The epidemic was a significant issue for Zoom since it quickly became the de facto video chat tool for a lot of individuals and corporations — and for good reason. Zoom's comprehensive feature set and broad platform compatibility have made it a popular option throughout the world. Zoom has something for everyone, whether you prefer a desktop, mobile, or online client. Screen sharing, encryption, and live annotations are all included with Zoom, whether you pay or not. However, although a basic one-on-one conversation is unrestricted, having more than three individuals in a meeting limits free users to a 40-minute time limit.

Zoom experienced a lot of high-profile security difficulties in the early days of the epidemic, but things have since improved. End-to-end encryption protects calls, new privacy-focused notifications are available, and a revised privacy policy specifies who can preserve and share meeting recordings. More information regarding the app's current issues, as well as the steps taken to address them, may be found on our Zoom security issues website.

If you're willing to look past these reservations for at least personal usage, the Zoom platform has a lot going for it. The software is really simple to add to any platform, and attending a meeting couldn't be easier, which is a huge benefit for bringing in new and less tech-savvy customers. With the ability to host up to 49 simultaneous video chat users, you may conduct a group chat for the complete extended family. Some of the interesting bonuses include the opportunity to alter your Zoom background and enhance your appearance with a soft-focus lens option.

Detailed information:

Cost: Free + Paid Business Option

Works with: iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Web

Download: https://zoom.us/download

Skype has been in the video chat business for a long time and continues to provide a strong set of capabilities for up to 50 users at a time. It is also completely free to use and is available on nearly any device you could possibly need. Skype has been in business longer than any of the other newcomers on our list. Skype, which was founded in 2003 and acquired by Microsoft in 2011, provides a more comprehensive service than its competitors. You may use it as a real phone line if you like, and there are a variety of subscription and business plan choices.

Skype enables up to 50 simultaneous video chat participants, which may seem like chaos, but it means you could easily have a video chat block party on Skype. While Skype is simple to use as a video chat tool, it does contain more powerful capabilities such as screen sharing and the ability to employ AI to blur out your backdrop. Support for Xbox is another unusual choice, though it is to be anticipated for a Microsoft product.

Skype has announced "Meet Now," which simplifies the process of establishing a chat by providing a unique meeting link that can be shared with attendees. They only need the Skype app to join; no account is required. Skype may go the way of Skype for Business and be replaced by the recently-announced Microsoft Teams for consumers, but for now, it remains one of the oldest and best options out there.

Detailed information:

Cost: Free + Pro for $2.99/Month

Works with: iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Web, Xbox

Download: https://www.skype.com/en/get-skype/

FaceTime is unsurprising to see itself on this list of the top video chat applications. Apple's software was not the first in video chatting, but it was the one that got it started for mobile users and lead the industry in making video chat easier and more accessible. FaceTime is a proprietary videotelephony product developed by Apple Inc. FaceTime is available on supported iOS mobile devices running iOS 4 and later and Mac computers that run Mac OS X 10.6.6 and later.

FaceTime is now preloaded on all Apple gear and supports a variety of incredibly fun and helpful features, such as charming Animojis, Memojis, and stickers and the ability to have up to 32 people on a single conversation. And, because FaceTime has a voice call component — FaceTime Audio — you can easily route calls over internet or Wi-Fi anytime you choose, where your chats will sound far superior to those using your cellular provider's voice network.

The sole disadvantage of FaceTime is that it is only available on Apple gear, such as iPhones and Macs. Android and Windows users can participate in calls through a web browser, but they cannot host them. Still, it's preferable to be fully locked out, as was formerly the case.

Detailed information:

Cost: Free + Apple Account

Works with: iOS, Mac

Download: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/facetime/id1110145091

WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps on smartphones today, owing to the fact that you can sign up with just your phone number and that many of your friends and family are likely already using it. WhatsApp Messenger is a cross-platform mobile messaging app which allows you to exchange messages without having to pay for SMS.

Until recently, WhatsApp's video calling function wasn't the most advanced. However, things changed when the maximum participant limit was increased to 50 as a result of an interface with Facebook Messenger's new Rooms feature. WhatsApp video calls, like chat communications, are end-to-end encrypted. In other words, you'll never have to worry about malicious interlopers listening in on your talks.

Previously, video calling was only possible on mobile devices, but this has recently changed. Video calls may be made and received using WhatsApp's desktop client. Everything works exactly the same, with the exception of utilizing a desktop computer instead of a mobile device.

Detailed information:

Cost: Free

Works with: iOS, Android

Download: https://www.whatsapp.com/download/?lang=en

Microsoft Teams is a proprietary commercial communication tool created by Microsoft as part of the Microsoft 365 product line. Teams competes largely with Slack, a comparable service that provides workplace chat and videoconferencing, file storage, and application integration. Teams will take the place of previous Microsoft-managed business communications and collaboration tools, such as Skype for Business and Microsoft Classroom. As many meetings switched to a virtual environment during the COVID-19 outbreak, Teams and other tools like Zoom and Google Meet got a lot of attention. It has around 250 million monthly users as of 2021.

While Microsoft Teams is largely geared for companies and professionals, there is still something Microsoft Teams can provide. Especially if you want to gather in big groups in the future. The free tier allows for up to 100 individuals to participate in a call, which should be more than enough for even the largest family reunions.

Unlike Microsoft-owned Skype, Teams has several professional capabilities that you may still find handy while communicating with others. Screensharing, backdrop blur, and noise-suppression software are all driven by Teams' AI. It also connects to Workplace and is included in an Office 365 plan, just in case you need it outside of the office. While Teams has a reputation for being a little sloppy, it's generally the professional tier that suffers the most. However, if you only want to use Teams as a video chat tool, you don't need to be concerned.

Detailed information:

Cost: Free + Pro for $9.99/Month

Works with: Android, iOS, Web, Windows

Dounload: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/download-app

Meta Platforms' Messenger is an instant messaging program and platform. Originally launched in 2008 as Facebook Chat, the business updated its messaging service in 2010, introduced independent iOS and Android applications in 2011, and debuted standalone Facebook Portal hardware for Messenger calls in 2018.

The advantage of utilizing Facebook Messenger for video chat is that you're almost certainly already signed up for it. You may start video chatting with your Facebook pals right now if you have a Facebook account and the Facebook Messenger mobile or browser app. Even if you previously had a Facebook account and have since cancelled it, you can still utilize Messenger.

You may initiate a call with an individual or a chat group by tapping the little video camera icon in the upper-right corner of the screen. And, similar to Skype, up to 50 people may be present on a Facebook Messenger video conversation at the same time, which is far more than the limit of 32 video chatters enabled by Apple's FaceTime and Google Duo. Furthermore, when video chatting, you may still utilize Facebook Messenger's plethora of other features, such as sending chat messages, stickers, and so on.

Detailed information:
Cost: Free
Works with: iOS, Android, Windows and Mac via web
Download: https://www.messenger.com/download

Viber, sometimes known as Rakuten Viber, is a cross-platform voice over IP (VoIP) and instant messaging (IM) software program owned by Japanese multinational firm Rakuten that is available as freeware for Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms. Although the service is accessible on desktop platforms without the requirement for mobile connectivity, users are registered and recognized using a cellular telephone number.

Viber, which was launched in 2010, is another favorite and popular video chat software with over 11 million users. Viber is a cross-platform program that can be loaded on a variety of devices and is packed with innovative features and appealing functionality.

In early 2020, Viber announced group video chat for up to 20 people (the limit will be increased in the near future). Viber is an excellent alternative if you are a chef teaching a culinary class or a Yoga teacher assisting students in mastering various positions. This app's highlights include free international video and phone chatting, adding eye-catching and humorous emoticons and attractive stickers to your texts, and concealing messages from the messaging screen that you don't want others to see and access later.

Detailed information:
Cost: Free
Works with: iOS, Android
Download: https://www.viber.com/en/download

Discord is a platform for VoIP, instant chat, and digital distribution. Users connect via voice calls, video calls, text messaging, media, and files in private conversations or as members of "servers." A server is a collection of permanent chat rooms and voice chat channels that are accessible through invite links. Discord is compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, iPadOS, Linux, and web browsers.

Discord is well-known among gamers for its ability to communicate with pals via text, but did you know it also allows video chat. Furthermore, because it supports streaming within the app, it's a terrific method to play games with friends by streaming one user's screen content to the rest of the group.

During the COVID lockdowns, the Tom's Guide crew did just that, with one user sending Quiplash from their PC's display to the rest of us playing along via phone. Thankfully, Discord has gone so far as to temporarily increase the capacity of its Go Live built-in broadcasting service from a limit of 10 people to 50 people.

Detailed information:
Cost: Free + Pro for 99,9/ 12 Months
Works with: iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux, web browsers
Download: https://discord.com/download

Google Duo is a video chat mobile app developed by Google that is available for both Android and iOS. It was introduced on May 18, 2016, at Google's developer conference, and it went on sale globally on August 16, 2016. On desktop and laptop computers, it is also accessible through Google's Chrome web browser.

Google Duo is the Android platform's primary video chat app (for now, anyway). There's a running joke about how frequently Google shuts off its messaging services. Having said that, Duo has been around for about 4 years, so it does have some longevity. Unlike Apple's FaceTime, it's also cross-platform, so you can invite your iPhone buddies or anybody with a browser to join you.

Duo allows up to 12 people to video chat at the same time, which isn't as many as Zoom, FaceTime, or Skype, but it should be adequate for most people. Duo lacks the extra text chat capabilities of some other services, but it's really easy to use and has some entertaining extras like filters and backdrop effects. Another important feature is the option to leave video messages for friends or family when you both aren't available but want to reach out with a brief video.

Detailed information:
Cost: Free
Works with: Web, iOS, Android
Download: https://duo.google.com