WhatsApp Web vs. WhatsApp Desktop: Key Differences Explained

WhatsApp has become an excellent chatting platform. It is continuously evolving and launching new features for its users, which makes many users wonder if they should use WhatsApp Web or the desktop application. Both offer great benefits.

WhatsApp Web has a simple interface. In addition, WhatsApp Web login requires a phone. A great thing about it is that you do not have to install anything.

In this article, we will uncover the truth behind which is better. Let’s get started, shall we?

Platform Overview

While both of these versions extend your WhatsApp access to a computer, the working mechanisms are quite different.

WhatsApp Web is a browser-based platform. On the other hand, WhatsApp Desktop is a downloadable application for both Windows and Mac OS.

One important thing to remember is that both of these require a phone pairing initially. However, the experience and features may differ slightly.

Setting Up Process

Setting up essentially means logging into both of these versions. Here is how you can do that:

WhatsApp Web Login

• The first step is to open WhatsApp Web on your browser
•       Secondly, open WhatsApp on your phone
•       Then tap the menu, which is three dots.
•       From there ,select Linked Devices and then Scan the QR code
•       Point the phone at the screen to complete the login process

WhatsApp Desktop Login

•       First, you need to download the desktop application from the official site.
•       Choose the version according to your operating system
•       Open the application and follow the same QR code scanning procedure

Note: Both of these versions require a WhatsApp Web login QR code to initiate the connection.

Internet Connection

Having stable Internet is a must in both scenarios. For WhatsApp Web, you need an internet connection on both devices, especially if you are logging in. That is not the case with the desktop version. It offers a bit more flexibility in that regard.

When it comes to performance and speed, the desktop application offers a faster and smoother performance. That is mainly due to the native system integration.

On the other hand, the web version can lag a bit, especially if you have many tabs open in your browser.

Now, let’s take a look at the features and functionality comparison.

Features & Functionality

There are certain areas where a subtle difference would appear. For example:

This chart clearly indicates the superiority of the desktop version over the browser-based WhatsApp.

Accessibility is another important feature. WhatsApp Web is ideal for quick access. You can use it on any device or location. That is not the case with desktop applications. It is better for daily use on your personal computer.

Can You Use WhatsApp Web Without Your Phone?

This is one of the most common questions. There are certain workarounds in this regard. For instance:

• After the initial WhatsApp Web Login with QR code, your session will remain active. The usual timeframe is 14 days.
• Secondly, WhatsApp has introduced a multi-device setup. In this case, your phone does not need to stay connected to the internet.

Even though you cannot complete the WhatsApp login without the phone, you can stay logged in for at least 2 weeks before having to log in again.

WhatsApp Web Vs. WhatsApp Desktop: Which One to Use?

You need to opt for the web application if you are in need of temporary access. Secondly, if you are using a public or shared computer, choosing this method would be great. Lastly, if you do not want to install anything, use the web-based service.

Similarly, if you are looking for better performance and want to use WhatsApp for work, you need to use the desktop version. It allows you to make calls and send larger files.

Wrapping it Up!

Even though both of these versions offer convenience and streamline workflow, it all comes down to your personal choice. For all the casual and on-the-go users, a web-based application is a great way to stay connected.

If you are a pro, then a desktop application would be a great fit for you.