WhatsApp Web vs WhatsApp Desktop

Same account, same chats. WhatsApp Web is a browser tab and needs no install; WhatsApp Desktop is an app for Windows or Mac that runs without a browser and keeps more message history.

The short version

On a computer that is not yours, on Linux or a Chromebook, or where you cannot install software: WhatsApp Web.
On your own Windows PC or Mac, if you want calls and notifications without keeping a tab open: the desktop app.
Not sure: start with Web. Switching later takes one QR scan.

Side by side

	WhatsApp Web	WhatsApp Desktop
What it is	The site web.whatsapp.com in a browser	An installed app for Windows or macOS
Works on	Windows, macOS and Linux with the latest Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera or Safari (at least Chrome 85, Edge 85, Firefox 115, Opera 85, Safari 15.2)	Windows 10 64-bit, version 1903 or newer; macOS 12.1 or newer
Login	QR code or phone-number code	QR code; the phone-number code works in the Windows app, not the Mac app
Needs the phone online	No, only while linking
Notifications	Only while WhatsApp Web is open in the browser	From the app; the Mac app can show call notifications even when it is closed
Voice and video calls	Announced July 2026, still rolling out	Yes: calls with up to 32 people, call links, screen sharing
Message history	A recent part	More than Web; up to three years in the Mac app
App lock with a password	Yes	Windows app yes, Mac app not yet
Code Verify check	Yes, with Meta's browser extension	Does not apply
Keyboard shortcuts	Ctrl + Alt combinations	Shorter combinations (all three lists)
Backup and restore	Neither; backups are made on the phone
End-to-end encrypted	Yes, both

When WhatsApp Web is the better choice

Work, school, library or a friend's computer. Nothing to install, and with Stay logged in on this browser unticked the session ends when the browser closes.
Linux and Chromebooks, where there is no official app. WhatsApp's own answer for every other operating system is WhatsApp Web.
Two accounts on one computer: one per browser profile. WhatsApp Web cannot switch between accounts.
You live in the browser anyway and want WhatsApp as a pinned tab next to your mail.

When the desktop app is the better choice

Calls from the computer with your headset and webcam, for up to 32 people, with screen sharing in video calls.
Notifications without keeping a browser tab alive.
More history to search, especially on a Mac.
Your browser clears its data on exit and WhatsApp Web asks for a new scan every day.

What the Windows app is today

Since late 2025 the Windows app has been WhatsApp Web inside its own window rather than a separately built program, according to reporting by Windows Latest; WhatsApp has not commented. In practice the Windows app and WhatsApp Web now look and behave almost the same, and the app's main advantages are its own taskbar icon and not depending on a browser tab.

Where to get them

WhatsApp Web: the address is web.whatsapp.com, linked below.
Windows: WhatsApp in the Microsoft Store (Windows 10 64-bit, version 1903 or newer).
Mac: WhatsApp Messenger in the Mac App Store (macOS 12.1 or newer).

Avoid "WhatsApp for PC" downloads from other sites. The official apps are only in the two stores and on whatsapp.com/download.

The real WhatsApp Web: WhatsApp Web only exists at one address. Check the address bar before you scan anything.

Open web.whatsapp.com

That link leaves this site. We are an independent guide and cannot sign you in, see your chats or reset your account.

Questions people ask

Is WhatsApp Desktop the same as WhatsApp Web?

They are the same service with the same chats, reached two ways. WhatsApp Web runs in a browser tab at web.whatsapp.com. WhatsApp Desktop is an app you install from the Microsoft Store or the Mac App Store. Both are linked devices on your phone's account.

Is WhatsApp Desktop free and official?

Yes. The official apps are free and are published by WhatsApp in the Microsoft Store and the Mac App Store, and linked from whatsapp.com/download. Do not install "WhatsApp for PC" from anywhere else.

Can I use WhatsApp Web and WhatsApp Desktop at the same time?

Yes. Each counts as one of your four linked devices, and both receive every message.

Can I make calls from WhatsApp Web?

WhatsApp announced voice and video calling for WhatsApp Web on 28 July 2026, including group calls and screen sharing. It is rolling out gradually, so your account may not have it yet. The Windows and Mac apps can call today.

Which is safer on a shared computer?

WhatsApp Web, with "Stay logged in on this browser" unticked or in a private window, because the session ends when the browser closes. An installed app stays logged in for the next person until you log out.

Related guides

Sources

WhatsApp Help Center: About WhatsApp for desktops (checked 18 September 2026)
WhatsApp Help Center: How to download WhatsApp Desktop (checked 18 September 2026)
WhatsApp Help Center: About supported operating systems (checked 18 September 2026)
WhatsApp Help Center: About WhatsApp Web calling (checked 18 September 2026)
WhatsApp Blog: Introducing Web Calling on WhatsApp (28 July 2026) (checked 18 September 2026)
WhatsApp Help Center: About message history on linked devices (checked 18 September 2026)
WhatsApp Help Center: How to use app lock (checked 18 September 2026)
WhatsApp Help Center: About Code Verify (checked 18 September 2026)
Windows Latest: the WhatsApp app for Windows now loads WhatsApp Web (12 November 2025) (checked 18 September 2026)

Checked against WhatsApp's own help pages on 18 September 2026. WhatsApp changes its apps often; if a menu has moved, the official Help Center has the last word.