17 Video Chat Apps To Stay Connected With Your Loved Ones

Are you looking for a way to have one-on-one video chats with your friends, office colleagues, family, or loved ones far away from you or living in a distant city? Or are you searching for an app to let you have a group video chat?

In our increasingly digital world, staying connected with loved ones can be as easy as tapping a button. But with so many video chat apps available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming.

Whether you’re catching up with family across the globe or holding a virtual team meeting, this blog post will guide you through the 17 top picks for mobile video chatting. We’ll explore features like maximum compatibility, group call capacity, and unique, awe-inspiring features to help you find the perfect app that fits your needs and makes video chat a breeze.

Overview

Are you in a hurry and looking for a quick answer? Here is a quick rundown on the list of some of the most popular video call apps for Android and iOS devices:

• Google Meet: Google Meet is a good option for video calls with friends and family. It is easy to use and integrates well with other Google products like Gmail and Calendar. Google Meet offers a free tier with unlimited one-on-one calls, and group calls with up to 100 participants.
• Skype: Skype is a classic video chat app that has been around for many years. It is still a popular choice for video calls with friends and family, and it offers a free tier with unlimited video calls between Skype users. However, Skype’s features are not as extensive as some of the other options on this list.
• FaceTime (iOS): FaceTime is a video chat app that is exclusive to Apple devices. It is a good option for video calls with friends and family with Apple devices. FaceTime offers a free tier with unlimited video calls between FaceTime users.
• WhatsApp: WhatsApp is a popular messaging app offering video chat functionality. It is a good option for video calls with friends and family who are already using WhatsApp. WhatsApp provides a free tier with unlimited video calls between WhatsApp users.
• Messenger: Similar to WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger allows video calls with existing contacts on the platform. It’s a good option for staying in touch with people you connect with on Facebook.
• Signal: This app prioritizes user privacy and offers end-to-end encryption for messages and video calls. It’s a good choice for users who value security and want to keep their conversations confidential.
• Zoom: Zoom is a popular choice for video conferencing, especially for business meetings and webinars. It offers many features, including screen sharing, recording, and breakout rooms. However, Zoom has faced some privacy concerns in the past.
• Discord: This app, originally designed for gamers, has become a popular platform for online communities and groups with shared interests. It offers video chat functionality alongside text and voice chat features, making it a versatile tool for communication and collaboration.

1. JusTalk: Free Video Calls

The JusTalk is a video chat app that provides some unique capabilities you may not find in any other app. While video chatting with your friends or family members, you can record the video call and save it on your phone/tablet to watch and relive the moments anytime you want later. Isn’t it awesome? 😀

Another feature is the doodling function that enables you to draw on the screen while video calling, so during your video call, you can express yourself even more while showing your creative side at the same time. Another point that usually users are concerned during video chat is the privacy and security of their conversations, JusTalk encrypts your voice and video call so that nobody could spy on your chats.

• Record/save all the video calls to your phone.
• Cross-platform compatibility with both Android and iOS.
• Ability to doodle/draw during video chat.
• Encryption of the video and voice chat.
• Do not support the group video chat function.

2. Google Meet

Google Meet, previously known as Google Duo, is a relatively new dedicated video calling app developed by Google in an attempt to make mobile video chat simpler, more convenient, and easier to use than ever. The unique feature the app offers is the “Knock Knock” function, which lets you see the live preview of the caller even before you answer the video call.

To create an account, you only need an active mobile phone number, and Google will send you an automated text for verification. Then, you can start video chatting with your friends in seconds.

• See the caller before answering the call with the new ‘Knock Knock’ feature.
• Cross-platform compatibility with Android and iOS.
• You might face some reliability issues.
• Video and voice quality is below the mark (as the app is in its early phases).
• Do not support the group video chat function.

3. Glide: Video Chat Messenger

Glide is a video chat messenger that lets you be connected with your friends or family members via video call in the fastest way possible. The app allows you and your friends to share the moments as it happens using the live stream function.

You can also customize the video chat messages using the filters and then share it with the group of friends to be able to express yourself in the best way possible.

• Apply filters to your video chat messages before sharing.
• Compatible with Android Wear smartwatch.
• You might face some occasional reliability issues.
• Do not support group video chat function.

4. ICQ: Video Calls & Chat

ICQ is one of those video call apps that has been around for a long time and provides you with an excellent HD video chat capabilities that consumes less amount of data as compared to any other video chat app.

This way, you can easily have a video call whenever you are without worrying about excessive data usage.

The recent update has integrated Artisto within the app that lets you transform your standard videos and take them to the next level by adding the artistic effects. You can then share those videos with your contacts right through the app.

• Consume low data usage while video chatting.
• Compatible with Android Wear smartwatch.
• All your messages are synchronized across your devices.
• Do not require a phone number for registration.
• Cross-platform compatibility with Android, iOS, and Windows.
• Do not support group video chat function.
• You may experience delayed notification occasionally.

5. ooVoo: Video Call, Text & Voice

ooVoo is a video chat app that lets you stay connected with your friends and family using the free group video calling capabilities that support up to twelve people at a time. And because it is a cross-platform app, you can have a video call with your friends regardless of the device or platform they are using.

The one of a kind message functionality is specifically designed to let you share pictures, videos, GIF messages even while you are video chatting. And one unique aspect of this app is the fantastic avatar characters, which you can select and use during video chats.

• Supports group video calling with over 12 people.
• Free avatar characters, and you can use them during video chat.
• Cross-platform compatibility with Android, iOS, and Windows.
• Works flawlessly, even on the 3G data connections.
• You might experience connectivity issues at times.

6. Tango: Free Video Call & Chat

Tango is a messaging app with video chat capabilities, and it works pretty well on smartphones and tablets and is a cross-platform app, which allows you to stay in touch with those who matter the most to you.

What’s interesting about Tango is that while you are chatting with your friend, you can add some video filters, send stickers, and even play games with them. You can also apply masks to your face and use avatars during a video chat to make the conversations fun.

You can create a group and have your very own chat room to have conversations with your friends or plan for a trip or dinner together.

• Play games with your friend during a video chat.
• Transform your face while video calls with masks and avatars.
• Cross-platform compatibility with Android and iOS.
• Do not support group video chat function.

7. Viber

Initially, Viber was developed to provide its users with a free phone call functionality to help keep them connected with their loved ones anywhere in the world through the Internet connection. But later, the developers introduced the video chat capabilities along with the end-to-end encryption, and since then, the app has gained a lot of popularity.

And because the app is not limited to video only, so you can easily switch between video and voice chat with just a tap on the screen. Moreover, similar to the other apps mentioned in the list, Viber also lets you play games with your friends without any requirements to install any extra plugin.

• Ability to easily switch between video and voice calls at any moment.
• Play games with your friends right from the app.
• Secure conversations with end-to-end encryption.
• No support for group video calling.

8. WhatsApp Messenger

WhatsApp Messenger is a cross-platform video calling solution that supports up to 50-person group video call at any given moment. The best thing about WhatsApp is that you don’t need to create an account. There is no user ID or password.

The majority of users already have this app on their phones, which gives you the ease of access and compatibility.

In case you don’t know, WhatsApp wasn’t popular for video chatting because there were a lot of limitations. However, thanks to the competitors, the app now supports over 50 user video calling.

• Allow you to have a group video chat with up to 50 friends, family, or colleagues.
• 100% end-to-end encrypted and secure.
• Fully compatible with Android and iOS devices.
• Video chatting is limited to mobile users.

9. KakaoTalk: Free Calls & Text

KakaoTalk is a pretty reliable app that not only supports video chatting but also allows you to have textual or vocal-based conversations with your friends and family. It supports group chats with an unlimited number of people, but this feature is only limited to voice chats. The app does not support group video chats at the moment and only allows one-on-one video calls.

And since it is a cross-platform app and is compatible with tablets, smartphones, and PCs so you can remain connected with your friends regardless of the device or operating system they are using.

• Support Android Wear smartwatch for notifications and replies.
• Cross-platform compatibility with Android, iOS, BlackBerry, and Windows.
• You might experience unexpected connectivity issues sometimes.

10. imo: Free Video Calls and Chat

imo is a communication app, and its key target is to provide you with the best and the most reliable video chat experience regardless of the mobile operating system you are using, which means it is fully compatible with Android and iOS. The app is even optimized for Android tablets.

The app is highly optimized to work on a wide range of networks and consumes fewer mobile data so that you can have decent video chat even on a slow 2G/edge mobile data connection. Moreover, you can have group video calls with your family or friends without any difficulty, but it is limited to four people only.

• Support group video chat with up to four people.
• Your calls and chats will be encrypted and secure.
• Cross-platform compatibility with both Android and iOS.
• Fully compatible with all Android tablets.
• Support Bluetooth headset.
• At times, the app fails to notify you of a call or message.

11. WeChat

WeChat is a popular communication app for its services and simplified and user-friendly interface. It provides high-quality voice and video calling features, allowing you to call and video chat with anyone, no matter where they are and what device they use.

There is also a Moments feature that works similarly to any other social networking app and lets you share your favorite and memorable moments and unforgettable trips with your WeChat friends.

• Cross-platform compatibility with Android, iPhone, and computer.
• It provides maximum privacy as TRUSTe certifies the app.
• High-quality video calling capability.
• Do not support video chat with multiple people.

12. LINE: Free Calls & Messages

LINE is a messaging and calling app fully compatible with multiple platforms, including Android, iOS, smartwatches, and computers. The app lets you enjoy seamless communication and connectivity via messages, calls, and video chat with your friends and contacts. No matter where you are.

Like the other popular apps mentioned in the list, LINE also offers its own personal social media platform where you get your timeline and freely share priceless moments, pictures, videos, and status updates with your loved ones. You can see and leave comments on the moments your friends share.

• High-definition voice and video chat feature.
• Keep a feature that allows you to store your precious chats, videos, photos, and other files without worrying about losing them.
• Compatible with a wide range of devices and platforms.
• New face effects to make your conversations exclusive can be used while video calling with friends.
• The video calling face effects feature is not yet compatible with all devices.
• Do not allow you to back up your chat history and data.

13. Skype: Free IM & Video Calls

Skype has been known for video calling for quite a while now and used to be one of the most common ways to talk face-to-face with your contacts, friends, and loved ones on the computer. But since smartphones became widespread, Skype has gained much more popularity among users for instant messaging, free voice calling, and video chatting.

Due to its enormous popularity and high user demand, Skype introduced group video calling, allowing anyone to chat with over 25 friends. And that is not only limited to video but also includes voice calls so that you can communicate seamlessly with your friends and family and stay connected, no matter where or what device they use.

• Support group video chat with over twenty-five people at a time.
• It is compatible with multiple platforms and devices to stay connected with your loved ones.
• You might experience some glitches or connectivity issues while video calling.

14. Hangouts

We included Google Meet, a dedicated app for video calling only, on the list. But Hangouts is another app developed by Google to make it easier to send text messages, have voice calls, and face-to-face video chats with your friends, and share pictures and videos, all from a single app.

About video chat, Hangouts allows you to turn any conversation into a video chat and lets you add over ten friends to any group video calling. This way, you can discuss anything with your loved ones, no matter which part of the world you are located in.

• Stay connected with your friends, no matter their device or platform, as the app is compatible with Android and the web.
• High-quality voice and video chat features.
• Initiate group video chat with over ten friends.
• You might experience slow or unreliable video calling at times.
• Users have reported some delays in notification delivery.

15. Messenger

We have listed Facebook Messenger on this list as it has already been installed on most of the people’s phones and tablets. It is one of the best ways to communicate and video chat with co-workers, friends, loved ones, and even family members, as they are already added to your Facebook friends list.

Yes, many don’t know about the video calling capabilities of Facebook Messenger. Still, it does exist and works pretty well and allows you to reach any of your Facebook friends instantly, irrespective of the phone or device they are using, because the Messenger app is compatible with multiple platforms.

• Video chat with any of your Facebook friends.
• Messenger allows you to add your favorite contacts’ icons to your Android home screen to reach them within seconds.
• Cross-platform compatibility allows you to seamlessly connect with your contacts without worrying about their device.
• You might experience sync issues on some devices as the message fails to deliver to the recipient.

16. Snapchat

Many Snapchatters don’t know about it, but Snapchat recently overhauled their app and introduced voice and video chatting capabilities and numerous other features to stay connected with your friends all from within a single app.

Using Snapchat, all you have to do is tap on any of your friends’ names and then tap on the telephone or video icon to send a voice chat or leave a video chat message for your friend, only if your friend is unavailable. And if your friend is available, they will be given an option to either ‘watch’ you or ‘join’ the video chat and start chatting.

• Ability to send a quick video chat note, even if your friend is offline.
• It allows you to video chat with your friends, no matter their device or platform because the app is compatible with Android and iOS.
• Do not support group video chat.
• It might consume a bit more memory than other video chat apps because it is resource-hungry.

17. Botim

Botim is a mobile app offering secure messaging, voice, and video calls, focusing on privacy and encryption. It boasts features like group calls with up to 21 participants and encrypted communication on various network connections. It is one of the few apps in the UAE that allows voice and video chat.

The app goes beyond just communication. It integrates features like a built-in digital wallet for money transfers, mobile recharges, and bill payments. Additionally, you can access exclusive discounts and offers from partnered businesses.

Botim provides a free tier with basic functionality; some features like HD calling and background blur are locked behind a paid VIP subscription.

• Encrypted messaging and calling with high quality, even on weak connections.
• Group chats with up to 500 members and video calls with up to 21 participants.
• Built-in emoji dashboards, online games, and VIP membership options with ad removal, HD calling, and background blur for video calls.

Tips To Make Your Experience Fun and Memorable

Preparation is the key:

• Choosing the right app: To make the right app choice, it is essential to consider factors like number of people you want to have a video call with at a time, your desired features, and compatibility with others’ devices like Android, iOS, Windows, or Mac.
• Set the mood: Tidy up your background (or use a virtual one through an in-app feature), dim the lights for a cozy feel, and choose appropriate clothing based on the event.
• Plan activities: Start with fun questions, share funny anecdotes, or use an icebreaker game or activities to make everyone comfortable. You can then play games or even watch a movie together online, which can add a playful element.

Enhance your experience:

• Utilize features: Most video chat apps offer exciting features like screen sharing, creating polls, and even breakout rooms. We will recommend you explore these tools to keep things engaging and interactive.
• Get creative: Use filters, avatars, and funny backgrounds to spark a burst of laughter.
• Actively participate: If you are in a group video call session, don’t be afraid to unmute yourself and share some stories to keep the conversation engaging. You can participate by showing genuine interest in others’ conversations.

Remember the technicalities:

• Ensure a strong connection: A stable internet connection is necessary for a smooth video chat experience. You should avoid slow Wi-Fi connections, and if you are on a PC, you can consider using an ethernet cable for optimal performance.
• Mind the etiquette: Be mindful of microphone etiquette, avoid multitasking, and respect others’ speaking time.
• Embrace the fun: Video calling is a fun way to interact with your friends and family, so you must relax and have fun. It is a fantastic way to connect with your loved ones, learn new things, and create ever-lasting memories.

Bonus tips to make it memorable:

• Dress up for the occasion: Adapt your attire according to the activity and occasion, whether a virtual costume party or a casual virtual meetup.
• Send virtual gifts or gift cards: Surprise participants with a small token of appreciation, like gift cards, to make the experience memorable.
• Follow up after the call: You can share photos, videos, or funny moments from the chat to keep the connection going, even after ending the video call.

Which Video Chat App Is Your Favorite?

Do you have any favorite video chatting apps? Please let us know in the comments below about the video calling apps you use for daily communication with your friends, family, and office colleagues. If it is new, we will test it out and feature it on the list. 🙂