# WhatsApp vs Ello Messenger

The clearest difference is rating: WhatsApp at 4.7 against Ello Messenger's 3.9. WhatsApp also leads on ratings volume (19M vs 41) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 weeks). Ello Messenger's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (65% vs 50%). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. WhatsApp sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.00 per month and Ello Messenger sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $10.00 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

WhatsApp holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: WhatsApp has 19M ratings behind it against 41, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 50% of WhatsApp's written reviews are positive against 65% of Ello Messenger's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

WhatsApp ships an update every 4 days, Ello Messenger every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 13, 2026 and November 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | WhatsApp | Ello Messenger |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (19M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/whatsapp/id310633997/reviews)** | [3.9 (41 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ello-messenger/id6469151194/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **19M** | 41 |
| Positive reviews | 50.3% of reviews | **65.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 days** | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | **#1** | — |
| Size | 392 MB | 368 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 12+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [WhatsApp Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/310634000) | [Fast, private and encrypted](https://appshunter.io/developer/1711621771) |

## What reviewers say

### WhatsApp

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

**Currently charting:** #1 Top Free · Social Networking, #15 Top Free, #34 Top Grossing · Social Networking (US App Store)

Connect with friends and family through messaging, voice, and video calls. Organize groups, share media, and make plans easily. Enjoy private conversations with end-to-end encryption across multiple devices.

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

**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


### Ello Messenger

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ello-messenger/id6469151194)

Experience fast, secure, and seamless communication across all your devices. This platform allows for unlimited media sharing and end-to-end encrypted conversations. It also empowers creators to build audiences, publish content, and monetize their work directly.

**Highlights:** End-to-end encrypted messaging, Unlimited media and file sharing, Cross-device synchronization, Creator channels and monetization, Public and private community building, Ad-free experience

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 Month Membership | $10.00 | per month |
| Support with $1 | $1.00 | one-time |
| AI Image Experience Prompts | $4.99 | one-time |
| $5 Wallet Credit | $5.00 | one-time |
| $10 Wallet Credit | $10.00 | one-time |
| Mini | $10.00 | one-time |
| Small | $25.00 | one-time |
| $75 Wallet Credit | $75.00 | one-time |
| $100 Wallet Credit | $100.00 | one-time |
| Large | $100.00 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is WhatsApp free?

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

### Is Ello Messenger free?

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

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

WhatsApp is rated higher. WhatsApp averages 4.7 out of 5 from 19M ratings, while Ello Messenger averages 3.9 from 41 ratings.

### Do WhatsApp or Ello Messenger have ads?

WhatsApp shows ads; Ello Messenger does not.

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

WhatsApp ships an update every 4 days, and Ello Messenger every 2 weeks. Most recently, WhatsApp was updated on November 13, 2026 and Ello Messenger on November 12, 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.*