Softwr

Software · head to head

WhatsApp vs Wise Business

WhatsApp logo

WhatsApp

Software

Simple. Reliable. Private.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Wise Business logo

Wise Business

Software

The smart way to send and receive business payments

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only WhatsApp has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: WhatsApp consumer app messaging and calling is free, but the vendor notes carrier data charges may apply; Wise Business opening a Wise Business account in the UK carries a one off setup fee of 50 GBP
  • They diverge on capability: WhatsApp covers Text messaging, Wise Business covers Multi-currency accounts.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which WhatsApp and Wise Business actually diverge.

Attributes where WhatsApp and Wise Business differ
AttributeWhatsAppWise Business
Starting priceFree$29/month
Pricing modelfreeusage-based
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Windows, Macos, Ios, AndroidWeb, Ios, Android, Api
Founded20092011

Identical on both: 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 WhatsApp

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

Only in Wise Business

  • Multi-currency accounts
  • International transfers
  • Batch payments
  • API access
  • Team management
  • Xero
  • QuickBooks
  • Various

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

WhatsApp

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

Wise Business

  • Holding and converting multiple currencies as a businessnot WhatsApp
  • Paying international suppliers and contractors at the mid market ratenot WhatsApp
  • Receiving payments into local currency account details in several countriesnot WhatsApp

Where each one falls short

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

WhatsApp

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

Wise Business

  • Opening a Wise Business account in the UK carries a one off setup fee of 50 GBP
  • Volume discounts on transfers start only above 20,000 GBP equivalent sent per month

Pricing, plan by plan

WhatsApp

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

Wise Business

$29/month
  • StandardFree
    • Multi-currency account
    • Real exchange rate
    • Batch payments

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Wise Business if

  • You need multi-currency accounts.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Api.
  • You also want international transfers.
Wise Business review

Questions people ask

Is WhatsApp or Wise Business better?
Neither clearly leads. WhatsApp starts at Free and Wise Business at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, WhatsApp or Wise Business?
WhatsApp has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for WhatsApp and $29/month for Wise Business.
Does WhatsApp or Wise Business run on more platforms?
WhatsApp runs on Web, Windows, Macos, Ios, Android. Wise Business runs on Web, Ios, Android, Api.
Can I use WhatsApp for free?
Yes. WhatsApp has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Wise Business starts at $29/month.
What is WhatsApp best used for?
WhatsApp is most often used for personal messaging, family communication, business communication, group coordination. Of those, personal messaging and family communication are not what Wise Business is typically brought in for.
What can WhatsApp do that Wise Business cannot?
WhatsApp covers Text messaging, Voice calls, Video calls, Group chats. Wise Business covers Multi-currency accounts, International transfers, Batch payments, API access. Both handle Web support, Ios support, Android support.
Share

Related pages

More on WhatsApp

More on Wise Business

Keep looking

Other head to heads