORE THAN WORDS With an extensive set of exclusive emoji, you can express yourself in a whole new way. THE WHOLE INTERNET IN YOUR GROUP Meme images, search for and send GIFs and videos, and see content shared from URLs displayed in the chat. SHARE NOW, RELIVE LATER The gallery saves your memories. Easily explore the photos and videos shared in your group now, or later. LEAVE TEXTING BEHIND With direct messages, you can use all the features you love for group chat, but one-on-one. CHAT WHEREVER YOU ARE Including from your computer at groupme.com Stay in touch whether you’re separated by a hallway or a hemisphere. Get your group together. We want to hear your feedback! Support: https://aka.ms/groupmesupport Twitter: @GroupMeSupport Facebook: facebook.com/groupme Instagram: @GroupMe Love, Team GroupMe NOTE: SMS chat currently available in US only. Standard text messaging rates may apply. Privacy Policy: https://groupme.com/privacy Made with love in Seattle

Screenshots

WhatsApp Messenger4 screens
GroupMe4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: GroupMe at none against WhatsApp Messenger's shown. WhatsApp Messenger's advantage is review sentiment (50% vs 30%) and ratings volume (19M vs 1.6M). On price, rating, update cadence 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 GroupMe sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. 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 4.7 for GroupMe. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: WhatsApp Messenger has 19M ratings behind it against 1.6M, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 50% of WhatsApp Messenger's written reviews are positive against 30% of GroupMe's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

WhatsApp Messenger ships an update every 4 days, GroupMe weekly. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
WhatsApp Messenger versus GroupMe: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWhatsApp MessengerGroupMe
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (19M ratings)4.7 (1.6M ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.4% of reviews — better29.7% of reviews
Number of ratings19M — better1.6M
Update frequencyEvery 4 days — betterWeekly
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#3 — better#14
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.1 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size398 MB385 MB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperWhatsApp Inc.Skype Communications S.a.r.l

Customer experience

WhatsApp Messenger

All ratings18,868,726 ratings
Positive92.2%
Neutral3.0%
Negative4.8%
Written reviews17,532 reviews
Positive50.4%
Neutral8.2%
Negative41.4%

GroupMe

All ratings1,559,154 ratings
Positive93.8%
Neutral3.4%
Negative2.8%
Written reviews1,632 reviews
Positive29.7%
Neutral12.0%
Negative58.3%

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

GroupMe

From 1.6M App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Excellent group communication
  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Fast and responsive
  • 🚀 Reliable
  • 👍 Versatile for various use cases

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and freezes
  • 🐛 Syncing and loading issues
  • 🐛 Notification problems
  • 🐛 Bugs with media uploads
  • 🐛 Laggy performance

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

GroupMe

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Inability to log in or account issues
  • Problems with adding/removing group members
  • Disappearing messages and chat history
  • Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to delete/edit messages
  • Announcement mode for admins
  • Pinned messages
  • Improved group management features
  • Better cross-device/platform sync

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
10 purchases

GroupMe

One-time10
  • Most Wanted Emoji Pack$0.99
  • Michigan Wolverines Emoji Pack$0.99
  • Wisconsin Badgers Emoji Pack$0.99
Show 7 more
  • Florida Gators Emoji Pack$0.99
  • March Madness Emoji Pack$0.99
  • Most Wanted 2 Emoji Pack$0.99
  • University of Alabama Emoji Pack$1.99
  • University of Texas Emoji Pack$1.99
  • Adventure Time$1.99
  • University of Notre Dame Emoji$1.99

Questions

Is WhatsApp Messenger free?
WhatsApp Messenger is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is GroupMe free?
GroupMe is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, WhatsApp Messenger or GroupMe?
GroupMe is rated higher. WhatsApp Messenger averages 4.7 out of 5 from 19M ratings, while GroupMe averages 4.7 from 1.6M ratings.
Do WhatsApp Messenger or GroupMe have ads?
WhatsApp Messenger shows ads; GroupMe does not.
Which is updated more often, WhatsApp Messenger or GroupMe?
WhatsApp Messenger ships an update every 4 days, and GroupMe weekly. Most recently, WhatsApp Messenger was updated on November 1, 2026 and GroupMe on November 1, 2026.
Which is more popular, WhatsApp Messenger or GroupMe?
WhatsApp Messenger currently peaks at #3 in the App Store charts, and GroupMe at #14. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

Other comparisons