Both LINE and WeChat are messaging apps that let users send messages, make voice and video calls, and share photos and videos with their contacts. The popular messaging app LINE was first released in Japan in 2011. The app is focused on privacy and security. Calls and messages are encrypted from end to end, and users can lock their chats with a passcode or their fingerprint. LINE also has a payment system called LINE Pay, which lets users send and receive money within the app.
LINE also has a lot of stickers and emojis that users can add to their messages to make them more personal. On the other hand, WeChat is a messaging app that came out in China in 2011. WeChat has a lot of different features, such as messaging, voice and video calls, social networking, a way to pay called “WeChat Pay,” and “mini-programs,” which are small apps inside the app.
Moments lets users share photos and updates with their friends, and Official Accounts lets businesses and celebrities talk to their fans. WeChat also has a variety of stickers and emojis that users can add to their messages to show how they feel.
Line vs Wechat: Comparison table
Feature | LINE | |
---|---|---|
Country of Origin | Japan | China |
Main Functionality | Messaging and voice calls | Messaging, voice calls, social networking, payment system |
User Base | 166 million monthly active users globally | 1.2 billion monthly active users globally |
Payment System | LINE Pay | WeChat Pay |
Social Networking | LINE Timeline | WeChat Moments |
Security | End-to-end encryption for messaging and calls | Encryption for messaging, but not for calls |
Stickers | Large library of animated stickers | Large library of animated stickers |
Group Chats | Up to 500 people | Up to 500 people |
Voice and Video Calls | High-quality and stable | High-quality, but sometimes unstable |
Languages | Supports over 50 languages | Supports over 20 languages |
Marketing | Ads, official accounts, and chatbots | Ads, official accounts, and mini-programs |
official link | Visit Website | Visit website |
Line vs Wechat: User interface
Both LINE and WeChat have easy-to-use interfaces that are simple to get around. But there are some differences between the two apps in how they are made. LINE is more simple and easy to use, so it has a more minimalist design. The app’s interface is clean and simple, with a simple color scheme and easy-to-understand icons. Users can easily switch between chats, contacts, and the timeline by using a menu bar at the bottom of the screen.
The chat interface is easy to use and makes it clear where messages, stickers, and other features are. WeChat, on the other hand, has more features and a more complicated interface. The app is brightly colored and has a lot of icons and buttons, which can be a bit much for some people to handle.
But once you get used to it, WeChat is very flexible and gives you a lot of ways to make your chats your own. The app also has a social networking feature called “Moments,” which lets users share photos, videos, and updates with their friends.
Line vs Wechat: Ease of use
LINE has a clean, easy-to-use interface and a simple way to move around. From a menu bar at the bottom of the app, users can easily switch between chats, contacts, and their timeline. The chat interface is easy to use because it makes it clear where messages, stickers, and other features are. LINE also has a feature called “Smart Reply” that suggests quick answers based on what was said in the message.
WeChat is harder to use than LINE because it has more features and options. But the app does a good job of setting up these features so that they are easy to find and use. The app has a colorful design with a lot of icons and buttons, which can be confusing for some users. However, the interface can be changed, so users can move icons and menus around to suit their needs. WeChat also has a feature called “Sight” that lets users take short videos and send them to their contacts.
Line vs Wechat: Features
LINE and WeChat have a lot in common. They both let you send messages, make voice and video calls, and send stickers and emojis. But the features they offer are not exactly the same. LINE is mostly about texting and voice calls, with a big focus on privacy and safety. The app encrypts messages and calls from end to end, and users can lock their chats with a passcode or their fingerprint. LINE also has a payment system called LINE Pay, which lets users send and receive money within the app.
On the other hand, WeChat is more than just an app for sending messages. It has a lot of different functions, such as messaging, voice and video calls, social networking, and a way to pay called “WeChat Pay.” Moments lets users share photos and updates with their friends, and Official Accounts lets businesses and celebrities talk to their fans.
WeChat is also different because it has mini-programs, which are like small apps inside the main app. Users don’t have to download a separate app to use these mini-programs, which can be used to do things like order food, book a taxi, or play games.
Line vs Wechat: Security
Both LINE and WeChat are concerned about security and offer encrypted messaging. The level of security that each app offers is different, though. End-to-end encryption is used for both text messages and voice calls on LINE. This means that only the sender and the recipient can read or hear the messages or calls. This encryption is set up by default, and users can also lock their chats with a passcode or fingerprint.
Also, LINE has a feature called “Letter Sealing,” which encrypts messages even when they are sent over a public Wi-Fi network. This adds an extra level of security. WeChat also has encryption for sending messages, but it doesn’t go all the way to the end.
Instead, messages are encrypted when they are sent from the user’s device to WeChat’s servers, but they are decrypted on WeChat’s servers and then re-encrypted when they are sent to the recipient’s device. This means that WeChat could, in theory, read users’ messages if it wanted to, but the company says it only does this when asked by law enforcement.
Line vs Wechat: Performance
Voice and video calls on LINE are known for being clear and stable, even in places with bad network connections. The app also has a feature called “Keep” that lets users save messages, photos, and videos to the cloud. This can help free up space on their devices and make the app run better.
WeChat can work better or worse depending on the device and network connection of the user. Even though the app works well most of the time, some users have said that voice and video calls sometimes don’t work, especially if they are in an area with poor network connectivity. WeChat also takes a while to load or move around because it has so many features and options.
Line: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Simple and straightforward interface
- High-quality voice and video calls
- Wide range of stickers and emojis
Cons
- Limited social networking features compared to WeChat
- Smaller user base outside of Asia
- No mini-programs or payment system like WeChat
Wechat: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Feature-rich app with payment system (WeChat Pay), social networking features (Moments and Official Accounts), and mini-programs
- Large user base in China and beyond
- Customizable interface
Cons
- Encryption for messaging is not end-to-end
- More complex interface than LINE
- Some features may not be useful to all users
Which one should you consider?
The best choice between LINE and WeChat will depend on the user’s needs and preferences. LINE might be a better choice for people who care most about privacy and security, high-quality voice and video calls, and a simple interface. WeChat might be a better choice for people who want more features and options, like the ability to pay and connect with other people, as well as a more customizable interface.
FAQs
Over 600 million people all over the world use WhatsApp, which is probably the biggest competitor to WeChat. You can easily import your contacts and invite anyone who isn’t already using WhatsApp to do so. You can type messages, talk on the phone, or send photos, voice memos, files, and videos!
The main problem with WeChat is privacy. Tencent can see everything about how people live. One counterargument is that we already have this problem in the Netherlands. Even though our information is spread across many apps, we can no longer enjoy privacy.