WhatsApp vs. WhatsApp Plus: When the copy surpasses the original

WhatsApp is the most popular messaging app among smartphone users, and its clones and imitations have been around for a long time. One of the best known is WhatsApp Plus. See in our comparison how different applications differ, and if it's worth a tradeoff.

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Lightspring,
shutterstock / AndroidPIT

Virtually every smartphone owner knows about WhatsApp, which already has hundreds of millions of accounts worldwide. Despite this, many of our readers have long since switched to the alternative app WhatsApp Plus. At first glance, we can hardly notice any differences, but the more we dive into the app, the more we understand why Plus has practically become a cult among alternative apps.

Whatsapp vs Whatsapp Plus: Hide online status

The differences between the two messaging applications begin to appear when we look at the setup menus. Not all options are identical. The first option in the Plus menu, for example, Hide status online, was only integrated with WhatsApp four months ago (in a rather difficult place to find). The second, which allows to hide notifications, is not yet present in the original.

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The most complete WhatsApp Plus menu (right). / AndroidPIT
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<h2 id=Whatsapp vs Whatsapp Plus: Send Songs

In the chat window another difference between applications regarding sending attachments is evident: both apps can send photos, videos, audio recordings, location and contacts, but WhatsApp Plus also offers its users the ability to send music. .

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The option to attach music, present only in WhatsApp Plus (right). / AndroidPIT
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<h2 id=Whatsapp vs Whatsapp Plus: Emoticons and Emojis

WhatsApp, we have to admit, is not limited when it comes to emoticons. Still, WhatsApp Plus offers extra options (including Hangouts emojis). In the second tab, with the flower symbol, you can find extra emoticons; On the fourth tab (the car tab), Hangouts emojis are listed. All these extra emoticons can only be viewed by other WhatsApp Plus users.

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Emoticons to weary: WhatsApp Plus also offers Hangouts emojis (right). / AndroidPIT

Themes, Colors, Cones

The big difference to the normal WhatsApp is the numerous possibilities to customize the look of Plus. By clicking on the speech bubble icon with a more colored symbol, you access a submenu with several options – frequently asked questions, language settings, delete useful data functions (logs, cache, backups chat rooms, etc.).

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By clicking on the speech bubble symbol, you access a very complete submenu. / AndroidPIT

But the main part of this menu is the themes, which can be downloaded from a large bank. They were created by other WhatsApp Plus users, and radically change the look of the app.

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The Plus submenu (left) and the choice of themes (right). / AndroidPIT
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And anyone who doesn't want to download a new theme can also change the look of the current theme. Almost all elements can be changed: buttons, backgrounds, colors and icons.

Whatsapp vs Whatsapp Plus: Widget

WhatsApp received a lock screen widget in February this year. WhatsApp Plus, however, had had this function for a long time. It offers a widget with direct access to profile picture and name, own status and settings.

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The widget is already an old acquaintance of WhatsApp Plus users. / AndroidPIT
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<h2 id=Whatsapp vs Whatsapp Plus: Install

WhatsApp can usually be downloaded from the Google Play Store. WhatsApp Plus is not available from the Google app store and can be installed from the app's official website (Update: by legal order of WhatsApp Plus can no longer be downloaded).




WhatsApp Messenger
Install on Google Play

And you, which one do you prefer?

(tagsToTranslate) whatsapp vs whatsapp plus (t) whatsapp (t) whatsapp plus (t) comparative (t) application (t) functions (t) settings