WhatsApp Messenger vs GroupMe
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- End-to-end encrypted messaging
- High-quality voice and video calls
- Group chats and calls
- Cross-device compatibility
- Status updates
- Location sharing
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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
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.
- Group chat creation
- Direct messaging
- Custom emoji and GIFs
- Photo and video sharing
- Notification control
- Web access
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
WhatsApp Messenger ships an update every 4 days, GroupMe weekly. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.
| Parameter | WhatsApp Messenger | GroupMe |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (19M ratings) | 4.7 (1.6M ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 50.4% of reviews — better | 29.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 19M — better | 1.6M |
| Update frequency | Every 4 days — better | Weekly |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #3 — better | #14 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 398 MB | 385 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | WhatsApp Inc. | Skype Communications S.a.r.l |
Customer experience
WhatsApp Messenger
GroupMe
User reviews
WhatsApp Messenger
From 19M App Store ratingsWhat 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 ratingsWhat 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
WhatsApp Messenger
- 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
GroupMe
- Most Wanted Emoji Pack$0.99
- Michigan Wolverines Emoji Pack$0.99
- Wisconsin Badgers Emoji Pack$0.99
Show 7 moreShow fewer
- 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?
Is GroupMe free?
Which has better reviews, WhatsApp Messenger or GroupMe?
Do WhatsApp Messenger or GroupMe have ads?
Which is updated more often, WhatsApp Messenger or GroupMe?
Which is more popular, WhatsApp Messenger or GroupMe?
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