Now that Facebook has introduced the Story feature in its own app as well, you might be wondering, “Wasn’t there Facebook Messenger stories as well that was launched just last week?”

If you are confused with all that’s happening, let me clear your doubts.

Facebook Messenger Stories aka “Your day” feature is completely different from the Facebook app’s Stories. By different we mean both are separate story streams. Whatever you upload to Facebook Story is not reflected in the Messenger Story, while same goes for Messenger Story as well.

However, functionality wise both remain similar i.e. you can enhance your photos and videos with doodles and captions. And, similar to all the other “Stories” of other apps, Stories in both Messenger and Facebook app disappear after 24 hours.

In case you are wondering, why have two separate mediums to share Story via FACEBOOK, it’s because they have a different audience. Really different audience. And that has some effect, as even WhatsApp had to bring back old status feature back as About when it faced backlash from majority of its users.

Also read: 8 cool new WhatsApp Status Tips and Tricks

Facebook stories are visible only to your friends, and strictly to your friend list, as of now. You cannot keep your stories public. However, Stories on Messenger are visible to all the people you have interacted with via Facebook Messenger, even if it was just once. They might not be on your friend list. So beware. But the good thing is, you can change the privacy settings for Messenger Stories and restrict it to custom people.

Here is a detailed talk on similarities and differences between Facebook Stories and Messenger stories.

Facebook Stories vs Messenger Stories: the differences

  • Facebook Messenger Story is also called “Your day”. There is no other name for Facebook Story, it is known by one name “Story”.
  • Facebook Messenger Story lacks the amazing Facebook filters. Though it comes with its own filters, the quantity and quality are less.

  • Facebook Messenger doesn’t allow you to change the color of captions, only the background can be changed that is also predefined.
  • There are more color options present in Facebook Messenger Story.

  • Unlike Facebook Story, where you have to hold the color to increase the brush size, in Facebook Messenger Story, you have to drag the color towards the left to increase the brush size.
  • You can flip your photo in Facebook app Story. The feature is missing in Messenger Story.

  • There is no Direct Messages for Messenger Story that disappears after you have seen them in the Messenger. The replies to your story are sent via the normal Messenger chat. (Though there is a secret conversation feature, but that is not related to stories). Whereas, in the Facebook app, if you send a message through Facebook Direct or reply to the story of your friends, it disappears after the other person has seen it twice.
  • To pause a story in the Facebook Messenger, just tap it. However, in Facebook app, you have to pinch the story to pause it.
  • You can hide or mute stories of other people in the Messenger, however, the Facebook app lacks this feature.
  • As mentioned above, Messenger comes with Privacy features, unlike Facebook Story that published your story to your entire friend list.

Facebook Stories vs Messenger Stories: the similarities

Being from the same developer, the apps feature a lot of commonalities between them. And if you have worked your way through messenger app, you would feel at home on Facebook app too when looking to post a story or two.

  • Whatever you upload in the story disappears after 24 hours on both apps.
  • You can add captions and doodle in both of them.
  • Double tap to switch the camera instantly.
  • Both allow you to publish media from your gallery.
  • Both allow you to save the edited photo/video to your gallery.
  • Both allow you to tap the photo once to move to the next story. Also, swipe to move to the next screen is available on both the apps.

What do you think about the stories? Let us know in the comments below.

Did Facebook really need stories in the mainstream app?