[bsoft16385]

The brand "WeChat" is not as well known as you might think. In China, it's known as 微信 (Weixin), and most people in China have never heard of the WeChat brand.

I also think it's an understatement to call Weixin as ubiquitous as Google in China. There are alternatives to basically every Google service. In China, many times there is no alternative to Weixin. 支付宝 (Alipay) is sometimes a substitute, but in many cases only Weixin is supported. Want to order food at a chain restaurant? Want to buy tickets for a museum? Want to choose the song at a Karaoke bar? Need to fill out a customs exit form? Weixin is often the only option.

[prox]

Isn’t QQ similar?

[TwoFerMaggie]

QQ is made by the same company as WeChat. It was like the last gen IM, with a desktop focused application and an accompanying social media (QQ Space, so you know what the inspiration was). They are still used nowadays but in a much more niche.

[smackeyacky]

Not quite as common or popular but similar.