Texting can be the best way of communication. Through a text, one can express his emotions and sentiments in the best possible way without hesitation.
Nowadays, many other advanced alternative texting apps are available to us. One such alternative is Snapchat, with so many more features than texting.
Key Takeaways
- Snapchat is a social media platform that allows users to share pictures and videos that disappear quickly, whereas texting is a way of sending messages through mobile phones.
- Snapchat has various filters and features, such as face swap and geotagging, while texting allows sending text messages only.
- Snapchat is more popular among younger generations, while people of all ages use texting.
Snapchat vs Texting
Snapchat is a social media platform that focuses on visual communication, allowing users to send each other short-lived photographs and videos. Texting is a form of electronic communication that involves sending short messages, using a mobile phone or other portable devices, over a cellular network or the internet.
The snaps, once opened by the person you have sent them to, may disappear if the sender has put a time limit on them, while messages stay until the person deletes them. Text messages need not be for fun purposes, but Snapchat is made for having fun with friends since the messages, images, or videos disappear shortly.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Snapchat | Texting |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Snapchat is a multimedia messaging app where you can share pictures and texts that stay for a short duration with the receiver. | Texting is the process of sending messages and images. It is also known as text messaging. |
| Features | Apart from sending messages and images, Snapchat has many features like face lenses, geo-filters, shazam, snap cash, snap store, etc. | Through a text message, you can send texts and images; you may send videos or documents through a multimedia messaging service. |
| Advantages | It has more advantages than simple text messages when talking with a friend. | It is better to text your teachers, parents, and bosses rather than send them snaps. |
| Purpose | The purpose of Snapchat is to make messaging fun through snaps that remain for a short while. It can be used only in an informal way of expression. | The purpose of sending text messages depends on the sender. It can be used both in a formal as well as in an informal way of expressing. |
| Time for which a message stays | The sender can limit the time for which the message would be visible. Generally, the message, once opened, disappears after 24 hours. | The message stays for an unlimited period unless the recipient deletes it. |
| Requirements to access | You need a smartphone or a computer and an internet connection. | You need a phone and a sim card. |
What is Snapchat?
Snapchat is a multimedia messaging app in which we get a variety of filters to capture snaps? The messages sent through Snapchat stay only for a limited duration and then get inaccessible to the receiver.
Besides, in the Discover section, you get news and ads.
Snapchat has the following features:
- Lenses
Snapchat offers a variety of lenses to make pictures appealing.
- Geofilters
These can be unlocked when you visit a particular place in the World.
- Shazam
It is a special feature that helps you identify a song.
- Snap store
It is a place from where you can buy Snapchat-related stuff
- Snapcash
It is used to transfer money from one user to another
- Discover
Here, you can find different lenses, news, and ads and stalk your favourite celebrities.
- Bitmoji
It is a sticker or avatar of yourself that you can make and beautify yourself.
- Bitmoji T.V.
Here you can watch the bitmoji cartoon series.
- Games
You can even play minigames on Snapchat.
- Memories
You can save your snaps here to watch it later.
- Snapcode
It’s a personal QR code for every Snapchat user, which can be scanned to add someone as a friend.
- Snapchat stories
Any Snapchat user can add any snap to their Snapchat stories, and these stay for 24 hours, after which it disappears.
Apart from so many features, Snapchat sends you a notification if someone takes a screenshot of your snaps or if someone reopens them.
What is Texting?
Texting is the way of composing messages and sending them to someone using a cell phone; of course, you need a sim card.
A message has a word limit; if you exceed that, you will be charged according to the number of messages you send. You can also send the same message to several people.
The World’s first message was sent on 3rd December 1992 through the Vodafone network. Sending text messages could be the best way to say things you would hesitate or stammer to say in person.
Also, government organizations, schools, and offices prefer texting over other ways of sending messages.
Main Differences Between Snapchat and Texting
- The snaps you send to your friends stay only for some time with the receiver, while texts stay forever until the receiver deletes them.
- Snapchat has so many features, and it is mainly used to send snaps which are images or short videos, while via a text message, you can only send messages and images.
- You can share stories on Snapchat, which remains for 24 hours while texting doesn’t have such a feature.
- You cannot send snaps for official purposes or to your teachers, bosses, parents, or anyone, while a text can be sent to anyone you wish to. Snaps are just an informal way of expression, while texts can be formal as well as informal ways of expression.
- You can check someone’s location using Snapchat if the person has allowed sharing of his location, but you can’t do the same with texting.
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563216303041
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/1369118X.2015.1084349
- https://academic.oup.com/eltj/article-abstract/62/1/77/417569
Last Updated : 19 November, 2023
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
The comparison table was useful for a quick overview of the differences between Snapchat and texting. Informative and concise content.
The concise format made it easy to grasp the essential aspects of each platform in one glance.
The bitmoji and geofilters features of Snapchat sound intriguing! I might give Snapchat a try after reading this article.
It’s fascinating to learn about the unique features Snapchat offers. The article definitely piqued my curiosity about the app.
I agree! The diverse range of features described in the article might just convince me to give Snapchat a shot.
The article mentions the advantages of Snapchat, but I wish the author had highlighted some of the benefits of texting more prominently.
Definitely. Both methods of communication have unique advantages, and they should have been given equal emphasis.
I’m not a fan of these types of articles, but I found this one to be very engaging and well-researched. Great read!
I agree, the comparisons were presented in a compelling way that captured my interest.
This article seems to give a slight advantage to Snapchat over texting, which I find unfair. The comparison could have been more balanced.
I see your point, Kennedy. It’s important for comparative articles to maintain neutrality.
An impartial examination of the two communication methods would have added more credibility to the piece.
I found the post to be quite thorough, presenting a detailed analysis of Snapchat and texting. Well done!
Yes, the level of detail in the explanation helped in understanding the features and differences clearly.
This article has done an excellent job of comparing the different features of Snapchat and texting. It’s a great resource for those who are trying to understand which will suit them better based on their individual needs.
I appreciate how the pros and cons of each communication method are clearly outlined, allowing readers to make an informed decision. Great work.
Yes, I love the detailed description of the features of Snapchat. It’s definitely the most in-depth examination I’ve seen yet.
Texting and Snapchat both have their merits, and this article does a great job of highlighting them. Nicely written and easily comprehensible.
Agreed. It’s refreshing to come across an article that provides a balanced view of the two platforms.
I wish the article had explored more of the historical aspect of texting, like how it has evolved over the years. Still, a very informative piece.
Good point! However, I appreciate the detailed feature comparison and the explanation of the purpose of each form of messaging.
The historical aspect would have been interesting to read about, for sure.
Some sections of the article seemed to be leaning towards Snapchat, which was a bit disappointing. A more balanced perspective would have been appreciated.
I agree with your observation, Itaylor. It’s important for comparative analyses to avoid bias.
Yes, maintaining a neutral stance would have further strengthened the credibility of the content.