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T-Mobile beefs up Android security with malware protection
T-Mobile beefs up Android security with malware protection
T-Mobile is aiming to fortify the Android smartphones and tablets it carries by offering users free protection against malware and viruses.
The company announced today that it is partnering with mobile security company Lookout to help T-Mobile customers protect their devices with a product called Automatic App Security. The software will come preloaded on certain devices this year, and then T-Mobile will roll it out to most Android devices in 2013.
"As we rely more on our mobile devices, for everything from business to social to banking, it is increasingly important that we protect them from threats," CEO of Lookout John Hering said in a statement.
The way Automatic App Security works is it scans all apps that users download to make sure they're safe and malware-free. If the product detects any harmful apps, it will notify the user. Since the software will be preloaded and already turned on in smartphones and tablets, users don't need to register or set-up the feature.
T-Mobile isn't the only carrier that's trying to help its customers protect their devices from malicious malware. Verizon also recently introduced its Mobile Security app for Android, which is free and gives users basic antivirus protection and alerts.
Android devices are some of the most notorious for attracting malware. According to a report by McAfee last month, 13,000 types of mobile malware have been uncovered this year, which is leaps and bounds above the 2,000 discovered in 2011.
"During the past few quarters, we've seen that the Android OS is the most popular target for writers of mobile malware," McAfee's report said. "This quarter was no different; practically all new mobile malware was directed at the Android platform. The mix included SMS-sending malware, mobile botnets, spyware, and destructive Trojans."
T-Mobile plans to start preloading Automatic App Security on both the LG Optimus L9 smartphone and the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 tablet in the coming weeks. Customers that have different devices can also download the security software from Google Play.
With the growth of remote work, free-to-play video games, and a pandemic looming, a lot of people are looking for something to make being stuck at home a little more bearable. If you’re on the less introverted side, all that time cooped up can be pretty awful. But don’t worry: there are all sorts of ways to keep in touch with your friends, family, and coworkers—just get on a video chat or audio conferencing service.
Video chat apps have been around for a long time, but it’s not just Skype anymore—depending on your needs, the old standby might not be the right fit for you.
Editor’s note: this article was updated on May 19, 2022 to include Microsoft Teams.
Consider a video chat or audio conferencing app for these uses:
Being away from the office or your family can be tough, but these programs have a litany of uses that will allow you to get more done, and faster. Already, these are used for:
Telemedicine: doctors and nurses can triage a potential visit so as not to expose people to contagious disease, or put your mind at ease when your symptoms don’t merit an office visit
Webinars: Need to present something, but your attendees span the globe? You can gather them in one place with a conferencing app
Virtual classroom: Teachers who must educate while their students are quarantined or stuck at home will use these apps to reach their pupils
Meetings: Of course, a conferencing app allows you to join meetings from the comfort of your own home. This is the most common use of these apps.
Video chat checklist
Before we go any further, you need to follow this process before hosting a meeting:
Get a mic and webcam. Most laptops and Chromebooks now have these already installed. But a good USB mic will go a long way here.
Find a spot with decent lighting, or buy a light.
Pick the video chat app that works best for your needs.
Etiquette matters
While you may not share a strong relationship with your coworkers, students, or family members, etiquette matters a lot on a video chat. If this is your first time using an app like this, there are a few rules you absolutely must abide by in order to make the group chat work. Breaking any one of these guidelines can impact your career or social life by proving to your callmates that you’re a disrespectful oaf.
Use headphones. By using speakers, you run the risk of creating a lot of feedback which will be loud—and painful to everyone in the call. If you’re the only one using speakers on the call, you will also create an echo over the chat. Don’t use speakers. Headphones will ensure the best experience possible.
Mute your mic when you’re not talking. We’re all at home, and home can be noisy if you share your space with other people or animals. In a conference call, nobody wants to hear your kids banging around, your dog barking at the mailman, or you sloppily eating your lunch over a hot mic. Mute it.
If your camera is on: Don’t leave the frame. There is no quicker way to communicate that your call compatriots aren’t worth your time than leaving the shot, as they’ll simply be greeted with an empty room, or worse: you doing other things and not paying attention.
Do not eat while on a call. Believe me, your mouth sounds will be a lot louder over the call than you think. Don’t be disgusting.
Wear a presentable top. Pajama pants are fine to wear, but these calls are meetings with people who matter to your professional or social lives. At least keep up appearances, even if you’re living the stay-at-home life with your fleecy pajama pants.
What you should know about audio conferencing and video calling apps
Video chat and conference calling services exist for a lot of different reasons, but ultimately it all boils down to the fact that sometimes emails and text messages just don’t cut it. Whether you’re trying to keep in touch with friends and family across the world, or you’ve found yourself working from home while the worlds in the grips of pandemic, there are all sorts of reasons to get a video calling service set up, and all sorts different ones to meet your needs.
When you’re setting up for a call, you should take into account the same things you would when setting up for a podcast or Twitch stream. Obviously, the stakes of bad lighting or a mediocre mic are far lower during a team meeting—but it’s still worth considering. Do you have access to a better mic than the one built into your laptop? Is the lighting in your room bright enough (and coming from the right direction)?
If you’re going to be relying on these services for awhile, it’s probably worth investing a little time and money into making sure conditions are as good as they can be. Getting a decent USB microphone like the Blue Yeti, even a gaming headset like the HyperX Cloud Alpha can improve your call experience remarkably for not that much money.
Skype
Ever the old standby, Skype still offers a solid array of features for free.
For many, Skype is the original video chat service. Options existed before it, but no application brought free voice and video chatting to the masses quite like it. These days, it’s far from the only game in town, but if you’re looking for something easy to set up and install, Skype is definitely a great option.
Who is Skype for?
Windows users.
People who just want something everyone has.
Skype generally offers what most people would consider the archetypal video calling features, with a few more unique options. Like almost every app out there, Skype lets you directly video call people you’ve added to your contacts list from computer to computer, as well as send messages back and forth over text chat. On top of that, you can create video meetings, where people can join group calls using a shareable link.
Unfortunately, Skype has a rather poor bokeh mode turned on by default.
Skype also offers premium features, letting you use it as a virtual telephone for a fee. Rates depend on what you do, but you can call phone numbers, send text messages, and even get your own virtual number. For $6.99 USD a month, you can get unlimited domestic calling in the continental United States, as well as calling to American Samoa,Canada, Guam, Mexico, The Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Installation is easy, just go to the website and install the right version for your device. If you’re Windows 10 user, you don’t even need to do that—Microsoft bought the service years ago and has since integrated into the operating system, so you probably already have it installed.
Discord
Discord’s available on just about every platform.
Originally targeted solely at PC gamers, Discord has blossomed into one of the most versatile and popular video chat apps around. It offers direct voice and video calling to contacts, but the really notable feature of Discord is its server system. You can create your own server, a virtual space with a shared text chat and room for multiple separate calls, called channels, allowing people you’ve invited to join to drop in and out of voice calls at will.
Who is Discord for?
PC gamers
People who want more audio options
Anyone looking to join an online community—Discord servers are everywhere these days.
Discord was designed to run in the background while you play video games, so it tends to require a little less processing power than Skype—great for less powerful computers. It also has pretty extensive voice and video settings, letting you toggle features like echo cancellation, noise reduction, and gain control, as well as adjust input and output volume, as well as the volume of the individual people you chat with.
Discord is great for all manner of online gaming, but it’s more versatile than just that.
All the core features of Discord are available for free, but the service also offers a number of enhancements for a subscription. Discord Nitro costs either $99.99 per year or $9.99 a month and gets you access to custom emojis, an increased size limit for file sharing, and higher resolution video calling, as well as discounts on server boosts. Server boosts usually cost $4.99 per month and bring a lot of the Nitro features to specific servers, including custom emojis, higher resolution video calling, and bigger upload size limits.
Getting Discord is just as easy as Skype. Just go to the website (or appropriate app store) and install it.
Zoom
Zoom lets multiple users call in, and it supports video calls.
The premier video chat app for business meetings and conference calls, Zoom is more expensive than other calling apps, but it’s meant for different things. Here, all calls are called meetings, so it’s pretty easy to tell what the deal is.
Who is Zoom for?
Zoom has a very easy to use layout.
Team leaders trying to keep everyone organized while they’re working from home.
Coworkers trying to run a lot of people through a Powerpoint presentation.
Work environments where not everyone has a stable internet connection.
How much does Zoom cost?
The free version of Zoom allows you to host open or closed conference calls for up to 100 participants, with unlimited one-on-one meetings, and 40 minute limits to group calls—premium versions will eliminate call time limits and increase the attendee cap to up to 250 people. While you’re in a call, there are easy options for screen sharing, call recording, and a side bar text chat. Zoom also offers a number of pricing tiers, based on whether you’re a small team, medium size business, or large enterprise. These start at $14.99 per host and increase to $19.99, with requirements for multiple hosts as you move up the scale (one for Pro, 10 for Business, and 50 for Enterprise). The service also offers additional add-ons for smaller fees, so you can further customize your experience.
Apart from the huge number of people you can fit into a single call, Zoom makes it really easy to get people with different setups into the same group. It’s just as easy to call in to a meeting using a telephone as a computer, as the service will generate a phone number along with a joinable link—provided you’ve bought the add-on.
Google Hangouts
Google Hangouts is the only service that allows free calling to phone numbers in the United States.
Google Hangouts kind of straddles a line between a social and professional video chat service. The only feature to survive the death of Google +, you can use Hangouts as an easy way to send messages, make video calls, and even call phones. On top of that, a version of Hangouts has been rolled into Google’s G Suite business offering.
Who is Hangouts for?
People looking for something that works on mobile and desktop.
Workers whose job includes G-Suite access.
In its basic form, Google Hangouts syncs up with your Google Account, and lets you message and video chat with people on your contacts list with ease. In addition, it lets you call phones for free in most of the United States and Canada. Outside of those countries, calling will cost a per-minute rate, which varies by country. People who work at a job with G Suite will find a version of Hangouts that supports voice and video conferencing for up to between 100 and 250 people (depending on the level of subscription).
Microsoft Teams
There’s also a mobile app.
Microsoft Teams has become a constant in the remote work world, and for good reason. It’s a reliable, easy-to-use service for video calls and employed by tons of work places. There is a home version meant to use with family and friends, but this is definitely more professional-oriented than most video chat apps.
Who is Teams for?
Remote workers will appreciate how shareable and easy to use this is, even for large groups.
People who already have Microsoft 365 may like not having to search for yet another app.
Microsoft Teams is available as part of a Microsoft 365 subscription, but it also has a number of standalone plans too. There’s a free plan, which will let you host an unlimited number of calls up to an hour long, with up to 100 participants. The free plan also gets you 5GB of online storage, and access to encryption, polling, and file sharing features.
The premium plans all build on what the free plans offer. The Essentials plan increasing video limits to 30 hours, participant limits to 300 people, and storage limits to 10GB. The other two plans roll into Microsoft 365 Business subscriptions, with the Basic option bringing 1TB of storage, support for mobile apps, integrations with other Microsoft apps, access to meeting recording and transcriptions, and a business-class email, and the Standard plan offering all that, plus a suite of webinar features. The Essentials plan costs $4.00 USD per month per user, the Business Basic Plan runs for $6.00 USD, and the Business Standard plan will cost $12.50 USD per month.
The Mobile options
All the major mobile video calling services work on desktop, too.
If you’re not looking for something to use on a desktop, there are a number of more mobile-centric services to facilitate keeping in touch with people. Most of these aren’t terribly useful for those working from home, but if you’re looking for something more social, they’re great options.
Messenger
Facebook’s ubiquitous Messenger app offers easy voice and video chat on top of the standard text chat. Just tap the camera or telephone icon in the top left of a chat you’re off to the races. These features are also supported on Facebook via the website—so you can call anyone’s computer from the mobile app, provided they’re online to get the call.
FaceTime
Apple’s iOS-centric video calling app is about as well known as Skype—it’s not the only option for making video calls from iPhone to iPhone, it’s just the best one. FaceTime is seamlessly baked into iOS, and after a recent software update, it comes installed on MacOS computers too.
Google Duo
Google Duo is in large part Android’s answer to FaceTime, and it offers pretty much exactly the same features. It’s not always preinstalled, so you’ll have get it from the Play Store, or its website if you’re on a computer.
Houseparty
Houseparty is a video chat-based social network designed for mobile devices and Google Chrome. Originally made by the team behind short-lived live streaming app Meerkat, this app is now owned and operated by Fortnite developer Epic Games. Despite launching with a veritable boatload of security issues, Houseparty has grown into one of the biggest video chatting services on the internet as Covid-19 has continued to alter all our daily lives.
The social video app lets you add friends and create an infinite number of “rooms” that hold up to eight people at a time. You can make them for specific purposes or just to float back and forth between multiple groups (just like wandering a house party, back when we had those). The app also supports party mini games room participants can play together, and a Fortnite mode lets you cast your call into the game, so you don’t have to hang when you want to battle it out at Stealthy Stronghold.
And those are the most popular video chat apps! It’s not complicated to get set up on any of these services, but just make sure you’ve got what equipment you need and you’re on the best app for what you need. Working from home can be tough if you’re extroverted, but that doesn’t mean you can’t stay in touch with your friends, family, and co-workers.
In these times of social distancing, video calling is becoming the technological substitute for face-to-face connections. For those who carry an iPhone, the art of video calling defaults to FaceTime, the native app on iOS that is exclusive to Apple devices. But what do you do if you or the other party is on Android?
Unless hell freezes over, Android devices will never have a FaceTime app (FaceTime for web is another story). But that doesn't mean that those who prefer Android can't join in a video call with iPhone fans. It just means that everyone needs to decide on a common platform that can break the OS barrier. So, those who refuse to let their choice of mobile device dictate who they can converse with over video, this article is for you.
What Makes a Good FaceTime Alternative
To qualify as FaceTime alternatives in close approximation to the original recipe, video calling apps should support more than two callers (FaceTime can handle up to 30), include a desktop option, and provide augmented reality camera effects (at least for mobile) that serve as a substitute for Animojis and Memojis, the virtual masks generated via ARKit and the TrueDepth cameras on iPhone X and later.
In most cases, FaceTime alternatives will also double as iMessage alternatives, since most apps don't bifurcate chat and video.In addition, to approximate the ubiquity of FaceTime, these options are listed in relative order of popularity. Because, if you've ever tried to convince luddite friends to download, install, and user a new app, you know that you're better off skating to where the puck is.
App 1: Facebook Messenger
For most mainstream consumers, Facebook will be the most common platform that friends and family will already have access to. Along with a web app for desktops and a plethora of AR camera effects for those using the mobile app, Facebook Messenger surpasses FaceTime with support for up to 50 participants in group video calls as well as the ability to identify whether your friends are online. There's a version for kids, too. For privacy, Messenger includes a secret conversation mode for end-to-end encryption.
While it checks a lot of boxes as a FaceTime alternative, Messenger requires a Facebook account. And, despite more than one billion monthly active users, Facebook's privacy issues make it more likely that Messenger will be a difficult sell for some.
As an added bonus, Facebook Messenger when run on Facebook Portal smart cameras adds even more features, from exclusive AR effects to shared streaming video watching experiences.
Image via Facebook
App 2: Snapchat
Ask the average Snapchat user what they consider to be the top feature of Snapchat and you're likely to think of its augmented reality camera effects, chat, and stories features before remembering that Snapchat does video calls as well. In 2018, the app gained Group Video Chat, which can handle up to 16 participants and supports Snapchat's AR Lenses.
While Snapchat lacks the web-based app that Messenger has, it does have a desktop client, Snap Camera, that facilitates not only video calling but also AR effects.
Snapchat boasts more than 200 daily active users, but that's still a far cry from what Facebook claims. And its userbase skews younger, so your mileage may vary based on your peer group. Moreover, Snapchat also has a better reputation with privacy.
Image via Snap
App 3: Google Duo
As the caretaker for Android, it would make sense that Google would have an entry on this list in Duo. Like FaceTime and unlike the aforementioned apps, Duo is dedicated to video calling and does not include text chat. Duo also matches Messenger and Snapchat with a web app for desktop and, like Facebook, has its own line of smart home displays in the Google Nest product line that can receive video calls.
Though it is a Google product, you do not need a Google account to get started on the mobile app. Rather, Duo authenticates via the user's mobile number, which also facilitates discovery of others on Duo. It also supports end-to-end encryption by default.
Duo also includes a limited roster of augmented reality effects. However, Duo Effects, which provide AR masks that behave similarly to Animojis, are available in video calls for Pixel devices only. For all others, AR effects are limited to video messaging. In addition to few AR effects, Duo has a limited capacity of seven uses in a group video call. UPDATE: Duo has now raised the limit to 12 people in a video call.
App 4: Line
A dark horse among the top options, Line's popularity peaked in 2016. But, while it doesn't have the brand name appeal that its predecessors on this list have, it does check off all of the boxes needed to simulate the FaceTime experience.
In addition to mobile apps and desktop clients, Line provides a variety of AR effects, including games and Animoji-like virtual puppets, for video chats.
While Line boasts up the ability to host chat groups of up to 200 people, its video calls cap at four participants, which pales in comparison to other options. The app is monetized through in-app purchases, subscriptions, and advertising, so the experience can get a little salesy.
App 5: Instagram
Sure, Instagram has a larger user base than Snapchat, which means you are more likely to have friends that already use the app. And it supports group video calls of up to six people. Therefore, it should be a more favorable option as a video calling app, right?
However, it's a mobile-only platform. Also, Instagram does support AR effects in video calls, but the digital magic is only available on iOS at the moment. But, if you're on the go and AR isn't necessary, Instagram is a decent option for smaller groups and has a high likelihood.
Images via Instagram
App 6: WhatsApp
WhatsApp was already a popular option for voice over internet (VOIP) calling before Facebook acquired it and has since grown to more than a billion users. So, as a FaceTime substitute, there's also a high likelihood that friends and family are already on the app for some WhatsApp video chat. Like Messenger, WhatsApp has a web-based app and the Portal line of smart cameras supports calls to WhatsApp users.
But there are some key differences between Messenger and WhatsApp. Unlike Messenger, WhatsApp doesn't require a Facebook account...for now. All you need to login is your mobile number, which is also used to find friends who are using the app, a benefit that Google borrowed for Duo. WhatsApp also has desktop apps for Mac and Windows and supports end-to-end encryption.
Yes, it's missing the augmented reality effects at the moment. And it only handles video calls of up to four people. But, again, that could change as Facebook proceeds with its messaging app unification.
App 7: Skype
There was a time that Skype was synonymous with video calling, but the Microsoft subsidiary doesn't command the attention that it once did. However, it is still a powerhouse. In addition to the flexibility of mobile and desktop apps, Skype can support up to 24 video callers, less than FaceTime and Facebook Messenger but more than most others.
On the downside, Skype is relatively no-frills compared platform, so don't look for AR effects. But for video calls between medium-sized groups, Skype is a name to remember.
App 8: Zoom
As most of the white-collar world has relocated to remote home offices, Zoom has increased in popularity. With its ability to host video conference calls of up to 100 participants (capped at 40 minutes) on the free tier and the option to use mobile apps along with a desktop client, Zoom supports screen sharing and session recording.
Zoom isn't all business, either, as it has a neat trick that uses a green screen effect to change virtual backgrounds behind the user.
Nonetheless, Zoom is designed more for hosting meetings than casual chats. You don't select a few friends from your contacts and start an impromptu video chat; you host a meeting and invite attendees via email or a URL. And if you need to handle more than 100 participants and 40 minute sessions, you're looking at a subscription starting at $14.99 per month per host.
App 9: Marco Polo
One of the drawbacks for video calling compared to text messaging is that the former requires participants to be available at the same time, while the latter (depending on the patience of the sender) doesn't necessarily need to be time-based.
Marco Polo solves that by combining the two. Instead of real-time video chats, you send short clips to each other in succession. The result is like watching stories on Snapchat or Instagram but the content is coming from different creators in sequence. The app also supplies uses with AR effects to use in their videos.
Alas, it's not a true-blue video calling app, and it also lacks a desktop experience. But, it's a fun way to keep in touch.
App 10: Houseparty
Houseparty was a hot name in social apps for a minute. But then Epic Games acquired Houseparty in June 2019, and its mobile apps have not received an update since then, so Houseparty's existence in its current form may be short.
Nonetheless, Houseparty is now experiencing a renaissance of sorts as a social distancing solution. Its mobile apps along with its MacOS client and Chrome extension are still available, along with its unique headline feature that enables you to join on-going sessions once they are online. While it doesn't offer AR effects, Houseparty does have a selection of parlor games to play between video chat participants.
Images via Houseparty
App 11: Discord
If you're a gamer, you're probably already in a few Discord groups. The app has been indispensable as a group chat app to coordinate raids and whatnot.
But discord handles group video calls of up to eight people on its free tier. In addition to its mobile apps, Discord has a desktop client and a web app. While it doesn't have AR goodies, you're likely to find common ground with this app among your gaming buddies.
App 12: Bunch
Speaking of gaming, Bunch has a very unique angle on group video chats: it lets up to six people play along in the same mobile game. The app's video chat multiplayer mode is compatible with several popular titles, including Playerunknown's Battlegrounds (a.k.a. PUBG), Call of Duty Mobile, Minecraft, Roblox, and Clash Royale, and it also has five exclusive games bundled with it.
As a FaceTime substitute, though, Bunch is limited. It's a mobile-only platform and it doesn't have the AR bells and whistles. But that multiplayer game mode really helps it stick out.
App 13: Squad
If Zoom is a bit overkill for a casual video chat between friends but you still want to share what's on your screen, then Squad is the app for you. With support for up to nine video callers, Squad lets each participant share the screen of their mobile device. In addition, you can watch YouTube and TikTok videos together during active calls.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Squad is also among the video calling apps that are mobile-only and do not include AR effects. But, like Houseparty and Bunch, its unique features help make up for its shortcomings.
App 14: Signal
If privacy is paramount in your cross-platform communications, Signal is the answer. While many of the apps covered here offer end-to-end encryption in varying forms, Signal commits to sending everything with end-to-end encryption with no ads or tracking. The platform also has a desktop version.
However, Signal's video calls are limited to one-to-one. And there's no AR to speak of. But, when erring on the side of privacy, sometimes sacrifices must be made.
App 15: Viber
With roots as a VOIP app, Viber has been around for a minute. Like Signal, the app boasts privacy with end-to-end encryption, but it also offers a desktop apps for PC, Mac, and Linux.
However, Viber is also limited to one-on-one video calls. However, there are several bells and whistles like stickers and chat extensions for sharing videos and music in chats. And, as of June 2021, Viber includes AR Lenses powered by Snapchat as well.
As you can see, there are many options for cross-platform calling, with several strong offerings that match or exceed FaceTime feature-for-feature and others that offer their own unique bells and whistles. So, while we're all social distancing, at least if you use an iPhone you can reach over the walled garden and connect with the rest of the world.
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With one of the best video chat apps at your disposal, face-to-face interaction can easily be a thing of the past. COVID isn't fully gone, and there are plenty of other concerns to make a case for not being in the same room as friends, colleagues or whoever else you need to speak to.
Video chat apps can give you a virtual presence at physical events you can't attend. Heck you don't even have to be in the same time zone thanks to the magic of the internet. Video chat apps bridge the gaps, and keep you connected with the people that matter — all without having to leave the house.
But which service is the one for you? There are plenty of them, and picking the right app is a difficult prospect. Luckily we've rounded up all the best options available, to help you figure out which of the best video apps is the right choice for you.
What are the best video chat apps?
The best video chat app overall — and one that is especially popular now — is Zoom Meeting, which can be used on desktop and mobile alike.
Zoom comes in free and paid tiers. The free option supports calls of up to 100 participants, though sessions with three or more individuals on the line are limited to 40 minutes. It can even run within a desktop browser window if you don't want to download the app to your machine.
Skype is a good alternative to Zoom. It's a bit easier to use, but also works across various platforms and costs nothing at the outset. It even allows you to call landlines and cell numbers at reasonable rates, supports texting and can conduct real-time translation.
Google Duo is an app that comes preinstalled on the vast majority of Android phones these days, and has essentially become Google's answer to Apple's FaceTime. It's easy to use, just like FaceTime, and offers a quick shortcut to calling Google Home devices built in.
Facebook also has two solutions on offer: Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp. Both apps' video calling features saw a bump from 8 to 50 participants early on last year. While Messenger requires a Facebook account to use, you can sign up to WhatsApp using your phone number.
As for gamers we recommend using Discord, which features robust apps across mobile and desktop. In fact, Discord 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.
Finally if you need space for a lot of people, or a video chat service that offers robust integration with Microsoft Office, then Teams is your best bet. The free tier lets you call with up to 100 people, without Zoom's awkward time limits, while paid tiers increase that number up to 300. The best part is that if you subscribe to Office 365, you probably already have access to one of Teams' premium plans as part of the bundle.
Here's a closer look at all of the best video chat apps.
The best video chat apps you can download today
(Image credit: Zoom)
1. Zoom Meeting
Best all-around video chat and conferencing app
Specifications
Works with: iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Web
Maximum free users: Time limit for 3 or more
Reasons to buy
+
Good for friends and colleagues alike
+
Comprehensive feature set
+
Works on all platforms
Reasons to avoid
-
Free tier imposes time limits for 3 or more people
The pandemic proved to be a big deal for Zoom, cementing its position as the de facto video chat app for a lot of people and businesses — and with good reason. Zoom's extensive feature set and extensive platform support has made it a popular choice across the world. Whether you're on desktop, mobile, or prefer a web client, Zoom offers something for you.
Screen sharing, encryption, and live annotations all come a standard with Zoom, regardless of whether you pay or not. But while a simple one-on-one chat doesn't have any restrictions, having more than three people in a meeting restricts free users to a 40-minute time limit. If you want un restricted access for up to 100 people, you'll need to pay $15 a month for the Pro tier, while the pricier Business tier raises that cap even higher.
Zoom suffered from a number of high-profile security issues in the early days of the pandemic, but things have since changed for the better. Calls are protected by end-to-end encryption, there are new privacy-focussed notifications, and an updated privacy policy makes it clear who can save and share meetings recordings. You can read more about the app's ongoing issues, and measures that have been taken to rectify them, on our Zoom security issues (opens in new tab) page
(Image credit: Skype)
2. Skype
Best easy-to-use multiplatform video chat
Specifications
Works with: iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Web, Xbox
Maximum free users: 50
Reasons to buy
+
Max 50 people allowed on video call
+
Supports international call and text
+
Available on all platforms
Reasons to avoid
-
Business tier costs money
Skype has been in the video chat business for a very long time, and still offers a robust set of features for up to 50 people at a time. It also costs absolutely nothing to use, and is available on just about every device you might need to use.
What's more Skype is well known for being able to connect to landlines and basic cell phones, and supports both international calling and texting. You do have to pay for this, but it's especially useful for keeping in touch with friends and family several countries away.
Skype offers a lot of common features too, including screen sharing, live transcription, and in some cases real-time translation of in-chat audio.
(Image credit: Google)
3. Google Duo
Best video chat for Android users
Specifications
Works with: iOS, Android, Windows and Mac via web
Maximum free users: 32
Reasons to buy
+
Preinstalled on most new Android phones
+
Easy and fun to use
+
Completely free
Reasons to avoid
-
32 person limit is smaller than most
While Apple has had Facetime for years, Google's Android operating system lacked its own native equivalent. Instead people had to rely on third party apps that were downloaded from the Play Store, and hope their friends were willing to sign up as well.
Thankfully Duo came along to address that problem, with a video chat app that is remarkably easy to use and accessible within Android's native phone app. What's more, Duo supports a lot of fun features, including the ability to record and send video messages that let you connect with friends and family — even if they're not available at that exact moment.
Duo is even available on iOS, so you can keep in touch with your iPhone-toting friends without having to buy an Apple device for Facetime access. And it even has the same 32 person limit as Facetime, so they don't have much of an excuse to stay away.
(Image credit: Discord)
4. Discord
Best video chat for gamers
Specifications
Works with: iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Web
Maximum free users: 25 on video call; 50 while streaming
Reasons to buy
+
Great for gaming
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Robust PC and mobile apps
Reasons to avoid
-
Lacks more work-friendly features
Gamers already know Discord as a great resource for connecting with their friends over text, but did you know Discord supports video chat, too? Additionally, because it allows for streaming in the app itself, it's a great way to play some games with friends, by streaming one user's screen content to the rest of the group.
In fact, the Tom's Guide staff did exactly that multiple times during the COVID lockdowns, with one user sharing Quiplash from their PC's display to the rest of us playing along by phone. Thankfully, Discord has even gone so far as to raise its Go Live built-in streaming service from a maximum of 10 people to 50 people temporarily.
If you upgrade to Nitro, which costs $10 per month, you can raise the streaming quality to 1080p/60 fps, up from a max of 720p/30 fps for the free tier.
(Image credit: Vincenzo Pinto/Getty Images)
5. FaceTime
Best video chat app for iPhone users
Specifications
Works with: iOS, Mac
Maxmium free users: 32
Reasons to buy
+
Supports up to 32 people on a video call
+
Built into every iPhone, iPad and Mac
+
FaceTime Audio makes voice calls easy, too
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SharePlay lets you watch or listen to streamed content with other callers
Reasons to avoid
-
Android and Windows will only get limited access va a web browser
It's no surprise that FaceTime should appear on this list of the best video chat apps. Apple's software wasn't the first in video chatting, but it was the one that started it all for mobile users, and led the industry toward making video chat easier and more accessible.
Today, FaceTime is preinstalled on all Apple hardware and supports a number of really fun and useful features, from cute Animojis, Memojis and stickers to allowing up to 32 people on a single call. And because FaceTime also has a voice call component — FaceTime Audio — you can easily route calls over data or Wi-Fi whenever you like, where your conversations will sound infinitely better than they do over your cellular provider's voice network.
The only downside to FaceTime is of course that you'll only get the full experience on Apple hardware, including iPhones and Macs. Android and Windows users can join in calls from a web browser, but they can't actually host them. Still it's better than being completely locked out, as was the case before.
(Image credit: Facebook)
6. Facebook Messenger
Best cross-platform FaceTime alternative
Specifications
Works with: iOS, Android, Windows and Mac via web
Maximum free users: 50
Reasons to buy
+
Accessible with every Facebook account
+
Available on web and phone
+
Max 50 people allowed on video call
Reasons to avoid
-
Lacks more work-friendly features
The beauty of using Facebook Messenger for video chat is that you're probably already signed up to use it. As long as you have a Facebook account and the Facebook Messenger mobile or web app, you can start video chatting with your Facebook friends right now. Even if you had a Facebook account at one time and have since deactivated it, you can still use Messenger.
Just tap the little video camera icon in the upper-right corner of the screen, and you can start a call with an individual or chat group. And just like Skype, up to 50 people can be present on a Facebook Messenger video call at the same time — a good sight greater than the maximum 32 video chatters supported by Apple's FaceTime and Google Duo.
Plus, even while you video chat, you can still use Facebook Messenger's myriad other functions, like sending chat messages, stickers and so on.
(Image credit: WhatsApp)
7. WhatsApp
Another cross-platform video calling solution
Specifications
Works with: iOS, Android
Maximum free users: 50
Reasons to buy
+
End-to-end encrypted
+
50-person group calls
Reasons to avoid
-
Desktop calls require an active phone connection
WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging alternatives on smartphones today, both because you can join with only a phone number and because many of your friends and family are probably already using it.
Up until recently, WhatsApp's video calling feature wasn't the most robust out there. But that changed once the max participant limit was raised to 50, thanks to an integration with Facebook Messenger's new Rooms feature.
WhatsApp video calls are also end-to-end encrypted, just like chat messages. In other words, you'll never have to worry about any of your conversations being intercepted by nefarious interlopers.
Previously video calling was also only available on mobile devices, but recently that changed. It is possible to make and receive video calls through WhatsApp's desktop client. Everything works exactly the same way, the only difference if you're using a desktop instead of a mobile device.
(Image credit: Microsoft)
8. Microsoft Teams
Like Skype, but more professional
Specifications
Works with: Android, iOS, Web, Windows
Maximum free users : 100
Reasons to buy
+
Free and paid plans
+
Office integration
+
100 person group calls on free tier
Reasons to avoid
-
Primarily for business use
While primarily aimed at businesses and professionals, there's still a Microsoft Teams can offer. Especially if you ever plan on getting together in particularly large groups. The free tier lets you have up to 100 people in a call, which should be more than enough for even the largest of family reunions.
Unlike Microsoft-owned Skype, Teams also comes with some professional tools that you may still find useful talking with other. Tools like screensharing, background blur, and noise-suppression software powered by Teams' own AI. It even connects to Office, and is included in an Office 365 plan, in case that's ever relevant outside of the office.
While Teams does have a reputation for being a bit messy, it's usually the professional tier that comes out worse for wear. But if you plan on just using Teams as a video chat app, then you don't need to worry about that too much.
How to choose the best video chat app for you
Because all of the best video chat apps have free tiers, you shouldn't be worried about trying different ones to find something you like. After all the riskiest thing you might have to do is install the software and make a new account.
But if you want to know where to start, the best advice is to take stock of what you need this app for. If you're just looking to chat on your phone alone, Duo, FaceTime or one of Facebook's offerings will suffice.
However, if you and your friends use a number of devices to connect — phones, tablets, computers and so on — or your need is more professional or collaborative, we recommend leaning toward Teams, Zoom, Skype or Discord. These apps are available on every platform, and even though some of them offer paid tiers, you likely won't need to use them. Especially if your head count is small enough, or the length of time you plan to chat is relatively short.
The paid tiers will come with fancier features in many cases, but the free versions are already pretty feature-rich. At the very least you'll have access to all the basic features you need to chat with other people.
Ultimately, you'll probably end up on whatever video chat app your friends and family already prefer using — that's the way these things tend to go. But if you're all in the mood for a replacement, one of the options in this list will hopefully suffice.
