# LINE vs Zalo

The clearest difference is rating: LINE at 3.2 against Zalo's 2.1. LINE also leads on review sentiment (24% vs 6%) and chart position (#43 vs #158). Zalo's advantage is iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. LINE sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Zalo sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

LINE holds the better App Store score, 3.2 against 2.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 19K and 8.6K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 24% of LINE's written reviews are positive against 6% of Zalo's.

LINE ships an update every 9 days, Zalo fortnightly. Both last shipped on November 5, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | LINE | Zalo |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.2 (19K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/line/id443904275/reviews)** | [2.1 (8.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zalo/id579523206/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **19K** | 8.6K |
| Positive reviews | **23.8% of reviews** | 6.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 9 days** | Fortnightly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#43** | #158 |
| Size | 405 MB | 278 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [LINE Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/359067226) | [Zalo Group](https://appshunter.io/developer/822220029) |

## What reviewers say

### LINE

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

**Currently charting:** #43 Top Free · Social Networking, #113 Top Grossing · Social Networking (US App Store)

Connect with friends and family through free voice and video calls, messaging, and a wide array of stickers and themes. This platform offers seamless communication across mobile, desktop, and smartwatches, with features like encrypted messaging for enhanced privacy.

**Highlights:** Free voice and video calls, Messaging with stickers and emojis, Cross-platform compatibility (mobile, desktop, smartwatch), Encrypted messaging (Letter Sealing), Keep Memo for temporary storage, Customizable themes

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

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Plan | $4.99 | per month |
| 50 LINE Coin | $0.99 | one-time |
| 70 LINE Coin | $1.39 | 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


### Zalo

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zalo/id579523206)

**Currently charting:** #158 Top Free · Social Networking (US App Store)

This messaging app offers fast and private communication with friends. Send text, voice, and group messages, share your location, and discover new people nearby. It also allows for in-app games and expressive emoticons.

**Highlights:** Fast messaging with instant notifications, Expressive emoticons and stickers, High-quality voice messaging, Discover and connect with nearby friends, Easy group messaging, In-app games, Location sharing

**Features:** Siri integration

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| zCloud Mini | $0.99 | per month |
| zStyle - 1 Month | $0.99 | per month |
| zStyle - 1 Month | $0.99 | per month |
| zCloud 100GB Monthly | $1.99 | per month |
| zStyle - 12 Months | $6.99 | per year |
| zCloud Mini | $9.99 | per year |
| Pro 1 month | $9.99 | per month |
| zCloud Standard | $24.99 | per year |
| Sticker zStyle - 29K | $0.99 | one-time |
| Sticker zStyle - 19K | $0.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Convenient messaging
- 🚀 Good call quality
- 💡 Customizable features

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes
- 🔒 Privacy and security concerns
- 🔋 High data and battery usage
- ⚠️ Difficult account recovery

**Reported bugs**

- Unable to receive verification codes
- Inconsistent performance on different devices
- Deleted accounts and lost data
- Unreliable video/audio calls

**Requested features**

- Ability to use on multiple devices simultaneously
- Improved cloud sync and backup
- Better translation and language support
- Option to disable unwanted notifications


## Frequently asked questions

### Is LINE free?

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

### Is Zalo free?

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

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

LINE is rated higher. LINE averages 3.2 out of 5 from 19K ratings, while Zalo averages 2.1 from 8.6K ratings.

### Do LINE or Zalo have ads?

Both LINE and Zalo show ads.

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

LINE ships an update every 9 days, and Zalo fortnightly. Most recently, LINE was updated on November 5, 2026 and Zalo on November 5, 2026.

### Which is more popular, LINE or Zalo?

LINE currently peaks at #43 in the App Store charts, and Zalo at #158. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*