WhatsApp

WhatsApp is a widely used messaging app, now owned by Meta, that sends messages, photos, and videos over your internet connection instead of relying on your phone plan's SMS or MMS allowance. That makes it a practical, no-cost way to stay in touch, especially for international contacts where regular texting would otherwise incur charges.

Group chats are one of WhatsApp's most-used features, supporting up to 256 people in a single conversation - useful for staying connected with extended family, coordinating with coworkers, or organizing a community group. You can name each group, customize or mute notifications, and share media directly within the conversation.

The Windows desktop app syncs with your phone so your conversation history carries over seamlessly between devices, letting you reply to messages from whichever screen is closest at the time - your phone on the go, or your desktop while you're already working at a computer. For anyone managing conversations across both mobile and desktop throughout the day, that continuity is the main reason to install the desktop client alongside the mobile app.