Text vs. Chat — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 14, 2024
Texting involves sending electronic messages, often via SMS, while chatting encompasses real-time communication across various platforms.
Difference Between Text and Chat
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Texting typically refers to the exchange of short messages through mobile phones using SMS (Short Message Service) or messaging apps, emphasizing asynchronous communication. Chatting, however, includes instant messaging or real-time conversations on platforms like social media, chat rooms, or dedicated messaging apps, facilitating synchronous exchanges.
While texting often implies a more formal or structured form of communication, used for concise information sharing, chatting tends to be more casual and spontaneous, suitable for continuous, real-time interaction. Texting is generally one-on-one or within small groups, focusing on brief and direct exchanges, whereas chatting can accommodate larger group interactions, often in a more informal setting.
The medium of texting is predominantly text-based, with the inclusion of multimedia elements like images or videos being a secondary feature. In contrast, chatting platforms offer a wide range of expressive features, including emojis, GIFs, stickers, and more, enhancing the interactive and dynamic nature of conversations.
Text messages are typically bound by character limits and may incur costs depending on the user's mobile plan and carrier, leading to more thoughtful composition. Chatting, however, usually occurs on internet-based platforms, where there are minimal restrictions on message length, and conversations can flow more freely without additional costs.
Despite their differences, both texting and chatting have become integral parts of digital communication, offering users various options for personal and professional interactions, each with its own set of norms and etiquettes.
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Comparison Chart
Communication Type
Asynchronous
Synchronous
Formality
More formal, structured
More casual, spontaneous
Medium
Primarily text-based, some multimedia
Text-based with extensive multimedia options (emojis, GIFs, etc.)
Interaction Scope
Typically one-on-one or small groups
Suitable for both small and large group interactions
Cost and Limitations
May have character limits and costs
Minimal restrictions, usually free on internet-based platforms
Compare with Definitions
Text
The act of sending electronic text messages, typically via mobile phone.
She prefers texting to calling because it allows her to respond at her own pace.
Chat
Engaging in real-time text-based conversations online.
They spend hours chatting on their favorite social media platform.
Text
A digital interaction often used for information sharing.
The team uses texting for urgent notifications.
Chat
The use of instant messaging services for communication.
Online chatting has made collaboration easier for remote teams.
Text
The exchange of SMS or messages through apps.
Texting has become a common way for friends to share news quickly.
Chat
An informal and spontaneous way of exchanging messages.
Chatting with friends online is a great way to unwind.
Text
Communication that involves composing short, concise messages.
For important updates, he relies on texting.
Chat
A platform for both one-on-one and group interactions.
The game's chat feature allows players to strategize in real time.
Text
A method of asynchronous communication.
Texting allows her to stay in touch with family overseas without worrying about time zones.
Chat
Communication enriched with emojis, GIFs, and stickers.
Their chat conversations are full of funny GIFs and stickers.
Text
A book or other written or printed work, regarded in terms of its content rather than its physical form
A text which explores pain and grief
Chat
Talk in a friendly and informal way
She chatted to her mother on the phone every day
Text
The main body of a book or other piece of writing, as distinct from other material such as notes, appendices, and illustrations
The pictures are clear and relate well to the text
Chat
An informal conversation
He dropped in for a chat
That's enough chat for tonight
Text
A written work chosen or set as a subject of study
Too much concentration on set texts can turn pupils against reading
Chat
A small Old World songbird of the thrush family, with black, white, and brown coloration and a harsh call.
Text
A text message
Just give us a call or send us a text
Chat
Any of a number of small songbirds with harsh calls.
Text
Fine, large handwriting, used especially for manuscripts.
Chat
To converse in an easy, familiar manner; talk lightly and casually.
Text
Send (someone) a text message
If she was going to go she would have texted us
Chat
(Computers) To participate in a synchronous exchange of remarks with one or more people over a computer network.
Text
The original words of something written or printed, as opposed to a paraphrase, translation, revision, or condensation.
Chat
An informal, light conversation.
Text
The words of a speech appearing in print.
Chat
(Computers) A synchronous exchange of remarks over a computer network.
Text
Words, as of a libretto, that are set to music in a composition.
Chat
Any of various birds in the families Muscicapidae or Parulidae that have a chattering call, especially the yellow-breasted chat.
Text
Words treated as data by a computer.
Chat
To be engaged in informal conversation.
She chatted with her friend in the cafe.
I like to chat over a coffee with a friend.
Text
A text message.
Chat
To talk more than a few words.
I met my old friend in the street, so we chatted for a while.
Text
The body of a printed work as distinct from headings and illustrative matter on a page or from front and back matter in a book.
Chat
(transitive) To talk of; to discuss.
They chatted politics for a while.
Text
One of the editions or forms of a written work
After examining all three manuscripts, he published a new text of the poem.
Chat
To exchange text or voice messages in real time through a computer network, as if having a face-to-face conversation.
Do you want to chat online later?
Text
Something, such as a literary work or other cultural product, regarded as an object of critical analysis.
Chat
Informal conversation.
It'd be cool to meet up again soon and have a quick chat.
Text
A passage from the Scriptures or another authoritative source chosen for the subject of a discourse or cited for support in argument.
Chat
A conversation to stop an argument or settle a situation.
Text
A passage from a written work used as the starting point of a discussion.
Chat
An exchange of text or voice messages in real time through a computer network, resembling a face-to-face conversation.
Text
A subject; a topic.
Chat
(internet) A chat room.
Text
A textbook.
Chat
The entirety of users in a chat room or a single member thereof.
The Chat just made a joke about my poor skillz.
Text
To send a text message to
She texted me when she arrived at the airport.
Chat
Any of various small Old World passerine birds in the muscicapid tribe Saxicolini or subfamily Saxicolinae that feed on insects.
Text
To communicate by text message
He texted that he would be late.
Chat
Any of several small Australian honeyeaters in the genus Epthianura.
Text
To key or send text messages
She was texting in class and missed what was said.
Chat
A small potato, such as is given to swine.
Text
A writing consisting of multiple glyphs, characters, symbols or sentences.
Chat
Mining waste from lead and zinc mines.
Text
A book, tome or other set of writings.
Chat
A louse small, parasitic insect.
Text
(colloquial) A brief written message transmitted between mobile phones.
Chat
To talk in a light and familiar manner; to converse without form or ceremony; to gossip.
To chat a while on their adventures.
Text
(computing) Data which can be interpreted as human-readable text.
Plain text
Chat
To talk of.
Text
A verse or passage of Scripture, especially one chosen as the subject of a sermon, or in proof of a doctrine.
Chat
Light, familiar talk; conversation; gossip.
Snuff, or fan, supply each pause of chat,With singing, laughing, ogling, and all that.
Text
(by extension) Anything chosen as the subject of an argument, literary composition, etc.
Chat
A bird of the genus Icteria, allied to the warblers, in America. The best known species are the yellow-breasted chat (Icteria viridis), and the long-tailed chat (Icteria longicauda). In Europe the name is given to several birds of the family Saxicolidæ, as the stonechat, and whinchat.
Text
(printing) A style of writing in large characters; also, a kind of type used in printing.
German text
Chat
A twig, cone, or little branch. See Chit.
Text
(transitive) To send a text message to; i.e. to transmit text using the Short Message Service (SMS), or a similar service, between communications devices, particularly mobile phones.
Just text me when you get here.
I'll text the address to you as soon as I find it.
Chat
Small stones with ore.
Text
(intransitive) To send and receive text messages.
Have you been texting all afternoon?
Chat
An informal conversation
Text
(dated) To write in large characters, as in text hand.
Chat
Birds having a chattering call
Text
A discourse or composition on which a note or commentary is written; the original words of an author, in distinction from a paraphrase, annotation, or commentary.
Chat
Songbirds having a chattering call
Text
The four Gospels, by way of distinction or eminence.
Chat
Talk socially without exchanging too much information;
The men were sitting in the cafe and shooting the breeze
Text
A verse or passage of Scripture, especially one chosen as the subject of a sermon, or in proof of a doctrine.
How oft, when Paul has served us with a text,Has Epictetus, Plato, Tully, preached!
Text
Hence, anything chosen as the subject of an argument, literary composition, or the like; topic; theme.
Text
A style of writing in large characters; text-hand also, a kind of type used in printing; as, German text.
Text
That part of a document (printed or electronic) comprising the words, especially the main body of expository words, in contrast to the illustrations, pictures, charts, tables, or other formatted material which contain graphic elements as a major component.
Text
Any communication composed of words.
Text
A textbook.
Text
To write in large characters, as in text hand.
Text
The words of something written;
There were more than a thousand words of text
They handed out the printed text of the mayor's speech
He wants to reconstruct the original text
Text
A passage from the Bible that is used as the subject of a sermon;
The preacher chose a text from Psalms to introduce his sermon
Text
A book prepared for use in schools or colleges;
His economics textbook is in its tenth edition
The professor wrote the text that he assigned students to buy
Text
The main body of a written work (as distinct from illustrations or footnotes etc.);
Pictures made the text easier to understand
Common Curiosities
Can texting include multimedia messages?
Yes, texting can include multimedia messages (MMS), but it's primarily text-based.
Is chatting only text-based?
Chatting is primarily text-based but includes a wide range of multimedia features to enhance conversation.
Do you need the internet for texting?
Traditional SMS texting doesn't require the internet, but many messaging apps used for texting do.
What's the main difference between texting and chatting?
Texting is often SMS-based and more structured, while chatting is real-time and can be more informal and interactive.
How does texting affect communication style?
Texting often leads to shorter, more concise messages, while chatting may encourage more fluid and extended conversations.
How do privacy considerations differ between texting and chatting?
Privacy considerations can vary, with some chat platforms offering end-to-end encryption and other features to enhance security and confidentiality.
Are chat conversations always live?
Chat conversations are typically live, allowing for real-time interaction, though messages can also be sent for later reading.
How do group interactions differ between texting and chatting?
Group interactions in texting are typically more controlled and limited, while chatting can accommodate larger, more dynamic group conversations.
Can you chat without a smartphone?
Yes, you can chat on various devices, including computers and tablets, through web-based platforms and applications.
Can chatting be considered a form of texting?
Chatting can encompass texting, especially in informal contexts, as it includes sending text messages in real-time.
How do people choose between texting and chatting?
The choice between texting and chatting often depends on the context, relationship, and preferred communication style of the individuals involved.
Can texting and chatting be used for professional purposes?
Both texting and chatting are used in professional contexts, with preferences depending on the formality and immediacy required.
Is there a cost associated with texting?
Traditional SMS texting may incur costs depending on the mobile plan, whereas many chat platforms are free with internet access.
Are read receipts more common in texting or chatting?
Read receipts are commonly found in both texting and chatting platforms, providing confirmation that a message has been seen.
Is it possible to switch from texting to chatting within the same platform?
Some platforms offer integrated services that allow users to switch seamlessly between texting and chatting, depending on their needs.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
