The conversation about privacy and data protection has never been as loud. While the role of video calling apps in improving communication cannot be undermined, 44% of users worry about being recorded without their consent.
Video call recording helps maintain compliance and security within business communications.
It helps students with note-taking during virtual classes or attending missed lectures.
For service-based industries, it helps identify trends in customer feedback for improved services.
- 22% of video calling app users say they use meeting recording to get a more effective recap of the discussion.
- 59% of Microsoft Teams users say they use the app for internal team meetings.
- 49% of healthcare providers are opting for Zoom video conferencing to offer patient consultations.
While the call recording feature may be controversial for some, it does come with undeniable benefits, like the ability to retrieve information in real-time to avoid misunderstandings, and sometimes, even legal trouble.
Let’s look at the best video call recording apps.
Important Considerations When Using Video Call Recording Apps
1. Ethical Considerations
It is best to choose video call recording apps that are compatible with laptops and PC. Computer-based recordings can offer high video resolution, especially apps like Zoom and Google Meet that have built-in recording features.
62% of educators record virtual lessons for students who couldn’t attend them in real-time.
Obviously, it’s best to go about these recordings the ethical way – by seeking permission. Zoom, for example, sends a pop-up notification to users when they are being recorded.
- Data Storage
How a video calling app uses its data varies. While every app has its own way of data usage, it mostly depends on:
- Video resolution
- Video compression
- Duration
- Audio quality
Generally speaking, a standard video call recording consumes 580 MB, and an HD quality video call uses 1.6 GB per hour.
- Third-party dependencies
Today, many video call recording apps, extensions, and plugins exist. But most of them are deceptive.
This is why you should choose a video calling app that not only provides end-to-end encryption as its first line of defense, but has built-in trustworthy call recording features.
Relying on third-party apps for recording business calls can actually be dangerous, as you never know how they handle user data.
FaceCall is a perfect example of how video calling apps should be. It offers tight security and alerts users when their call is being recorded.
The Best Video Call Recording Apps
1. FaceCall
Security: End-to-end encryption
FaceCall, unlike many of its rivals, offers high-resolution videos even on low-bandwidth connections. It is not only a free video calling app that allows its users to create an account without a registered phone number, but for efficient data usage, it compresses recorded videos.
FaceCall doesn’t take the privacy and security of its users lightly. It has an AI-powered abuse reporting functionality that filters out inappropriate content immediately.
It also comes with a one-of-a-kind Video Caller ID feature that gives its call recipients a brief introduction of the person calling before they pick up.
Top Features
- It’s lightweight and can be downloaded and set up within minutes
- It offers several built-in features, such as abuse reporting and screen sharing
- It’s cross-platform compatible
- It’s ideal for travelers due to the lack of dependency on local SIMs and a strong connection even in remote locations
- You can host up to 20 people in one calling session
- It gives high-resolution video and clear audio, even on a poor network
2. Zoom
Data Usage: It varies depending on the number of participants on call and the features in use, but on average, it uses 540 MB per hour on a standard one-on-one video call.
Security: End-to-end encryption
Zoom is a popular video calling app that comes with a free built-in call recording feature. You can use this feature to record meetings, seminars, and virtual classes.
By default, only the host and co-host can record video calls, although they can make this privilege available to listeners and attendees as well by changing settings.
You can save the recording both in Zoom’s cloud storage and local storage as well. Free plans let you keep the recording for about 30 days, after which it is automatically deleted. If you wish to keep the recording for longer periods of time, you can make the change by clicking on its settings.
Top Features
- It offers built-in features, like screen sharing, breakout rooms, whiteboards, instant chat messaging, and video recording
- It gives HD video quality and clear audio, so you can attend video call meetings without disturbance
- It has many plans, free and paid, with the paid plans unfolding many advanced features, like AI-powered meeting summaries, translations, and live captions
- It not only provides end-to-end encryption to all video calls but also has security features like Waiting Room and Locking Meetings that prevent uninvited guests from intruding on private conversations
How To Record
- Simply start or join a Zoom meeting and seek recording privileges if you aren’t the host
- Click the recording option at the bottom of the screen
- Now you will choose where you wish to save the recording: Zoom’s Cloud or local storage
- You can pause and stop the recording whenever you want; the option is visible on the screen
3. Microsoft Teams
Data Usage: A standard group video call uses 225 MB every hour, and it can go up to 450-1.3 GB if the user chooses HD quality video. The exact amount only depends on the number of participants and video resolution.
Security: End-to-end encryption
Microsoft Teams is a cross-platform video calling app that has a built-in video recording feature. However, you must enable it by changing the meeting and call policies, an option available in Teams Admin Center.
The video recordings are saved either in OneDrive or SharePoint. Both storage options are ideal for regular video call recordings, but if you wish for an advanced compliance-grade recording, you’d have to look for a third-party solution. The reason is the lack of advanced encryption and audit trails in the local storage system.
Most recording on Teams is saved to its local SharePoint, whereas personal video call recordings can be saved on the user’s OneDrive. To ensure privacy and implement ethical policies, all participants are notified through a banner whenever a video recording is in progress.
Top Features
- It comes with comprehensive built-in features, like screen sharing, video recording, live caption, virtual backgrounds and filters, hand-raising, file sharing, and storage
- It has different viewing options: Grid option, where all participants are visible, Speaker View for the speaker to get the spotlight, and Together Mode, so all participants can feel like they are in the same room
- You can schedule the meeting and invite 100 participants on its free plan
- Users enjoy HD-quality video and clear audio through noise cancellation features
How To Record
- Before starting a video call meeting, make sure you log in to the Microsoft Teams Admin Center to enable the video call recording feature.
- You will find an option called “Recording and Transcription,” so make sure you make it available.
4. Google Meet
Data Usage: It uses 0.5 to 1 GB per hour on a group video call. The exact calculations depend on the video quality, number of participants, and network connection.
Security: End-to-end encryption
Google Meet provides video call recording to users with Google One Premium plans. It is also available in its free plan, but you must get permission for it from the organizer or host. Any video call recording is permissible for up to 8 hours, after which it automatically stops.
While the option for video call recording is built in, you might need to use a third-party app for it when joining a call from your smartphone.
All Google Meet video call recordings are available on Google Drive. The folder is called Meet recordings. You might also get an email with the recording link as soon as it’s ready.
Top Features
- Users can enjoy high-definition and 4K video quality video calls with up to 100 participants in its free plan.
- It allows you to adjust your lighting, add filters, or change virtual backgrounds.
- It comes with built-in features like live captions, noise cancellations, 30+ language translations, breakout rooms, screen sharing, and call recording
- Premium plans offer AI-powered features like meeting summaries, note-taking, and studio lighting
How To Record
- Once you start or join a video call meeting on Google Meet, you will see an option called Activities at the bottom right corner of your screen. Select this option first.
- Once the Activities panel is visible, you will see the option of Recording. Click and start recording.
- Before the recording begins, a pop-up window will ask for permission, and this is also the time when all participants will be notified.
5. GoTo Meeting
Data Usage: It depends on the feature you use. Audio calls consume 0.1 Mbps, webcam uses 0.7 to 2.5 Mbps, and screen sharing and call recording features can take up to 2.5 Mbps.
Security: SSL and AES-256 Bit Encryption
GoTo Meeting hosts approximately 80 million video calls every year. It is amongst some of the most popular video calling apps, right behind Zoom and Microsoft Teams, with a 9.31% market share.
This video calling app allows you to record video calls only if the host or organizer gives permission. These recordings are made available both locally and in the Cloud. Only the organizer can share the link to the recorded video calls.
To get access to its cloud recording feature, users must subscribe to its paid plans. A problem with GoTo Meeting is that the recordings are processed and made available after some time.
Top Features
- Users can enjoy high-definition video and an audio system that supports VoIP
- It is a cross-compatible video calling app, so you can join meetings from Linux, Windows, Android, or iOS
- Built-in features like breakout rooms, virtual background, and meeting lock
- It has AI-powered tools that help users transcribe meetings
- It has many interactive features, like hand raising and emojis, to make meetings more engaging
How To Record
- The video call recording option is available to the organizer as soon as the video starts.
- Make sure you have enough space if your plan is to save the recording in a local folder.
- You can pause and stop the recording at any time you want.
Conclusion
The best video call recording apps are those that are easy to use and follow all ethical practices. Since most video calling apps have built-in recording features that notify all participants, it is still better to inform the other person before starting to record.
FaceCall is an emerging secure video call app that not only bridges the gap between video quality and accessibility but also keeps upgrading with features like Video Caller ID.
The transparency makes the user feel safe and secure!
Download FaceCall now.
