FD: I'm an iPhone user. (not a die-hard, but I haven't found a decent android I can get along with permanently).
Aside from the number of people (network effects) on WhatsApp, what does it have over something like telegram, signal or any of the other cross-platform messengers?
Devils advocate for a moment:
Signal is pretty consistent, for a "no frills" chat solution, the UX is worse but it is still consistent across platforms.
Telegram does everything WhatsApp does but "better", native desktop apps, voice calling is clearer, it still very consistent. You can even have "usernames"; the UX is clearly superior. But the security model is questionable.
And if the answer is: "but network effects", why not Facebook messenger? it has the same reach if not greater.
So, why WhatsApp?
(this is a genuine question, I'm not trolling).
Aside from the number of people (network effects) on WhatsApp, what does it have over something like telegram, signal or any of the other cross-platform messengers?
Devils advocate for a moment:
Signal is pretty consistent, for a "no frills" chat solution, the UX is worse but it is still consistent across platforms.
Telegram does everything WhatsApp does but "better", native desktop apps, voice calling is clearer, it still very consistent. You can even have "usernames"; the UX is clearly superior. But the security model is questionable.
And if the answer is: "but network effects", why not Facebook messenger? it has the same reach if not greater.
So, why WhatsApp?
(this is a genuine question, I'm not trolling).