WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 2 billion monthly active users. It offers features like text messaging, voice and video calls, group chats, and more. However, there are still some key features that WhatsApp lacks compared to other messaging platforms.
End-to-End Encrypted Backups
WhatsApp messages and calls are end-to-end encrypted, which means the content is secured and only visible to the sender and receiver. However, WhatsApp backups on Google Drive or iCloud are not encrypted. This leaves the door open for hackers or governments to potentially access your chat history if they get access to your cloud storage.
Other secure messaging apps like Signal and Telegram offer end-to-end encrypted backups as an option. This provides an extra layer of security and privacy for your conversations. WhatsApp has been working on implementing end-to-end encrypted backups, but the feature has not rolled out yet.
Cross-Platform Messaging
WhatsApp is limited to only working on one mobile device at a time. You cannot use the same account on multiple phones simultaneously. Platforms like Telegram and Signal allow you to sync your chats across multiple devices, including desktop.
Having cross-platform functionality makes it much easier to pick up conversations seamlessly as you switch devices. WhatsApp Web provides web access to chats, but it mirrors the phone app rather than working as an independent version.
Username-Based Adding
On WhatsApp, you can only add new contacts using someone’s phone number. Many other messaging apps like Telegram, Signal, and Line allow you to search for and add contacts using a username, which is much more convenient.
A username system allows you to connect with people easily even if you don’t have their number. It also gives you more privacy since you don’t have to hand out your number. WhatsApp limits new connections to people who already have your phone number.
Advanced Administrative Controls
WhatsApp has limited options for group admins. Other apps like Telegram and Slack empower admins with advanced controls like message moderation, filtering, pinning, statistics, and more.
More granular administrative functions allow groups to be better managed at scale. WhatsApp offers basic admin tools but has room to expand the powers of group creators and supervisors.
Media Organization
WhatsApp has limited ways to organize and manage the media files shared in chats. Apps like Telegram have features like albums, stickers, favorites, and folders to stay organized.
The ability to favorite images and videos, save them to albums, and quickly access folders makes it much easier to navigate your message history. WhatsApp does not have structured ways to organize and utilize the media you exchange.
Advanced Privacy Options
WhatsApp has basic privacy settings like read receipts, profile photo visibility, and “last seen” status. But other apps offer far more advanced options to control your privacy.
For example, Telegram lets you remove messages and entire conversations for both parties, control forwarding privileges per message, anonymize your number from specific contacts, delete messages on the other user’s device, and more. WhatsApp’s simplicity works well for many people, but power users desire more granular privacy settings.
Usernames
On WhatsApp, you are identified by your phone number. There is no option for creating a unique username like on other platforms. Usernames bring more personality to profiles and are less cumbersome than sharing phone numbers.
The ability to make memorable usernames gives more identity and character to your profile. Apps like Signal, Telegram, and Line allow users to create one-of-a-kind usernames for their accounts.
Desktop App
WhatsApp Web provides desktop access to chats, but it’s limited because it mirrors the phone and cannot be used independently. Other messaging apps offer full-fledged desktop applications.
A standalone desktop app makes for a better workflow. You don’t have to always have your phone on and connected. WhatsApp forces dependence on a mobile device rather than enabling real desktop messaging.
File Sharing
WhatsApp limits media attachments and file sharing to just 100MB per file. Most other messaging apps have caps ranging from 1GB up to 2GB for files you can send.
A higher file size limit enables users to share documents, videos, photos, and other media seamlessly through chats instead of requiring a separate file transfer service. The 100MB file sharing restriction on WhatsApp is quite small compared to competitors.
Tabbed Chats
Apps like Telegram and Messenger offer tabbed chat interfaces that allow you to seamlessly switch between multiple conversations in one window.
Tabbed chats create a smoother flow for power users actively engaging in multiple discussions. WhatsApp does not offer tabbed messaging, so you’re limited to one chat thread at a time.
Chat Folders
Platforms like Telegram and Messenger allow you to organize different chats into folders and channels based on topics or preferences.
Chat folders enable clean segmentation by moving conversations into specific categories. WhatsApp does not have a native folder system, so organization relies on the apps’ basic pinning and starring options.
Polls
Messaging apps like Telegram, Signal, and Messenger have built-in polling features to let you quickly survey group chat members.
The ability to poll contacts on WhatsApp would be helpful for group decision-making and engaging clan members. But simple voting is currently not natively supported despite being common in competitive apps.
Advanced Search
WhatsApp search is limited to basic string matching of message contents. Other apps like Telegram allow robust filters like searching within specific chats, media, links, documents, etc.
More advanced search functionality saves immense time finding old messages and media. WhatsApp’s limited search capabilities fall short compared to rival messaging apps.
autoclose timer for chats
Some messaging platforms like Signal and Telegram allow you to set self-destruct timers on chats. The messages disappear after the set time limit.
Self-destructing chats provide another layer of privacy and ephemerality. WhatsApp chats have no native auto-closure or expiration capabilities built-in.
Chat themes
Apps like Telegram have robust theming options to customize chat colors, backgrounds, bubble styles, and more. WhatsApp offers no aesthetic customization.
The ability to personalize chat themes makes the messaging experience more fun and dynamic. WhatsApp retains its trademark minimalist green styling with no way to theme chats.
Channel Subscriptions
Telegram introduced channel subscriptions, allowing creators and publishers to run monetized broadcast channels similar to Patreon.
Monetization and subscription capabilities help content creators earn revenue directly from fans. WhatsApp does not facilitate direct creator-fan monetization.
Full Markdown Formatting
Platforms like Telegram support markdown syntax like bold, italics, hyperlinks, lists, etc. directly in chats without requiring third-party apps.
Markdown makes text formatting easier when messaging. WhatsApp supports limited styling like bold, italics, and links in a more convoluted way.
Conclusion
While WhatsApp innovated the modern messaging space and remains a leader, the app certainly has some limitations compared to its more featured competitors. Areas where WhatsApp falls short include encryption, cross-platform access, privacy controls, organizational tools, monetization capabilities, theming, and more.
However, the simplicity and reliability that made WhatsApp successful remains appealing. Not everyone needs comprehensive utility if basic messaging works fine for their needs. But advanced users may desire more flexibility and control in areas where WhatsApp trails behind.
With Facebook’s resources, WhatsApp has potential to bridge some of these capability gaps over time. But the platform’s stripped-down aesthetic and utility have long been core to its identity. Ultimately, the app’s continued leadership will depend both on enhancing features while retaining simplicity in a delicate balance act.