Facebook Messenger

Facebook Messenger is a separate app for messaging feature on Facebook. With this app you access free texting, voice and video calls, sharing pictures, videos, locations and other data. Download Facebook Messenger for iOS and Android to make your Facebook experience complete!

Design 5/5

Like most messaging apps, it features the list of chats in its main column; there are also tabs for online users and for businesses you might be interested in getting in touch with. Tap the chat to open it. On tablets the list is displayed as a separate column to the left, and most of the screen is given to the active chat. It’s easy to use and familiar to those who have ever used mobile messengers. Also, Facebook was one of the first to introduce a dark theme in its apps, so it’s more comfortable to use it at night.

Usability 4/5

It brings no comfort to be notified about incoming messages in the Facebook app, being unable even to read them. Messenger fixes that, delivering the definitive messaging functionality. With the application you can receive and send text messages, start or accept voice and video calls.

There is a variety of extras you can attach to your messages. This includes photos and videos from your gallery, web links with preview, GIF animations, stickers, Bitmoji or Memoji, and your current location. There is also a very useful feature of sending reminders that you can use for your collaboration.

Messenger supports group chats and calls, with up to 50 participants. The process of starting group calls is quite counter-intuitive: you press Call and then select the participants, and after that, you start it. But it’s as easy as one tap to join when someone calls you up.

Still, there is an issue. The app turns out too heavy for old and budget devices and may take too much storage with messages and attachments cached.

Features 5/5

Along with its core functionality, Facebook Messenger displays Instagram (or Facebook, but who cares?) stories by users on your list. Other built-in Facebook feature is a support of Facebook-based web games (but you’ll need standalone apps to play them on mobile). Maybe some will appreciate the fact that Messenger can handle your SMS just the way it does with its own chats. And in France, Germany, and the USA, Messenger also lets you transfer and receive funds.

In-app purchases 5/5

No way Facebook assumed any of its non-commercial features may ever become paid. And yes, Messenger is completely free. It doesn’t even offer paid extras (like calling to external phone numbers). Instead, it displays ads between messages, and an entire tab is filled with recommendations it selects by its tricky algorithms.

The Bottom Line

If you communicate within Facebook frequently, this app is a great assistance, delivering the complete Facebook Messenger functionality to your mobile. It can also handle your SMS and provide you with games to play with your friends. Still, the app is heavy, and for less powerful devices, Facebook Lite may become a better option.

• Graphics 5
• Gameplay 4
• Controls 5
• Replay Value 5

Pros

Free messaging with Facebook users;
Free voice and video calls, audio messaging;
Group chats and calls;
You can share photos and videos, locations, reminders, GIFs, invitations to play.

Cons

The app is rather heavy;
Facebook Lite delivers builtin Messenger as an alternative.