What is LINE used for?

LINE is a chat and calling app that has grown into a super-app, especially widely used in Japan, Taiwan and Thailand. It is a good fit for reaching customers in Japan, Taiwan or Thailand; and everyday personal messaging.

No. LINE is proprietary (closed-source) software and can't be self-hosted. Open-source alternatives to LINE include Telegram for Android, Telegram Desktop and SimpleX Chat.

What are some alternatives to LINE?

LINE competes with WhatsApp, WeChat and Viber. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source LINE alternatives.

LINE: features, pricing and alternatives

About LINE

LINE is a proprietary messaging app that is especially widely used in Japan, Taiwan and Thailand. It started as a chat and calling service and has grown into what is often called a super-app, with extra services reachable from inside the same application.

It is a cloud service operated by the vendor, accessed through its own apps, and it is not something you host yourself. The vendor's website could not be read when this entry was prepared, so details about specific features, business accounts and pricing should be checked on the official site.

Key features

Text chat and group conversations
Voice and video calls
Super-app services inside one application
Popular across Japan, Taiwan and Thailand

Good fit for

→Reaching customers in Japan, Taiwan or Thailand
→Everyday personal messaging

Tags: messaging; super-app; calling; japan; mobile

LINE: questions and answers

What is LINE used for?: LINE is a chat and calling app that has grown into a super-app, especially widely used in Japan, Taiwan and Thailand. It is a good fit for reaching customers in Japan, Taiwan or Thailand; and everyday personal messaging.
Is LINE free?: Yes. LINE is free to use.
Is LINE open source?: No. LINE is proprietary (closed-source) software and can't be self-hosted. Open-source alternatives to LINE include Telegram for Android, Telegram Desktop and SimpleX Chat.
What are some alternatives to LINE?: LINE competes with WhatsApp, WeChat and Viber. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source LINE alternatives.