Whatsapp Explanation

[ethandron]

In very, very, very simple terms could someone please explain the above to me. We’ve both downloaded the app on to our iPhones but neither of us can see any advantage to it over texts and emails with photos attached, which we can already do, and feel we’re missing something...are we?
Does everyone WhatsApp these days? And what’s the advantage of having a WhatsApp group, I can send the same text or email to numerous people anyway so why have a ‘group’?
I don’t want a technical answer, which is why I’ve posed the question here, I’d just love someone to explain it all to me in words of one syllable.

[Rockrose]

You can set up different groups so if you wanted to talk to 4 friends at once you set up a little group for that. Its free I believe so that's a saving if you don't get free texts.
I have several WhatsApp groups - group wedding presents, group holidays etc etc

[ummmm]

I have it. Never used it :-)

[retrocop]

I was told it is free wherever you send from or to. Not sure if that is entirely correct.

[spathiphyllum]

benefit is, if you have wifi, it's free to message eachother

there are other apps such as telegram, wickr that are similar, it's just whatsapp is the most commonly used, so most have it.

A bit like another facebook messenger

[Sqad]

If you and your contact are both on Whatsapp, then the call is free...anywhere in the world.

[ummmm]

Same for facebook.

[Old_Geezer]

No cost per message. Your broadband is already a sunk cost whether you use it or not, unless you go over your inclusive limit, and free WiFi you don't pay for anyway. Disadvantage is that recipients need to be on the Net to receive.

[murraymints]

you can call..message send pics free if you and recipient are on it ! use it lots !! download the app and send request type thing to contacts..well worth it !

[calmck]

I live abroad. Use it all the time to Canada USA and Europe. All calls and messages are free. Use it to set up for group plans when travelling

[Bazile]

What's in it for 'Whatsapp' ?

[Mamyalynne]

https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/040915/how-whatsapp-makes-money.asp

[-SharonA-]

I use it when I'm abroad. It's a godsend, free and easy.

[Gromit]

It is useful for Group chats.
When you set up a group, say ‘Family’ for example, everyone in that group sees the messages and can leave a message thatevery one in the group sees.
I have several Groups and it is a very effective way of communicating.

[Prudie]

Sqad has answered but on top of that you can video call anyone (which you can't usually do with normal phones, you'd have to use facetime or similar) and it's all free and doesn't come off your call and text tariff. I use it all the time.

[ethandron]

So it appears the main benefit is that it’s free?
I’m not sure the group thing would be useful for me and him, we text, email and FaceTime our relatively small family anyway, both abroad and in the UK, and have never run out of data or whatever it’s called.
Maybe we’re just not techie enough, or interested or keen enough to see what the advantages would be for us...although I’m still not sure I understand it properly.
Thanks anyway.

[Buenchico]

Like Ethandron, I've never really seen the point of Whatsapp. Many above have pointed out that it's free, but so's my email. A friend of mine (in Italy) is constantly urging me to get Whatsapp but, even without it, we still stay in touch easily through email. I simply can't see that it offers anything I'd ever need.

[murraymints]

messages and video id free chris

[murraymints]

your e mail..mine isn't !

[Buenchico]

Nobody wants to see my ugly mug, Minty, and I can send a message just as quickly with my email app as I could with Whatsapp.

[ichkeria]

I can see the advantage of it over email and even texting but I use Facebook messenger and Viber (which I hate but my wife uses it) so I don’t also need this. Depends what you’re used to.