Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

KakaoTalk vs Messenger

KakaoTalk 4.3★ · Free to download 55
Winner Messenger
Messenger 4.7★ · Free + IAP 75

Choose Messenger for a more reliable and feature-rich messaging experience.

Full reviews: KakaoTalk · Messenger

Messenger outperforms KakaoTalk in terms of reliability, user experience, and feature set. While KakaoTalk has a strong user base, recent reviews highlight significant issues with login and ads, making it less favorable compared to Messenger's overall functionality and support.

Head to head

features edge: MessengerR9R47R62R68
KakaoTalk KakaoTalk users appreciate its unique features like customization but express a desire for more themes and functionalities.
Messenger Messenger users enjoy a variety of features including games during calls and video messaging, but some report glitches.
ease of use edge: MessengerR1R10R61R63
KakaoTalk KakaoTalk users frequently report issues with logging in and navigating the app, particularly for non-Korean users.
Messenger Messenger users experience some bugs but generally find the app easy to use despite recent updates causing issues.
reliability edge: MessengerR4R36R70R116
KakaoTalk KakaoTalk users report significant reliability issues, including login failures and lost messages after updates.
Messenger Messenger users note some glitches, but the app generally maintains better performance and reliability.
price/value tieR3R46R61R104
KakaoTalk KakaoTalk is free to use, but users are frustrated with ads and limited features for non-paying users.
Messenger Messenger is also free with in-app purchases, but many users find it provides good value for its features.
support edge: MessengerR52R54R63R97
KakaoTalk KakaoTalk users express dissatisfaction with customer support, especially regarding account verification issues.
Messenger Messenger users report mixed experiences with support, but generally find the app more responsive.
Pick KakaoTalk if

you want a free messaging app primarily for communicating with Korean contacts.

Pick Messenger if

you seek a more reliable and feature-rich messaging app with broader functionality.

Evidence note: KakaoTalk's reviews show a significant number of recent negative experiences, particularly around login issues and ads, which may skew the perception of its overall quality.

Frequently asked

Which app is better for messaging?
Messenger is generally considered better for messaging due to its reliability and feature set, while KakaoTalk has specific strengths for Korean users but faces significant usability issues.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R9] KakaoTalk 3/5 · US Great for online messaging: I love Kakao been using it for years to communicate with my long distance friends. Just wish they had more themes to download but overall it’s a great app. Highly recommend for anyone that has long distance relationships they want to stay in contact with.
  2. [R47] KakaoTalk 4/5 · US pls add video messages: all in this app is great! but i guess it will be better with video messages, not only voice and text messages
  3. [R62] Messenger 4/5 · US good: i like the games you can play while on call. I dont like that you cant play the games unless you’re on the call.
  4. [R68] Messenger 5/5 · US Love messenger: Thank you for your video calls
  5. [R1] KakaoTalk 1/5 · US Can’t talk to my friends: I have verified my phone number multiple times and they just won't let me use the app. Maybe it's because I'm an American? I'm not sure but I can't log in or use my account to talk to my friends
  6. [R10] KakaoTalk 1/5 · US Can’t log in: It keeps trying to send an international message for authorization, and it miserably fails.
  7. [R61] Messenger 1/5 · US NOT RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS: Since the most recent update, I’m not getting notified of new messages. I’ve turned off my notifications in the app in the Settings app and turn them back on. I’ve restarted my phone deleted the app and reinstalled it and still I’m not getting notified when I get new messages. I have to open the app and check manually This is caused me to miss out on potential sales on
  8. [R63] Messenger 3/5 · US Couldn’t have access bruh: I mean the app is useful but one time I had to restart the app for something and kept getting error messages like the page isn’t available we are trying to fix it or a weird error message. I haven’t called my cousins in days and I still have the same error :( Can you please fix this?
  9. [R4] KakaoTalk 2/5 · US New update is terrible: Update deleted all chat rooms and temporary back up kept coming as an error. Then it says the account is expired and asks you to start over. When you choose to restore back up it doesn’t do anything. Terrible update. All my memories are lost. They don’t allow non Korean numbers to have a cloud for back up that’s so ridiculous when they are aware many foreigners use this app
  10. [R36] KakaoTalk 3/5 · GB I can’t send messages on kakotalk anymore: Hello I have been using Kakao talk for more than 2 years now , and today for some reason I can’t send any messages to any of my friends anymore. Please can anyone help me with this ? I have tried restarting my phone , app , and seven updating it but nothing works 😅😅 Please help me .
  11. [R70] Messenger 1/5 · US Bugs and slow: Does not deliver txts like whatsapp. It is very slow and takes lots of time
  12. [R116] Messenger 1/5 · US Needs bug fixes: It lags , txts vanish mid typing, video call minimize issues, half the time call rings doesnt show
  13. [R3] KakaoTalk 3/5 · US STOP WITH RANDOM ADS: I wish there was an English option great app but WHY ARE THERE SO MANY ADS???? And why can’t I block them?!?!
  14. [R46] KakaoTalk 1/5 · US Too many Ads: Sold their soul to the devil , and now the app is riddled with Ads.
  15. [R104] Messenger 5/5 · US Love it!: Easiest fastest FREE way to stay in contact, get in contact, send money, and make FaceTime calls to my family.
  16. [R52] KakaoTalk 1/5 · US Verification fails in Russia: Today I couldn't complete SMS verification in Russia. Previously, SMS messages were sent to international numbers, but now they go to Russian operator numbers. As a result, after sending the automatic text SMS, I get "Send failure. Message not sent." How should I interpret this, and what should I do? How can I install the app? · translated
  17. [R54] KakaoTalk 3/5 · GB Bugs.: I love the app and speaking Korean with friends, however it keeps disabling my account and telling me I cannot join open chats or message others first due to security setting, even though everything I’ve said was in the guide lines. Please help so I don’t have to uninstall 🥺
  18. [R97] Messenger 1/5 · US Identity: I have identified my identity 5 times which is ridiculous. I have had this account 15 years or longer,

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store