WhatsApp for PC is no longer restricted to the Web client thanks to the recent addition of both Windows and Mac OS X platforms to those currently being supported by the app.
This is great news as it has previously meant that users who want to access the services of WhatsApp on their desktops must stick to using the web-based WhatsApp Web. The app can be downloaded and installed independently, however, the functionality is nothing different from what you have been seeing on the web client.
Even though WhatsApp for PC is finally here, it is a bit too late. One of its closest rival – Viber – already has a standalone PC application. However, these two platforms have a slightly different approach to the way users can get access to their services. Viber has more than 600 million users as opposed to the more than 1 billion available on WhatsApp. While it is hard for the former to beat the latter in terms of users, the availability of these two on PCs is something different after all.
So, how does WhatsApp for PC compare against Viber for PC?
Unlike WhatsApp Web, the new WhatsApp for PC can be downloaded and installed as a standalone app on your Windows or Mac PC. However, other than being a standalone app, there is really nothing different that this app offers when compared to the web client.
The only thing that this app eliminates is the hassle of having to launch a web browser in order to access it on a PC, instead, you only need to double-click on the desktop shortcut to launch the app. WhatsApp for PC uses the same QR code login process used on the web client.
The most unfortunate thing about this WhatsApp for PC application is that it also mirrors conversations to the desktop in the same way WhatsApp Web does. What this means is that your phone must be connected to the internet in order for messages to be displayed on the desktop client.
This is not the same thing you get with Viber for PC. Once the application has been installed on your PC, all you need is to log into your account with the help of the smartphone app. Once this is done, Viber for PC starts working independently without caring whether the smartphone app is on/off or even if the phone has an internet connection. As long as your PC has an internet connection, you can proceed with a Viber call or chat at any time.
There is no doubt that this is a huge win for Viber for PC as it not only saves time but also resources since you only need to connect one device to the internet and not two. However, it might be on the losing end when security comes into play since anyone can access your messages even if the phone is connected, unlike WhatsApp for PC which demands that the phone must be connected.
On the desktop client of Viber, you will be able to make video calls, something that has only appeared in a beta version of WhatsApp for iOS. It is also possible to transfer current calls between several devices you have signed into with your Viber account.