WhatsApp is an indispensable application on mobile phones and if you usually spend hours in front of the computer, using the popular messaging application on PC is very convenient, since you can follow the messages at a glance and write much faster with your physical computer keyboard. But there are two options to have WhatsApp on your computer: via WhatsApp Web or by installing the WhatsApp desktop app.
The web version is older than the desktop version and while both are very similar in terms of interface and available features (although there are some notable differences), there are scenarios where it is better to use one over the other.Which is better: WhatsApp Web or WhatsApp Desktop? It depends on what you are looking for and your needs.
WhatsApp Web vs WhatsApp Desktop: Main Differences
WhatsApp Web (left) vs WhatsApp Desktop (right). Interface
The main difference between WhatsApp Web and WhatsApp Desktop is that even if the website runs from the browser without installing anything (just go to web.whatsapp.com), in the desktop version you will have to download the application on your computer. In the first case, just type web.whatsapp.com and in the second, go to the application store of your operating system or go directly to the official WhatsApp website, where you will find the application for Windows and MacOS. From there, it is time to associate it with a QR and nothing else.
The interface of WhatsApp Web and WhatsApp Desktop is quite similarwith the right column with the chat conversations, the left one with the open chats and some other variations at the aesthetic level beyond the fact that while in the web version the menu is in the upper left area, in the desktop it is in a column on the far left. The icons and colors are practically the same, so the adaptation curve is minimal between one and the other.
In terms of functions, The most important thing is that with the desktop version it is possible to make video calls and calls. From there, it’s pretty much the same: you can create groups, check your profile, open archived or featured chats, log out, set up notifications (in the case of the browser version, they will go hand in hand with the permissions granted and will not appear as balloons), light and dark themes, wallpaper, blocked contacts.
When is it better to use WhatsApp Web or WhatsApp Desktop
How to get both programs can be a limiting factor: to get the app, you need macOS 11 or later and Windows 10 or later, so if you have an old version or are using another operating systemyou will then have no choice but to use the web version.
As for the space that the program occupies, it weighs just 150 MB, so it should not be a problem regarding your computer’s storage. However, it is likely that if you normally work on the internet with many tabs open in the browseryou prefer to use the standalone application to reduce resource consumption.
Another scenario where it is worth betting on one over the other is when you are on a computer that is not yours, for example in the office, in a call center or simply when someone has left you a computer. In this case it is more comfortable choose to use the web version and not install anything. Of course, don’t forget to log out afterwards.
Switch to desktop version You will also have your conversations and notifications independentlywhich can be useful to avoid getting lost with many tabs, sounds and notifications.
Finally, if you want to use WhatsApp on your computer for make calls and video callsthen the choice is clear: the desktop version is what you need. It also has keyboard shortcuts that also speed up the experience under heavy usage.
Cover | Ricardo Aguilar Xataka Android
In Xataka Android | WhatsApp Web: what it is, how to use it and tips to get the most out of it on Android
