Viber

App review by Dana Anderson, Common Sense Media
Viber Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 16+

Message or call with stickers, doodle for visual fun.

iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire, Windows app Free Social Networking
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Parents say

age 15+

Based on 5 reviews

Kids say

age 12+

Based on 2 reviews

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  • Viber App: Screenshot #1
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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this app.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Viber can be used to send free text messages, photos, video messages, and phone calls to other Viber users. It can be used anywhere, even internationally, with Wi-Fi or 3G access. Use Viber on Android, iOS, or Windows phones and some desktop computers. Viber accounts can be created through Facebook or a cell phone number. When a person creates an account, the app identifies and lists Viber users already in the contacts. Group messages can include up to 100 participants. Make calls to non-Viber users and landline phones by purchasing "credits." There are thousands of stickers, some free, to include with messages (some in-app purchase stickers are not kid-appropriate). Users also can draw messages or doodle on photo messages.

Community Reviews

dc1344
dc1344 Adult
November 6, 2019
age 18+

Worst Customer Service in the world

Save yourself the time and effort because this is all you will ever get from them if yo have issues. They don't fix the issue or ever resolve them. Do not waste your money they are horrible Hello Darrell, Our records show that you already have an open case. I added the information you have provided here to the existing one. There is no need to submit any further tickets – we’ll be in touch with you as soon as possible. Thank you for understanding. Best Regards, Dana K. Viber Support Team Quick question? Tweet to @ViberHelp You wrote: Nov 06, 2019 09:05 PM To Viber I have purchased a plan and have run out of credits you guys replied to me yet yo didn't even address the issue I asked for help with. I need to add more credits yet it wont allow me to do so. You wrote me back and didn't address this issue at all. I need credits asap so if i cannot purchase more for 30 days then you should give me more credits to use for these 30 days then if it is a 30 day plan then the plan should last for 30 days or you should allow me to purchase more. please address asap because I need to make a call to Ukraine immediately! can someone please address and get back to me right away and allow me to purchase more minutes or apply minutes to my account as a courtesy for the hassle you have cased me. This company's customer service is horrible and someone should be held accountable. If not addressed before I leave work at 10 pm eastern standard time today I will be making a formal complaint today with the better business bureau and any other place I am able to about your company and I will make sure to post as many horrible yet honest reviews about your company and mainly address your customer service issues online where I can to make sure that other people know what a nightmare it is to deal with your company. I will make it my mission to make sure I post as many bad and honest reviews as I possibly can where I can so that other customers wont have to deal with the issues I have faced trying to deal with an issue that is obvious that your company could care less about helping with. Please advise that I need help purchasing more credits but just for the aggravation of dealing with the issues I have faced so far I would assume that your company should do the right thing and provide me with some free services for the aggravation I have faced in dealing with your nightmare of customer service or lack there of. This is 2 separate issues and they need to be addressed by your management.
TV-007
TV-007 Adult
May 24, 2019
age 14+

Great

Good Message App
See all 5 parent reviews

What’s It About?

To create a VIBER account, enter your cell phone number and then provide your Facebook details or name and image. Tap a contact, type a message in the chat field, and tap the bear icon to add a sticker. Tap the phone icon to make a voice call; tap the microphone and hold to record a voice message. Tap the "x" to view image-based message options (photo, gallery, video, doodle, location). Two check marks mean the message was delivered. Access account settings by tapping on the gear icon.

Is It Any Good?

Viber is an impressive, free messaging app that includes more privacy and customization options than some similar apps. It works well (sound quality reportedly varies, depending upon connection quality; it sounded just fine during this review), and it's visually appealing. You can view your contacts who use Viber under one column and those who don't under a "Viber Out" column, which makes it easy to distinguish which are free and which will need in-app purchase credits to call.

Although the ability to call and message any other Viber user (even internationally) for free is the big draw, the options to draw or doodle on messages, change message backgrounds, and choose from thousands of stickers are fun creative perks that may nudge this app up the favorites list. Some of the stickers in the in-app purchase sticker packs are not for kids, but they can easily be avoided by sticking with the free ones. Viber is a standout in the growing crowd of messaging apps.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about messaging apps. Read Common Sense's Trend Alert about messaging apps and talk to your teen about why it's not a good idea to share iffy secrets online.

  • Remind your teen that Viber's ​free status depends on messaging and calling others who also have the app; otherwise, they (or you) have to purchase credits. To find out more about different calling rates, go to Viber Out.

  • Even though the alcohol-related stickers on Viber can be (mostly) avoided by not going to the in-app purchase sticker packs, their existence on a messaging app displays the prevalence of alcohol use in all forms of media. To learn more about portrayals of alcohol and how they may affect your teen, watch Common Sense's Dealing with Drinking in the Media video.

App Details

  • Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire, Windows app
  • Pricing structure: Free (Credits for calling non-Viber mobile numbers and landline numbers can be purchased in packs ($.99 to $9.99); some stickers require $1.99 in-app purchase.)
  • Release date: May 8, 2014
  • Category: Social Networking
  • Publisher: Viber Media
  • Version: 4.2.1
  • Minimum software requirements: iOS 6.0 or later, Android 2.2 and up.
  • Last updated: February 18, 2020

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