What is the Difference Between WhatsApp vs WhatsApp Messenger?
There seems to be a general consensus among the public that WhatsApp and WhatsApp Messenger have no difference. While this may be useful for enforcement, there are in fact differences between the two. So, what is the difference between WhatsApp and WhatsApp messenger? A close examination shows distinct differences between the two. Beginning with WhatsApp, let’s scrutinize them individually to ascertain their distinct differences.
Definition of WhatsApp
A software was developed in 2009 in order to ease communication for subscribers. The same software resulted in a world-class app: WhatsApp. In layman’s language, the definition of WhatsApp is: a global messaging software is an application that has revolutionized the way people stay in touch with each other.
Under the WhatsApp trademark were developed other apps such as WhatsApp Beta and WhatsApp Business, applicable to different niches in the marketplace, as a way of creating and differentiating customer experiences. The application Whatsapp was availed to all smartphone users free of charge, plus it can also be accessed on one’s desktop.
You can only access it by downloading the app from the Google app store for Android users and Apple store for those individuals with Apple products; you can also find it on the WhatsApp website. This application enables you to message, record audio and video messages that you send to other parties at no cost.
Definition of WhatsApp Messenger
In 2014, Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook purchased the WhatsApp franchise for a whopping $19 million, and WhatsApp Messenger is the product of the takeover. Facebook Messenger is originally the messaging wing of the Facebook brand, hence WhatsApp Messenger is a nod to both WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.
Since the takeover, you will notice that the WhatsAPP logo changed from a green speaker’s caption with a phone image in it to that caption being in a green contained box. When you go to the app store of your phone (Google App store for the Android powered phones, and Apple store for the IOS powered phones), and look for WhatsApp, you will see WhatsApp Messenger as the preferred option to download. Those who had the old version of WhatsApp were without a doubt prompted to update their application by visiting the store or simply by accepting the upgrade; the software ran the update in the background.
WhatsApp Messenger is only an application and comes with all the perks of the original WhatsApp application, such as free text messaging, free audio messages, as well as video messaging both locally and internationally.
However, WhatsApp Messenger is even better, as it allows users to update their statuses with shorts clips of videos and photos as many as they want. It also has options for GIFs and many other emojis. This has made the WhatsApp Messenger platform more than just a communication tool. It’s a social media platform, that informs and entertains as well.
Main Differences Between WhatsApp vs WhatsApp Messenger
A tabular form of the differences between WhatsApp and WhatsApp Messenger is highlighted below, making it easy for you to remember as well as teach others. They really aren’t hard to memorize since majority of the people in the world have used both applications and can therefore easily relate to these differences:
| Basis of Comparison | WhatsApp Messenger | |
| Meaning | Originally a software under which there are various applications such as WhatsApp Messenger, WhatsApp Business and WhatsApp Beta. | An application that’s supported by the WhatsApp software. The name was changed to WhatsApp Messenger after Facebook bought WhatsApp in 2014 for $19 million. |
| Logo | Its logo is of a phone image in a green speaker’s caption | Its logo has the WhatsApp logo is a green square box. |
| Different uses | You can use it to send text messages, voice and video messages, for free, worldwide | Apart from using it to send messages, its status option works as a social media platform. |
Conclusion
Looking at WhatsApp vs WhatsApp messenger, the difference clearly lies in one being a software and application, while the other is just an application. Since Facebook took over WhatsApp, you could say that the difference is next to none, though it is not the case. In addition, as a plus, more options such as status update have been included to enhance the customer experience.
