Comparison

WhatsApp Messenger vs GettingOut

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

Head to head
About

WhatsApp Messenger

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
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

GettingOut

Stay connected with incarcerated loved ones through easy communication. Send messages, photos, and videos, and manage contacts directly from your mobile device. This app facilitates reliable connections, helping to maintain relationships.

Highlights
  • Send and receive messages
  • Send photos and videos
  • Make deposits
  • Manage contacts
  • Stay connected on the go
Features
Read full description

GTL’s GettingOut mobile app is rooted in the power of relationships. It provides simple and reliable communication between inmates and their family and friends -- allowing them to stay connected, even on the go! With our free mobile app, you can easily make deposits, send and receive messages with our new and improved messaging feature, send photos and videos (select facilities), manage contacts and more. Download the GettingOut app today!

Screenshots

WhatsApp Messenger4 screens
GettingOut4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: WhatsApp Messenger at 51% against GettingOut's 5%. WhatsApp Messenger also leads on rating (4.7 vs 1.9) and update cadence (every 3 days vs every 2 months). GettingOut's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 11). On price, ads, monetization model and iOS requirement 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. GettingOut asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

WhatsApp Messenger holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 1.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: WhatsApp Messenger has 19M ratings behind it against 2.1K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 51% of WhatsApp Messenger's written reviews are positive against 5% of GettingOut's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

WhatsApp Messenger ships an update every 3 days, GettingOut every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
WhatsApp Messenger versus GettingOut: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWhatsApp MessengerGettingOut
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (19M ratings) — better1.9 (2.1K ratings)
Positive reviews50.5% of reviews — better5.1% of reviews
Number of ratings19M — better2.1K
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterEvery 2 months
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#2 — better#41
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.1 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size361 MB33 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperWhatsApp Inc.Telmate, LLC

Customer experience

WhatsApp Messenger

All ratings18,645,986 ratings
Positive92.2%
Neutral3.0%
Negative4.8%
Written reviews16,421 reviews
Positive50.5%
Neutral8.2%
Negative41.3%

GettingOut

All ratings2,087 ratings
Positive18.9%
Neutral5.3%
Negative75.9%
Written reviews935 reviews
Positive5.1%
Neutral4.9%
Negative89.9%

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

GettingOut

From 2.1K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🙌 Ability to communicate with loved ones
  • 🙂 Convenient messaging feature
  • 👀 Video call option

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent app crashes and glitches
  • 💰 Expensive messaging and call costs
  • 🤯 Unreliable and inconsistent performance
  • 🔍 Difficulty depositing funds and managing accounts
  • 🤖 Poor customer service and lack of support

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

GettingOut

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Messages disappearing or not sending properly
  • Inability to log in or access accounts
  • Incorrect time stamps and sync issues
  • Repeated prompts for app updates

Requested features

4 requests
  • Notification system for new messages
  • Ability to save message drafts
  • Improved photo and video sharing capabilities
  • Easier account management and fund transfers

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
None

GettingOut

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is WhatsApp Messenger free?
WhatsApp Messenger is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is GettingOut free?
GettingOut is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, WhatsApp Messenger or GettingOut?
WhatsApp Messenger is rated higher. WhatsApp Messenger averages 4.7 out of 5 from 19M ratings, while GettingOut averages 1.9 from 2.1K ratings.
Do WhatsApp Messenger or GettingOut have ads?
Both WhatsApp Messenger and GettingOut show ads.
Which is updated more often, WhatsApp Messenger or GettingOut?
WhatsApp Messenger ships an update every 3 days, and GettingOut every 2 months. Most recently, WhatsApp Messenger was updated on September 24, 2026 and GettingOut on September 22, 2026.
Which is more popular, WhatsApp Messenger or GettingOut?
WhatsApp Messenger currently peaks at #2 in the App Store charts, and GettingOut at #41. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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