A Selection of Free Video Calling Apps

A few years ago, video conferencing apps were used for special occasions. The Covid-19 pandemic has made its adjustments and changed our habits. Now we more often meet with colleagues in virtual conference rooms, and calls with relatives also more often take a video format. 

Google Meet

One of the most popular programs for video calls because it is straightforward to use. You do not need to install any additional programs. You only need to log in to Google and find the application on the brand panel. The main condition for using it is the availability of Gmail for the organizer and other participants. Appointed meetings are easy to synchronize with your Google calendar.

Features:

• You can gather 100 participants
• Group meeting limit 60 minutes
• Face-to-face limit of 24 hours
• Can display a screen
• Can't record a conference

Skype

Skype became popular back in the 2000s from its inception and took the lead for a long time. It is a program for group and personal calls. To make full use of Skype, it is better to install the program and create a free account. You can also use the Skype homepage on the Internet without registering an account, but the functions will be limited. 

Features:

• Maximum number of participants 100
• The limit is 24 hours
• It's possible to record calls
• You can show the screen

Zoom

Zoom offers an application that can be installed on your PC or smartphone, and you can also make calls through the page in your browser. There is a paid version and a free version. The fundamental difference is that the free version is limited in time. 

Features: 

• Maximum number of participants 100 people
• The limit for the conference is 40 minutes (free version)
• You can record the conference
• You can show the screen 

Spike

The e-mail service offered users video conferencing but at a paid rate. But so did the web application, which is available to all participants. There are useful features here, like a screen demo. You can also change the background. The main advantage is that Spike has no limits on the number of participants and the duration of the conference. 

Telegram

The popular messaging app now allows you to create conferences, not just Tet-a-Tet calls. However, the maximum number of participants is still 30 people. But there is no time limit for conferences on Telegram. 

Signal

Another messaging application that has become popular thanks to end-to-end encryption. Previously, only 5 people could be connected in a signal in one call. Now the number of possible participants has increased to 40. There is also no time limit. 

Whereby

In the free version, you can create a conference room for up to 100 participants. A participant has to "knock" into the room to be accepted into the conference. The administrator also has the right to delete conference participants. The service has important features such as screen recording and chat. the maximum duration of the conference in the free version is 45 minutes. 

Facetime

Apple owners can use the app by default. After a recent update, users on other platforms can join the face time as well, but not be the initiator of the conversation. In this app, you can gather a maximum of 36 participants, share the screen, and change the background. There is no time limit. 

Meta Messenger

Applications for short video chats for up to 8 participants. Like in Zoom, here you can create conference rooms for up to 50 people. There are different effects, the ability to exchange emoticons, play games, and share the screen. You don't have to have Facebook or Instagram to use the app.

Zoho Meeting

Previously, the app only allowed two people to make video calls. Now you can have a maximum of 100 participants in a conference. In Zoho, you can not only make calls but also hold webinars. The maximum duration of a call is 60 minutes.

Was this selection useful to you? Did you find an app you would use?