# WhatsApp Messenger vs Pryvate

The clearest difference is ads: Pryvate at none against WhatsApp Messenger's shown. Pryvate also leads on review sentiment (70% vs 50%). WhatsApp Messenger's advantage is ratings volume (19M vs 72) and rating (4.7 vs 4.3). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model 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 and Pryvate sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

WhatsApp Messenger holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: WhatsApp Messenger has 19M ratings behind it against 72, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 50% of WhatsApp Messenger's written reviews are positive against 70% of Pryvate's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

WhatsApp Messenger ships an update every 4 days, Pryvate fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | WhatsApp Messenger | Pryvate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (19M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/whatsapp-messenger/id310633997/reviews)** | [4.3 (72 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pryvate-encrypted-messenger/id914948581/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **19M** | 72 |
| Positive reviews | 50.4% of reviews | **70.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 days** | Fortnightly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#2** | — |
| Size | 398 MB | 125 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | **15.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [WhatsApp Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/310634000) | [Criptyque](https://appshunter.io/developer/914948585) |

## What reviewers say

### WhatsApp Messenger

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

**Currently charting:** #2 Top Free · Social Networking, #25 Top Free, #40 Top Grossing · Social Networking (US App Store)

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:** 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


### Pryvate

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pryvate-encrypted-messenger/id914948581)

This secure communication app offers encrypted messaging, voice, and video calls for individuals and businesses. It provides reliable global connectivity, file sharing, and advanced features like scheduled meetings and remote data control. Designed with privacy at its core, it ensures your conversations remain protected.

**Highlights:** Encrypted messaging, High-quality voice and video calls, Group conferencing, File and document sharing, Scheduled meetings, Secure email, Multi-device access

**Features:** Siri integration, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Anonymous Pryvate Number | $0.99 | per year |
| Remote Wipe | $1.99 | per month |
| Unlimited meeting time | $4.99 | per month |
| Pryvate Premium | $5.99 | per month |
| Remote Wipe | $14.99 | per year |
| Get Pryvate Number | $49.99 | per year |
| Unlimited Meetings | $49.99 | per year |
| Pryvate Premium | $59.99 | per year |
| 4.99 Off Net Credit | $5.99 | one-time |
| 9.99 Off Net Credit | $11.90 | one-time |
| 24.99 Off Net Credit | $29.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🔒 Excellent encryption and security
- 👍 Easy to use and navigate
- 🚀 Fast and efficient communication
- ✨ All-in-one functionality (email, browser, etc.)
- 📞 High-quality calls (voice and video)

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Glitchy and annoying at times
- ⚠️ Requires phone number for sign-up
- 🚫 Requires access to contacts, camera, etc.
- ❓ Unclear benefit for certain tracking scenarios
- 📱 Apple Watch notifications show preview despite phone setting

**Reported bugs**

- Contacts not found even when both users have the app
- Notifications for new messages received but no new message in app
- OTP issues and difficulty maintaining server connection
- Impossible to verify from Maldives
- Stuck on 'fetching remote configuration'

**Requested features**

- Black theme/dark mode
- Ability to change phone numbers within the app for anonymity
- Develop a feature for changing phone numbers to enhance anonymity


## Frequently asked questions

### Is WhatsApp Messenger free?

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

### Is Pryvate free?

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

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

WhatsApp Messenger is rated higher. WhatsApp Messenger averages 4.7 out of 5 from 19M ratings, while Pryvate averages 4.3 from 72 ratings.

### Do WhatsApp Messenger or Pryvate have ads?

WhatsApp Messenger shows ads; Pryvate does not.

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

WhatsApp Messenger ships an update every 4 days, and Pryvate fortnightly. Most recently, WhatsApp Messenger was updated on October 31, 2026 and Pryvate on October 20, 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.*