Video chat completely free: These apps for Android & iOS are worthwhile

The best free group video calling apps in 2021

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What does a video chat app have to do?

For this selection, I made a distinction between group video calls and video conferences. Specifically, I was interested in apps that can be used to make video calls with several participants at the same time. However, it should be used primarily for private purposes and not for business purposes.

So it’s not about recommending the best tools to give your Power Point presentation to the 50 colleagues in your department. No, it’s about video calling friends and family just to see how they’re doing. For this reason, I will not necessarily go into, for example, Zoom or Microsoft Teams, which should be the subject of a separate selection.

In my criteria, I focused on several aspects: no cost, high number of participants; inside who can take part in a video call, few restrictions on the free version (time limit, etc.), compatibility with other programs and compatibility with different types of Devices and operating systems.

Another criterion is popularity. For sure, I won’t just include mainstream apps in this selection. But to be relevant, a group video calling solution still needs to be used by enough people. So don’t be too angry with me if I’ve left out applications like Viber or Google Duo.

Finally, I have considered a minimum level of protection of your personal data and the encryption of the conversations. That’s why I haven’t integrated solutions like Facebook Messenger or Houseparty, for example.

Google Meet: You already have an account anyway

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Yes, I know that some incorrigible users are still fighting against GAFAM and the quasi-compulsion to have a Google account in 2021. And that is an absolutely laudable fight!

But I don’t have this moral strength myself and am personally up to my neck in the Google suite. And if you feel the same way, then Google Meet is clearly the best solution for video calls, even for private ones!

The Meet application is integrated in the G-Suite and allows you to participate in meetings via a web link. You can open this on your laptop, in the mobile application or even via your telephone line. I find that compared to Zoom or Microsoft Teams, the free version of Meet is still extensive enough and has hardly any restrictions in comparison.

With video calls, you can talk to up to 100 participants for 24 hours without interruption. In short, it’s the most practical and hassle-free free group video calling app in my opinion.

WhatsApp, Telegram or Signal for video calls in “small” groups.

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If you’re stuck with Knuddelz and don’t have a Google account, what about a phone number? If so, I can only advise you to use the classic messaging apps on your smartphone. I won’t bother to introduce you to WhatsApp, Telegram or Signal (but tap the links if you want to find out more).

The advantage of these apps is their ease of use and the fact that they are more widespread than tools like Meet, which, however, are more intended for professional use. For video calls, however, these applications are somewhat limited.

• Whatsapp: max. 8 participants: inside
• Telegram: 30 participants: inside
• signal: 8 participants: inside

Personally, I find Telegram to offer the more comprehensive solution. Not only can video calls be made with an unlimited number of participants, you can also manage calls by adding and removing members. Neither WhatsApp nor Signal can do that.

In addition, group video calls are created within a Telegram group. A group can accommodate an unlimited number of participants who can exchange ideas via normal chats and / or voice chats. Telegram also offers a screen sharing feature for video calls, unlike its competitors.

Logically, Signal offers better data protection than Telegram and WhatsApp – although with WhatsApp it is possible to leave a group video call and join it without “breaking” the end-to-end encryption, which Signal does not allow, for example.

FaceTime: For Apple fans

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Of course, if you have an iPhone, iPad, or other Apple product, FaceTime should be your first choice for making video calls. FaceTime can record up to 32 participants at the same time. The app is also one of the few that can “understand” sign language.

That doesn’t mean FaceTime can translate sign language in real time. But if you have iOS 14 or macOS Big Sur, FaceTime can detect when one of the participants is speaking in sign language and bring them to the fore. Just as if a participant with an active microphone spoke up. That’s pretty cool!

With the latest iPhones and iPads you can also use the Center Stage function, with which you can keep the focus and the image section on one or more people at the same time. With Share Play, music can also be streamed via Apple Music or content from video streaming services can be viewed synchronized. Finally, you should also know that FaceTime is not reserved for users of Apple products.

You can connect to at least one person with an iPhone or other Apple device that can make FaceTime calls from an Android or Windows device. My colleague Zois explains in the linked instructions what you have to do for it.

Jitsi Meet: The data-friendly alternative

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Jitsi Meet is a free video conferencing software whose main selling point (the tool is free, rest assured) is that it is not part of GAFAM (Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple, Microsoft). No account is required, the encryption is standard, Jitsi Meet simply wants to protect your personal data a little better. The service works on smartphones and tablets using an app or on computers with a simple web browser.

Since the service is not as widespread and known as other services, you have to fight a little to establish it with your friends and relatives. But the service is very feature-rich for that. You can z. B. Show the participants in a mosaic by clicking the button with the four squares, sharing your screen, opening a chat or simply “raising your hand” to show that you want to speak without To interrupt your interlocutors.

You can also blur the background, share a YouTube video that is embedded right into the video conversation, stream it live on YouTube, or record your entire video meeting. And at least you avoid the tentacle-like arms of the web giants who are hungry for your personal data. This is how you can outsmart Big Data in a professional way!

Marco Polo: For people you don’t really like

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Are you sometimes afraid of video calls? If you don’t want to talk to someone on the phone, but still want to send greetings, you are definitely forcing yourself to send the person a message. “Hello, I hope everything has been going well lately. How about a video message?

With Marco Polo you can send video messages to people or groups. In contrast to Snapchat, Marco Polo records all video messages so that you can watch your conversations again. There is also no time limit. You can also add filters and fun voice effects.

The app also states that it respects your data. Because the data protection regulations state that usage data will not be sold to third parties. The app is completely free and ad-free. In short, it’s the perfect tool for not feeling guilty and keeping someone up to date with no commitment.

What do you think of this selection? What applications do you use most often for group video calls?