Main points
- Looking for a free video calling app?
- Google Meet is great for Google users who want to join meetings from Gmail or Google Calendar. There’s also Zoom for individuals and businesses.
- For more options, check out our favorite free video calling apps.
Now that the pandemic is over, many of us still enjoy the flexibility of working from home and need reliable ways to stay connected. Video calling apps have become a staple tool for work and personal communication, helping us stay connected with colleagues and loved ones.
From Zoom to Google Meet, there are tons of video calling apps on the market, each with its own features. Whether you’re looking for a simple tool for gathering virtually with friends or need a more advanced work meeting tool, there’s an app for you. Our guide sifts through the options to find the perfect free video calling app to suit your needs, whether that’s professional or personal use.
1 Google meet
Best for Google users
Google Meet is a great tool for anyone who already uses Google apps like Gmail and Google Calendar. It’s extremely convenient for organizations and schools that rely on the Google suite, providing a streamlined way to set up and jump into meetings directly from everyday applications.
As part of the Google ecosystem, Meet integrates smoothly, making it very convenient for teams or classrooms to stay connected. It’s not just for professional or educational use; since it’s free, anyone with a Google account can use Meet for personal chats, family gatherings, or any kind of gathering.
The tiled layout feature is an added bonus, allowing you to clearly see everyone in the meeting, similar to other popular video conferencing tools. So whether you’re in a work meeting, taking a class, or just hanging out with friends, Google Meet has you covered.
What are Google Meet and Chat? How do they work?
Google has its own products for workplace chat and video calling. But how do they work?
2 skyrocketing
Best for large workplace meetings
Zoom is a cloud-based video conferencing service that allows you to meet with other people via video or audio, with the added functionality of live chat and recording. It’s available for individuals and businesses, with a free basic plan and premium options for larger organizations.
You can join a video conference through Zoom Meeting or use Zoom Rooms, which are physical settings designed for companies. A popular feature is the gallery view, where you can see all participants at once, perfect for large group meetings.
Zoom is widely used, including by most Fortune 500 companies, and its number of daily participants reached 300 million in 2021, underscoring its broad appeal and reliability for professional use.
What is Zoom? How does it work?Plus tips and tricks
If you work from home, you’ve probably heard of Zoom, one of the leading video conferencing software applications on the market.
3 relaxation
Best for a quick work chat
Slack is a dynamic communication platform primarily used in the workplace to simplify collaboration and interaction between team members. It organizes conversations into channels, making it easier for teams to share files, communicate, and integrate a variety of third-party applications, all within a single space. While it’s aimed at professional environments, Slack also offers a free version to suit the needs of everyday users or small teams who want to take advantage of its core features without fully investing in a paid subscription.
One of Slack’s main features is Huddles, which allow users to initiate casual voice or video chats that simulate the experience of quick, face-to-face discussions. This feature is great for impromptu conversations and provides an easier way to connect and collaborate.
While individual users can enjoy one-on-one huddles in the free version, group huddles are only available with a paid subscription.
What is Slack? How does it work?There are also tons of Slack tips and tricks
Slack is a messaging app that almost every workplace group seems to be using, but you’re probably reading this now because you don’t know how to use it.
4 Skype
Best for Windows users
Microsoft’s Skype is a familiar face in the world of video calling and is widely used because it’s available on almost every platform – PC, Mac, iOS, Android, and even through a web browser. Its wide accessibility means you’re more likely to find someone who already has it. With Skype Meet Now, you can start a meeting quickly without participants needing accounts, and its group calling is very reliable.
Skype isn’t just for casual chatting; It syncs well with Office 365, making it a top choice in the Microsoft ecosystem. For a more business-oriented experience, there’s Skype for Business, but Microsoft Teams is the real game-changer for workplace collaboration. Teams integrates functions such as chat, video calling, and file sharing, providing comprehensive tools for effective team communication and collaboration.
How to Skype from your browser: Call friends, family or colleagues from anywhere with Skype for the web
Skype has been available in the browser for a few years – here’s how it works.
5 Microsoft Teams
Best for 365-related workplaces
Microsoft
Microsoft Teams offers a free version that’s perfect for video calls, whether you’re chatting with friends or coordinating with colleagues. You can have unlimited one-on-one meetings or one-hour group calls with up to 100 people. This free tier includes convenient features like chat, file sharing, and task management, making it suitable for different needs. Additionally, if you use Microsoft 365, Teams integrates smoothly with other Microsoft applications like Word and Excel, allowing you to collaborate on documents directly in meetings. This makes Teams a smart choice for anyone looking for an all-in-one communications and collaboration platform.
6 messenger
Best for Facebook friends and family
Facebook’s Messenger app is a handy tool that runs independently of the main Facebook platform. It’s great for anyone who wants to chat because you don’t even need a Facebook account to use it. Plus, it will soon be updated to allow you to message Instagram users as well.
Whether you’re talking to one person or a group, Messenger makes it incredibly easy to start a video or voice chat. They’ve also added Messenger Rooms, a feature where you can have video calls with up to 50 people, kind of like you can do on Zoom or Skype.
While Messenger is great for casual chats with friends or gatherings with family, it’s not the best choice for professional settings. To that end, Facebook launched Workplace, a standalone service designed for business communication and teamwork. Unlike Messenger, Workplace isn’t free and the cost depends on which features you need and how many people use it.
How to make a video call on Facebook Messenger
Here’s everything you need to know about making video calls on Messenger.
7 WhatsApp
Best for group calls with friends around the world
WhatsApp, part of Meta (formerly Facebook), is a messaging giant that’s particularly popular outside of North America. It has over 2 billion users worldwide and is loved by many. It started as a paid app but later became free, which helped its massive growth.
The app is user-friendly and makes it easy to set up a group chat or find old messages. You can also check when messages were sent and read, which is great for sharing photos and videos. Speaking of calls, starting a video or voice chat on WhatsApp is easy. You can call one person and then add others to the call, and the app now allows group video calls with up to 32 people.
How to start or join a WhatsApp group video call
Facebook-owned WhatsApp announced last May that it would soon offer group calling capabilities that support voice and video. This feature is now live.
8 video conversation
Best for Apple users
FaceTime is Apple’s own video calling app that’s hugely popular among millions of people around the world. It is the first choice for video and voice calls for Apple device users. With seamless integration with iPhone, iPad and Mac, FaceTime makes it incredibly easy to switch between video and audio modes during a call, adding a personal touch to every conversation.
What sets FaceTime apart is its tight integration with the Apple ecosystem. For users deeply invested in Apple products, FaceTime has become an important tool for staying in touch with friends and family. Whether you’re on the road using your iPhone or relaxing at home on your Mac, FaceTime provides a reliable and consistent communication experience.
FaceTime takes connectivity to the next level by adding group calls. It’s as easy as inviting friends or family members who also own Apple devices to join, making group gatherings feel more intimate and convenient.
How to make a FaceTime group video call
Making a group call via FaceTime is easy. That’s it.
FAQ
Q: Is the free video calling app safe?
Different free video calling apps have different security measures. While many apps implement encryption protocols to protect user data and conversations, users must research and choose reputable apps with strong security features. All apps on our trust list.
Q: Can I make free international calls using these apps?
Yes, all the free video calling apps on our list offer international calling at no additional cost. Users can connect with friends, family or colleagues around the world without paying expensive international calling charges.