Softwr

Communication · head to head

Line vs WhatsApp

Line logo

Line

Communication

Messaging app that dominates Japan, Taiwan and Thailand, now run by LY Corporation under joint SoftBank and Naver ownership

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
WhatsApp logo

WhatsApp

Communication

Simple. Reliable. Private.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Line line has negligible market share outside Japan, Taiwan and Thailand, so it is the wrong choice for reaching contacts in most other regions.; WhatsApp consumer app messaging and calling is free, but the vendor notes carrier data charges may apply
  • They diverge on capability: Line covers Line Pay, WhatsApp covers Text messaging.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Line and WhatsApp actually diverge.

Attributes where Line and WhatsApp differ
AttributeLineWhatsApp
Pricing modelFree to download, paid stickers and business messaging tiersfree
PlatformsiOS, Android, Windows, macOS, WebWeb, Windows, Macos, Ios, Android
FoundedUnknown2009

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Communication).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Line

  • Line Pay
  • Official Accounts
  • Stickers and themes
  • Line News
  • Group and open chat
  • Timeline

Only in WhatsApp

  • Text messaging
  • Voice calls
  • Video calls
  • Group chats
  • Status updates
  • File sharing
  • Voice messages
  • Location sharing

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Line

  • A business selling to consumers in Japan that needs an Official Account rather than email or SMS to reach customersnot WhatsApp
  • An individual keeping in touch with contacts in Japan, Taiwan or Thailand where Line, not WhatsApp, is the defaultnot WhatsApp
  • A brand running promotions through Line stickers or Timeline content aimed at a Japanese audiencenot WhatsApp
  • A company processing consumer payments in Japan through Line Pay integrationnot WhatsApp

WhatsApp

  • Personal messagingnot Line
  • Family communicationnot Line
  • Business communicationnot Line
  • Group coordinationnot Line
  • International callingnot Line

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Line

  • Line has negligible market share outside Japan, Taiwan and Thailand, so it is the wrong choice for reaching contacts in most other regions.
  • A 2021 incident exposed that some user data had been accessible from servers operated in China, which led to a formal restructuring of data governance and remains a reference point for privacy sensitive users.
  • Standard chats are not end to end encrypted by default in the way Signal is; Letter Sealing, an opt-in encryption feature, has to be manually enabled per chat.
  • Business messaging through Official Accounts becomes expensive quickly once a company exceeds the free monthly message allowance and moves to a metered plan.
  • Ownership sits inside a SoftBank and Naver joint venture with a history of governance disputes between the two partners, which creates strategic uncertainty for enterprise customers relying on the platform long term.

WhatsApp

  • Consumer app messaging and calling is free, but the vendor notes carrier data charges may apply

Pricing, plan by plan

Line

Free
  • LineFree
    • Free messaging, voice and video calling
    • Individual sticker sets typically cost a few hundred yen each
    • Line Official Account has a free tier with message volume limits, then paid tiers by monthly message count

WhatsApp

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited messaging
    • Voice and video calls
    • Group chats up to 1024 people

Which should you pick?

Choose Line if

  • You need line pay.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Web.
  • You also want official accounts.
Line review

Choose WhatsApp if

  • You need text messaging.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Windows, Macos, Ios, Android.
  • You also want voice calls.
WhatsApp review

Questions people ask

Is Line or WhatsApp better?
Neither clearly leads. Line starts at Free and WhatsApp at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Line or WhatsApp?
Line starts at Free and WhatsApp at Free.
Does Line or WhatsApp run on more platforms?
Line runs on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Web. WhatsApp runs on Web, Windows, Macos, Ios, Android.
Can I use Line for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Line best used for?
Line is most often used for a business selling to consumers in japan that needs an official account rather than email or sms to reach customers, an individual keeping in touch with contacts in japan, taiwan or thailand where line, not whatsapp, is the default, a brand running promotions through line stickers or timeline content aimed at a japanese audience, a company processing consumer payments in japan through line pay integration. Of those, a business selling to consumers in japan that needs an official account rather than email or sms to reach customers and an individual keeping in touch with contacts in japan, taiwan or thailand where line, not whatsapp, is the default are not what WhatsApp is typically brought in for.
What can Line do that WhatsApp cannot?
Line covers Line Pay, Official Accounts, Stickers and themes, Line News. WhatsApp covers Text messaging, Voice calls, Video calls, Group chats.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Line: Is Line encrypted by default?

Chats use standard transport encryption, but full end to end Letter Sealing encryption must be turned on manually per conversation, it is not the default.

WhatsApp: How much does WhatsApp cost for personal users?

WhatsApp messaging and calling are free for personal users. Data charges may apply depending on your mobile provider.

Source
Line: Does Line work well outside Japan, Taiwan and Thailand?

Technically yes, but almost nobody uses it as their primary messenger outside those markets, so it is the wrong choice to reach most other audiences.

WhatsApp: Does WhatsApp offer a business product?

Yes, WhatsApp Business exists to help companies reach customers, showcase products, and increase sales, though specific pricing for business messaging features is not detailed on the main website.

Source
Line: Who owns Line now?

LY Corporation, formed from a merger of Line and Yahoo Japan businesses, controlled by A Holdings, a joint venture between SoftBank and Naver.

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