What are the differences between the Facebook Messenger and Facebook Messenger Lite apps?

Although it is true, the recognized social network Facebook today, provides two instant messaging applications that have been designed with very well marked fundamentals. Thus, it is about Facebook Messenger and Facebook Messenger Lite that although they look somewhat similar, they present several differences that must be taken into account.

Thus, since it refers to two different messaging applications, you may be wondering which one is more optimal to use on your device. Depending, of course, on the job you want to give and, in addition, the capacity and resources contained in your mobile. Taking into account that it is no secret to anyone that Lite applications are prepared to work correctly on terminals with few resources, in general.

But well, as questions sometimes arise in this regard, it is important to assess in detail, the distinctions between FB Messenger and FB Messenger Lite, today. So that, with this, you can select the most suitable solution for your Smartphone. So next we highlight the differences to know.

Comparison: Main differences between Facebook Messenger and Facebook Messenger Lite and which one should I use on my mobile

Believe it or not, there are lots of dissimilarities between Facebook Messenger and Facebook Messenger Lite that, to know which is better to use, it is essential to know.

Therefore, in this section of the current post, we will detail the main differences between both messaging applications, attaching at the end an informative table where all the functions of each of them are evidenced. Thus, you can know perfectly, what is the best option for you.

the space they occupy

One of the things that users take a closer look at is the amount of space an app can take up on their device. Especially, if they are Android mobiles or Tablets that they have few resources.

Well, let’s start by highlighting the space occupied by both Messenger and Messenger Lite. Regarding the first of them, we detail that occupies a total of 177 MB which are divided into 153MB of the same social network application and 25MB of additional data.

On the other hand, we found that the Lite version of Facebook Messenger, it only occupies 17 MBof which 15 of them belong to the application as such and, on the other hand, contains 1.5MB of additional data. However, the cache generated by this application goes from more than 15MB.

Which means that, if it is because of the space it occupies, it is considered more optimal to use Messenger Lite. But, keep in mind that in some cases this application does not pre-load the received or sent photos and sometimes they are seen in low resolution. Due to the few megabytes it occupies.

The RAM consumed

These are other of the most relevant points to evaluate. In this way, it is necessary to limit that, in this aspect, Messenger Lite takes the lead because it exhibits the ability to function properly in the background. because it will still show notifications in real time when you receive a message.

On the other hand, the Messenger app does not have this type of operation and, furthermore, if you use it, you must resort to annoying chat bubbles it contains as a standard client.

In this sense, it should be compared RAM memory consumed by both applications, but in different situations. Since, they operate in a way when they are usedother when they are in the backgroundbut you haven’t closed them completely and they also act differently when running only the service that issues the notifications.

So, let’s see the total RAM consumed by each of the applications, in order to draw fully effective conclusions:

on facebook messenger

• Running: 204MB.
• In the background: 150.74 MB.
• Closed: 58.04 MB.

On Facebook Messenger Lite

• Running: 93MB.
• In the background: 59.64 MB.
• Fully closed: 8.76 MB.

All in all, the Lite app consume less RAM on any device. Given that, according to what this data obtained through the Simple System Monitor app shows, only uses half the RAM required by Facebook Messenger.

the main screen

In both Messenger and Messenger Liteyou meet a list of your conversations on the main screen, that is, as soon as you access the application. In addition to this, you can also see a row with the contacts you have active and additional, a button to create a new chat or a group, if you wish.

However, they also contain some noticeable differences in the main window. The most important of these, it is a contact search bar that FB Messenger contains at the top of the screen. Instead, the search bar is hidden inside the contact list in FB Messenger Lite.

In sum, it can be seen another big different at the bottom. Since, in the case of Messenger Lite, this application does not include the function bar with all the additions of the main application. Which, if it can be found in the Facebook Messenger app.

These additions refer to the catalog of bots and extensions, a list of mini-games to play with your contacts and the option of making group video conferences. In addition to the camera button for being able to post photos to Facebook and Instagram stories.

the chat windows

When chatting with any contact through Messenger or Messenger Lite, apparently everything is the same around what they offer you. Because they usually give you what you need. However, once you access a chat window with any user, you can notice the difference between both apps.

Thus, one of these differences is based on the fact that the full version of Messenger lets you choose whether to send a greeting and additionally, it has the ability to detect if the other person is using the application. So that, with this, you can invite her to install it, in case she has not done so. On the contrary, in Lite you only have to start chatting now.

Among other details of the chat, we also highlight that in the full version of Messenger they give you the possibility of post a photo in the “My Day” section, directly from the conversation. Also, you can make a video call, send GIFs and packs of emojis of a remarkable size. Which is not evidenced in a chat within the Lite app.

In reference to the customization of the chat window, Facebook Messenger has extra options for dock the chat window to your liking. Whether it’s changing its color, starting a secret chat whose content disappears immediately after you leave it, and organizing an exit from the conversion. On the contrary, Messenger Lite does not offer any of these alternatives to its users.

Now, it that if it offers both Messenger and Messenger Lite, it is the possibility of make voice calls, voice messages and share photos from the device gallery or taken directly in the chat. To this is added the icon of “I like it”, the choice of several emojis and the option of access facebook profile of the other user, automatically.

In this sense, it can be affirmed that around the design of the chat and all the options that they include, Facebook Messenger is a more complete and interesting option for you.

QR Code and Chat Bubbles

Although it is true, both in Messenger and in Messenger Lite there is a button that allows you to access your profile and the application settings in general. Thus, a place where also you can locate some different ones of interest.

The first of these distinctions refers to the lack of the QR code (or Messenger Code) in Messenger Lite which you can invoke in the main application. This, so that another user of the social network adds you to their contacts just by scanning it. In addition to this, the Lite version does not show the option to activate chat bubbles; what in Messenger if possible.

Advanced Options

For more coverage, Facebook Messenger offers a wide variety of options in reference to more commercial than personal use. Given that, it adds sections for e-commerce, online and offline business search, specialized bots and also certain chat extensions where you can easily interact with a business or a brand at the same time.

For example, Apple Music and Spotify. So, thanks to this, you can also share songs within a conversation and so, they will sound inside Messenger too.

Unlike this, the Facebook Messenger app does not have sections to manage the social network commercially nor to share music or certain multimedia content that allow a better chat experience.

conclusion

To conclude, it is necessary to point out that the main application of FB Messenger is loaded with more options that allow you to complement your experience in the social network and manage all your chats in a better way. While Facebook Messenger Lite is considered a simpler alternative which is solely based on offering the possibility of communicating with other users.

Because of this, Messenger Lite is an application much more fluid than Messenger, since it contains fewer functionalities and thus, opens faster on any device, regardless of the resources it offers. Consequently, Messenger occupies more space than Messenger Lite and in short, the latter shows a cleaner design by containing fewer options for users.

In short, they are two different applications for two different users, in some way. So beyond depending on the capabilities of your mobile or Tablet to decide between any of these options, it rather depends on what you are looking for in an instant messaging application and of your preferences when conversing through this type of platform.

Comparison table

*If you are viewing the website from your smartphone, slide the table to the right to see all the data