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RingCentral Video vs WhatsApp

RingCentral Video logo

RingCentral Video

Software

Connected cloud communications

From
$19.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
WhatsApp logo

WhatsApp

Software

Simple. Reliable. Private.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only WhatsApp has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: RingCentral Video unlimited calling is limited to the US and Canada markets; other international calls are charged per minute at the published international rates table; WhatsApp consumer app messaging and calling is free, but the vendor notes carrier data charges may apply
  • They diverge on capability: RingCentral Video covers HD video conferencing, WhatsApp covers Text messaging.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which RingCentral Video and WhatsApp actually diverge.

Attributes where RingCentral Video and WhatsApp differ
AttributeRingCentral VideoWhatsApp
Starting price$19.99/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfree
Free tierNoYes
Founded19992009

Identical on both: platforms (Web, Windows, Macos, Ios, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 RingCentral Video

  • HD video conferencing
  • Voice and video calling
  • Screen sharing
  • Virtual backgrounds
  • Recording and transcription
  • Chat and messaging
  • Calendar integration
  • Meeting attendee controls

Only in WhatsApp

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

Both cover

  • End-to-end encryption

What people use each for

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

RingCentral Video

  • Cloud business phone system with video meetings and team messagingnot WhatsApp
  • Replacing on-premise PBX hardware for distributed teamsnot WhatsApp

WhatsApp

  • Personal messagingnot RingCentral Video
  • Family communicationnot RingCentral Video
  • Business communicationnot RingCentral Video
  • Group coordinationnot RingCentral Video
  • International callingnot RingCentral Video

Where each one falls short

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

RingCentral Video

  • Unlimited calling is limited to the US and Canada markets; other international calls are charged per minute at the published international rates table
  • The free trial is only for new subscribers and is capped at five users and two desktop phones, with SMS unavailable during the trial
  • Trial hardware must be returned within 21 days of trial cancellation to avoid hardware charges
  • Phone rental is available only with a multi-year contract
  • Automated, high volume or marketing SMS costs extra as RingCentral High Volume SMS, and TCR registration is required for SMS and MMS
  • A Mobile User extension is free to add but is billed at the same monthly rate as a Digital Line in any month it is used to make or receive a call
  • The Webinar 500 discount lasts one year on a one year commitment, after which pricing reverts to $75 per host per month or the then current retail price
  • Taxes and recovery fees including the Federal Universal Service Recovery Fee, E911 Service Fee and Compliance and Administrative Cost Recovery Fee are added on top
  • The advertised savings of up to 33% require paying annually

WhatsApp

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

Pricing, plan by plan

RingCentral Video

$19.99/month
  • Essentials$19.99/month
    • Video meetings
    • Phone service
    • Text messaging
  • Standard$27.99/month
    • Everything in Essentials
    • Advanced meeting controls
    • Call recording
  • Premium$34.99/month
    • Everything in Standard
    • Advanced security features
    • Compliance recording
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Unlimited everything
    • Custom deployment
    • Dedicated account manager

WhatsApp

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

Which should you pick?

Choose RingCentral Video if

  • You need hd video conferencing.
  • You work on Web, Windows, Macos, Ios, Android.
  • You also want voice and video calling.
RingCentral Video 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 RingCentral Video or WhatsApp better?
Neither clearly leads. RingCentral Video starts at $19.99/month and WhatsApp at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, RingCentral Video or WhatsApp?
WhatsApp has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $19.99/month for RingCentral Video and Free for WhatsApp.
Does RingCentral Video or WhatsApp run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, Windows, Macos, Ios, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use WhatsApp for free?
Yes. WhatsApp has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. RingCentral Video starts at $19.99/month.
What is RingCentral Video best used for?
RingCentral Video is most often used for cloud business phone system with video meetings and team messaging, replacing on-premise pbx hardware for distributed teams. Of those, cloud business phone system with video meetings and team messaging and replacing on-premise pbx hardware for distributed teams are not what WhatsApp is typically brought in for.
What can RingCentral Video do that WhatsApp cannot?
RingCentral Video covers HD video conferencing, Voice and video calling, Screen sharing, Virtual backgrounds. WhatsApp covers Text messaging, Voice calls, Video calls, Group chats. Both handle End-to-end encryption.
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Related pages

More on RingCentral Video

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