Which came first, Viber or WhatsApp - briefly?
In the realm of instant messaging applications, Viber was launched in December 2010 by Viber Media Inc., while WhatsApp was introduced a year earlier in January 2009 by Brian Acton and Jan Koum.
Which came first, Viber or WhatsApp - in detail?
The question of which messaging app was created first—Viber or WhatsApp—is a common one among users and tech enthusiasts alike. To provide a clear answer, we must delve into the histories of both platforms.
Viber was founded in 2010 by Israeli entrepreneurs Talmon Marco and Igor Magazinik. The app was initially developed under the name Viber Media, with its headquarters based in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg. Its primary purpose was to offer free voice calls over the internet, leveraging Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology. This feature set it apart from many other messaging apps at the time and quickly gained traction among users seeking a cost-effective communication solution.
WhatsApp, on the other hand, was launched earlier in 2009 by Brian Acton and Jan Koum. The app's development began when Acton and Koum left their jobs at Yahoo! and applied for admission to Facebook. However, they were both rejected. This rejection led them to explore other opportunities and eventually create WhatsApp Inc., based in Mountain View, California. Initially, WhatsApp focused on providing a straightforward messaging service that could replace traditional SMS texting, offering users an affordable and convenient way to communicate with their contacts.
In summary, WhatsApp was launched first in 2009, followed by Viber in 2010. Both apps have since evolved significantly, expanding their feature sets to include voice and video calls, group chats, multimedia sharing, and more. Despite their different origins and initial focuses, both WhatsApp and Viber have played significant roles in shaping the modern messaging landscape.