From boardrooms to bedrooms, video calling apps that were once only a temporary solution to keep us connected during the pandemic have become an irreplaceable part of our daily lives.
- Companies that use video calling apps for communication say it has reduced the need for travel by 47%.
- It helps speed up the decision-making process in business by 87%.
- 66% of candidates prefer using video conferencing for the recruitment and interviewing process.
Don’t look at these statistics as mere numbers because it is our reality today.
Video calling apps are part of the new normal we live in – whether to make our workflow more efficient, implement cost-cutting measures in our business, or connect with family members living thousands of miles away.
There are countless video calling apps listed on Google Play Store and Apple Store and each one is popular for different reasons.
I compared the 5 most popular ones and here’s what I have found.
Features Common In All The Best Video Calling Apps
- User Authentication
- Group Calling
- AI-Powered Features
- High-Definition Video
- Security Features
My Top 5 Video Calling Apps
1. FaceCall
Platform: iOS, Android
Best for: Individuals and travelers
Cross-platform compatible: Yes
FaceCall is a secure and free video calling app that comes with several AI-powered features, distinguishing itself from rival apps and making a place for itself in a crowded market.
It works on improving communication between individuals and groups – this means no ads or other distractions. Built on trust, it provides end-to-end encryption and ensures all your private chats and messages are protected.
What sets it apart is a feature called Video Caller ID.
Whenever someone calls you, whether from your contact list or anonymously, you’ll get a short video clip of them introducing themselves so you can decide for yourself if you want to pick up the call or decline.
FaceCall is unique as it doesn’t depend on a local SIM card, allowing anybody to create an account and make calls as they go, so the only thing required is a Wi-FI connection.
You can use FaceCall as a 1v1 chat or to make group calls with up to 20 people.
Top Features
- It comes with built-in features, like video templates, auto-search translations, and smart filters.
- It doesn’t store or share user data
- It works great even on lower bandwidth connections without reducing video quality
- Experience high-definition video calls
- Ad-free video chatting without costing you a dime!
Pros
- It is a cross-platform compatible video calling app that doesn’t force you to switch platforms to make calls to your friends
- It is completely free and allows you to make calls as you go with one single tap
Cons
- While it is ideal as a one-on-one app, it can seem limiting for larger groups for video calling.
- While it is best suited for smaller groups, like travellers, to stay connected with their loved ones, it’s not ideal for larger groups, hosting virtual seminars.
2. WhatsApp
Platform: iOS, Android, web browsers, laptops and PC
Best for: On the go video and audio conferencing
Cross-platform compatible: Yes
WhatsApp is a commonly used app used by 58% of people for video calling and instant messaging.
A common reason for its popularity is that it comes as a default app on almost every Android smartphone.
Unlike FaceCall, you need a registered mobile phone number to create an account on WhatsApp.
Despite its calling being blocked in certain countries, like the UAE, it continues to have 300 million active users monthly.
While it does offer end-to-end encryption for audio and video calls, WhatsApp has been under fire for sharing user data with Meta Companies.
You can add up to 32 people to a single video calling session, and with a stable internet connection, it continues to give its users a high-definition video and clear audio.
The video quality drops, giving you a grainy appearance whenever you’ve made a connection to a lower bandwidth. This is not the case with an app like FaceCall.
Top Features
- It comes with built-in features, like screen sharing, filters, speaker spotlight, and virtual backgrounds
- Overall, it is a widely used secure platform, ideal for both one-on-one and group video calls
- It has a user-friendly interface, allowing you to start video calls with a single tap
Pros
- It consumes less data when connected to a lower network bandwidth
- It is easily accessible and cross-platform compatible with various devices. For example, you can connect to a video call using your laptop or web browser, even if the person on the other side is connected through their smartphone
Cons
- While the calls are E2E encrypted, user data is shared with Meta companies.
3. Facetime
Platform: iOS
Best for: Apple users
Cross-platform compatible: Yes (with all Apple devices)
74% of Apple users opt for FaceTime as their primary mode of personal communication.
It has millions of active users despite being an app exclusively designed for Apple users. For many years, only Apple users could join or start a video call on this app, but understanding how restrictive that could be, Apple has allowed Android users to connect to FaceTime chats through web links.
You can make a call using cellular data or Wi-Fi.
FaceTime offers a high-definition video calling experience and clear audio interactions.
It comes with unique features, like spatial audio, that make your video calling experience more immersive.
Top Features
- It offers built-in features, like background blur, beautifying filters, virtual backgrounds, screen sharing, and sharePlay
- You can benefit from live captions that make a simple conversation more accessible, especially if you’re communicating from a noisy place
- All video calls are end-to-end encrypted, making them highly secure and giving their users peace of mind
- It comes with a noise-filtering feature that makes it perfect for on-the-go professional calls
Pros
- FaceTime allows Apple users to make regular video calls, share screens and watch movies together, and also get auto language translations in real-time
- It is a cost-effective option for video calling; all you need is a Wi-Fi connection
Cons
- While it is compatible with all Apple devices, it is limited for Android users as they still can’t start a video call by themselves. They still have to wait for an Apple user to share a link to the video call with them
4. Microsoft Teams
Platform: iOS, Android, laptops and PC
Best for: Students for virtual classes and seminars
Cross-platform compatible: Yes
Microsoft Teams is the second-most popular group video calling app worldwide after Zoom. While it is free to use, to access and benefit from its advanced features, you need to have a paid subscription. About 68% of users have subscribed to at least one add-on feature to improve their video and audio calling experience.
It has many collaborative tools that make it feel like all participants are in the same room. For example, raise hand, screen sharing, live captions, and together mode.
While you can continue to have one-on-one interactions with your friends and family on Microsoft Teams, it is best suited for larger groups, especially if they are students.
Its free plan allows up to 100 participants on a single call, whereas the paid subscriptions can take that number to 10,000.
Top Features
- It offers built-in interactive features, like together mode, screen sharing, hand raise, emoji reacts, and virtual background
- It allows users to record and save video calls, ensuring none of the discussion is forgotten or lost in translation
- It offers end-to-end encryption
Pros
- You can also benefit from live chats to raise a point during the deep discussions, but without breaking the flow of the speaker
- Experience high-definition video calls and clear audio throughout, thanks to the noise-cancelation feature
Cons
- Its audio calls often lag, especially if the internet connection is poor
- Many users believe its interface is complex and overwhelming
- Paid subscriptions are expensive
5. Signal
Platform: iOS, Android, Linux, Windows
Best for: Anybody looking for private and secure video calling experience
Cross-platform compatible: Yes
Signal is a popular video calling app that positions itself as a free and secure alternative among rivals like Zoom and Microsoft Teams. It doesn’t have any add-on features for which you need to buy a subscription. In addition, this app offers end-to-end encryption and protects your information even from the app itself. Other features that enhance your security include user authentication, no data preservation, and an open-source code.
It has many features, like hand raising and dedicated call tabs, that make group collaboration simple. It offers high-definition video quality and clear audio even on a poor internet connection.
Top Features
- It supports up to 50 participants in a video call
- It is a cross-platform compatible app, letting users join video calls from anywhere and any device
- It offers reusable call links, which means the link to join meetings doesn’t expire until the video itself ends. So, users can use them to join a meeting as many times as they want.
Pros
- Users can enjoy ad-free conversations
- It is an open-source code by design, which means you can conduct an audit to check privacy and other security measures at any time you want
Cons
- Users find it hard to sync data between platforms, so sometimes the chats available on your smartphone might not be visible when you join the app using your laptop
Conclusion
Video calling apps were designed to improve communication, making them more accessible and simple (even for older generations who are less comfortable with technology).
This is why it is important for a good video calling app to have a user-friendly interface. In addition, it should ideally be free or offer cost-effective plans.
The best video calling apps are ones with advanced features, high-definition video quality even when connected to lower bandwidth connections, and unquestionable protection. FaceCall offers everything and more – all on one platform!
Try FaceCall now.
