WhatsApp is a hugely popular, free, proprietary messaging, social media, and voice-over-IP (VoIP) service that lets users send text, voice messages, and video messages, as well as make voice and video calls over an internet connection. WhatsApp’s client application runs on mobile devices, and can be accessed from computers
The service offers an easy way to stay connected with loved ones – through photos, phone calls and video calls, as well as messages.
In this roundup, we look at unofficial Linux clients that let you use the WhatsApp service.
Here’s our verdict captured by a legendary LinuxLinks-style ratings chart. Only free and open source software is eligible for inclusion.
Let’s look at the software in more detail.
| WhatsApp Clients | |
|---|---|
| Franz | Messaging app for WhatsApp, Slack, Telegram, Facebook Messenger and more |
| WhatSie | Feature rich WhatsApp web client based on Qt WebEngine |
| WasIstLos | Unofficial WhatsApp desktop application written in C++ |
| ZapZap | Progressive Web Application |
| Karere | Native GTK4 application |
| Youp | WhatsApp wrapper |
 Explore our comprehensive directory of recommended free and open source software. Our carefully curated collection spans every major software category.This directory is part of our ongoing series of informative articles for Linux enthusiasts. It features hundreds of detailed reviews, along with open source alternatives to proprietary solutions from major corporations such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Cisco, Oracle, and Autodesk. You’ll also find interesting projects to try, hardware coverage, free programming books and tutorials, and much more. Know a useful open source Linux program that we haven’t covered yet? Let us know by completing this form. |
Why are you covering proprietary services on LinuxLinks???
We cover everything to do with Linux.
Also old WazzApp still works without problems. Actually it’s a wrapper for web version of WhatsApp.
i have been using whatsapp through chromium web browser and it’s nice. it does not require your phone to be connected to the internet while you are using it, which is nice. and it has been that way now for more than one year. but i never knew that there are now full linux fat clients available. it will be interesting to try them especially if they allow you to do more than the web client. thanks!!!!