# WeChat vs WatchsApp

The clearest difference is rating: WatchsApp at 4.6 against WeChat's 3.9. WatchsApp also leads on ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (43% vs 24%). WeChat's advantage is chart position (#17 vs unranked). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. WeChat sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and WatchsApp sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 6 months. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

WatchsApp holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 81K and 34K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 24% of WeChat's written reviews are positive against 43% of WatchsApp's.

WeChat ships an update every 3 weeks, WatchsApp every 9 days. Both last shipped on September 25, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | WeChat | WatchsApp |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.9 (81K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wechat/id414478124/reviews) | **[4.6 (34K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/watchsapp-chat-for-watch/id1551010739/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **81K** | 34K |
| Positive reviews | 24.0% of reviews | **43.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 9 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | **#17** | — |
| Size | 887 MB | 109 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [WeChat](https://appshunter.io/developer/614694882) | [BEYLER Software](https://appshunter.io/developer/1551010741) |

## What reviewers say

### WeChat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wechat/id414478124)

**Currently charting:** #17 Top Free · Social Networking, #25 Top Grossing · Social Networking (US App Store)

Connect with friends and family through messaging, voice, and video calls. Discover news, local services, and games within the app. Features mobile payment and health tracking capabilities.

**Highlights:** Text, photo, voice, and video messaging, Group chats up to 500 members, High-quality voice and video calls, Real-time location sharing, Moments for sharing photos and videos, Official Accounts for news and content, Mini Programs for third-party services, Mobile payment with Weixin Pay

**Features:** Siri integration, Apple Wallet, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| WeChat Out Top-Up Card | $0.99 | one-time |
| 42 WeBeans | $0.99 | one-time |
| WeChat Out Top-Up Card | $1.99 | one-time |
| 126 WeBeans | $2.99 | one-time |
| WeChat Out Top-Up Card | $3.99 | one-time |
| 350 WeBeans | $6.99 | one-time |
| WeChat Out Top-Up Card | $9.99 | one-time |
| WeChat Out Top-Up Card | $14.99 | one-time |
| 896 WeBeans | $19.99 | one-time |
| 9086 WeBeans | $199.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great all-in-one app
- 👍 Convenient features like payments and mini-programs
- 💡 Useful translation and sharing functions
- 🔒 Secure and private

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Accounts getting blocked for no reason
- 🔒 Strict security measures and verification requirements
- 👎 Poor customer support and unresponsive to user issues
- 🔋 High storage and battery consumption
- 🤔 Censorship and monitoring concerns

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent app crashes and connectivity issues
- Syncing problems between devices
- Incompatibility with newer iOS versions
- Unreliable voice/video call quality

**Requested features**

- Add dark mode option
- Improve chat organization with folders and pinning
- Allow editing of posted content
- Provide better translation and language support
- Simplify account recovery and unblocking process


### WatchsApp

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/watchsapp-chat-for-watch/id1551010739)

This app allows you to use WhatsApp directly on your Apple Watch. Send and receive messages, view photos and videos in HD, and access all your chats and voice messages instantly. Stay connected without needing your phone.

**Highlights:** Access all chats, Send messages, View Full HD pictures and videos, Send and play voice messages, Start new chats, Send location messages, View Memoji Stickers

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium | $6.99 | per 6 months |
| Premium | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium | $9.99 | per 6 months |
| Premium | $12.99 | per year |
| Premium | $17.99 | per 6 months |
| Premium | $29.99 | per year |
| Premium | $19.99 | one-time |
| Premium | $24.99 | one-time |
| Premium | $29.99 | one-time |
| Premium | $39.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Convenient for using WhatsApp on Apple Watch
- 🚀 Works well when connected
- 💡 Lifetime premium option available

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent disconnections and sync issues
- 💰 Expensive premium subscription
- 🔒 Requires phone to be nearby to function properly
- 🔍 Limited functionality in free version

**Reported bugs**

- App gets stuck on loading screen
- Unable to connect after WhatsApp beta update
- Premium features not working as expected

**Requested features**

- Add support for FlickType keyboard
- Improve notification reliability
- Allow standalone use without phone nearby


## Frequently asked questions

### Is WeChat free?

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

### Is WatchsApp free?

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

### Which has better reviews, WeChat or WatchsApp?

WatchsApp is rated higher. WeChat averages 3.9 out of 5 from 81K ratings, while WatchsApp averages 4.6 from 34K ratings.

### Do WeChat or WatchsApp have ads?

WeChat shows ads; WatchsApp does not.

### Which is updated more often, WeChat or WatchsApp?

WeChat ships an update every 3 weeks, and WatchsApp every 9 days. Most recently, WeChat was updated on September 25, 2026 and WatchsApp on September 25, 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.*