WhatsApp is a popular instant messaging application that can be downloaded and used for free as long as users have an internet or broadband connection.  Through WhatsApp, users can send out text messages and multimedia messages to friends and family without having to worry about paying for the service.  With a cellular network plan or Wi-Fi internet connection, users of WhatsApp can send out instant messages for free and without limits. The best thing about WhatsApp is that it can be downloaded to various mobile devices that run on different operating systems and platforms.  Popular platforms like Android and iOS for iPhones and iPads have their own version of WhatsApp.  Other platforms like Windows and Blackberry OS are also compatible with this very popular instant messaging application.

Founded in 2009, WhatsApp became an instant hit in the world of applications for mobile devices and cellphones.  Users from across the globe have downloaded this app on their mobile phones and other devices to take advantage of the free text messaging service.  Instead of paying for text services to telecommunications companies, users can send unlimited text messages to several people for free with WhatsApp.  The only requirement is that one has to be connected online via a 3G or 4G network or even a Wi-Fi network.  Another great thing about WhatsApp is that it also allows group messaging similar to standard text-based services offered by various telecommunications companies.

By early 2014, WhatsApp was acquired by Facebook Inc., the company behind the hugely popular social networking site of the same name.  To date, WhatsApp is considered among the top mobile applications across different platforms.  Its active users reach almost 500 million by the 1st quarter of 2014.  On a daily basis, at least 700 million pictures are shared from different WhatsApp users across the globe.  The only major limitation of WhatsApp is that it does not allow voice calls.  Users need to download other applications in order to make free phone calls over the internet.