A Whatsapp App page is seen on Facebook on a Samsung Galaxy S4 phone
IN PHOTO: A Whatsapp App page is seen on Facebook on a Samsung Galaxy S4 phone in the central Bosnian town of Zenica, February 20, 2014. Facebook Inc will buy fast-growing mobile-messaging startup WhatsApp for $19 billion in cash and stock in a landmark deal that places the world's largest social network closer to the heart of mobile communications and may bring younger users into the fold. Reuters/Dado Ruvic

Currently, WeChat and WhatsApp are the two major rivals in this app category. The best thing about these apps is that they can easily be downloaded and installed on smartphones for free. In addition, both apps can be used across different platforms. That is why many users choose to take advantage of this kind of service instead of the usual SMS.

The two apps provide almost similar services and both happen to work independently. However, each service also has differences and similarities.

Both apps can be used to send and receive messages as well as audio files, video files and even pictures for free. Well, the free service holds true to WeChat but with WhatsApp, they require an annual subscription after using the service for the first year. The subscription fee charged is $0.99 per year. The fee (after one year) is not applicable to iOS users because they need to pay upfront in order to download and use it on an iOS device, The Fuse Joplin reports.

On the other hand, WeChat requires no annual subscription. Aside from the free text messaging services, the app also provides free voice and video calls plus sharing of multimedia files with other friends. Another advantage of the app is its ability to live-stream content and shares it at the same time. With WeChat, the option to install location-based plug-in will make chatting with local and international friends easy and convenient.WeChat also has other features which makes it quite different from its rival. Features like Shake, Look Around and Drift Bottle to name some will help WeChat users meet new friends and widen their network.

Security wise, it is safe to say that WhatsApp is less secure as compared to its counterpart. WeChat requires its users to send requests to their friends with the "Add Contact" icon which would need approval from the receiving parties before they can send a message to the latter. Apparently, Whatsapp doesn't offer this secured feature, instead, the app user can send a message to other friends in his contact list who also have the app installed on their smartphones . No need for any approval which makes it less private compared to WeChat.

In another news, Whatsapp which is famous in Africa is now being rivaled by a new mobile messaging party called Mara Messenger. The new competitor plans to take over Whatsapp's domination in the said continent, Forbes.com reports.