# WhatsApp Messenger vs NowoChat

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: NowoChat at none against WhatsApp Messenger's 10. NowoChat also leads on ads (none vs shown). WhatsApp Messenger's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 13 months) and chart position (#3 vs unranked). On price and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. WhatsApp Messenger sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.00 per month. NowoChat asks for nothing beyond the download.

WhatsApp Messenger ships an update every 4 days, NowoChat every 13 months. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | WhatsApp Messenger | NowoChat |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (19M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/whatsapp-messenger/id310633997/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **19M** | — |
| Positive reviews | 50.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 days** | Every 13 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Best chart rank | **#3** | — |
| Size | 397 MB | 112 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | 15.1 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [WhatsApp Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/310634000) | [CDK COMMUNICATION PRIVATE LIMITED](https://appshunter.io/developer/1709787767) |

## What reviewers say

### WhatsApp Messenger

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

**Currently charting:** #3 Top Free · Social Networking, #16 Top Free, #38 Top Grossing · Social Networking (US App Store)

Connect with friends, family, and groups through messaging, voice, and video calls. Share moments, make plans with events and polls, and keep organized with pinned messages. Enjoy end-to-end encrypted conversations and share files up to 2GB.

**Highlights:** Group messaging and calling, End-to-end encryption, Live location sharing, Event creation and polls, HD photo and video sharing, Disappearing messages, Status updates

**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


### NowoChat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nowochat/id6468354016)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is WhatsApp Messenger free?

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

### Is NowoChat free?

NowoChat is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do WhatsApp Messenger or NowoChat have ads?

WhatsApp Messenger shows ads; NowoChat does not.

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

WhatsApp Messenger ships an update every 4 days, and NowoChat every 13 months. Most recently, WhatsApp Messenger was updated on November 7, 2026 and NowoChat on November 3, 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.*