Hangouts have any advantage over default messaging app?

[mayconvert]

I have the new Moto X and it has a messaging app, green icon, nondescript, as default.
Does hangouts do anything more than a normal messaging app?

I know it works well if your friends are using android, but my family all have Nokia 1520's and friends all have iPhones and don't use hangouts.

 

[B. Diddy]

In terms of SMS/MMS, no--it doesn't add anything that the stock Messaging app has. I like Hangouts because I use both SMS and Hangouts, so it's nice to consolidate them into one app. Plus, I get a kick out of the Hangouts emojis!