Smartphones have totally changed the way we use a gadget. Modern
phones with good Internet connection provide free alternatives
to voice and video calls. Here’s a list of excellent video calling apps
for iPhone, Android, Windows Phone and BlackBerry that let you make a direct
call to your friend or start a group video conversation.
SKYPE
Skype is one of the oldest and most famous
apps for calls. There are official Skype apps for Android, iOS,
BlackBerry, Amazon Fire Phone. Also it’s available for computer platforms –
Windows, Mac and Linux, and even smart TVs, PlayStation
Vita, Xbox One and other devices. Apart from voice and videocalling, it allows sharing files and sending messages
between the devices using Skype. It also offers low cost calling and
texting to mobiles or landlines. The unique Skype feature is the
ability to make online group video calls. Just create a group out of your Skype
contacts and tap the Camera sign to launch a video chat.
Download for Skype for Android | Download Skype for iPhone
FACEBOOK
MESSENGER
Facebook Messenger is
another free app for iPhone, Android and Windows Phone to make video calls on
the go. Messenger is easy to use. Tap a contact from the Messenger app list and
hit the video button to start a video call. You can make a video call to anyone
within Facebook network around the globe, including video calls from iPhone to
Android and vice verse. All calls are free, but you have to pay for Internet
data. The app let use both front and rear cameras for video recording.
Unfortunately, in Facebook Messenger there are no group video calls like in
Skype or Google Hangouts. So if you want to talk to several friends at a time,
you’d better choose a Microsoft or Google app.
Explore all Messenger features at www.messenger.com.
GOOGLE
HANGOUTS
Google revamped its
communication service – Google Talk to Hangouts. Hangouts has turned into a
universal messenger app for Gmail, Google+, Android and iOS users. Now you can
do audio and video calls, text messaging, file sharing, real-time video streaming
and much more. One can talk to up to 10 people simultaneously. The images
shared during a call are saved in a private Google+ album, making it easier to
access them later. Google Hangout is, probably, the only real Skype competitor
in video calling.
Download Hangouts for Android | Download Hangouts
for iPhone
APPLE
FACETIME
Apple Facetime is a default free video calling app for all iOS
users. You can communicate with anyone who has an Apple device from your Mac,
iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad. Thanks to new Continuity feature in iOS 9+, you can
start video call on one iDevice and continue it on your second Apple gadget
without interruptions. Don’t forget that you can always record iPhone calls.
LINE
Line is an extremely popular chat app for iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, Windows Phone and
PC. It also has a face-to-face video call option. The app workflow is similar
to Facebook: tap a person name from Line list and hit the Camera sign. Like in
Facebook Messenger, all video calls between Line users are 100% free. There are
no group video calls. However, if you can pay extra money, Line enables you to
make audio calls to landline phones and cell phones out of Line network.
Visit www.line.me to
download a Line app for your smartphone.
VIBER
Similar to Skype,
Viber is available for almost all operational systems: Windows and
Mac, and also mobile devices like Blackberry, Windows Phone, Android and
iPhone, iPad. One can use Viber for sharing contacts, files, messages,
emoticons, locations, etc. It also allows group audio calls for up to 40
participants. You can make video calls to your Viber contacts. Simply tap
the Camera sign next to a person’s name and start talking.
Download Viber for Android | Download Viber for iPhone
TANGO
This app is available
for Android, iOS and WP and Windows OS computers as well. It offers usual
features of voice and video calling, sending messages, animations, files, etc.
One interesting thing about Tango is the Mini Games which can be
played even during the call. You can challenge the caller on the other end
in the real-time.
Download Tango for Android | Download Tango for iPhone
KAKAOTALK
KakaoTalk is made for almost all mobile platforms Android,
iOS, Blackberry, Windows Phone and even Bada. It has voice and video
calls, messaging, sharing multimedia content, etc. The app also acts as a
reminder for scheduling appointments. To add little bit of fun, the app has
in-built games and some voice filters like Talking Tom, Talking Ben, etc. KakaoTalk also allows users
to follow celebrities/ brands such as Psy through ‘Plus Friend’ feature and get
updates from them. To see the celebs that can be added, go to the Find Tab and
select View All, and simply tap the Add option against any of them.
Download KakaoTalk for Android | Download KakaoTalk for iPhone
WECHAT
While WeChat is
essentially an instant messaging app available for all mobile platforms, it
also provides several innovative ways for voice / video calling. Live Chat
feature contains conference calling feature and it ensures that only
one person talks at a time. Video Call, as the name suggests, is for
talking in the video mode. It also has a Voice Chat feature which
streams voice messages; this last thing is useful particularly when
the other person is not online.
Download WeChat for Android | Download WeChat for iPhone
OOVOO
ooVoo’s is a
simple cross platform voice and video calling app available for major
mobile platforms and desktop OS. Similar to other apps, ooVoo sends
messages, makes voice and videos. Like Skype, ooVoo permits you to call
landline numbers through ooVoo credits. It also integrates with Facebook, so
you can chat with friends from the social network. The best part about the
app is that it makes group video calls with up to 12 people
simultaneously.
Download ooVoo for Android | Download ooVoo for iPhone
