Best for organized email
Gmail vs WhatsApp vs Viber: which communication app should you choose?
Choose Gmail for organized email and Google services, WhatsApp for ad-free encrypted messaging, or Viber for calls, expressive stickers, and larger group chats.
At a glance
| App | Google Play rating | Price | In-app purchases | Platforms | Age rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GmailGoogle LLC | 4.1 out of 514,377,200 ratings | Free | No | Android, iOS | Everyone |
 WhatsApp MessengerWhatsApp LLC | 4.6 out of 5246,492,605 ratings | Free | Yes ($0.40 - $199.99 per item) | Android, iOS | Everyone |
 Rakuten Viber MessengerViber Media | 4.1 out of 516,690,539 ratings | Free | Yes ($0.99 - $99.99 per item) | Android, iOS | Teen |
Ratings, prices and age ratings come from the Google Play listings, read on Nov 7, 2026. Listings change over time.
How we compared them
Gmail, WhatsApp, and Rakuten Viber Messenger all help people communicate, but they serve different needs. Gmail focuses on email, while WhatsApp and Viber center on messaging and calls. WhatsApp has the highest Google Play rating and the largest rating count; Gmail and WhatsApp each have more than 10 billion installs.
This comparison looks at their main strengths, trade-offs, store figures, and declared data safety where available. It can help you choose an app for managing email, keeping in touch privately, or calling and messaging groups.
How we compared them
We compared the Google Play ratings, rating counts, install figures, prices, ads, and in-app purchases read on November 7, 2026. We also considered each app’s core purpose and the relative strengths and drawbacks described here.
WhatsApp is the only app in this comparison with a Google Play data-safety declaration included: it says it shares no data with third parties, collects several categories of data, encrypts data in transit, and lets users request deletion. We do not draw conclusions about Gmail or Viber data safety from information not included here.
Gmail
Google LLC4.1 out of 5 on Google Play
Best for managing email across Google services
Gmail is the clear choice for email rather than chat: its powerful search, automatic inbox categories, spam filtering, offline access, and priority notifications can help keep messages organized. Its integration with Google services makes it a natural fit for people already using Google Workspace and related tools.
The trade-offs are a less customizable interface and ads. Full functionality requires a Google account, and some users may encounter syncing issues on certain devices. Gmail also does not provide end-to-end email encryption.
- Price
- Free, with ads
What we like
- Google service integration
- Automatic email categories and strong spam filtering
- Offline access and priority notifications
What to know
- Ads and limited interface customization
- No end-to-end email encryption
WhatsApp Messenger
WhatsApp LLC4.6 out of 5 on Google Play
Best for everyday private messaging and calls
WhatsApp combines text, voice, and video calls with multimedia sharing in a user-friendly app. End-to-end encryption makes it a strong option for private conversations, and its free, ad-free service is an advantage over Viber, which contains ads. Its 4.6 Google Play rating is the highest of the three.
Signing up requires a phone number, and the service depends on an internet connection. File-sharing size and group limits can be constraints, while metadata privacy remains a consideration. Google Play says WhatsApp shares no data with third parties, but also declares collection of several categories of data.
- Price
- Free, no ads
What we like
- End-to-end encrypted messaging
- Free to use with no ads
- Text, voice, video, and multimedia sharing
What to know
- Phone number required to sign up
- File-size limits and group restrictions
Rakuten Viber Messenger
Viber Media4.1 out of 5 on Google Play
Best for international calls and expressive group chats
Viber brings free voice and video calls, messaging, and communities together, with end-to-end encryption for secure chats. Its range of stickers and ability to delete sent messages add expressive options, while group chats can accommodate up to 250 members—more than the group limit described for WhatsApp.
Viber’s drawbacks include ads in the free version, occasional message-sending lag, and limited theme customization. It works best with a stable internet connection, and long calls can consume a lot of battery. Its Google Play rating is lower than WhatsApp’s.
- Price
- Free, with ads
What we like
- Free international voice and video calls
- End-to-end encryption and message deletion
- Sticker variety and groups of up to 250
What to know
- Ads can be intrusive
- Long calls can drain battery
Which one should you pick?
Best for ad-free private messaging
WhatsApp Messenger
Best for expressive group calls and chats
Rakuten Viber Messenger
Frequently Asked Questions
Which app has the highest Google Play rating?
WhatsApp has the highest rating of the three at 4.6, compared with 4.1 for Gmail and 4.1 for Viber.
Which apps offer end-to-end encryption?
WhatsApp and Viber offer end-to-end encryption for chats. Gmail does not provide end-to-end encryption for emails.
Which app is best for email?
Gmail is the email-focused option, with search, automatic categories, spam filtering, offline access, and Google service integration.
Which app is ad-free?
WhatsApp is the only one of the three marked as containing no ads. Gmail and Viber contain ads.