Comparison

Chat Backup vs WA Backup Reader

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

Head to head
About

Chat Backup

Preserve your conversations by exporting them to PDF. This tool allows you to back up chats with or without media, making them searchable and shareable. All data is stored securely on your device with biometric lock options.

Highlights
  • Export chats with media
  • Create searchable PDF backups
  • Secure with Face ID/Passcode
  • Import from cloud storage
  • Save status photos/videos
  • Start chats without saving numbers
Features
Read full description

Back up your important chats and keep them forever, even if they're later deleted from your phone. Export a chat once, with or without media, and read it here as a clean, searchable conversation. Save it as a PDF whenever you need a copy. Everything stays on your iPhone, locked with Face ID. HOW IT WORKS 1. Open the chat you want to keep in WhatsApp 2. Tap the contact or group name, then tap Export Chat 3. Choose this app in the share sheet 4. Your chat is ready in seconds FEATURES • Back up chats with photos, videos, voice notes and documents • Read every message with its date and time, just like the original • Export any conversation to PDF to print, share or keep as a record • Search your chats and find any message instantly • Jump to the first or last message in one tap • Import exported chats from Files, Google Drive or your device • Works with chats in any language • Save status photos and videos • Start a chat without saving the number to your contacts • Lock your backups with a passcode, Face ID or Touch ID SUBSCRIPTION Unlock premium features with a subscription. Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription anytime in your App Store account settings. Privacy Policy: https://bkvirani.blogspot.com/2026/04/privacy-for-wa-backup.html Terms of Use: https://bkvirani.blogspot.com/2026/04/terms-for-wa-backup.html WhatsApp is a trademark of WhatsApp LLC. This app is an independent tool and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by WhatsApp LLC or Meta Platforms, Inc.

About

WA Backup Reader

This app allows you to read exported chat histories in a familiar, organized view. It offers full-text search across all conversations and a media gallery to easily find photos, videos, and voice messages. Your data remains private and offline.

Highlights
  • Familiar chat view
  • Full-text search
  • Media gallery
  • Offline functionality
  • Easy import
  • Privacy-focused
Features
Read full description

You exported your chat history and want to actually read it again? WA Backup Reader has you covered – cleanly, searchably, and entirely offline. ------------------------------ A FAMILIAR CHAT VIEW ------------------------------ Your exported chat files are displayed exactly the way you expect: your messages on the right, incoming on the left, timestamps, system notices, and media references – everything in the right place. No more digging through raw text files. ------------------------------ FULL-TEXT SEARCH ACROSS ALL CHATS ------------------------------ Remember a message but not which chat it was in? The built-in search scans every conversation at once and jumps straight to the result – in a fraction of a second. ------------------------------ MEDIA GALLERY ------------------------------ Photos, videos, and voice messages from your chats are gathered in a clean, browsable gallery. Stop scrolling through lines of text to find that one photo – it's right there, sorted and easy to browse. ------------------------------ ONE-ON-ONE & GROUP CHATS ------------------------------ Whether it's a private conversation or a busy group chat with many participants – WA Backup Reader renders everything correctly. Sender names, system notices, and shared content are fully preserved. ------------------------------ FULLY OFFLINE & PRIVACY-FIRST ------------------------------ Your data never leaves your device. The app works 100 % offline – no sign-up, no account, no connection to any external server. No tracking, no analytics, no sharing. Your chat history stays yours. ------------------------------ EASY IMPORT ------------------------------ Import chat exports directly as ZIP or TXT files – via the Files app, AirDrop, or the Share sheet. No computer needed, no complicated setup. ------------------------------ GERMAN & ENGLISH ------------------------------ WA Backup Reader is fully available in both German and English. ------------------------------ WA Backup Reader is an independent third-party app with no affiliation to WhatsApp LLC or Meta Platforms, Inc. The app reads the standardised chat export format provided by common messaging apps.

Screenshots

Chat Backup4 screens
WA Backup Reader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: WA Backup Reader at every 4 days against Chat Backup's every 3 weeks. WA Backup Reader also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Chat Backup sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and WA Backup Reader sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Chat Backup ships an update every 3 weeks, WA Backup Reader every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 9, 2026 and November 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Chat Backup versus WA Backup Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChat BackupWA Backup Reader
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (5 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings5 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 4 days — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size55 MB31 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBhupatbhai ViraniInnervate

Customer experience

Chat Backup

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

WA Backup Reader

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Chat Backup

Subscriptions6
  • WA Chat Backup Weekly$4.997 Days
  • WA Chat Backup Exp Weekly$5.997 Days
  • WA Chat Backup Monthly$9.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • WA Chat Backup Exp Monthly$12.991 Month
  • WA Chat Backup Yearly$19.991 Year
  • WA Chat Backup Exp Yearly$29.991 Year
1 purchases

WA Backup Reader

One-time1
  • Remove Ads$0.99

Questions

Is Chat Backup free?
Chat Backup is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is WA Backup Reader free?
WA Backup Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Chat Backup or WA Backup Reader have ads?
Both Chat Backup and WA Backup Reader show ads.
Which is updated more often, Chat Backup or WA Backup Reader?
Chat Backup ships an update every 3 weeks, and WA Backup Reader every 4 days. Most recently, Chat Backup was updated on November 9, 2026 and WA Backup Reader on November 1, 2026.

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