Since then, Viber has changed and evolved into a messaging app too.
Most of these conversations have revolved around Telegram and Signal.
However, Viber has built a strong case for itself by establishing itself in non-western markets.
But before we jump into that, lets take a quick look at the apps history.
Initially, the app just focused on person-to-person calling to compete with the likes of Skype.
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In 2014, Japanese telecom giantRakuten acquired Viber for $900 million.
A year later, the messenger began introducing end-to-end encryption for one-to-one chats.
How does Viber make money?
Chat apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram have gained popularity, but they havent made a lot of money.
WhatsApps new policy aims to change that, and Telegram wants to experiment with ads aftera failed ICO.
In contrast, Viber broke even in Q4 2019 and registered a full year of profitability in 2020.
It has a host of services to offer in one app.
you might think of it as a mash-up of WhatsApp and Telegram.
It has private chat thats end-to-end encrypted, and it has public groups without encryption.
He added that this covers 40% of the apps revenue.
The next 40% of the companys money comes from Viber for Business.
This is similar to what Facebook is trying to do with WhatsApp Business.
The last 20% of Vibers revenue comes from ads placed in its app.
The company claims that it uses only your IP based-location, age, and gender to show ads.
And you have an option to ask the app to not use your age or gender for targeted ads.
Agaoua said it has 240-250 million monthly active users and 170 to 180 million daily active users.
In comparison, WhatsApp has more than 2 billion and Telegram has more than 500 million monthly active users.
Viber has largely made its mark in non-western countries.
The firm said that expats from these countries also use Viber to connect with their families back home.
Last year, it pulled all its ads fromFacebook and Instagram.
It also removed itsintegration with GIF searching platform GIPHY, which was bought by Facebook last year.
We respect its technology.
It has a straight-to-the-point app with all the basic features.
However, the key question about this company is sustainability.
However, theres no love lost between the Viber CEO and Telegram.
White supremacists also use Telegram to organize revolutions.
I would let my kids use WhatsApp, but not Telegram.
Its important to note that Viber has a similar function in terms of public groups.
Admins will have to specifically invite you to these chats to join.
However, you cant search for groups.
However, AIs track record for moderation is not perfect and it could be fooled byslight modification towords.
Whats the road ahead?
Viber is realistic about its growth goals.
For instance, introducingpayment servicesin Nepal, Hungary, and Ukraine.
That’s one heck of a mixed bag.
He likes to say “Bleh.
That’s one heck of a mixed bag.
He likes to say “Bleh.”
