Here are a few quick stats for you:
- A 10-minute video call on WhatsApp consumes 50 MB of data
- A 1-hour Zoom call takes up to 1.2 GB.
Because video calls are now part of our daily lives, choosing a low-data-consuming video calling app makes a lot of sense.
Not only does it increase battery life, but it also turns out to be a more cost-effective solution. A video calling app that consumes less data performs better even with a poor internet connection and is accessible in remote areas. In fact, they give you the best group calling experience.
Zoom holds a 60% market share in the US video calling app industry. Despite having such a large consumer base, it is infamous for consuming large amounts of data.
FaceCall, on the other hand, not only works well under lower bandwidth connections, but it is so lightweight that it takes literally seconds to download on your device.
Let’s look at some of the best video calling apps with low data usage.
Factors That Increase Data Consumption
Cloud-based video calling apps have a 73% market share, even though they use more data. The reason cloud-based video calling apps have such a large market share is our lifestyle.
We rely on video calling apps for both work and play. Whether it is to attend an online class, a team meeting, or simply catch up with friends across the country, video calls are how we stay connected. Most of them are free of cost and come with unlimited call time, so you don’t have to worry about time or money.
But the idea is to make these video calls more efficient. And one way to ensure that is to opt for a video calling app that consumes less data. It reduces audio lagging, grainy video quality, and constant call drops.
So let’s briefly look into the common reasons for higher data consumption by some of the popular video calling apps.
1. The Number of Participants in a Video Call
42% of users report a decrease in video quality when there are more than 10 participants. This number drops significantly to 17% with smaller groups.
Of course, with more participants comes higher data consumption since each one joins with their own video and audio connection.
2. Video Quality (SD vs HD)
The quality of video the app offers has a huge part to play in the amount of data it will consume every minute. Video calling apps offering full HD quality require more bandwidth and obviously, more data.
Additional features that increase the data usage are video resolution, frame rate, and internet connection.
Video compression is another feature that helps reduce data usage without reducing video quality. So, choose an app like FaceCall as it uses its bandwidth more efficiently.
3. Length of the Video Call
42% of users have been in a video call that has lasted more than an hour in the last month. The more call time you take, the more data the app will consume.
4. Activities during the Video Call
Screen sharing is one of the most commonly used features offered by video call apps, like Zoom and Microsoft Teams. And yet, 36% of users have experienced screen sharing failures at least once a month.
This is not only embarrassing but also incredibly inconvenient. It takes you off your game, especially when giving presentations.
But did you know that such features need more bandwidth and data usage? The feature you use influences data consumption by the video calling app.
5 Best Video Calling Apps with Low Data
1. FaceCall
- Platform: iOS and Android
- Encryption: End-to-end encryption
- Cost: Free
FaceCall is a widely used video call app for personal interactions that is super lightweight, taking literally seconds to download on your device.
What makes it a standout amongst its rivals is how efficiently it uses its bandwidth. It gives you high definition video quality even on lower bandwidth connections by leveraging video compression.
This cross-platform compatible video calling app is highly secure, offering end-to-end encryption and features like Video Caller ID that show you a brief introduction of the person calling you even before you pick up.
Unlike WhatsApp, FaceCall doesn’t even rely on a SIM card. You can create an account on this app without needing a registered phone number. This makes it an essential item for travelers, substituting the purchase of local SIMs to stay connected.
Top Features
- AI-powered features that remove inappropriate content immediately
- Cross-platform compatibility
- High video and audio quality, even on low-bandwidth connections
- Screen sharing, virtual backgrounds, and abuse reporting
Pros
- It is lightweight and performs well on lower bandwidth connections
- It isn’t dependent on a registered phone number
- It provides military-grade privacy
- It is completely free of cost
2. IMO
- Platform: iOS, Android, Windows, MacOS
- Encryption: End-to-end encryption
- Cost: Free
IMO is a video and voice calling app popular in India, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. Not only does it allow users to make cross-platform calls, but it is highly secure with end-to-end encryption and features like Time Machine, Block Screenshot, and Disappearing Messages.
You can make group calls to 100,000 people at once without worrying about high data consumption. IMO uses its data efficiently even on HD calls, helping you avoid connectivity errors and audio lag.
You can improve your video calling experience through features like message translations and file sharing.
Just like FaceCall, IMO is another free international video calling app that works well on lower bandwidth connections. However, the only problem you can find with it is that it comes with ads.
Top Features
- IMO ensures high-quality video and audio by eliminating stutters
- It works really well on poor network connectivity
- It has built-in features like Time Machine, Block Screenshot, and Disappearing Messages that promote security during group calls
- Cross-platform compatible
Pros
- It works well on various devices, from laptops to smartphones, requiring signals from somewhere between 2G and 4G
- It supports over 50 languages, helping translate messages immediately to make communication easier
- You can host up to 100,000 participants
Cons
- It contains ads, which can be annoying for users
3. Signal
- Platform: iOS, Android, Windows, MacOS, Linux
- Encryption: End-to-end encryption
- Cost: Free
Signal is a popular group and individual video calling app that had only 12 million users in 2020.
In 2024, it experienced a massive breakthrough, reaching 70 million users worldwide. The sudden shift wasn’t a mere coincidence, but an active decision users have started to take to ensure their privacy.
It does so by not collecting and sharing user data with third parties. Also, because it is an open-source application, it gives complete transparency to its users as they can conduct security audits whenever they want.
Signal really hangs on to its security features, as you have full control over features like the camera and microphone.
While Signal isn’t low data on its default settings, you can change that by going to its Data and Storage settings. Simply enable the “Use Less Data” option and choose Wi-Fi only calls. Another thing you can do to reduce data consumption is to disable the feature that allows automatic file downloads.
Top Features
- High-definition video and clear audio free from stutters or lag.
- All video calls and text messages, whether group or individual, are end-to-end encrypted.
- Up to 50 participants are allowed on a group video call
Pros
- Signal depends on your phone’s data connection, helping you avoid excess charges for SMS and MMS fees.
Cons
- It doesn’t offer any cloud storage
4. WhatsApp
- Platform: iOS, Android, Web
- Encryption: End-to-end encryption, but shares user data with Meta companies
- Cost: Free
WhatsApp is the most popular video and voice calling app that can host up to 32 participants on one call. Whether it uses low data depends on factors, like the time period and video and audio use.
A single minute on a WhatsApp video call can consume about 3 to 6 MB of your data, depending on your internet connection and video resolution. Voice calls are more data efficient, as a 10-minute call would take up only 4 MB, whereas a video call takes up 50 MB for the same call length.
While all voice and video calls are end-to-end encrypted, meaning only the participants can hear and see the call, WhatsApp has recently come under fire as it has been exposed for sharing user data with Meta.
This has made users look for WhatsApp alternatives, like Signal and FaceCall, which they find more secure and transparent. Despite the concerns, it continues to have more than 2 billion users worldwide.
WhatsApp offers high-definition video calls for free; all you need is a good Wi-Fi connection.
Top Features
- It is a free video and voice calling app that allows you to host 32 participants on a single session.
- It is also an instant messaging app that you can use to share files, voice notes, and images.
- It is cross-platform compatible and is often the default video calling app on most Android smartphones.
Pros
- It comes with built-in features like Spotlight Speaker, Screen Sharing, Disappearing Messages, and Landscape Mode
- You can use filters to enhance the video calling experience
Cons
- It can be a high data-consuming app if you opt for HD quality videos
- Users have security concerns
5. Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is a video conferencing app that is popular amongst students and corporate employees. Just like Zoom, Microsoft Teams experienced a sudden growth during the pandemic. From having 20 million users in 2019, it doubled the count to 44 million users by 2020.
It uses less data compared to other video calling apps. For example, a standard video call uses up to 225 MB of data every hour. Of course, the data usage increases as the quality of video increases from standard to high definition.
While it does offer a paid subscription, its free plan is worth mentioning. It allows you to host 100 participants on one call and hold the call for 60 minutes. With paid plans, the number of participants can go up to 1000.
It is highly interactive, making meetings and virtual classes more fun as you can use emoji responses, like hearts and applause. You can also virtually raise your hand during an important discussion. What it does is it keeps the flow of the conversation without interrupting the speaker.
Top Features
- It adapts video quality to match lower bandwidth connections.
- It allows up to 100 participants on the free plan
- It comes with built-in features like video recording, virtual backgrounds, filters, live captions, and meeting transcripts
Pros
- You can cap the amount of data you use during a video call, giving you complete control over whether you join from a laptop or a smartphone.
Cons
- Users often experience audio lag and call drops
Conclusion
Advanced features, cost-free plans, and security are some of the common aspects a person looks for when choosing a video calling app.
Most of us neglect the data usage aspect, often suffering once the app is already installed or in use. This is highly inconvenient.
It’s always best to choose an app that uses low data, along with other features, before you truly commit to it.
FaceCall is that one video calling app that fits the bill entirely.
Try FaceCall now.
