How Rakuten Viber is shaping connections from chats to commerce in the Philippines

What if a single app could connect you with loved ones, grow your business and simplify your finances? Rakuten Viber is making that vision a reality in the Philippines, evolving into a comprehensive super app designed to meet the diverse needs of the Filipino market and make the lives of Filipinos easier. Recognizing the Philippines as a key market and a launchpad for its global innovations, Viber is strategically positioning itself at the forefront of the country’s digital revolution.

Empowering Filipino entrepreneurs with Viber business profiles

One cornerstone of Viber’s strategy is its support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) with Viber Business Accounts, a suite of free tools designed to enrich their online presence and interaction with customers. These accounts provide comprehensive messaging, analytics and automation tools that help small businesses grow cost-efficiently. The impact is evident in the 65% increase in newly created Business Accounts in the Philippines since the beginning of 2025, with strong interest from technicians, consultants, health & beauty and e-commerce businesses.

Users can create a detailed business page with essential information like their logo, description, hours and website. These profiles are public, searchable and integrated directly into 1:1 chats, streamlining customer connections. Business owners can also showcase up to 50 products or services with images, prices and descriptions, sharing them directly within chats and offering discounts.

According to Rakuten Viber CEO Ofir Eyal, “With Viber Business Accounts, we offer a win-win-win experience. Customers benefit from more engaging and informative interactions, Viber strengthens its platform and businesses gain a powerful tool to connect and grow.”

By providing a comprehensive suite of tools and solutions, Viber is empowering Filipino MSMEs to thrive in the digital age.

Safer sparks: Creating secure connections in the dating world

Beyond its ambition to be a super app for businesses, Viber is also committed to providing a safer and more secure online environment for its users. Recognizing the growing concerns around online scams and fraud, particularly in the dating sphere, Viber recently launched Viber Dating, aiming to provide a more integrated and trustworthy experience for Filipino users.

“Philippines is one of the Viber markets with the highest usage of different types of dating apps, hence an openness to try new things,” notes Eyal, explaining the rationale behind launching the feature in the Philippines. In fact, 40% of Filipinos use dating apps because they allow them to meet people they otherwise wouldn’t encounter in daily life. The feature’s popularity is undeniable; Viber Dating attracted 100,000 profiles in its first four days and is projected to reach over a million by year’s end.

Viber Dating distinguishes itself from standalone dating apps by integrating the service directly within the Viber platform. As Eyal explains, “For us, whether you find love or not, you are still a Viber user.” This addresses a key challenge with traditional dating apps, where users tend to leave the platform once they find a partner.

Prioritizing safety, Viber Dating is available only to Viber users who have activated their account with their phone number. Furthermore, either AI or human moderators review profiles, to verify the person and their uploaded photos. “Our experience in Viber for over 15 years combating fraud allows us to offer a dating experience which we believe could be the safest in the world,” says Eyal. Viber also emphasizes that dating profiles are kept separate from regular contacts, ensuring privacy for users. 

Streamlining digital payments with Viber Pay

Strengthening the super app experience for users, Viber is planning to launch its Viber Pay digital wallet service in the Philippines in the second half of 2025. The integration of Viber Pay aims to lessen the friction of switching between payment platforms and messaging apps when making purchases.

“Today’s digital wallets create a disjointed experience. You start in a messaging app, then switch to a digital wallet to transact, often needing a screenshot to confirm back in the chat,” Eyal explained. “That’s a lot of friction. Notably, Viber Pay streamlines the experience for users by enabling money transfers directly within the messaging app, where the interaction began.”

On top of its seamless user experience, Viber Pay is designed with security and convenience in mind. It will feature biometric authentication, allowing secure access with fingerprint or facial recognition. Real-time fraud monitoring will detect suspicious activity, and PIN protection will provide an additional layer of security for users’ funds.

Driving the future of digital engagement in the Philippines

As Viber continues to evolve into a comprehensive super app, its commitment to the Philippines remains unwavering. By empowering MSMEs with innovative tools and Business Accounts, fostering safe online connections with Viber Dating and streamlining digital payments with Viber Pay, Viber is playing a vital role in driving digital growth in the country — one with the potential to transform the way Filipinos connect, conduct business and manage their finances. 

As part of the Rakuten Group, Viber’s efforts align with Rakuten’s mission of empowering individuals through innovation, solidifying its position as a key player in shaping the country’s digital future.