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WhatsApp vs. BBM: A quick comparison between the two

bbm whatsapp teaser
© nextpit

It was a difficult introduction for Blackberry Messenger, but it WhatsApp.  Whether BBM is better or not and whether it can survive in a world littered with competitors, only time will tell but at least we can have a quick look a the messaging app in this comparison. 

bbm whatsapp teaser
© NextPit

And so we fall back on the question: Who would want to compete in the messenger market when you have to take on the likes of WhatsApp and Viber and their millions and millions of users? Especially with the struggling Blackberry posting loses all over the place. However, despite everything, BBM is here and supposedly here to stay. And so, here’s a quick little breakdown between the WhatsApp and BBM and how they are similar and/or different.

At first glance, BBM and WhatsApp appear to differ significantly from each other, but both messengers incorporate, at their core, the same functions and options. Whether BBM has enough in it to stand out from the pack, that’s for you to decide.

    WHATSAPP   BBM
Invite Friends  

Yes

eg by SMS, Facebook, Hangouts, Google+, Email, LinkedIn or Skype

 

Yes

eg by SMS, email, NFC, PIN or QR Code Scan

Address Book auto-update   Yes   No
Registration type   By cell phone number   By E-Mail
Use on multiple devices   No   No
Chat features  

Sending text messages, emoticons 
attachments voice messages, photos (gallery or camera), location, contacts, videos

Copy complete chat history

 

Sending text messages, emoticons 
attachments voice messages, photos (gallery or camera) 

Copy complete chat history

Add another chat partner

Group Chats   Yes   Yes
Broadcasts   Yes   Yes
Widgets   No   Yes
Additional functions  

Adjustment of layout and notifications for each chat

Blocking contacts

Direct call from contacts

 

Group management (appointments, tasks, lists, notes, photos)

Blocking contacts

"Pinging" of people

Price   Free for 1 year. 0.99 cents per year afterwards.   Free

Conclusion

As I’ve said above, only time will tell to see how BBM fares in the Android and iOS market. I know just from personal experience, friends who have long stood by BBM are excited that their friends on other devices will be able to chat with them at long last with their beloved “messenger” service. Will that steadfast user base be enough to bring people over to try it out? I have a hard time convincing myself to make the change as I already have a good base of friends using WhatsApp already.

The greatest asset of the BBM is the management of groups and that may be the core strength behind it: concentrating on the student and business crowds. As well, you don’t sign in with a phone number and “lock” a device to your account, but rather use a BlackBerry ID which is e-mailed to you.

So, what do you think so far of BBM? Is it enough for you to make the change? 

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Sterling Keys

Sterling Keys
Freelance Editor

From all the way over on Vancouver Island, Sterling Keys started off his smartphone adventure with an HTC S710 equipped with Windows Mobile and knew there had to be something better. Over the next few years, and countless different operating systems, he has finally found his home on Android.

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9 comments
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  • 27
    Sorin Aug 17, 2018 Link to comment

    Indisputably WhatsApp !


  • 4
    Jack Smith Jan 4, 2018 Link to comment

    The comparison between the WhatsApp and BBM apps is good stuff.


  • 1
    Suraj B Hegde Jan 29, 2015 Link to comment

    Of course... I've recently changed to BBM from whatsapp...

    BTW, for a friendly chat - Add me to BBM! Click PIN:2bd85874 on BlackBerry. Click www.pin.bbm.com/2bd85874 on Android or iPhone to add me or to download BBM.

    xD xD xD


  • 2
    Chinedu Chioke Oct 29, 2013 Link to comment

    Unless Whatsapp dropped this idea of paying 0.99 cents per year by users, it would not survive the competition in the long run. Why pay for something when i can get another one for free. BBM will remain free and so, believe it or not, it surely will outlive the likes of Whatsapp. Many smartphone users in Africa, including those in the rural villages, have come to love Whatsapp which for them remains the best way to communicate, instead of the standard sms. For these people, Whatsapp is the best IM app and they dont love it for its design, but rather for the fact that it is free. Ask them now to start paying for it and you will see many will just switch to BBM. And what will even be the payment method? Credit card? How many people in Africa know what a credit card is, let alone own one?

    Suraj B Hegde


  • 1
    rajeshseointern Oct 28, 2013 Link to comment

    i am sure BBM is the best in future. they have a good team. they will make it big.

    Best Mobile Application Development contact http://www.surprisesolutions.com/m-commerce.php


  • 6
    Ed E. Oct 26, 2013 Link to comment

    I've downloaded bbm and kind of like it... This is my first time using it and so far so good


  • 1
    Gagandeep Singh Oct 26, 2013 Link to comment

    I have never used blackberry so never used bbm. Now when comparing whatsapp and bbm i think whatsapp has edge as bbm is late already and another thing that it has pin system as compared to whatsapp which uses address book. Now it is going to be very dificult for bbm because whatsapp is already with everyone. Now thing to watch will be when free time period of whatsapp expires. But charges are very less to i think there is not going to be any major problem.
    In summary I think whatsapp will rule.


  • 2
    Sadiku Ashafura Oct 24, 2013 Link to comment

    well, only time can tell as you've said earlier... but for now whatsapp remains the best


  • 19
    Glostermeteor Oct 24, 2013 Link to comment

    I managed to get the app last night and I have to say I got a feeling of excited nostalgia. The problem I have since found is all my friends who I thought were using Blackberrys have since dumped them for iPhones or Androids.

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