Video calls are part of our daily routine, expanding their role from professional to personal use.
On average, a person attends 5.4 video calls a week. This is to stay in touch with family and friends or to attend remote work meetings and virtual events.
Although free video calling apps have been around for a while, they only gained popularity in the pandemic as the world adopted hybrid and remote working cultures.
But here’s the thing – not everyone is connecting through the same device. While some users have Android smartphones, others own iPhones, which they use to join both personal and professional video calls.
This is why choosing a cross-platform video calling app is a must; one that is easy to use and quick to connect.
Here’s our list of the best cross-platform video calling apps.
What To Expect From An Ideal Cross-Platform Video Calling App?
The world is split between two kinds of people: Android users and iOS users.
Now this isn’t a conversation about which one is better than the other, but rather, a quest to find a convenient solution that bridges the gap between the two platforms.
Look at FaceTime, for instance.
FaceTime is a default video calling app on all iOS devices. Up until 2021, this app was only compatible with other iOS devices, meaning you could only call someone using FaceTime if they were also using an iOS device.
Things changed with the launch of iOS 15 as Apple made it possible for Android users to join FaceTime calls using a web link.
While the attempt is great, there’s still a lot of room for improvement. For example, an Android user cannot initiate a call on FaceTime. They still have to wait for the iOS user to create and share the call link with them.
This doesn’t sound so convenient.
If you look at FaceCall, this video calling app lets you call anyone, regardless of their platform and device type, making it one of the best cross-platform video calling apps.
Other things to consider when choosing the best cross-compatible video calling app include:
- End-to-end encryption
- HD video and audio quality
- Quick and easy setup
- Valuable features without subscriptions or additional cost
- Reliable connection
Our Favorite Cross-Platform Video Calling Apps
1. FaceCall
FaceCall is a lightweight cross-platform video calling app that takes seconds to download and runs smoothly on both iOS and Android devices.
With this video calling app, you can make a video call to up to 20 people, even with a poor or unstable internet connection. There is no requirement from any of these attendees to join the video call using either Android or iOS smartphones.
It has an adaptive video resolution that maintains high video and audio quality even when the connection is poor.
What gives FaceCall an edge over other cross-platform video calling apps is its lack of dependency on a registered phone number. You don’t need a SIM to make it work; a WiFi connection works just as well.
All video calls on FaceCall are end-to-end encrypted, giving users peace of mind regarding their privacy. It even has a unique feature called Video Caller ID, which lets you create a short video clip introducing yourself to the call recipient. This is why it is also one of the most secure video calling apps.
Top Features
- High-quality video with 4K resolution
- Screen sharing and call recording option
- Personalized video calling experience through virtual backgrounds, filters, and special effects
- Cross-platform compatibility (iOS and Android)
- No dependency on registered phone number
Pros
- With internet connectivity being a problem for 38% video calling app users, FaceCall stands tall, offering high-quality video and audio quality even with low-bandwidth connections
- It is ideal for travelers as they get to stay connected with family and friends without having to buy a local SIM
- All video calls are end-to-end encrypted
Cons
- Only 20 participants are allowed, so it may not be number one when it comes to video calling apps for larger groups
Try FaceCall Now – The most secure communication app with Video Caller ID.
2. WhatsApp
WhatsApp, as an instant messaging and video calling app, is highly accessible, and one of the reasons for its popularity is its cross-platform compatibility.
Firstly, it comes as a default video calling app on most Android smartphones. You can use it to make a video call to anyone, regardless of their device or operating system. You can make a call to anyone as long as they have this app installed on their device.
However, two concerns are often raised whenever WhatsApp video calling is discussed. The first concern is regarding its privacy. It is known for sharing user data with Meta companies. The second concern is that you need a registered mobile phone number to create an account on WhatsApp. This gives FaceCall an edge over WhatsApp.
Other than that, WhatsApp is highly convenient as you can make a video call to anyone with a single tap. It is, in fact, extremely cost-effective and flexible, as all you need is a WiFi connection and you can enjoy unlimited call time.
Top Features
- You can make a group video call to 32 people
- Screen sharing, filters, speaker spotlight, cross-platform compatibility
- End-to-end encrypted video calls
Pros
- WhatsApp allows you to share files, voicenotes, and messages with anyone, regardless of their device and operating system
- It is the most popular app in 70 out of 100 countries.
- It is easily available on all platforms: iOS, Android, Windows, and Desktop
Cons
- You need a registered mobile number to create a WhatsApp account
- Video and audio quality depend on the internet stability
3. Zoom
Zoom is a cross-platform video calling app known for its wide accessibility and seamless communication. It is available on different platforms, like iOS, Android, Windows, and web browsers. It is highly flexible as you can use it on the go, switching between devices, like from your smartphone to a web browser, with ease.
It was the fastest-growing application during the pandemic, a popularity that has continued to increase even after, and made $1 billion in revenue in 2024.
It ticks all the boxes for being the best video calling application for hosting virtual seminars, workshops, and training sessions. Its free version allows you to conduct a video call with 100 participants regardless of their device and operating system.
While Zoom does offer end-to-end encryption, it’s not its default setting. You can fix that by going to its settings and changing it manually. In recent years, Zoom has come under fire for its security issues. The problem is that it shares user data with third-party applications and corporations.
So if you are looking for cross-platform compatibility and convenience in your video calling application, Zoom’s privacy concerns shouldn’t bother you.
Top Features
- Live captions and translations are available for better communication
- High-definition video and audio to enhance professional and personal communication
- Features like virtual backgrounds and filters improve the video calling experience
- It is compatible with iOS, Android, Windows, and web browsers
Pros
- You can record meetings to watch them later, which is ideal for students and corporate workers
- AI-powered tools provide you with meeting summaries and simultaneously share them with you through email
Cons
- No end-to-end encryption as a default setting
- You need to opt for paid plans to increase the number of participants allowed
4. Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger is one of the popular video calling apps with 1.3 billion users worldwide.
This cross-platform app allows Android users to make calls to iOS users and vice versa. It also released a feature, a cross-app group chat with Instagram, that connects the two applications to share messages.
It offers high-definition videos along with features like noise suppression and voice isolation.
This makes your video calling experience more relaxed. It is widely used for personal use as opposed to hosting seminars and training sessions.
Users can even share their screens and even play games together.
There is one problem with Facebook Messenger: it consumes a lot of data. Apparently, it takes up 260 MB every hour for standard video calls.
The storage consumption increases with the number of participants on the call and the video quality.
Top Features
- HD video quality and clear audio
- Messenger Rooms allow users to host up to 50 participants
- It is a cross-platform compatible video calling app, allowing Android users to video call iOS users and vice versa
- End-to-end encryption
Pros
- You can make a video call to anyone, not worrying about device compatibility.
- It is a great video calling app for personal use; it allows you to play games, share screens, and enjoy high-quality sound and video
- It is well-integrated with Siri, so you can make a call to anyone through voice commands
Cons
- It takes up quite a lot of storage in very little time
5. Google Meet
- Google Meet has a 17% market share in the video calling app industry.
- 64% of video calls on Google Meet are through smartphones.
You can access it from different devices (smartphones, laptops, tablets, smart TVs) and operating systems (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android).
This group video calling app gained popularity during the pandemic, especially amongst students. It offers both free and paid versions, with the free version allowing up to 100 participants on a call at a time. A video call can last up to 60 minutes in its free version.
Video during the call is 4K quality, whereas the sound is clear. You can even enjoy studio lighting to enhance your screen appearance.
Top Features
- End-to-end encryption
- Cross-platform compatibility allows Android users to make video calls to iOS users and vice versa
- Breakout rooms, screen sharing, noise suppression, live captions, virtual backgrounds
- It is both paid and a free video calling app
Pros
- It is well-integrated with other Google applications, like Gmail and Calendar
- Its paid plans allow up to 10000 participants and a livestreaming facility
Cons
- To truly enjoy a smooth video calling experience, you need a strong internet connection
- It lacks whiteboards, which is a bummer considering 62% students choose Google Meet as their preferred cross-platform video calling app
Conclusion
An ideal video calling app is one that brings convenience, not worries, into your life. It should allow you to connect with anyone in the world, without having to confirm if the device on the other end of the line is compatible with yours.
And this cross-platform compatibility shouldn’t come at the cost of your privacy.
FaceCall gives a real competition to all major players in the video calling app industry, like Zoom and WhatsApp by offering cross-platform compatibility, end-to-end encryption, and unique features like Video Caller ID – all for free!
Download FaceCall now!
