Zoom
Free and paid licenses available
Zoom is an extremely popular app for both work and social gatherings. It allows users to call face-to-face, as well as utilise the chat section for messaging. With corporate and free home licenses available, this app is versatile for any party of people.
- Maximum participants on one call: 100
- Time limit: 40 minutes (excluding one-to-ones, which are unlimited)
- Presentation features like screen sharing, recording, and ‘raise hand’ icon to avoid interruptions
FaceTime
Free to use
FaceTime is a video-calling application that’s only available on iOS devices, like iPhones, iPads, and Macs. You can only connect to other Apple devices as well. To activate it, simply find the green camera icon on your Apple product, and call someone from your contacts list.
- Maximum participants on one call: 32 (on Group FaceTime)
- Time limit: None
- You can still use your phone as normal whilst on a FaceTime call, including sending messages, opening apps, and taking photos
Google Meet
Free and paid licenses
Perfect for large company meetings and big family get-togethers, Google Meet is another common video chatting application that also has a side-bar for typing messages. Both the host of the meeting and all the users need to have a Gmail account, which will also sync the meeting time up in Google Calendars.
- Maximum participants: 100
- Time limit: 24 hours
- Presentation features like screen sharing, ‘raise hand’, and background changes
Skype
Free
The go-to platform for more than a decade, Skype is one of the first video chat apps available for iOS and Android devices. Predominantly used by companies, it’s also a great choice for friends wishing to catch up, as you don’t necessarily have to sign up for the service to use it.
- Maximum participants: 50
- Time limit: Four hours (excluding one-to-ones, which are unlimited)
- Presentations features like screen sharing and recording
Microsoft Teams
Free and paid versions
Initially a business-focused competitor to popular messaging channel, Slack, Microsoft Teams has two different packages: a free version for chatting, and a paid version for large meetings and conferences.
- Maximum participants: 300 (many will need to switch their video off for bandwidth purposes)
- Time limit: 24 hours
- Presentation features like screen sharing, and ‘raise hand’
Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger: Apple / Android
Free to download and use
Popular messaging app Facebook features a video call option, allowing users to see each other rather than type. Facebook is definitely tailored more towards social chats instead of company meetings.
- Maximum participants: 50
- Time limit: None
WhatsApp Messenger
WhatsApp Messenger: Apple / Android
Free to download and use
Like Facebook, WhatsApp also gives you the option to video call instead of type. Whilst it’s widely used by friends and family to stay in touch, many businesses do like to use one of the chat options to create a channel and converse inside and outside work hours.
- Maximum participants: Eight
- Time limit: None
Google Duo
Free
Another Google extension (like Google Meet), Google Duo was initially designed as a mobile-only consumer app for one-to-one conversations. It has since expanded to become accessible on the web. Like Meet, all participants need a Google account.
- Maximum participants: 32
- Time limit: None
Netflix Party
Free to use
A web-based application, Netflix Party is a slightly alternative way to watch Netflix shows with a group of friends or family who live apart. To get started, one person needs to set up the party by installing the Netflix Party Chrome Extension and sending a link for others to join. Once everyone is in the chat, the whole party can watch a film or series together and message in the chat box.
- Maximum participants: 50
- Time limit: None
Discord (for gamers)
Free to download and use
Originally a text-and-talk service, Discord is a live-streaming app that can also be used as a video chatting app. Users can create their own channels for people to join and chat about relevant topics, as well as live stream themselves for watchers to comment.
- Maximum participants: 10
- Time limit: Five hours
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