Today we woke up with the news that WhatsApp has finally released a desktop client, i.e. a standalone application, not a web version for use inside the browser as what we had so far – although, as we shall see, not all that glitters is gold.
With this move, WhatsApp other competitors, but still far behind in terms of number of users, makes it more or less time in addition offer a desktop client, either as a browser extension or app is independent use our clear favorite messaging app from the desktop it is, in specific situations, much more comfortable to do it from your mobile. But do these desktop clients are up to our expectations? And which of them is the best?
The most important thing: Users
Given the variety we have today to choose in terms messaging application, one of the most important factors when deciding on one or the other is the number of users.
I do not mean the number of active users that each one of them – although this is, of course, what really matters to their creators. In fact, reviewing these data Statistic, we see that WhatsApp is still clearly the king, followed closely by Facebook Messenger – whose health data were confirmed by Mark Zuckerberg at the last conference F9.
What really matters to standard user is who of your friends and family are in each app and WhatsApp wins again here. We have only to ask our closest circle to realize that remains the most widely used application, despite the growing popularity of FB Messenger, and despite the constant struggle Telegram to offer new functions (bots, channels .. .) that can convince users to switch applications.
Perhaps by known leader in this market, and also have the backing of Facebook, WhatsApp seemed to have rested on its laurels and in their latest versions not really provided no powerful novelty. But in recent weeks they have been the batteries: last month announced the encrypted point to point of all their conversations, and today does the same with your desktop client.
With the advent of WhatsApp to the desktop, it is inevitable to compare it with other applications on the market that long ago that already offer this possibility. Since some spend much time at the computer, to receive and reply to messages from the keyboard, without having to take the phone all the time, it is infinitely more comfortable.
The newly launched desktop application WhatsApp is indeed a separate app. That is not depends on us having the browser open, because it no longer runs a tab of it. Yes, still it depends on the mobile data connection, so you have a WiFi worth close if you do not want to end quickly with your monthly fee.
The application is used as the WhatsApp web client, because in reality is nothing more than the web client tucked inside the wrapper from a desktop application. You have to link it with the mobile by a QR code, and make sure your phone stays connected to the Internet. The only change in that sense that is no longer integrated into the browser. That novelty, on the other hand, has allowed the unification of functions that were previously not available in some browsers.
On the desktop client WhatsApp you’ll do everything that also allows mobile app: share photos, videos and documents, take a picture with the camera from the computer and send it to time, send voice notes, mute groups to bother you, etc. . . . What you cannot do, though, they are called. It is available for Windows 8 or higher and OS X 10.9 or higher.
Telegram
A Telegram is could be defined as “the great misunderstood” within the messaging apps. It offers dozens of advanced features compared to WhatsApp, yet only has 100 million active users – a tenth of WhatsApp. This difference in features is also noted in its desktop applications, available from early and in different formats.
If you want to use Telegram from the desktop, you can do with a native application (really, not like WhatsApp), available for Windows, Mac and Linux. Windows also have a portable version that requires no installation. You also have a web version executable in a browser tab. And if you use Chrome, some developers have created native apps for this browser, thanks to the open API Telegram.
Focusing on desktop applications, in them we find all the functions of the mobile app – except the secret chats. You can access channels, using bots, send voice notes, and fill your chats stickers and animated GIFs indiscriminately, and share files, photos and more.
FB Messenger
With its 900 million users, Facebook Messenger on the heels WhatsApp (although in reality the rivalry between these two should not be considered as such). Part of this success is probably due to Facebook’s decision to offer its messaging service as independent mobile app. But what about FB Messenger on the desktop?
It is a web application that runs in a tab on your browser, launched in April last year .Although you can still use private messages from Facebook to chat with friends, the web version of Messenger get those chats Facebook environment and presents them in a separate app cleaner and easier to use.
Facebook Messenger has the classic design apps messaging with chat list on the left and the selected right conversation, and has the same functions as the app Mobile – except access to my Messenger, clear. Otherwise, you can share files and photos, use stickers and animated GIFs, send voice notes, and even make calls or video conferences. Not forgetting the bots Messenger, of course.
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Hangouts
Although far from the competition (does not enter or within the ten most used applications), Hangouts is convenient if you are a general user applications Google, thanks to its integration with the ecosystem. To use it on your desktop, you have a Chrome app, and you can use it directly in a browser tab.
Hangouts are the basic functions of a messaging application. You can, for example, share photos and decorate your chats with emoji and stickers. A curious feature is the ability to make a drawing when the mouse, and send it to your partner. But if anything stands Hangouts is for the audio calls and video, along with several people at once.
Otherwise, and if not really need the video conferencing feature, Hangouts remains a little short – above all, surely, in the number of your contacts that use it.
Skype
A Skype many will relate only video calls, so that may not seem like an alternative to consider when communicating with friends and family. But the numbers do not lie, and is the fifth most used messaging application (although it is precisely because of its great asset, videoconferencing).
To use it, you have native desktop client for Windows, Mac and Linux, along with a web interface that you can use here, and despite being labeled “Beta” works pretty well.
In addition to that feature that defines both Skype, Microsoft application also includes all the characteristics of a communication tool such functions, such as chat via text, or the ability to share files. It also offers advanced features, such as shared use of the screen or phone calls with Skype Credit.
For business, Skype Business is a special version of payment designed to help in areas such as remote collaboration and meetings functions, all well it integrated with Microsoft Office applications.
Skype has a nice collection of emoji to decorate your conversations, and also includes an element we have not seen in any other application: so -called mojis, kind of short animations with which you can express your mood more accurate way. .. and funny.
WhatsApp, you owe us a desktop client conditions
Reviewing the data in the table in the previous point, we can say that the winner is Facebook Messenger. It has all the features you would expect from a messaging application, plus some interesting extras with others do not count as video calls and chat. That, together with all your friends probably are on Facebook (and thus, in one way or another receive your message), make a very valid option – and its 900 million users are proof of this.
Yes, the news with which we opened this comparison not just left disappointed. The announced as “desktop app WhatsApp” is nothing more than an adaptation of the web application with their own failures and shortcomings, which still depends on the data connection of the mobile, and sometimes disconnected without notice.
I understand that having a desktop application is not the No. 1 priority for these services, focusing rather on the use that people make of their mobile apps. But give users more platforms use (and that work well, of course) is exponentially multiply the number of people you can reach. Visit http://headinformation.com/ for more tips.