Research has shown that video calls have become a day-to-day aspect of today’s communication with over 175% increase in regular live video usage among millennials in just the last three years.
The rise of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 resulted in a prevalent rise in using these video chat software. They allow real-time connections between friends, coworkers, and family. A bit of software can help bridge gaps where physical interaction is impossible.
A variety of video chat software offers free plans. This just means you can connect with people in real-time virtually without paying a dime.
In reading further, you would see some of the best free video chat software to select from, whether it is to keep up personal relationships, stay on top of work, or keep everyone up to date with your gaming progress, depending on your reason for wanting one, you would be able to make a good choice.
What Does a Video Chat Software Do?
Video chat software is prevalent today. They are used to communicate, engage remote workers, collaborate across departments and locations, interview job candidates and manage suppliers. All of these can be done virtually and in real-time. It reduces the cost and time of transporting a person from one place to another to have a meeting.
Most of these video chat software has features which enable recording while the video chat is ongoing. With this, you can easily refer back to previous meetings with ease. Due to its virtual eye contact, it makes it more engaging than audio conferencing.
It improves fruitful business collaboration and training. It largely enhances structured meetings with improved communications. Study also shows it improves productivity. Instead of sending a mail and waiting for a response, you could easily video chat the person and get your responses in real time.
How Do They Work
Video chat software is user friendly and as such, very easy to navigate and set up. First, you have to set up the software on your mobile or desktop. Most of which require that you sign up. After you are done signing up, every other thing is as easy as it comes. It however depends on whether you are a host or the participant.
If you are a host, on some software like Zoom, you are required to start the meeting, and send out links or passwords to join the meeting. If it is a locked meeting room, it is also up to you to let those you want to join in at intervals.
If you are a participant, when sent a link, you could join with a tap. On other video chat software like FaceTime, when you get a call, all you have to do is answer, and it connects. The user interface of this software is easy to navigate. All you need is to pay attention to understand the workings of each one.
15 Best Free Video Chat Software in 2021
#1. Zoom:
Zoom is a video telephony proprietary software program developed by Zoom Video Communications. It has a free plan which provides a video chatting service that allows up to 100 concurrent participants, with a 40-minute time restriction.
The software is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome OS. Zoom offers HD audio and video quality. You and your team can share your screen simultaneously. It offers enhancements such as virtual backgrounds, calendar integration and a waiting room which sets it apart from other video chat software.
Zoom brings teams together in a secure video environment. The Video Chat Software is easy to use on both personal and professional levels. It is also faster than most other video chat software. It has been rated highly as being user-friendly and very compact as it is very easy to set up. Meetings are secured with encryption and cannot start until a host enters the chat. It is best for large group calls.
There are no significant troubles in using zoom.
If you are looking for an easy, reliable, and innovative software for meetings, chats, voice and webinars across all devices and spaces, check out Zoom
To get this video chat software, click here
#2. Google Meet:
Meet is a free video chat software developed by Google. It was initially released in 2017. It was introduced to replace Google Hangouts. Google meet works on Android, iOS and the web.
Google meet video meetings are encrypted in transit and an array of default-on-anti-abuse measures are put in place to keep your meetings safe. It offers an impressive free plan. You can have unlimited hour-long meetings with up to 100 participants. The free plan also includes 2-step verification and advanced protection program enrollment.
On Meet, you can easily view all your scheduled meetings for the day and join the meeting by just tapping on it. There is also provision for a dial-in phone number for each meeting, so every guest has a great experience even on the go without WIFI or data.
If you are using Chrome, Safari, Firefox or new Edge, you do not require any plugins or software to be installed. You can comfortably use Meet and join a meeting in the browser. It is best for group calls that may last for very long
To get this video chat software, click here
#3. Skype:
It has been rated as the best teleconference app. There were over 1.55 billion skype users by the end of 2019. It specializes in providing video chat and voice calls between computers, tablets, mobile devices, the Xbox One console, and smartwatches over the internet. It also provides instant messaging services. Skype is available across various operating systems like Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, HoloLens, and Xbox One. It is also available in up to 108 languages.
To get this video chat software, click here
#4. Slack:
The American software company Slack Technologies developed it. It has user-friendly features, persistent chat rooms(channels) organized by topic, private groups, and direct messaging. The software is available on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS and Linux (Beta). It offers a secure platform that can easily scale business communications.
Teams looking to improve their general communications software mostly used it.
To get this video chat software, click here
#5. Google Duo:
The duo is a video chat mobile app released in 2016. It has reached over 1billion of downloads except for the number of Android devices where it is pre-installed. It comes pre-installed on a majority of Android phones. Google Duo is easy to use and offers a quick shortcut to calling Google Home devices built-in.
Google duo allows you to take conversations from anywhere and will keep them flowing even if the network fluctuates. It is completely mobile-based and its features are more basic. It is more consumer-facing than most other video chat software because it has features like effects and emojis. Calls on Google Duo are end to end encrypted.
It is best for brief calls with another person
To get this video chat software, click here
#6. Viber:
Viber is a calling and messaging app that connects people no matter where they are or where they are from. All calls on Viber are protected by built-in end-to-end encryption, so you can be sure that your conversations are always secure.
To get this video chat software, click here
#7. WeChat:
It was launched in 2013 by Chinese internet company Tencent. It is seen to be a mix of WhatsApp, Google, and Apple Pay in one software. You can do a lot on it, which includes paying bills, calling a cab, reading novels, conducting business, and sharing memories with friends.
Its top features however include text messaging, video and voice calling, group messaging, and calling. If you are on the lookout for a video chat software that offers diverse options, you should check WeChat.
To get this video chat software, click here
#8. FaceTime:
The initial product was purchased by Steve Jobs in 2010. It works by establishing a connection between two iPhones.
It is mostly used by iPhone users looking for a brief conversation.
To get this video chat software, click here
#9. WhatsApp:
It offers a fast, simple and reliable way to talk to anyone around the world. Over 1.5 billion people across 180 countries use it. WhatsApp comes with a lot of impressive features. It also offers end-to-end encryption so that all information shared during conversations remains secure.
It is best for teams who want to connect with people from abroad.
To get this video chat software, click here
#10. Discord:
This free video chat software is highly recommended for gamers. It is built for streaming games to small groups of people, and the company recently increased the cap on its Go Live free streaming service from 10 to 50 individuals. Discord was created with the intention of allowing gamers to find a community with other people who love playing video games. It can however be used for other communication purposes as well.
It is best used when looking for tools that serve personal and business conversations.
To get this video chat software, click here
#11. Facebook Messenger:
In 2015, video calling was introduced in Facebook Messenger
It is mostly used on an informal level, quickly pivoting between text chat and video messages.
To get this video chat software, click here
#12. Microsoft Teams:
Microsoft Teams is a chat-based workspace in office 365. It has specific tools necessary for teams to collaborate to achieve more. Microsoft Teams combines instant messaging, video calls, and documentation collaboration into a unified platform.
You can share your screen when on a meeting. You can also go from a chat to a video call on the software with just a touch of a button. The features also enable you to record the call so other participants can have access to everything said.
It also allows you to partake in meetings with up to 300 participants for up to 24 hours at a time. It is best for collaborating on large but specific projects.
To get this video chat software, click here
#13. WebEx:
WebEx offers a limited free version that enables you to meet one on one for a limit of 50 minutes. It is ideal for those who use it for freelance work. While using it, you can share your screen on your device and also save a recording of the call. WebEx guarantees HIPAA/BAA compliance and end-to-end encryption. When you host a meeting, you can also put a password to lock the meeting rooms and ensure privacy during the meetings.
It is best for collaborating one on one with another person
To get this video chat software, click here
#14. UberConference:
This free video chat software was launched at the 2012 TechCrunch Disrupt and was chosen as the best new product by 30 entrants. It has two plans for you to choose from. One is free of charge and allows for meetings for up to 10 participants with pins required.
It offers a breadth of features to its users. You can literally take advantage of unlimited conferences, lasting up to 45 minutes. While on the video chat, you can record the calls whilst the meeting is ongoing. It has extra security which promises to protect the video calls. You can also lock your conference to ensure no unwanted parties join during the meeting.
One of the best features of the UberConference video chat software is that it eliminated the use of pins, making it simple for people to join a meeting. It has powerful and clear call control, seamless screen sharing, and HD calls. It also provides a good service with no interference.
If you are looking for a very simple video chat software to use for you and your team, you should totally check out UberConference. It is best for teams invested in analytics.
To get this video chat software, click here
#15. Houseparty:
It allows up to eight people to video chat in a ‘room’. Houseparty is marketed as a social network but can be used for business purposes as well.
It is best for teams with the purpose of carrying out bonding activities.
To get this video chat software, click here
Conclusion
Many video chat software offers additional functionality outside of video chats like providing file sharing, the option for simple audio calling without video, white boarding and screen sharing tools, and call recording tools.
One of the issues a free video chat software could experience that you should consider is the video quality in each meeting. However, this depends on the internet and the speed of your data. It is imperative to ensure you have stable internet when using video chat software to prevent being frustrated.
Video calls offer a more personal touch than a typical phone call. It is of utmost importance that you pick the video chat software which would give you a perfect experience.
References
- https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.pocket-lint.com/apps/buyers-guides/131512-video-calling-apps.amphtml
- https://www.softermii.com/blog/video-chat-app-development-complete-guide
- https://www.tomsguide.com/best-picks/best-video-chat-apps
- https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.communicloud.com/blog/10-business-benefits-of-video-conferencing%3fhs_amp=true
- https://www.google.com/amp/s/getvoip.com/amp/blog/2020/11/25/video-calling-apps/
- https://www.g2.com/categories/video-conferencing/free
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