This quasi-experimental study compared traditional teacher-centered instruction and a WeChat based flipped classroom to investigate student achievements and higher order thinking skills, such as critical thinking and problem-solving. The WeChat based flipped classroom adopted a Structured Query Language (SQL) lesson from an information technology course. The 94 university students were divided into an experimental group (n = 50) and a control group (n = 44), and an achievement test, the critical thinking disposition inventory--Chinese version (CTDI-CV), and a questionnaire and problem-solving survey used in both groups. It was found that the flipped classroom student achievements and higher order thinking skills were significantly better than their peers who had been taught in a traditional classroom environment. This study provides empirical evidence that higher education achievement and higher order thinking skills can be improved using a WeChat-based flipped classroom approach and is a valuable reference for both instructors and educators on the use of social software.