{"id":186572,"date":"2022-03-23T17:16:35","date_gmt":"2022-03-23T16:16:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sftarticles.wpenginepowered.com\/en\/?p=186572"},"modified":"2025-07-01T20:52:12","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T03:52:12","slug":"whatsapp-web-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/whatsapp-web-review\/","title":{"rendered":"WhatsApp Web review | Online communication"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WhatsApp Web<\/a> <\/strong>is an online messaging application<\/strong> you can use on a browser. You can link it to your mobile account to synchronize your chats. However, you\u2019ll need a phone number<\/strong> for it to connect and work. There\u2019s a WhatsApp beta update<\/a> in development that will let you use the web version without your phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For now, there are plenty of features<\/strong> to enjoy with the WhatsApp Web version. It\u2019s more convenient when you\u2019re working on your computer and you don\u2019t want to use your phone to attend to messages. There are also various ways you can use WhatsApp to be more productive<\/a>. Let\u2019s take a look at all it has to offer in this review.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WhatsApp Web chat features<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Primarily, WhatsApp Web is used to chat with your friends, family, and groups. There are some features that enhance communication, and I\u2019ll evaluate each of these below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Text communication<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most people use WhatsApp web to send texts to their contacts<\/strong>. It\u2019s easier to type on a physical keyboard than the screen option that the WhatsApp mobile<\/a> <\/strong>version offers. Out of all the communication options available, texting is the best on the PC version.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The only issue is that you\u2019ll need a constant internet connection<\/strong> to synchronize your messages. You can type to your heart\u2019s content, but it won\u2019t send any chats until the internet connection is restored. With your phone, you can still use mobile data if the WiFi kicks out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Voice messages<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you have a decent microphone attached to your computer, you can get away with sending voice notes<\/strong> on WhatsApp Web. When I tested it for this review, my contact told me it\u2019s actually clearer than my Huawei P Smart 2021 phone, which says a lot. Using the function is as easy as clicking on the small mic icon <\/strong>on the chat screen. You can also use a mic that\u2019s built into your laptop or PC webcam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"WhatsApp<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Voice and video calls<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Despite having a webcam that allows me to make video and voice calls<\/strong> on the WhatsApp Windows desktop app<\/a>, I don\u2019t see the functionality on the web version. It\u2019s an odd absence, considering I can attend video meetings on Zoom<\/strong><\/a> and Microsoft Teams<\/a> <\/strong>on Avast Secure Browser<\/a><\/strong>. Hopefully, we\u2019ll see this feature included in future updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Creating groups<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One feature that is included is the ability to create groups<\/strong> on WhatsApp Web. You can click on the three dots on the left pane, select New Group, and then choose the members you want to place in it. When done, you can name the group, and it will synchronize to your phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"WhatsApp<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Reactions and replies<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s easy to react and reply to messages<\/strong> on the WhatsApp web. While the functionality differs slightly from the mobile version, you can click on a message and select “Reply”. There\u2019s also a small face you can click on next to the chatbox for when you want to add emojis<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"WhatsApp<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Sharing media on WhatsApp Web<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Besides chatting, you can also share files and media<\/strong> with your contacts. Only specific formats are allowed, but most of them usually go through. You can access the option to send media with the attachment icon <\/strong>next to the chatbox.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sending images, contacts, documents, and videos<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As soon as you click on the attachment icon<\/strong>, WhatsApp Web will reveal a few colorful buttons. In order from top to bottom, they consist of contacts, documents, camera, stickers, photos, and videos<\/strong>. When you select documents, photos, or videos, the browser will attempt to access your computer\u2019s storage<\/strong> so you can upload them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For contacts, you simply need to tell the app which contact details to send. You can also take a photo directly with your webcam to send a selfie. Finally, you can attach stickers<\/strong>, which is an upgraded version of emojis and brings life to the app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"WhatsApp<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Sharing links<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve discovered content online that you want to share with your contacts, you can simply paste the link in the chatbox. They can click on it and head straight to the site. Sadly, it doesn\u2019t present a preview of the site<\/strong> like some other apps do, such as Telegram<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"WhatsApp<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Showing your and location<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The occasion might arise where you\u2019ll want to let someone know where you are<\/strong> so they can meet up with you. If you grab the location link from Google Maps or a similar app, you can paste it into WhatsApp Web and send it. Your contact will get a link with directions of how to get to you or vice versa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other WhatsApp Web features<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So, now you\u2019ve seen the chat and share functions in my WhatsApp review, but there are more features available<\/strong> on the browser version. It\u2019s worth taking a quick peek behind the scenes so you know what you can do compared to the desktop and mobile apps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Updating your status<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the features that arrived on WhatsApp mobile <\/strong>is the ability to update your status<\/strong> and view those of your contacts. As far as WhatsApp Web goes, you can certainly see the status of others<\/strong> by clicking on the circular icon in line with your profile photo. Unfortunately, there\u2019s no button for updating your own status,<\/strong> which matches the functionality of the Windows desktop app. You can only do so on your phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"WhatsApp<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

WhatsApp Web security aspects<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

WhatsApp Web offers end-to-end encryption<\/strong> to keep your chats secure, much like the desktop and mobile counterparts. Signal<\/a> <\/strong>is slightly more secure with vanishing messages, but that becomes frustrating over time. However, your contacts can delete all messages and media between you two, but it doesn\u2019t stop anyone from taking screenshots and sharing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One other concern I should mention in this WhatsApp Web review is that the app stands the risk of being hacked<\/strong>. If you aren\u2019t using a secure browser<\/strong> or spyware protection<\/strong>, someone with malicious intent can view your conversations or see your video conversation.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Online presence<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No matter which platform you use, you\u2019ll be able to see when your<\/strong> contact<\/strong> was last online <\/strong>if they\u2019ve enabled it on their profile. When you open the chat on WhatsApp web, you\u2019ll see a time under their name showing you the last time they were online<\/strong>, or if they are currently online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Integration with other browser applications or extensions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The one outstanding benefit that WhatsApp web has over the desktop and mobile counterparts is that it integrates with browser extensions<\/strong>. For instance, I have my Grammarly Premium account connected to Avast Secure Browser. There\u2019s a small Grammarly icon in the chatbox if I want to make sure I don\u2019t have any typing errors. Of course, it\u2019s a chat, so it\u2019s not like I care. But it\u2019s handy for when I want to have a professional discussion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"WhatsApp<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s in the settings?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Finally, it\u2019s worthwhile taking a look at what the settings<\/strong> have to offer on WhatsApp Web. For the most part, there are similar features<\/strong> you\u2019d find compared to the desktop and mobile versions. The settings include Notifications, Privacy, Security, Theme, Chat Wallpaper, Keyboard Shortcuts, and Help. There are some obvious absences, such as Storage and Data, as they don\u2019t apply to the web version.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How WhatsApp Web looks and sounds<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In my last section for this WhatsApp Web review, I want to cover the visual and sound effects<\/strong>. They aren\u2019t overly impressive, but there are some aspects I liked. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using the interface<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The interface is incredibly minimal<\/strong> and tries to copy the mobile and desktop apps completely. Sure, you\u2019ll have a larger screen<\/strong> to type on than your smartphone, but the theme and visual features are mostly the same. You can alter the wallpaper<\/strong> so that it doesn\u2019t look like everyone else’s, which it stores in the browser cache.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The web background doesn\u2019t sync with your phone, so you can make it look different. However, you can only select a default background<\/strong> and not upload an image as on the phone version.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"WhatsApp<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Listening to music and contacts<\/strong> on WhatsApp Web<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The sound quality<\/strong> is outstanding and outperforms the mobile version<\/strong> by far. Since I have speakers connected to my PC, WhatsApp Web plays voice notes and music that my contacts send beautifully. It\u2019s just sad that you can\u2019t make voice calls<\/strong>, as it would be so much better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WhatsApp Web: is it worth using?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

WhatsApp Web is ideal if you\u2019re working or busy on the internet and you want to have chats on your browser. There are some missing functions, but you\u2019ll be able to live without them for the time being. The mobile and desktop versions are more advanced, but it\u2019s still worth using when you need them. There are some better apps for specific functions, such as a conference or video calls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, Whatsapp is constantly updating its features, so keep updated by reading the latest news in the WhatsApp Communities<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pros<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n