Company Overview
Viber is a leading cross-platform instant messaging and VoIP calling application founded in 2010 by Talmon Marco and Igor Magazinnik. Initially based in Israel, the company is now headquartered in Luxembourg. In 2014, Viber was acquired by Rakuten, a Japanese e-commerce and technology conglomerate, for $900 million.
Viber has over 1 billion registered users worldwide with approximately 260 million monthly active users, with particularly strong adoption in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The platform offers text messaging, voice calls, video calls, group chats, and community channels, all secured with end-to-end encryption by default.
Related category: Communication
Core Products
| Product | Description |
|---|---|
| Viber Messaging | Cross-platform messaging with text, images, video, file sharing, and default end-to-end encryption |
| Viber Out | Low-cost international calling service to any landline or mobile number worldwide |
| Viber Communities | Large group channels supporting thousands of members for topic-based discussions and announcements |
| Viber Business Messages | Official messaging channel between businesses and users with interactive messages, transaction alerts, and customer service |
| Viber for Business API | Enterprise communication API for developers, supporting auto-reply, chatbots, and customer service integration |
| Viber Lenses | AR augmented reality lenses to add fun effects and interactive experiences to video calls |
Market Position
Viber competes with the following products in the global instant messaging market:
| Competitor | Description |
|---|---|
| World's most popular messaging app owned by Meta, 2B+ MAU | |
| Telegram | Known for channels, extensive bot ecosystem, and speed, 900M+ MAU |
| Signal | Privacy-focused, open-source non-profit messaging application |
| China's super app integrating social, payment, and lifestyle services | |
| LINE | Dominant messaging platform in Japan, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia |
| Facebook Messenger | Meta's messaging platform deeply integrated with Facebook |
Key Milestones
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2010 | Founded by Talmon Marco and Igor Magazinnik as a low-cost phonebook-based communication app |
| 2014 | Acquired by Rakuten for $900 million |
| 2016 | Introduced end-to-end encryption for all communications |
| 2018 | Launched Communities and Viber Business Messages |
| 2020 | Surpassed 1 billion registered users globally |
| 2024-Present | Continued enhancement of AR Lenses and AI-powered experiences, expanding enterprise ecosystem |
