Technology has provided everyone with a way to stay connected. You can keep in touch with friends and family living abroad or check in with co-workers while working from home. This year, video chatting app Zoom shot to prominence amongst both businesses and families. But it’s not the only helpful tool out there, and it might not be the right choice for everyone. The tool has had a slew of security problems recently. So many people are searching for an alternative video chatting apps. Luckily, there are dozens of reliable apps out there. They can serve well for both personal and business calls.
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5 Best Video Chatting Apps to Try in 2020
These five video chatting apps are great for those looking for free tools that are easy to use. They work well for most businesses, freelancers, and individuals looking to connect with friends.
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It should be noted that some of these video chatting apps have also had security issues in the past. And while the developers have patched them, it’s still a good idea to stay on the side of caution when using such video calling and chatting apps. Get a VPN to encrypt your internet traffic and use a firewall to block suspicious incoming connections.
1. Microsoft Teams
Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux.
Microsoft Teams provides people with an easy way to have video meetings, audio calls, and text chat. Those who use Office 365 already have access to Teams. But Microsoft has also lifted the user limit restrictions on the free version in a recent update. It makes this an excellent option for both businesses who already use Office 365 and those who don’t.
Going from a group chat with ten people to a conference with up to 10,000 people is as easy as clicking a button. While there is rarely the need to have a video conference call with 10,000 people, it’s still a nifty feature to have.
Pros: Fantastic for staying organized. Also, it has Slack-like features, such as Channels and unique features like Tabs.
Cons: Too many convoluted features take up space for those who don’t use them.
2. Discord
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, and web browsers.
Discord is the current go-to app for PC gamers and streamers, with a stunning in-game chat integration. But the platform has solid video call capabilities as well, which landed it on our list of video chatting apps. You can access the platform via apps or a web browser, but its interface might be confusing for first-time users.
Video calls can support up to 10 people along with screen sharing, which works great for individuals and small businesses.
Pros: Works well for personal video calls and voice chat while gaming.
Cons: Possibly confusing interface for those who haven’t used the software before.
3. Houseparty
Platforms: iOS, Android, macOS, and web browsers.
Houseparty had its start as a fun chat app for teens, created by the game developer Epic Games. The app isn’t just a regular video call platform but contains a variety of games that friends can play together in the call.
A lot of people have been flocking to Houseparty as of late, thanks to its fun built-in games. The app also has an alert function to let people know when any of their friends are online for a quick chat.
Note that there have been some rumors about hacks due to Houseparty’s security protocols.
Pros: Simple to use and features fun games.
Cons: Not suitable for business; the sudden increase in user base may affect video quality.
4. Facebook Messenger
Platforms: Windows, iOS, macOS, and Android.
Most people use Facebook Messenger for chatting online with friends. But it has a surprisingly robust video call feature. Video calls have no duration limit, and two-person calls support a peer-to-peer structure. It is better for both security and video quality. That said, it only allows up to eight people in a call, so it might not be the best video chatting app option for businesses.
Pros: Available to all Facebook users and easy to use.
Cons: Requires a Facebook account and only supports up to eight people.
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5. Google Hangouts Meet or Duo
Platforms: iOS, Android, and web browsers.
Those who already use G-Suite might be familiar with the built-in Hangouts Meet feature. Like Zoom, people can hop into meetings through a video call link. The organizer of the meeting can share the link via a Google Calendar invite.
Duo, on the other hand, is a free video chatting App intended for personal use between family and friends. The app is pretty simple and straightforward to use, making it perfect for those who are less technologically-inclined.
Pros: Uses that familiar Google interface and has useful integration features.
Cons: Meet isn’t free, but it is part of G-Suite, which many businesses already use.
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Conclusion
It’s the age of the video call, and there is an abundance of options available. The ones listed here provide a nice variety of choices for both business and personal use. And they’re easy to use, and most are free to boot.
