It seems that WhatsApp is planning to abandon its standalone Windows application and move towards a web-based version instead. The newest beta version of WhatsApp shows significant changes compared to the current app most people use daily.
The new version of WhatsApp places the web interface of the communication app inside a web wrapper.
There’s ongoing discussion about whether it’s more accurate to refer to it as “enshittification” – a term used to describe the gradual deterioration of digital services over time – or if it’s actually simplification. The transition to a web app allows WhatsApp to manage a unified codebase that spans multiple platforms more efficiently.
It’s likely that some WhatsApp users may prioritize the drawbacks, such as the web app consuming more RAM than the original WhatsApp version, and find it less harmonious with Windows 11 due to its lack of alignment with the design language of the operating system or apps that follow similar UI elements.
Notifications will also work differently with the WhatsApp web wrapper.
Switching to a web application brings additional features, especially for the Status and Communities sections of the app, as seen in the current beta version of WhatsApp.
The wrapped web app isn’t only my opinion; even an official WhatsApp support document suggests it might not be as good as a native Windows app, though it does so indirectly.
For a superior experience on WhatsApp for desktop, we’ve created dedicated applications tailored for both Windows and Mac platforms. These native apps offer enhanced speed and stability, multiple collaboration options, and tools designed to boost your efficiency.
In the document referenced, it’s stated that the existing native Windows application will likely be swapped for a web application, provided the new version of WhatsApp leaves its testing phase (beta).
In the same record, multiple attributes initially available only in WhatsApp’s original version are listed. However, it seems to me that certain aspects from this list might now be accessible in the web version of the application as well. For instance, I recently used the beta version of WhatsApp on my computer to place a call.
In other words, certain characteristics mentioned weren’t unique to the original WhatsApp; for example, it allows for increased productivity due to the option of typing on a bigger keyboard.
WhatsApp emphasizes that its desktop app offers excellent performance and dependability, as it is specifically tailored and enhanced for the functioning of your computer’s operating system.
Initially, the difference was observed by Windows Latest, as they noticed that the freshly updated WhatsApp consumed approximately 30% more random access memory (RAM) compared to its original, built-in application version.
It’s quite unexpected when considering that WhatsApp began experimenting with an iPad-native app back in May of this year, as the standalone iPad version of WhatsApp was only made available for public testing about 16 years following its initial launch on the iPhone.
I’m eager to observe how individuals respond to this transition, as many developers and app lovers tend to be purists, favoring native apps. It seems plausible that most people won’t mind the change unless it leads to noticeably poorer performance or eliminates features they frequently utilize.
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2025-07-21 16:09