6 Best Video Call Apps for Family

Video calls are as much about emotion as they are about innovation. It is a product of modern technology that is built around real human needs. 

It is about being present for the people who mean the most, like checking in on aging parents or sharing a quiet laugh with a sibling across the country. 

These moments, once hard to share, are now just a click away. 

With a stable internet connection and the right video call app, your family can feel together, even when miles apart.

There are dozens of free video chat apps available today, each claiming to offer the best experience. While:

• Some platforms are built for business and formal meetings.
• Others focus on ease of use, fun features, and personal connections.

When it comes to family, where you may have technologically adept teens, senior grandparents, and busy parents all joining in, you need a video call app that is:

• Simple to use.
• Reliable in performance.
• Inclusive and comfortable for all age groups.

With all those factors in mind, we have carefully selected ten of the top video calling apps for families. 

You can pick the best video chat app that fits your family’s needs and helps you stay meaningfully connected.

1. FaceCall – Best Family Video Calling App 

FaceCall is the first video calling app to introduce personalized video caller IDs and integrated AI tools, to give every call a distinctive feel.  

It is built to make conversations more personal, meaningful, and fun for families. 

Unlike most standard calling apps, FaceCall lets you create a short, customized video that plays when you place a call. This simple feature adds a personal and engaging touch to every interaction.

The following features make FaceCall outperform most other video calling platforms:

Ease of Use: FaceCall features a clean, user-friendly interface designed for smartphone use. With just one tap, you can jump straight into calls or chats. 

Security: FaceCall places a strong emphasis on privacy.

• All voice and video conversations, as well as messages, are protected by default with end-to-end encryption. It makes sure your communication remains secure at all times.
• Users can also enable privacy settings that automatically erase content after a set time.
•  The app does not require a phone number to register or create an account. It appeals especially to those who prefer more anonymity and digital privacy.

Platform Availability: FaceCall is currently available for download on both iOS and Android via the Apple App Store and Google Play. 

At present, it is a mobile-only app, so there is no dedicated desktop version. 

However, users have reported success using it on PCs via Android emulators or web-based calling tools.

Why FaceCall is among the Best Family Video Call Apps?

When it comes to staying connected with loved ones, especially across distances or time zones, the right video calling app can make all the difference. 

Here are the major features it offers to users:

• One standout feature is its real-time voice translation, which supports 76 languages. During a call, your spoken words can be instantly translated and displayed in the other person’s preferred language. 

For example, if someone says “¿Cómo estás?” the app can display “How are you?” on the receiver’s screen in real time. 

This eliminates communication gaps among family members who speak different languages.

• FaceCall delivers 4K video quality in every call. It can host group calls of up to 100 participants, making it best for virtual family gatherings or celebrations. 
• This video calling app for families is also optimized to maintain high-quality video, even on slower or unstable connections, helping to reduce call dropouts and lags. This is especially beneficial for users in areas with limited bandwidth.
• The app offers fun AI masks and background filters that help keep kids entertained. This makes regular video calls more enjoyable for everyone.
• Another useful feature is screen sharing. When you want to share vacation photos, help a relative with tech issues, or simply watch home videos together, FaceCall makes it easy. 
• You can also record your sessions and save memorable moments for later. Even FaceCall is considered one of the best video call recording apps. 
• In most families, members use a mix of Android and Apple devices. Unlike FaceTime, this app allows users on both platforms to start and join calls.

FaceCall is absolutely worth exploring. It is one of the best video calling options available today. 

Start free video calls with your family and friends.

2. WhatsApp – Encrypted Messaging with Video Chats

WhatsApp remains one of the most widely used messaging platforms worldwide, with more than 2 billion active users. 

In the United States alone, nearly one-third of the population uses WhatsApp regularly, making it a household name for daily communication.

Unlike FaceCall, this app requires a phone number to create an account. Once registered, you can start chatting or making calls with anyone in your contact list who also uses the app.

Here are some key features that WhatsApp offers:

Ease of Use: WhatsApp’s interface is familiar to most smartphone users. Starting a video call is straightforward; simply tap the video icon in any chat window. 

It offers both one-on-one video calls and group video chats that support up to 32 people at a time.

Since contacts are synced by phone numbers, family members are usually easy to find and connect with.

The app intelligently adjusts video quality on weaker connections to assure stable calls, but it impacts the video quality. 

The platform supports text, voice, and video messaging, as well as the sharing of photos, videos, documents, stickers, and real-time locations. 

Security: All communication on WhatsApp, including messages, calls, and media, is protected by end-to-end encryption by default. This means that not even WhatsApp or its parent company, Meta, can access the content of your messages or calls. 

However, users should be aware that metadata, such as the individuals with whom you communicate and the dates of your interactions, may still be collected. 

More importantly, features like disappearing messages and two-step verification add another layer of control and privacy.

Platform Compatibility: WhatsApp is accessible on a wide range of devices, including iPhone, Android, Windows, and Mac. There is also a browser-based version that allows users to continue conversations on a computer as well.

Pricing: WhatsApp is completely free to use, with no hidden charges, subscription fees, or in-app purchases.

Potential Limitations: There are a few limitations families should be aware of before relying on WhatsApp as their primary video calling app. Here are some of them:

• WhatsApp does require a valid phone number to create an account, which may be a barrier for younger children or older adults who do not own a personal mobile device. 
• Additionally, the group video call limit of 32 participants may not be sufficient for very large family gatherings. 
• Unlike FaceTime, WhatsApp is not pre-installed on devices and is not natively integrated into tablets like iPads. 
• Some countries, including the UAE, have placed restrictions on their calling services.
• For privacy-focused users, it is also worth noting that WhatsApp is owned by Meta (formerly Facebook), a company often scrutinized for its data collection practices.

Also Read: WhatsApp Alternatives: A Detailed Guide

3. FaceTime – Apple’s Built-in Family Video Chat App

FaceTime is Apple’s native video-calling app. It is pre-installed on every iPhone, iPad, and Mac. 

It is often the go-to option for staying in touch for families who are already part of the Apple ecosystem. 

FaceTime’s popularity in the United States is well documented. According to a 2020 survey, 47.6% of Americans used FaceTime to communicate with loved ones during the pandemic lockdown. 

Security: Every video and audio call is encrypted end-to-end by default. According to Apple’s own documentation, this means that no one, not even Apple, can access or intercept your call content. 

Platform Compatibility: FaceTime is available exclusively on iPhones, iPads, and Macs, operating on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. There are no dedicated FaceTime apps for Android or Windows users. However, non-Apple users can still join a FaceTime call via a web browser if an Apple user sends them an invite link. They cannot start or initiate a FaceTime call themselves.

Cost: There is no cost to use FaceTime. It is a free, built-in feature on all supported Apple devices. 

Potential Limitations: Despite its many strengths, FaceTime does come with some limitations:

• The most significant is its platform exclusivity. If one family member uses an Android device or a Windows PC, they will not be able to start a FaceTime call or access all its features.                             
• FaceTime requires all participants to have updated Apple software. Older devices may experience reduced video quality or lack support for group calls.

4. Telegram – Messaging App with Built-In Video Calling

Telegram has grown rapidly over the past few years. It is best known for its encrypted messaging and large group chats. 

It also supports one-on-one and group video calling, making it a useful platform for family conversations. 

This app, along with FaceCall, is widely recognized as one of the best for group video calls.

Built for Easy Use by Family Members of Any Age: Telegram is easy to set up and navigate. You can register using your phone number. The app syncs across all your devices, including phones, tablets, and desktops. 

The interface is clean and fast, with no ads or unnecessary clutter. 

Security and Privacy: Privacy is one of Telegram’s strongest selling points. The app offers server-client encryption for regular chats and end-to-end encryption for Secret Chats. It is a special mode that disables forwarding and enables message self-destruction timers. 

While video calls are end-to-end encrypted by default, regular group chats are not unless using Secret Chat mode.

Platform Availability: Telegram is available on iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, and Linux, and even offers a full-featured web version. 

Pricing: Telegram is completely free to use. All core messaging and video calling features are included at no cost. 

The company recently introduced Telegram Premium, a paid subscription that offers upgraded limits, faster downloads, and exclusive stickers, but video calls remain free for all users.

5. Google Meet – Interactive Video Calls for the Whole Family

Google Meet, previously known as Google Hangouts, has grown into one of the most widely used video calling platforms today. 

While it is often associated with business meetings, many people also turn to it for personal and family video calls.

The free version of Google Meet allows up to 100 participants in a group call, with a 60-minute time limit. For one-on-one conversations, there is no rush, as those calls can last up to 24 hours, making it best for long catch-ups.

Over time, Google has added several thoughtful features that make video chats more interactive and family-friendly. These include live captions, background noise reduction, screen sharing, virtual backgrounds, and tools like polls and Q&A.

Easy to Use, Especially for Gmail Users: Anyone with a Google or Gmail account can quickly set up or join a Meet call. You can launch a meeting directly from your Gmail inbox, Google Calendar, or the Meet app. 

Joining a Google Meet call is as easy as clicking a link. There is no need to create an account or download any software when using a desktop browser. 

This straightforward access is especially helpful for older family members who may find installing new apps or setting up accounts a bit overwhelming.

Security and Privacy: Although Google Meet does not offer full end-to-end encryption, it still provides a strong level of protection for users.

Host approval, meeting locks, and access controls are built in to manage who can join a call. These features help keep family conversations private and secure. 

All data shared during a call is encrypted while in transit, and meetings are hosted on Google’s secure data centers. 

Compatibility Across Devices: Like FaceCall, Google Meet is one of the best cross-platform video calling apps. It works across a wide range of devices.

Pricing: The core features of Google Meet are completely free. Google also offers Workspace plans for businesses and institutions, which include expanded features like longer meeting durations, cloud recording, and support for up to 250 participants. 

6. Facebook Messenger – Easy Video Chats with Family and Friends 

Facebook Messenger is one of the most widely used communication apps today. Built into Facebook and Instagram, it offers a combination of text messaging, voice calls, and high-quality video calling. 

Anyone with a Facebook or Instagram account can use Messenger. 

Ease of Use: Messenger is free to download. It works across all major platforms, including iOS, Android, and desktop. It does not require a phone number to get started. 

You can log in with your Facebook or Instagram account and start calling immediately. The layout is familiar to most users, and launching a video chat typically takes only a few taps.

Security and Privacy: In 2021, Messenger added the option for end-to-end encryption for one-on-one video and voice calls. This gives users the ability to choose more secure and private communication by enabling that setting. By default, Messenger encrypts calls in transit. 

However, unless the encrypted chat mode is turned on, Meta may still access metadata such as call duration and contact information.

Platform Availability: Messenger is compatible with a wide range of devices. It is available on:

• iPhones and iPads through the App Store
• Android smartphones and tablets via Google Play
• Desktops and laptops through Messenger.com or the Messenger desktop app
• Meta Quest VR headsets for video calling in virtual reality

This cross-platform support makes it easy for all members of the family to join a video call from their preferred device.

Cost: Messenger is completely free to use. There are no charges for sending messages or making voice and video calls. 

Final Thoughts

Choosing the best video call app for your family depends on who is joining and what features you need. 

We have presented 6 best video calling apps, and among them, FaceCall in particular, is worth considering. 

FaceCall was built with personal connections in mind.  It adds fun and security to calls by letting you send video greetings and enjoy AI effects. 

Give FaceCall a try alongside the others. 

After all, the most important thing is feeling connected, and these best 1v1 chat alternatives are all here to make that happen. 

Happy calling!