The Latest Video Chat Platforms
We know Skype, but what other video chat options are available? VPS.NET looks at the top contenders.
One of the modern age’s many benefits has been the growing availability of video calls. An entire industry has developed in recent years, capitalizing on the growth of 4G availability and ever-increasing broadband line speeds to deliver video services everywhere from the boardroom to the bedroom. Traditional phone calls seem rather passé by comparison, and large numbers of people only pay for a domestic landline to receive cable or broadband.
Free video calls represent a compelling alternative to the telephone, but each major service provider has its own benefits and drawbacks. Below, we take a look at the major players…
Skype
Having launched free video calls back in 2006, Skype is undoubtedly the best-known provider of video communication services. Available on almost any OS or device including desktops, Skype’s freemium business model has been rolled out worldwide following its acquisition by Microsoft in 2011. Free group video calls and voice-activated app management are recent additions to a service whose name is often regarded as a verb rather than a brand, with over 300 million people using Skype every month. Nonetheless, there are plenty of pretenders to Skype’s crown…
Zoom
A fast-growing platform underpinned by impressive technical support, Zoom’s trump card is the sheer number of people who can join in a conversation. Calls can include 25 different video streams in impressive HD resolution, while an ingenious algorithm ensures the person speaking is moved into the largest display frame. Screen hosting and document sharing are also possible, though free calls are limited to 40 minutes and the plethora of business-oriented features may deter some private users.
Duo
Not for the first time, Google is rather late to the party, with Duo only launching in August 2016. It’s also limited by the lack of desktop functionality. Nonetheless, there are signs that Duo may outperform belated failures like Google+ and its unloved Hangouts service. Using Duo is almost as easy as making a phone call – one button dials a contact, there’s no drop-off when moving between wifi and mobile browsing, and Google’s Android involvement gives Duo a huge audience.
FaceTime
Launched in 2010 with the iPhone 4, Apple’s proprietary video platform enables people with Apple products to conduct video calls. Many of its features have been aped by rivals, such as tapping contacts rather than dialing numbers. It also avoids the emoji-related immaturity of more cluttered rival interfaces. However, Apple’s refusal to make its services available on other platforms means FaceTime can’t be used by the legions of Android customers out there – rendering it a high-quality niche platform rather than a truly mainstream video chat service.
Facebook-owned IM pioneer WhatsApp began offering video calls last month. That’s big news for a service with over a billion active monthly users – there’s a good chance the people you want to contact will already be WhatsApping. At present, the service is only available one-to-one, and the youthful emoji-loving nature of many WhatsApp users can seem unprofessional when dealing with a corporate audience who will feel more confident on Skype or Zoom. However, WhatsApp’s legendary reliability as a communications tool will doubtlessly persuade many of its existing users to adopt it as their video chat platform of choice.
Messenger
Another Facebook-owned service that combines the social network’s vast user base with effortless simplicity. The Messenger app underpins one-to-one chats, with no option for group calls yet, and it can be used on desktop or mobile devices including via the Facebook website. However, call quality isn’t always as good as competitor services, and a lot of personal info has to be provided to set up Messenger.