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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Rakuten Viber Messenger vs Gmail

Rakuten Viber Messenger 4.6★ · Free + IAP 60
Winner Gmail
Gmail 4.7★ · Free to download 75

Gmail is the better choice for reliable email communication, while Rakuten Viber Messenger is suitable for those needing a secure messaging app with international calling features, despite recent user dissatisfaction with AI integration.

Full reviews: Rakuten Viber Messenger · Gmail

Gmail offers a robust and widely used email service, praised for its search capabilities and cross-device functionality, though some users report recent issues with updates and forced security features. Rakuten Viber Messenger provides strong messaging and calling features, especially for international communication, but faces significant backlash over forced ChatGPT integration and persistent ads.

Head to head

Features tieR2R4R7R8
Rakuten Viber Messenger Rakuten Viber Messenger is valued for its messaging, calling, and video chat capabilities, particularly for connecting with loved ones abroad R2R8. However, recent updates have introduced unwanted features like forced ChatGPT integration and business threads that users cannot remove R4R7R19. Some users also desire features like stories, screen-sharing, and the ability to set music in profiles .
Gmail Gmail is praised for its core email functionality, including search capabilities and user-friendly interface compared to native mail apps . It offers features like Google Meet integration and the ability to organize emails into categories . However, some users dislike the new design, which makes it harder to distinguish new emails , and complain about forced AI overviews that clutter messages . There are also requests for features like grouping emails by sender and multi-select for deleting emails .
Ease of Use tieR1R3R6R10
Rakuten Viber Messenger Many users find Rakuten Viber Messenger convenient and easy to use for communication . However, recent updates have made the app less user-friendly, with forced terms and conditions R3 and difficulties with login or receiving SMS options R1R10. Users also report issues with deleting multiple chats and an outdated interface R6.
Gmail Gmail is generally considered user-friendly, with a clean and quick interface . However, recent updates have introduced usability issues, such as emails remaining in the inbox after deletion until the app is reopened and an inbox pane blocking full-screen view on tablets . Some users find the security keys and QR codes for login to be overly complicated , and the 'View Entire Message' feature can be inconvenient .
Reliability tieR2R8R9R10
Rakuten Viber Messenger Rakuten Viber Messenger is generally seen as reliable for messaging and calling R2R8. However, users report issues with sending images and videos, which can take a long time or fail to send R9. Some experience problems with voice messages not being heard , messages disappearing , and a poor backup system that loses chat history . The app also has connection issues for some R10 and purple screen errors requiring reinstallation .
Gmail Gmail is generally reliable, with emails arriving and sending quickly and verification codes being received in seconds . However, recent updates have led to significant reliability problems for some users, including the app not loading or crashing R87R90R94R99, emails not being received R115, and issues with attachments . Some users also report needing to reinstall the app to use links in emails and problems with the text editor after iOS updates .
Price/Value tieR15R19R36R37
Rakuten Viber Messenger Rakuten Viber Messenger is free to download, but users complain about too many ads, including promotions for Viber Plus R15R36R37. Some users who pay for Viber Plus have cancelled their subscriptions due to unwanted AI features . The value proposition is diminished by the forced integration of features like ChatGPT and business inboxes that cannot be removed R19R37.
Gmail Gmail is free to download, but users express frustration over perceived changes in storage policies, claiming zero free storage and being charged for email services . Some users also complain about sponsored ads appearing at the top of their mail .
Support edge: Rakuten Viber MessengerR29R50R100R115
Rakuten Viber Messenger Rakuten Viber Messenger receives positive feedback for its user support team, which has helped with issues like transferring accounts to new numbers R29R50.
Gmail There is no direct feedback on Gmail's user support team in the provided reviews. Some users report being unable to recover accounts or delete information R100R115.
Pick Rakuten Viber Messenger if

you need a messaging app with strong international calling and text features, and are willing to tolerate recent unwanted AI integrations and ads R8.

Pick Gmail if

you primarily need a reliable email service for personal or professional use, appreciate good search functionality, and are comfortable with Google's ecosystem, despite some recent UI and reliability concerns .

Evidence note: The reviews for Rakuten Viber Messenger show a strong negative sentiment towards the forced ChatGPT integration, which significantly impacts user satisfaction despite its core messaging functionality. Gmail's recent reviews indicate a decline in reliability and usability for some users, but its overall lifetime rating remains high.

Frequently asked

Does Rakuten Viber Messenger force AI features on users?
Yes, Rakuten Viber Messenger has integrated ChatGPT features that are forced on users, with no clear opt-out option, and attempts to disconnect often result in errors R4R7R13R16.
Are there ads in Rakuten Viber Messenger?
Yes, users report that Rakuten Viber Messenger has too many ads, including promotions for its own Viber Plus subscription, which can be frustrating R15R36R37R19.
Does Gmail have issues with email loading or crashing?
Yes, some Gmail users have reported issues with the app not loading, swirling endlessly, or crashing after recent updates, making it temporarily unusable R87R90R94R99.
Do Gmail users experience problems with spam or unwanted emails?
Yes, some Gmail users complain about an increasing number of scam and spam emails reaching their inbox, junk, or spam folders, even from blocked addresses R63R93.

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. [R2] Rakuten Viber Messenger 5/5 · US Viber: Viber provides excellent messaging and calling features with great security and reliability.
  2. [R4] Rakuten Viber Messenger 1/5 · US Forced AI no opt out: I used to love Viber however I am deleting my account permanently due to the forced ChatGPT integration and lack of a privacy opt-out switch. Not cool Viber and Apple! I won’t have you hold me hostage.
  3. [R7] Rakuten Viber Messenger 2/5 · US NO ChatGPT !!!!!!: Stop adding junk that doesn't at all need to be in Viber!!!!! The stupid Business Thread that no one asked for that you can't delete, and now ChatGPT ??? you will lose so many customers to Telegram or other inedible chat/video apps
  4. [R8] Rakuten Viber Messenger 5/5 · US Great Communications app: I’ve been using Viber for years and have been very happy with it. I’m able to communicate by phone, text or video with loved ones who live abroad. Signal continues to improve. I have no complaints.
  5. [R1] Rakuten Viber Messenger 1/5 · US Problem with the app: When i write my number I only get phone option.. there’s no sms option and the phones options isn’t working
  6. [R3] Rakuten Viber Messenger 3/5 · US Deleted Viber just now: With the new update it would not open anymore without agreeing to all terms and entering new info. I deleted it. Not a big loss. There are other apps that do better.
  7. [R6] Rakuten Viber Messenger 3/5 · US Still the old interface!!: Please make it in liquid glass!!!
  8. [R10] Rakuten Viber Messenger 2/5 · US Could not login: Once downloaded the application however always popping up the notification saying that there was no connection , I have both cellular data and WiFi connected, I don’t know why that could be happened
  9. [R9] Rakuten Viber Messenger 3/5 · US Lately, sending pictures and videos has been inconvenient. · translated
  10. [R15] Rakuten Viber Messenger 3/5 · US Too many adds: Every time I get rid of a add I get another one of viber plus which makes it even more frustrating than the original add
  11. [R19] Rakuten Viber Messenger 1/5 · US Remove chatgpt: Remove chat gpt. I understand it’s optional to use but I don’t want it there at all. I want it gone. I don’t want random message tab with chat GPT that drives me insane that I can’t hide it, i don’t want the bar on bottom show the icon in the center. Make it gone. I will never use it, never did. I don’t want my viber looking like bot. Viber app looks like spam right now filled with
  12. [R36] Rakuten Viber Messenger 3/5 · GB How many times to see the new features ad before it goes away?: Read it once, all I need to really, but every time I load Viber it’s there right in the middle of the conversations list - once or twice ok, but permanent? Spoils an otherwise good app.
  13. [R37] Rakuten Viber Messenger 2/5 · US Functional with a few caveats: So I’ve been using this since most of my workmates prefer this over other messaging applications, and sure, it does what it says on the box- no more, no less. On what isn’t value adding though- the ads are so pervasive that simple holiday greetings in messages would instantly turn into links to [insert business brand here]. Add to that the new and trendy addition of
  14. [R29] Rakuten Viber Messenger 5/5 · US User support: I really appreciate user support team's effort. Good job.
  15. [R50] Rakuten Viber Messenger 5/5 · US Number change: The support team helped resolve the problem of transferring the app to a new number. Everything was done quickly and efficiently. · translated
  16. [R100] Gmail 1/5 · US Garbage: It’s completely infected my phone. It won’t allow me to log out. I can’t delete my information. It says it’s available. It’s simple. The links don’t work.
  17. [R115] Gmail 1/5 · US By name only: I don’t get my Gmail. It is by name for receiving and by name for sending since May 3 2026. My server is not authenticated and my imap is inappropriate and not responding. When I change my 6 different passwords and my cataract eye didn’t work, I’m lost! I have not been successful with my passkey…no recovery of account. I want to and should DELETE my Gmail account, but all of my conta
  18. [R13] Rakuten Viber Messenger 1/5 · US Ok: Don’t ask about Chat GPT!! 0 interest!! Not interested!! Remove that Chat GPT! Stop showing it ! 😡😡
  19. [R16] Rakuten Viber Messenger 1/5 · US Forced ChatGPT feature: Viber added a ChatGPT feature that I do not need and do not want to use and did not provide an opt out option.
  20. [R87] Gmail 3/5 · US Why I dont like it: It takes forever to load it won’t let me tap anything and won’t let me add another account
  21. [R90] Gmail 3/5 · US App not functional: Last update and just before (June 2026) the app longer functions. Updated app, restarted iPhone and still swirls endlessly. About a day after I left this review the Gmail app began to work again. Tapping the app only led to endless swirling and never opening but now it seems to work fine again, issue must have resolved. I couldn’t access my Gmail via my phone for 3-4 days.
  22. [R94] Gmail 2/5 · US Travando: Depois da ultima atualizacao nao consigo mais usar, trava so de abrir
  23. [R99] Gmail 3/5 · GB App crashing: The app crashes on iOS whenever I try to look for emails from a specific time frame
  24. [R63] Gmail 3/5 · US Spam and Scam Emails: Blocked email addresses should not come to my inbox, junk, Spam folder or deleted folder. The number of scam, span type emails have gotten out of control.
  25. [R93] Gmail 3/5 · GB My experience: I was uncomfortable because when I went on my Gmail account some random people keep on sending me inappropriate emails

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