It’s interesting because inside the US, this is a totally valid opinion to hold. Outside the US, many people end up having to pay per message, but can use data for free via WiFi, so it makes more sense that these apps are popular there.
It used to be pay per SMS (and not cheap either), that’s why WhatsApp got so big in the first place, it was “free” anywhere with free WiFi. But since many years now, regular SMS became free / dirt cheap (especially within EU), so it’s no longer as good as a reason to use WhatsApp now. Now it’s because it has groups, media, history, is searchable, etc.
It’s interesting because inside the US, this is a totally valid opinion to hold. Outside the US, many people end up having to pay per message, but can use data for free via WiFi, so it makes more sense that these apps are popular there.
It used to be pay per SMS (and not cheap either), that’s why WhatsApp got so big in the first place, it was “free” anywhere with free WiFi. But since many years now, regular SMS became free / dirt cheap (especially within EU), so it’s no longer as good as a reason to use WhatsApp now. Now it’s because it has groups, media, history, is searchable, etc.