messaging
ICQ vs WhatsApp
ICQ started first, in 1996, 12 years before WhatsApp.
Why ICQ lasted
- The number. People still remember their ICQ UIN the way they remember a first phone number.
- Mail.ru / VK kept it on life support for markets where it still meant something.
Why WhatsApp lasted
- It is the SMS of half the planet. Network effects at that scale do not care about your new app.
- Facebook bought it and was not allowed to fully melt it into Facebook. The brand stayed the brand.
Questions
Which is older, ICQ or WhatsApp?
ICQ started first, in 1996, 12 years before WhatsApp.
How long has ICQ been running?
ICQ has been up 29 years 306 days, since 1996-11-15.
How long has WhatsApp been running?
WhatsApp has been up 17 years 205 days, since 2009-02-24.
More messaging comparisons
same category
Discord vs ICQDiscord vs SignalDiscord vs SkypeDiscord vs SlackDiscord vs TelegramDiscord vs WhatsApp
Dates are founding dates from the written entries. Play which is older, or see the oldest messaging still running.