Understanding video calling apps - a simple guide to get you started
While it has been challenging to see family and friends in person over the last 18 months, video calling has become a fantastic way to overcome this and get to see each other’s faces online. Whether you’re staying in touch with your friends and family, booking in to have a doctor’s appointment via Telehealth or staying connected with your local social group, it’s worthwhile to have a great video chat app on your phone, tablet or computer.
So which video calling app is the best? The simple answer is that it depends so you will need to be able to use more than one.
The key questions to ask or understand are:
What is your type of device and software? For example am I using an iPad or Android table.
What is the other person's device or software? For example are they on the same type of device or are they using something different.
Is the call a scheduled online meeting that you need to join at a specific time?
How many people do you want on a call? For example, is it a big group of more than 5 people or just one person?
Here’s our list of video calling apps we like and use. As with all apps, new and innovative features are constantly released so some of the information may change below. Best of all, the video call apps we’ve listed are all free to use, with some pay options if you want to unlock more features to use. You just need to ensure you have data as part of your phone, tablet or home internet plan.
To download any of the apps, visit your App store ( Apple devices) or Google Play (Android devices). You may need to search for the app then tap on GET or INSTALL to download it to your device.
Facetime
Facetime is a great option to use for anyone with an Apple device. It works on iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers. It's easy to make calls from group texts or the middle of a voice call. Facetime is only available on Apple devices to connect with others who have Apple devices. It currently does not work on other devices, although the good news is that Apple has announced this is changing in an upcoming release. You will need to keep your software updated to see this change.
Facetime works with: iOS & iPadOS (mobile) and MacOS (desktop)
Maximum users: 32
Zoom
Zoom is probably one of the most popular video apps, used for work conferences, school classes, and virtual get togethers alike. It works well on computers and mobile devices with options to view just the person speaking or the whole group. It's free to use as an attendee.
One person will need to set up (host) the meeting in the Zoom app and then email the link to others to join. There's a 40 minute time limit for the host to set up a meeting for three or more users unless you purchase for one of their pricing plans. Take a look at our 7 tips for helping seniors to Zoom.
Zoom works with: Android and iOS (mobile), Windows and Mac (Computers)
Maximum users: 100 until paid subscription
WhatsApp is a popular Video and messaging app used around the world. You can make voice and video calls with up to four people. The calls are on the phone's data plan or via WiFi, so voice calls do not eat up your phone minutes. With it being so popular globally, it’s a great choice for staying in touch with loved ones internationally.
*Privacy - to make your WhatsApp private so that your details are only visible to your contacts list, or nobody at all, Open WhatsApp and go to your Settings, tap Account, then tap Privacy. Next, tap your selected option, then choose from either option: 'Everyone', 'My Contacts' or 'Nobody'. The changes will be applied automatically.
Whatsapp works with: Android and iOS (mobile), Windows and Mac (Computers) - although Group calls aren’t supported on WhatsApp Desktop at this time
Maximum users: 4
Google Duo
Google Duo is a Google that's perfect for video calls between Android and iPhone users. Unlike Facetime, Google Duo is the one to use when you have friends without iPhones. The app has an innovative feature called "Knock Knock" where you can get a preview of who is on the other end of the line before accepting the call. You might also enjoy Google Hangouts for calls with a larger group of people.
Works with: Android and iOS (mobile), Windows and Mac (Computers)
Max users: 12
Facebook Messenger
This is a great video app for your extended Facebook family. If they already have a Facebook account it’s easy to get them on board, even if they’re not very tech-savvy. Facebook Messenger is a separate application that lets you easily chat and video call with your Facebook friends. Video calls have a limit of 50 users, which is more than most social networks with video chat capabilities.
Facebook Messenger works with: Android and iOS (mobile), Windows and Mac (Computers)
Max users: 50
Skype
Skype is one of the original video calling apps that can be used between family, friends or for business calls. It provides a good platform for screen sharing and also has a real time translation in their chat function. You need to create a Skype account to make and receive calls.
Skype works with: Android and iOS (mobile), Windows and Mac (Computers)
Google Meet
Google is making video conferencing available to everyone. Now, anyone with a Google Account can create an online meeting with up to 100 participants and meet for up to 60 minutes per meeting. If you already have a gmail account you can use Google Meet.
Google Meet is primarily designed as a way to host video meetings. However, you can enable the camera and microphone independently, so you can just use it for audio calls if you wish. You can create ad hoc calls and invite your friends and family. They can join by typing your meeting code or you can send them a link that they click on. One of the best things about Google Meet is that you don't need to install any software on your desktop. Everyone in the call (the organizer and the attendees) simply has to be using a modern web browser.
Google Meet works with: Skype works with: Android and iOS (mobile), Windows and Mac (Computers)
Microsoft Teams
Whilst possibly more suited to a business organisation, Microsoft Teams is a collaboration app that helps your team stay organized and have conversations—all in one place. It can be a great tool for social clubs and organisations too. It is a chat-based workspace that combines instant messaging, voice, video, calling, and file-sharing. Microsoft Teams enables users to be more productive by using Office apps they're familiar with – like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, SharePoint, and more – right within the platform.
In Microsoft Teams, teams are groups of people brought together for work, projects, or common interests. Teams are made up of two types of channels — standard (available and visible to everyone) and private (focused, private conversations with a specific audience).
This is not a comprehensive list of video chat platforms as there are more released each week. For example Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok have video capability or WeChat and Viber are commonly used if communicating with other parts of the world.
If you use any other video chat application that isn’t on our list but you rate it, we’d love to know, please comment below.
