LINE: Free Calls & Messages

Editors' ReviewDownload.com staffSeptember 21, 2020 Line is an efficient, easy-to-use messaging app with more than 200 million monthly users, based mainly in Asia.Pros Texting: Texting with the Line app is engaging and, if you want, amusing, either in one-to-one or group messages. You have quick access to free stickers, including those featuring Line Friends. Line also has emoji and will suggest some as you type. Type "world," for example, and the app displays globe and map emoji you can substitute to create an emoji-based message. Line does a nice job of making everything just a swipe or tap away, and it's easy to navigate around the app to find what you want. Voice and video calls: In addition to text, Line offers free one-to-one and group video and voice calls. Voice calls can handle as many as 200 participants; video calls cap at four. Privacy: By default, Line's encryption provides end-to-end privacy for text messages and voice and video calls. Only the sender and recipients can view messages. Sharing: You can also send photos, video, and voice messages. The app comes with video-editing tools and video filters. Line Store: While the app provides free stickers to download, you can buy additional stickers and games through the Line Store.Cons Excessively adorable: The stickers and emojis can add a lot of personality to chats but fall on the cute side of communication. Those looking for more serious forms of visual expression might find Line a bit twee.Bottom Line Overall, Line covers what you'd look for in a messaging app. It offers a broad collection of messaging tools that let you participate in one-on-one and group chats, with a well-organized interface that makes it easy to add stickers and photos to your messages. The default end-to-end encryption is increasingly an important feature in messaging.