With two versions of Facebook available, you may be wondering if you need to use both the regular Facebook app and the stripped-down Facebook Lite app. This article will examine the key differences between Facebook and Facebook Lite to help you decide which one is right for you.
What is Facebook Lite?
Facebook Lite is a lightweight version of the Facebook app that uses less data and is designed for slower networks and lower-end smartphones. It was released in 2015 to make Facebook more accessible around the world, particularly in emerging markets where mobile data is expensive or limited.
Some key features of Facebook Lite:
- Small app size – under 1MB to download
- Data saver option compresses images and video
- Works well on 2G networks and slow internet connections
- Streamlined interface with pared-down features
- Use less battery and storage space on your phone
Comparing Facebook and Facebook Lite
While Facebook Lite retains the core Facebook experience, there are some notable differences between the two apps:
| Feature | Facebook Lite | |
|---|---|---|
| App size | Around 100MB download | Under 1MB download |
| Data usage | Can use large amounts of data | Data saver feature compresses images/video |
| Performance | Requires a faster processor and more RAM | Optimized for slower processors and limited RAM |
| Interface | Full feature interface | Streamlined interface |
| Features | Full suite of Facebook features | Limited features compared to full app |
As you can see, Facebook Lite is a stripped back, lightweight version designed for older phones and slower connections. The regular Facebook app offers the full experience but requires more data and phone resources.
Key differences in features
Let’s look in more detail at some of the features that are limited or unavailable in the Facebook Lite app:
Fewer options for filtering News Feed
Facebook Lite does not include some News Feed filtering options, like filtering by posts you’ve seen, posts from friends only, etc. You have fewer controls over your News Feed content.
No games, no apps
You cannot use Instant Games or third-party apps and games within the Facebook Lite interface. These extras are left out to reduce the app size and complexity.
No notifications
Push notifications are not supported in Facebook Lite, so you won’t get notifications about messages, events, or other activity. You need to manually check the app.
No ads manager
For business pages and ads, the Ads Manager feature is not included in Facebook Lite. You need the full Facebook app to access this.
Simpler watch and marketplace
Facebook Watch and Marketplace work differently in Lite, with streamlined interfaces and fewer options. Marketplace only supports basic buying/selling flows.
So which one should I use?
Whether you should use Facebook Lite or regular Facebook depends on your needs and phone capabilities:
Use Facebook Lite if:
- You have an older or low-end smartphone
- You are on a limited cellular data plan
- You use slower 2G or 3G networks
- You want to conserve battery life and storage space
- You only need basic Facebook functionality
Use regular Facebook if:
- You have a newer smartphone with more storage/RAM
- You have unlimited data and fast 4G/5G connections
- You want access to full features like games, apps, ads manager
- You want notifications from Facebook
- You use Facebook Watch or Marketplace frequently
Can I use both?
You can actually install and use both Facebook and Facebook Lite on the same phone if you want flexibility. Just make sure you are logged into the same Facebook account in both apps.
Using both allows you to take advantage of Facebook Lite’s small size and data saving abilities when out and about or on slower networks. Then when on WiFi you can switch to regular Facebook to enjoy the full functionality and features.
Conclusion
Facebook Lite is ideal for older phones and limited data plans, offering core Facebook functionality in a smaller package. Regular Facebook requires more resources but provides a fuller experience with extra features and customization.
Many users, especially those with budget phones or limited data, will be satisfied sticking with just Facebook Lite. But if you want access to everything Facebook has to offer, you may wish to use both Lite and regular Facebook apps as needed.
Having both installed gives maximum flexibility to switch between the stripped back Lite experience and full Facebook functionality. So there are good reasons to keep Facebook Lite even if you also continue using the regular Facebook app.