LINE

LINE is one of the best alternatives to WhatsApp. Chat with your contacts, make video calls, and enjoy a broad ecosystem of integrated applications

One of the most avant-garde instant messengers

While it may seem that the world of short messaging begins and ends with WhatsApp, that's not the case. There are pretty good alternatives that offer a different take on chatting and one of the most popular is LINE.

Chat and exchange messages with a different perspective than WhatsApp

Developed in Japan, the application designed chatting on a mobile phone differently than Meta. While the American app bets on a sober and functional design and a slower evolution of its features, LINE is the opposite: a much more informal environment and the continuous incorporation of new features that make it much more than a messaging app, but to a broader platform for social interaction. In countries such as Japan, South Korea and Thailand, the market share of users is even very high.

Unsurprisingly, in addition to messaging, we also find built-in features, such as the ability to explore other users' posts via VOOM, a LINE-affiliated social network. Or online payment via the secure payment system. It was also the app that made stickers popular, which were then adopted by other apps like Telegram and much later WhatsApp. Of particular note is its VoIP capabilities, which also make it a good alternative to Skype.

These are the main features found in the app:

• Instant messaging and chat between contacts.
• Free voice and video calls using the VoIP protocol, supporting up to 200 people connected at the same time.
• Keep feature that allows you to save and then share messages, photos and videos. A wide range of emojis and stickers to emphasize your expressiveness in messages.
• Timeline function to share photos, text, locations...
• Multiplatform: Use your user account on Windows, Mac, iPhone, on the web via the browser...
• International calls with LINE Out at special rates.
• Access to the gaming area.
• LINE Pay, a secure payment system.
• Ability to meet people through the app.
• Access to VOOM, where you can explore the content shared by other users.

Which is better: WhatsApp or LINE?

As I said, these are two different app concepts. First of all, neither is more useful or less useful than the other because both are used to send messages to each other. However, we can say that the Japanese app is more complete in terms of features... and some of them would be welcome in WhatsApp (e.g. Keep). On the other hand, the American version is more sober in design than its Asian counterpart, much more visual and theatrical. It's perfect for those who like manga and stickers, but not for those who want to communicate in a more relaxed way.

What's new in the latest version?

• The innovations of the last version have not yet been published.

Requirements and further information:

• Minimum operating system requirements: Android 8.0.
• The app offers in-app purchases.