ChatMate for WhatsApp allows you to communicate and share files with others. In this respect, the client allows you to use WhatsApp’s messaging services, which include instant messages, group chats, file sharing, voice messages, video calls and VoIP calls.
The client can be set to run automatically with system startup, which has the advantage that it can regularly notify you about new messages. This option is also configurable, as you may decide where you want the notification to appear: Menu Bar, Desktop or Dock. In addition, notifications can be silenced altogether by activating the do-not-disturb mode.
If you have used WhatsApp before, you know what it can be used for and, in this regard, this Mac client has no limitations. However, it has some additional features you would probably like to know about. For instance, I love the possibility of recording videos or taking photographs from within the app, which then takes care of transcoding to the formats WhatsApp supports. Moreover, it comes with some options intended for preserving your privacy. These include Stealth Mode, which blurs the contents of your chat bubbles, as well as Privacy mode, which locks the app with a password.
In general, using ChatMate for WhatsApp lets you use the popular messaging services right from your desktop, without needing to check your phone for incoming messages. Regrettably, it inherits one of the limitations of WhatsApp related to the number of people in a video call. Likewise, it does not support the popular bots available from at least one similar service. Finally, although WhatsApp is free to use from your phone, ChatMate for WhatsApp is available for a modest sum.
Pros
- Customizable interface
- Comes with stealth and privacy modes
- Records video and takes shots
- Automatically transcodes videos
Cons
- Does not support bots
- Limits the number of participants in a video conference