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

WeChat vs Messenger

WeChat 3.9★ · Free + IAP 60
Winner Messenger
Messenger 4.7★ · Free + IAP 75

Messenger is generally more reliable for core messaging and calling features, while WeChat offers a broader ecosystem of services, albeit with significant usability and privacy concerns.

Full reviews: WeChat · Messenger

Messenger excels in core communication, offering reliable calls and messages, though it struggles with notification issues and occasional glitches. WeChat provides a comprehensive platform with messaging, payments, and social features, but users frequently report account access problems, privacy concerns, and a cluttered interface.

Head to head

Features edge: WeChatR4R5R16R17
WeChat WeChat is praised for its extensive features beyond messaging, including mobile payments, money transfers, and social networking, making it a versatile 'super app' R5R17. However, users are frustrated by the inclusion of unwanted features like a 'mini-shop' module that displays ads and disrupts the user experience, with no option to disable them R4R16.
Messenger Messenger is valued for its video and voice calling capabilities, with users highlighting good call quality R83R89R114. It also offers games during calls, though some users wish they could play outside of calls . Some users appreciate the ability to send money .
Ease of Use edge: MessengerR6R9R10R13
WeChat WeChat presents significant hurdles for new users, often requiring an existing member to scan a QR code for account creation, which is difficult for those without connections R6R10R13. Account blocking and restrictions are common, with users reporting arbitrary reasons and limited options for resolution, especially when abroad R9R15. Some also find the interface cluttered with unwanted features R4R16.
Messenger Messenger is generally considered easy to use for communication . However, some users experience issues with logging in, getting error messages, or being automatically logged out, which can be frustrating . There are also complaints about the app freezing on chats and drafts disappearing .
Reliability tieR9R15R18R24
WeChat WeChat users report frequent issues with account blocking without clear reasons, leading to communication disruptions R9R15. Other reliability concerns include messages not syncing between devices R18, pictures not opening in excel sheets after updates R24, and the app crashing or requiring re-login .
Messenger Messenger users frequently complain about not receiving notifications for new messages, even after troubleshooting R61R73R94. The app is also described as slow, buggy, and prone to glitches, with messages sometimes disappearing or calls not ringing properly .
Price/Value tieR4R5R16R17
WeChat WeChat is free with in-app purchases, but some users question why they were charged if it's free . The value is high for those who need to communicate with contacts in Asia and use its payment features R5R17. However, the forced inclusion of unwanted features like the 'mini-shop' module detracts from its value for some international users R4R16.
Messenger Messenger is a free app with in-app purchases, and users appreciate it as a free way to stay in contact and make calls . The value is seen in its core communication capabilities, including video calls and messaging R83R89.
Privacy and Data tieR19R27R34R41
WeChat WeChat faces significant criticism regarding privacy, with users expressing concerns about the app collecting personal information and uploading it to the Chinese government R19R34R41. There are also complaints about censorship, with moments being deleted without notice R27.
Messenger Messenger users express concerns about data consumption and the app's access to personal data, questioning the utility of Meta apps in general . There are also complaints about censorship and a large amount of AI bots .
Pick WeChat if

Pick WeChat if you need a comprehensive 'super app' for communicating with contacts in Asia, especially if you plan to use its mobile payment and money transfer features R5R17.

Pick Messenger if

Pick Messenger if you prioritize reliable core messaging and high-quality voice/video calls, and if your primary social network is Facebook R83R89.

Evidence note: WeChat's lifetime rating is significantly lower than Messenger's, and recent reviews for WeChat are heavily skewed negative, particularly concerning account access and privacy. Messenger also has a large volume of recent negative reviews, primarily about notification issues and general bugs, but its lifetime rating remains high.

Frequently asked

Is WeChat good for international communication?
WeChat is highly useful for communicating with relatives and friends in Asia, especially as it's a primary messaging app in those regions and offers translation features R5R14. However, new users outside of China may face significant challenges creating an account without an existing user's verification R10R13.
Why do Messenger users complain about notifications?
Many Messenger users report that since recent updates, they are not receiving notifications for new messages, forcing them to manually check the app and potentially miss important communications R61R73R94.
Are there privacy concerns with WeChat?
Yes, WeChat users express significant concerns about privacy, including allegations of the app collecting personal information and uploading it to the Chinese government, as well as experiencing censorship where content is deleted without notice R19R27R34R41.
Does Messenger have good call quality?
Yes, Messenger is praised for its good quality voice and video calls, with users noting clear audio and video, especially over Wi-Fi, and minimal delays R83R89R95R114.

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. [R4] WeChat 2/5 · US Why add a "mini-shop" module to the international version? Ever since the "mini-shop" feature was added to the "Card Pack" module, it frequently displays product ads, even using system notifications (badges/red dots) to entice clicks. The app's interface consistency is ruined, and user experience is greatly diminished! I really don't understand why WeChat would add a mini-shop feature to the international version. Does anyone abroad actually use it? Does it allow foreign card payments? Can purchases be shipped to international addresses? If shipped, can it assist with customs clearance? After customs clearance, is there a local service provider to handle delivery? After delivery, is there international after-sales service? What's the point of rushing to push this feature without solving these issues step by step? Even if you push the mini-shop feature and run ads, what's the meaning of popping system notifications on the bottom bar's "Me" tab? Is it fun, product manager, I ask you! If I win a bar of soap in a lottery, can I go knock on your door with gongs? Ah! · translated
  2. [R5] WeChat 5/5 · US Super useful: It helped me communicate with my relatives in Asia since they didn’t have messages. Also, it is very useful for paying and transferring money to other people. You don’t need to use cash and credit card anymore.
  3. [R16] WeChat 1/5 · US Updates are getting bigger and bigger, full of useless features: Mini-shop and Card Pack. Many features cannot be disabled. Hope for a clean version of WeChat. · translated
  4. [R17] WeChat 5/5 · US Best: My experience with WeChat has been quite good. It is a useful app for messaging, voice and video calls, and sharing photos with friends and family. I also like that it includes extra features such as mobile payments and social networking. The app is easy to use, and communication is usually fast and reliable.
  5. [R6] WeChat 3/5 · US acception: i want someone to help me to join app with scanning my QR cood
  6. [R9] WeChat 3/5 · US Account security issues: My account has been inexplicably blocked many times, and I'm not told why. Why do you just keep blocking my account? Every time it's blocked, I need friends to help unblock it, but I'm currently abroad and the only WeChat friends I can contact are my family. However, everyone has a limited number of times they can help me unblock, and once those times are used up, I have no options. I really want to know why my account is being blocked. I haven't done anything illegal. This always makes me so disappointed with this app. This is my only way to contact my family and friends in China. If even this is blocked, I will really go crazy.. 😢 I hope you can help me resolve this issue, I would be extremely grateful 🥹🥹🥹🥹 · translated
  7. [R10] WeChat 1/5 · US Rubbish app: To create account dose not suppose to need membership help, is not making any sense 😂 What about those people that want to join and don’t have any member close to them?
  8. [R13] WeChat 1/5 · US Sucks literally trash: I can’t even sign up I don’t anybody that uses this app I just need it for my fardriver and it’s not letting me sign up cus I have to get it scanned by someone that has the app but literally nobody has it cus this app is straight ahh
  9. [R15] WeChat 3/5 · GB quite good: I've been using WeChat to message my Chinese friends but for some reason I 'violated the rules' so now I can't message them because my account has been restricted, this isn't fair. I didn't even get told why it got restricted so I'm very disappointed in WeChat. Now I can't message them and they think I don't like them
  10. [R18] WeChat 3/5 · GB Messages not syncing between two phones: As titled, very disgusting. · translated
  11. [R24] WeChat 3/5 · GB New Update issue: Whenever I receive new excel sheet from someone , the pictures in the sheet is not opening and I can’t see my products list or photos . CHECK EXCEL SHEETS .. NEW UPDATE has this problem !! Please resolve
  12. [R19] WeChat 1/5 · US Collecting information: Collects personal information, uploads to the CCP government. · translated
  13. [R27] WeChat 3/5 · GB Some moments issued was deleted immediately without notice: I have two accounts. So I can see some moments from one account is deleted immediately or just never get published. Such as about Mao.
  14. [R34] WeChat 1/5 · US Everyone, please refrain from using WeChat.请大家不要使用！: 大家不要用腾讯公司的任何东西，这是一个不友好的公司，在中国长期垄断，玩弄用户，号召大家抵制这个公司！ Please do not use any products from Tencent. It is an unfriendly company that has long monopolized the market in China and plays tricks on its users. I call on everyone to boycott this company! 腾讯（テンセント）の製品を一切使わないでください。この会社はユーザーに対して不親切で、中国で長年にわたり独占を続け、ユーザーを玩弄しています。皆さんにこの会社をボイコットするよう呼びかけます！ Ve
  15. [R41] WeChat 2/5 · US Poor attitude towards privacy: Some of Tencent's actions are not very friendly. · translated
  16. [R14] WeChat 5/5 · US Love this app: This app is great! You can call friends and text them from all over the world. If your friend is using a different phone you can also text/call them! You can post what you did today and share it with your friends and they can comment/like it. In general this app is great not only you can talk to people all over the world but you can also talk to people that is using another phone!
  17. [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
  18. [R73] Messenger 1/5 · US Notifications are not working. · translated
  19. [R94] Messenger 2/5 · US Missing notifications: This is more on Facebook page where I have a notification that somebody replied to my comment and then I click on it and it's somebody else or it won't show the person. HUGE BUG!
  20. [R83] Messenger 5/5 · US Quality call: Good for communications
  21. [R89] Messenger 5/5 · US Call: Good quality call sound and video while on WiFi.
  22. [R95] Messenger 5/5 · US Good: Works most the time, but the volume is very low on most all calls
  23. [R114] Messenger 2/5 · US The Clarity!: I’m in Los Angeles and I just talked to my wife in Paris on messenger and the clarity was unbelievable, and there was absolutely no delay in the phone call whatsoever, which really is amazing. We downloaded another Messenger so that we could talk, but nothing beats Facebook

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