WhatsApp vs Marco Polo
Which is better in 2026? Five scores, side by side.
WhatsApp is the better app overall, scoring 8.9 to 8.5. WhatsApp wins on 4 of the 5 scores, Marco Polo on 1.
Anyone who wants one free app to reach family, friends and local businesses
Families and long-distance friends who want face-to-face moments without calls
Score by score
The details
| Feature | Marco Polo | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Messaging & Calls | Messaging & Calls |
| Category rank | #3 of 10 | #6 of 10 |
| Developer | Meta | Joya Communications |
| Pricing | Free | Free + paid plans |
| Usable for free | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone & iPad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mac | ✓ | — |
| Windows | ✓ | — |
| Web | ✓ | — |
Common questions
Is WhatsApp better than Marco Polo?
WhatsApp is the better app overall, scoring 8.9 to 8.5. WhatsApp wins on 4 of the 5 scores, Marco Polo on 1.
Which is cheaper, WhatsApp or Marco Polo?
WhatsApp: Free to use; the App Store also lists an optional no-ads plan from $4. Marco Polo: Free; Marco Polo Plus is $79.99 a year, or $159.99 for a six-person family plan. On value for money, WhatsApp scores higher.
Do WhatsApp and Marco Polo work on the same devices?
Only WhatsApp runs on Mac, Windows, Web.
Which is more private, WhatsApp or Marco Polo?
Marco Polo scores higher on privacy (8.2/10). Marco Polo says it shows no ads and never sells your data. App Store label: contact info, identifiers, usage and diagnostics may be linked to you. No tracking.
Strengths and weaknesses
WhatsApp
- Almost everyone you know is already on it
- Messages and calls are encrypted by default
- Works on phone, desktop, web and Apple Watch
- Meta collects metadata like who you talk to and when
- Ads and promoted channels now appear in the Updates tab
WhatsApp is the messenger most of your contacts already use, and that alone makes it hard to beat. Chats and calls are end-to-end encrypted, the apps are fast, and this year brought calling from the browser and usernames that hide your number. The catch is Meta: it collects plenty of metadata, and ads now fill the Updates tab. Use it for everyday chats and keep Signal for anything sensitive.
Full WhatsApp review
Marco Polo
- Feels more personal than texting
- Free, ad-free and unlimited chats
- Works across time zones and busy schedules
- Unlimited storage and HD need Plus
- Video replies take longer than a text
Marco Polo is a video walkie-talkie for the people you love. Record a quick video and they watch live if they're free or reply later if they're not, so grandparents, far-flung friends and busy families stay close without scheduling calls. There are no likes, feeds or ads. The free app covers unlimited chats, while Plus adds HD, playback speed controls and unlimited storage. In September 2026 it launched Circles, which matches women into small friendship groups.
Full Marco Polo review
