
Today WhatsApp and Viber are among the most popular instant messaging services. Both applications are free and offer a similar set of functions, in particular, support for encryption of correspondence, 3G, 4G and Wi-Fi networks, Android, iOS and Windows platforms, have desktop versions for Windows and Mac, offer the ability to instant messaging, send photos, video and audio files, group chats, and support for virtual assistants Google Now and Siri. At the same time, Viber has a number of advantages not available to WhatsApp.
VoIP support
Unlike WhatsApp, which only allows free calls and messages to app subscribers, Viber includes the Viber Out VoIP feature, which allows users to make international calls to mobile and landline numbers for a small fee.

All you need to do is fund your account using a credit card and payment service, and you can call anyone, even if they don't use Viber.
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The desktop version of Viber offers all the functions of the messenger
The desktop versions of WhatsApp for Windows and Mac only support instant messaging, and if you need to make a voice call, the user will have to turn to the mobile version of the application.

In turn, the desktop versions of Viber have more extensive functionality, including Viber Out, and allow you to make voice and video calls to other users of the service. In addition, in addition to versions for Windows and Mac platforms, there is also a version of Viber for Linux.
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Public accounts and chats
Viber developers position the service as "the most comprehensive communication experience in the world." In support of this claim, Viber hosts public accounts, which can be accessed by clicking the Public button at the bottom of the app. Typically, these are brand or celebrity accounts that serve to post news or interact with the Viber audience for account holders.

The degree of user interaction with the public account depends on the settings set by the account administrator. Some accounts allow you to send private messages or provide a public chat with the authors of the publications. But more often than not, users can only view the news feed and put a "Like" mark on the publications they like.
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Hidden chats
In 2016, the "Hidden Chats" function appeared in Viber, with the help of which you can restrict access to correspondence by protecting it with a special four-digit code. In order to hide messages, you just need to open "Dialogue settings", select "Hide" and set a password.

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Games
For fans of mobile games, Viber offers a list of games (Candy Mania (Android / iOS), World Poker Club (Android / iOS), Defenders (Android / iOS), Diamond Rush (Android / iOS)) that users can play with their friends even if they are not Viber users.

See also:
- Franz: Skype, WhatsApp, Telegram, VKontakte, Facebook Messenger chats in one computer application.
- 10 Useful WhatsApp Options Everyone Should Know
- Top 5 useful Google Chrome extensions for the VKontakte social network.