# LINE vs Messages

The clearest difference is rating: Messages at 4.1 against LINE's 3.2. Messages also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 14) and ads (none vs shown). LINE's advantage is update cadence (every 9 days vs every 9 months) and chart position (#34 vs unranked). On price and ratings volume there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. LINE sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Messages asks for nothing beyond the download.

Messages holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 3.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 18K and 38K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 14% of LINE's written reviews are positive against 46% of Messages's.

LINE ships an update every 9 days, Messages every 9 months. Both last shipped on October 19, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | LINE | Messages |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.2 (18K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/line/id443904275/reviews) | **[4.1 (38K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/messages/id1146560473/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 18K | **38K** |
| Positive reviews | 14.2% of reviews | **45.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 9 days** | Every 9 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#34** | — |
| Size | 401 MB | 9 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **10.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch, Vision Pro** |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [LINE Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/359067226) | [Apple Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/284417353) |

## What reviewers say

### LINE

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/line/id443904275)

**Currently charting:** #34 Top Free · Social Networking, #102 Top Grossing · Social Networking (US App Store)

Connect with friends and family through free voice and video calls, messages, and a wide array of stickers and themes. This communication platform offers a seamless experience across mobile, desktop, and smartwatches, with enhanced privacy features and content discovery options.

**Highlights:** Free voice and video calls, Messaging, Stickers and emojis, Customizable themes, Cross-platform compatibility, Encrypted messages, Keep Memo for storage

**Features:** Siri integration, Apple Wallet, Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (13)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| スタンダード | $3.99 | per month |
| Monthly Plan | $4.99 | per month |
| 50 LINE Coin | $0.99 | one-time |
| 70 LINE Coin | $1.39 | one-time |
| LINE Characters: All the Love | $1.99 | one-time |
| Brown & Cony's Secret Date! | $1.99 | one-time |
| Brown & Cony's Lovey Dovey Date | $1.99 | one-time |
| 100 LINE Coin | $1.99 | one-time |
| 150 LINE Coin | $2.99 | one-time |
| 200 LINE Coin | $3.99 | one-time |
| 500 LINE Coin | $7.99 | one-time |
| 800 LINE Coin | $11.99 | one-time |
| 1600 LINE Coin | $22.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 💬 Great messaging app
- 🎨 Customizable with cute stickers
- 🌐 Useful for international communication
- 🔒 Secure and private

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent bugs and glitches
- 🔑 Difficult account recovery and transfer
- 🚫 Accounts suspended without explanation
- 🤖 Poor customer support
- 🔍 Difficulty adding and searching for contacts

**Reported bugs**

- Unable to log in or sign up
- Messages not sending or receiving
- Notifications not working properly
- App crashing after updates
- Incompatibility with new devices and OS versions

**Requested features**

- See who is online and typing
- Ability to translate messages
- Automatic chat history backup and sync
- Easier sticker management and organization
- More ways to earn free stickers and points


### Messages

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/messages/id1146560473)

Communicate with contacts through unlimited texts, photos, videos, and documents. Supports iMessage for Apple devices and RCS, SMS, and MMS for others. Features include message editing, unsending, and scheduling.

**Highlights:** Send unlimited texts, photos, videos, and documents, iMessage, RCS, SMS, and MMS support, Edit and unsend messages, Schedule messages, Message effects and stickers, Group chat features, Messages in iCloud

**Features:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and reliable messaging
- 🔒 End-to-end encryption
- 👍 Seamless integration with Apple devices
- 💡 Fun features like Memoji and stickers
- 🤝 Easy group chat management

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional bugs and glitches
- 🔍 Limited search functionality
- 📤 Inability to delete messages for others
- 🔔 Lack of typing indicators in group chats
- 📱 Incompatibility with non-Apple devices

**Reported bugs**

- Messages not delivering consistently
- App crashing or freezing on launch
- Issues with iCloud sync and message history
- Problems with location sharing and privacy

**Requested features**

- Ability to schedule messages
- Option to lock specific conversations
- More customization options for Memoji
- Improved voice message functionality
- Expanded reaction/emoji options


## Frequently asked questions

### Is LINE free?

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

### Is Messages free?

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

### Which has better reviews, LINE or Messages?

Messages is rated higher. LINE averages 3.2 out of 5 from 18K ratings, while Messages averages 4.1 from 38K ratings.

### Do LINE or Messages have ads?

LINE shows ads; Messages does not.

### Which is updated more often, LINE or Messages?

LINE ships an update every 9 days, and Messages every 9 months. Most recently, LINE was updated on October 19, 2026 and Messages on October 19, 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.*