The never-ending lockdowns due to Covid-19 crisis has got many organization and people to a standstill. People don’t have any choice rather than working from home and communicating over wireless medium or video calls. During such circumstances, video calling application and conferencing software come in handy.
Seeing the surge in search and download of this category, there have been multiple new entries in this segment that have entered the market to woo customers and build themselves as a leading service provider and create a vast userbase.
We have used many of the video calling application and software over time. We compiled a few of them which are available for both smartphone platform that is Android and iOS and also for Windows and macOS, which will let you play and work with your friends and colleagues.
Best Video Calling Application in 2023
Google Duo – Best Android Video Calling Application
The Duo is Google’s consumer-facing video chat item that was propelled a couple of years back. Google’s aim behind Duo was to make a FaceTime like an application that would not merely be limited to Android and would work on iOS too.
Google Duo has an eight-member limit on a Video call with the additional alternative of making voice calls also. Like other Google applications, the interface is genuinely primary and robust with the seal of trust from Google.
WhatsApp – Group Video Calling Application & Messaging App
Facebook-owned application has grown in userbase post-acquisition. WhatsApp has roughly a userbase of about 2 billion people worldwide. WhatsApp has restrictions on the number of participants on the video call, but now it has been set to 8.
WhatsApp also has a voice call and text messaging function, which works very well. So yeah, 8 of friends and colleagues can jump on to the same call, which is end-to-end encrypted.
FaceTime – iPhone/iPad Video Calling Application
Folks using Apple iPhone and on iOS platform are very acquainted with FaceTime which Apple’s very own video calling application. It works flawlessly on all Apple gadgets and enables you to do voice and video calls.
Apple rolled out the ‘Groups’ feature that lets you talk with up to 32 people. The application runs very smooth without any issues, but the FaceTime application works only on Apple device that is iPhone and iPad.
Google Hangouts Meet – Professional Video Conferencing App
Google Hangouts comes under the brand, which is much enterprise-focused. The app comes integrated with G Suite and allows participants to join the meeting via a web link on mobile phone or computer.
The limit to Google Hangout is set to 250, and the company is planning to get it out to the market as a Zoom alternative. Google Hangouts comes bundles with the G Suite, and you need to get a suitable plan to use it.
Skype – Best Video Calling Application / Software for Windows
One of the oldest video calling application owned by Microsoft has been in use over decades now. There are millions of users active on Skype around the world. The app is available for Android, iOS, Windows and Mac.
Skype offers audio, video calling and messaging functionality. About 50 users can log in for a conference call and is actively used for both general and enterprise users. It requires a stable, steady and good internet connection to have an uninterrupted conference call.
Facebook Messenger – Web Video Calling App
Facebook Messenger was an integrated part of the Facebook application but was turned into a completely separate app. Facebook Messenger allows you to do video, voice calling and messaging with Facebook users and friends.
The conference calls on this platform is limited to 6 members with no limits on the group messaging. The application is available for both iOS and Android platform and is also available in a Lite variant for budget smartphones.
Instagram – Private Video Calling App
Instagram, which is again the part of Facebook, is a popular photo-sharing social platform. Instagram has its direct message option, which can be used for messaging, voice and video calling with only Instagram users.
The conference calls on Instagram can add up to 6 members. Instagram is available for both iOS and Android platforms.
HouseParty – Group Video Chatting Service
Houseparty has been developed and runs under Epic Games, the creators of Fortnite. It is a social networking application that allows video calling.
This is one of those applications which gained momentum during the current lockdown period. The app comes with a bunch of features one of it notifies when any of your friends are available online for a video chat.
A single chat can accommodate up to 8 members, also allows playing games virtually over the call. Houseparty application is available for both iOS and Android platforms.
Microsoft Teams – Business Video Conferencing Application
Microsoft Teams as the name suggest is a product available from the makers of Windows. Microsoft Teams is a product available for businesses that use the Office 365 suite. The application brings a bunch of features with the added advantage of using Office apps like Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
Microsoft has dropped a free version of Teams and has lifted the user limit for free users also due to pandemic situation. Microsoft is also offering Office 365 suite with Teams at a much-discounted price.
Discord – Video Calling App for Gamers
Discord is an app that is popular among the gamer community and is around for a while now. The app lets you create groups which are called as servers in which users can add their friends for voice, video calls and messaging.
There is no limit set on the number of users in a server. The number of participants over a video or voice call is set to 30 at a time. The app is available on Android, iOS and Windows.
Xroom – Web-based Group Video Conferencing
XROOM.APP is a free, secure and straightforward video-conferencing application. You can also host a webinar over it, although the form has an indirect business model.
It features secure video calls, screen sharing, plugins, text and file exchange, recording, rooms API, custom domains and colour schemes and localizations. Plugins allow the users to add different functionality which is needed.
XROOM application can only be accessed via the web, but the company is working hard to bring the app on iOS and Android soon.
Jitsi Meet – Open-source Video Conferencing Service
Its Meet is an open-source fully encrypted video conferencing service which allows calls over the network. You can invite your friends with a custom URL and share your desktop or message them on the go.
Jitsi tools can be used to make multiuser conference client or simply use the pre-built function of Jitsi Meet. The limit is set to 75 participants, but the system has a realistic user limit of only 35 users without having any network issues.
Zoom – Best Group Video Calling App
Zoom is one of the applications which gained skyrocket user base overnight. The userbase of Zoom application just got multiplied in a matter of hours, due to the worldwide lockdowns.
Zoom is one of the products which gained and lost during this pandemic. It would have been on the top of the list if it had not run into data and privacy security issues.
The reason behind the downfall of the application was the meeting ids and password dumps which were found for sale on the dark. The app behaviour of tracking the user moments also let to downfall within the Silicon Valley and Governments banning the use of the application altogether.
Zoom has many plans which suit the needs of users, and there is also a free plan which lets you have a meeting of 100 members for 40 mins. The app functionality is easy, and it enables you to invite users with custom URL and password. The users can chat, share screen and have video meeting at once.
The above list covers some of the best and popular Best Video Calling Application and Conferencing Software in 2020 that is being used or can be used by public and corporate sectors during and after the pandemic situation.
Some application which was not mentioned above is more enterprise-focused. Facebook Messenger Room is one such application which can be used to host 50 members on a video call and is expected to open for non-Facebook users as well.
