Comparison: group vs. community vs. channel
On Rakuten Viber, you can choose to open a group, community, or channel.
Group: perfect for birthday party preparations, private family chats, and teacher/parent communication.
Community: the best option for fan clubs, public meet-up organizers, and recipe sharers.
Channel: ideal for brands requiring a one-way communication line (only admins can post in a channel).
Set Up
| Group | Community | Channel | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ability to change the name | Everyone | Super-admins only | Super-admins only |
| Limitations on names that can be used | No | No | Yes; must follow Rakuten Viber guidelines |
| Ability to change icon | Everyone | Super-admins only | Super-admins only |
| Ability to change the description | No | Super-admins only | Super-admins only |
| Ability to change the background | No | Super-admins only | Super-admins only |
Manage members
| Group | Community | Channel | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Member limit | 250 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Admins can add an alias to their profile | No | Yes | Yes |
| Ability to add new members | Everyone | Everyone, and super-admins can restrict the invitation of new members | Everyone, and super-admins can restrict the invitation of new members |
| Ability to remove members | Admins only | Super-admins and admins only | Super-admins and admins only |
| Ability to ban members | No | Super-admins and admins only | Super-admins and admins only |
Privacy
| Group | Community | Channel | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Availability of members list | Yes | Yes | Super-admins and admins can see the complete members list, and members can only see the super-admins and admins list |
| Ability to view members' phone number | Yes | No | No |
| Ability to call members | Yes | No | No |
Content control
| Group | Community | Channel | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Availability of chat history | No | Yes | Yes |
| Writing permissions (posts) | Everyone | Everyone, or super-admins and admins only (optional) | Super-admins and admins only |
| Comment on a post | No | Yes, unless disabled by a super-admin | Yes, unless disabled by a super-admin |
| Must comply with Rakuten Viber's Acceptable Use Policy | No* | Yes | Yes |
| Can be reported for violating Rakuten Viber's Terms of Service | No | Yes | Yes |
| Send links | Everyone | Everyone, or super-admins and admins only (optional) | Everyone, or super-admins and admins only (optional) |
*Group names will be moderated under AUP.
Advanced features
| Group | Community | Channel | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rakuten Viber for Business | No | Yes | Yes |
| Option to become public (searchable) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Option to connect a bot | No | Yes | Yes |
| Viewing member insights | No | Yes, to Super-admins (for public communities only) | Yes, to Super-admins |
| Viewing detailed message statistics | Everyone | Everyone | Super-admins and admins only, subscribers can view aggregated statistics |