Gone are the days when we only had a few messaging and video chat apps for iPhones. Today, we can choose among many of the best video calling apps available in the App Store. With these apps, calling your family and friends wherever they are has become easier than before. So, let’s take a look and pick the best.
Video Chat Apps Comparison
Video Chat App | Key Features | Compatibility | Price | Editor’s Ratings |
– High-quality video and voice calls – End-to-end encrypted group video calls – Supports group video calls for up to 8 people | – iPhone: Requires iOS 12.0 or later | Free | 9.6 | |
– Share and join group calls using a link – Supports up to 32 people in a group video call – Family mode with fun effects | – iPhone: Requires iOS 13.0 or later – iPad: Requires iOS 13.0 or later | Free | 9.6 | |
– Cross-app messaging and calling – Watch movies, TV shows, and videos together over video chat and rooms – Hosts up to 50 people in a group call with no time limits | – iPhone: Requires iOS 11.0 or later – iPad: Requires iOS 11.0 or later | Free | 9.4 | |
– Crystal clear audio and video calls – Hosts group calls with up to 50 people – 100% synced chats between mobile and desktop, including one-tap transfer of calls | – iPhone: Requires iOS 12.0 or later – iPad: Requires iOS 12.0 or later | Free (In-app purchases start from $0.99) | 9.2 | |
– Virtual backgrounds on the iPad Pro, iPad 5, iPhone 8, and all later models – Invite up to 100 people to join you on video – Join webinars as view-only participants | – iPhone: Requires iOS 8.0 or later – iPad: Requires iOS 8.0 or later | Free | 9 | |
– Supports HD video calls Hosts up to 49 people in a group call – Meet Now for group meetings | – iPhone: Requires iOS 12.2 or later – iPad: Requires iOS 12.2 or later | Free (In-app purchases starts from $2.99) | 9 | |
– High-quality audio and video calls – Use face filters and play games during video calls – Hosts up to 50 people in a group call | – iPhone: Requires iOS 9.0 or later – iPad: Requires iOS 9.0 or later | Free (In-app purchases start from $0.99) | 8.8 | |
– Voice effects and camera filters – Ad-free – No limit on video time | – iPhone: Requires iOS 13.0 or later – iPad: Requires iOS 13.0 or later | Free (In-app purchases for membership start from $9.99) | 8.8 | |
– HD voice and video calls – Use advanced privacy-preserving technology – Hosts up to 40 people in a group call | – iPhone: Requires iOS 12.2 or later – iPad: Requires iOS 12.2 or later | Free | 8.6 | |
– Join using a web link; no login is necessary – Video effects to add fun to your FaceTime call – Hosts up to 32 people in a group call | – iPhone: Requires iOS 10.0 or later – iPad: Requires iOS 10.0 or later | Free | 8.5 | |
– Watch YouTube clips together with friends – Video chat with your favorite broadcaster | – iPhone: Requires iOS 13.0 or later – iPad: Requires iOS 13.0 or later | Free (In-app purchases start from $0.99) | 8.2 | |
– High-quality video calls – Hosts up to 9 people in a group call – Certified by TRUSTe | – iPhone: Requires iOS 12.0 or later – iPad: Requires iOS 12.0 or later | Free (In-app purchases start from $0.99) | 8 |
12 Best Video Chat Apps for iPhone and iPad
1. WhatsApp
Developer | WhatsApp Inc. |
Price | Free |
WhatsApp is the most popular messaging app that connects over 2 billion users worldwide. It allows you to communicate with your friends and family through chats, audio, or video calls. The best part about WhatsApp is that it offers relatively better connectivity than most other apps and uses less mobile data.
Features
- High-quality video and voice calls
- End-to-end encrypted group video calls
- Supports group video calls for up to 8 people
Editor’s Review: WhatsApp is great for making international video calls for free. It is the best video chat app for iPhone, but you cannot use it on your iPad for video calling.
2. Google Duo
Developer | Google LLC |
Price | Free |
Google Duo offers the best video calling quality even with a poor internet connection. It also comes with an interesting “Knock-Knock” feature that helps you to find out who is calling before you go ahead and answer that call.
Features
- High-quality video calls
- Share and join group calls using a link
- Supports up to 32 people in a group video call
- Family mode with fun effects
- Capture and share photos during the video call
- End-to-end encryption for privacy
Editor’s Review: If you face problems like poor internet connectivity or unstable connection, then Google Duo is worth a go as it won’t compromise the video quality.
3. Facebook Messenger
Developer | Meta Platforms, Inc. |
Price | Free |
Facebook Messenger is an ultra-convenient video-calling app with instant games, instant video, secret conversations, and more. It offers a great video calling experience, and the best part is that it makes conversation exciting with face filters.
Features
- Cross-app messaging and calling
- Watch movies, TV shows, and videos together over video chat and rooms
- Hosts up to 50 people in a group call with no time limits
- Family video calls with face filters
Editor’s Review: Facebook Messenger is best for youngsters who want to connect with more Facebook friends without sharing their numbers.
4. Viber
Developer | Viber Media SARL. |
Price | Free, In-App Purchase |
Viber is a great alternative to FaceTime and WhatsApp. It’s fast, reliable, and easy to use, making it one of the best chatting apps for iPad. It allows you to create a 30-second video to capture your moment and send it to your family or friends.
Features
- Crystal clear audio and video calls
- Hosts group calls with up to 50 people
- End-to-end encryption for privacy
- 100% synced chats between mobile and desktop, including one-tap transfer of calls
Editor’s Review: If you want to try something new with many features without compromising your privacy, then Viber is worth a go.
5. Zoom Cloud Meetings
Developer | Zoom Video Communications, Inc. |
Price | Free, In-App Purchase |
Zoom Cloud Meetings is a popular video calling option among professionals. Its audio-video quality is quite great, and it offers Siri shortcuts to join and listen to a meeting using a voice command.
Features
- High-quality video calling
- Virtual backgrounds on the iPad Pro, iPad 5, iPhone 8, and all later models
- Invite up to 100 people to join you on video
- Share your mobile or desktop screen
- Attend OnZoom events (US Beta only)
- Join webinars as view-only participants
Editor’s Review: Zoom is the best option for professional meetings, classes, and appointments.
6. Skype
Developer | Skype Communications S.a.r.l |
Price | Free, In-App Purchase |
Skype supports HD video calls and can run on everything – PC, Mac, Android, and iOS. However, despite the latest updates, it occasionally runs into trouble. Still, it is a good-to-go option for many people who are not tech-savvy.
Features
- Supports HD video calls
- Hosts up to 49 people in a group call
- Meet Now for group meetings
Editor’s Review: Skype is a good option for non-tech savvy people, and from time to time, it also comes up with new features to make video calling more interesting. But, you’ll have to pay for an international call, and today we’ve many other options that provide this service for free.
7. JusTalk
Developer | Jus |
Price | Free, In-App Purchase |
JusTalk comes with interesting video-calling features. It allows you to play games and use filters during a video call. Its simple UI and reliable video calling make it one of the best video chat apps for iPad. JusTalk is a great platform to explore, talk to strangers, and make new friends.
Features
- High-quality audio and video calls
- Use face filters and play games during video calls
- Hosts up to 50 people in a group call
- Private and secure
Editor’s Review: JusTalk makes video calling interesting with its cool features while protecting your privacy.
8. Marco Polo – Stay in Touch
Developer | Joya Communications |
Price | Free, In-App Purchase |
Sometimes, we can’t call our friends or family due to busy schedules or different time zones. But, with Marco Polo, you can always stay in touch with people you care about. You can send them video messages with fun filters and voice effects, and they can check and respond at their leisure.
Features
- Voice effects and camera filters
- Ad-free
- No limit on video time
Editor’s Review: Marco Polo is best for busy people who can’t take time out of their busy schedules. With this, you’re always there for the people who matter the most.
9. Signal
Developer | Signal Messenger, LLC |
Price | Free |
If security and privacy are your top priorities, Signal is the best video-calling app you should try. You can make high-quality video/voice calls and receive and send high-fidelity messages without worrying about your data being shared or collected by other third parties.
Features
- HD voice and video calls
- Uses advanced privacy-preserving technology
- Share your screen during voice and video calls
- Hosts up to 40 people in a group call
Editor’s Review: It’s best for people who care more about privacy and security than features.
10. FaceTime
Developer | Apple |
Price | Free |
Apple users are quite familiar with FaceTime, which allows them to initiate or take part in video calls. The most significant advantage of FaceTime is its integration with Apple devices, which gives you the ability to receive calls even if it is not running.
Features
- High-quality video calls
- Share your screen during calls
- Join using a web link—no login is necessary
- Mic modes for better voice
- Mute alerts while talking
- Video effects to add fun to your FaceTime call
- Hosts up to 32 people in a group call
Editor’s Review: FaceTime is among the best video calling apps for the iPhone and iPad. However, it restricts users who don’t have an Apple device from using all of its features when they join using a web link.
11. Tango
Developer | TangoMe, Inc. |
Price | Free, In-App Purchase |
Tango is a social live community app to meet strangers and make new connections. It’s a place where you can join communities you like and video chat with your favorite broadcasters.
Features
- Great app for making new friends
- Watch YouTube clips together with friends
- Video chat with your favorite broadcaster
Editor’s Review: If you want to make new friends and show how talented you are, then Tango is your best platform.
12. WeChat
Developer | WeChat |
Price | Free, In-App Purchase |
WeChat is famous for allowing users to create group chats with up to 500 people. It also offers thousands of animated stickers to make video chatting fun. Its audio-video quality is quite great, making it a considerable option for video calling.
Features
- High-quality video calls
- Hosts up to 9 people in a group call
- Certified by TRUSTe
- Take pictures and share moments during the video call
Editor’s Review: WeChat is certified by TRUSTe, making it one of the safest options to video call your friends and family with privacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Google Duo works excellently on slow internet speeds on the iPhone.
FaceTime and WhatsApp use less data during video calls on the iPhone without compromising quality.
Yes, you can record video calls on the iPad and iPhone using the built-in screen recording feature.
Conclusion
To make your video calling experience exciting, you can try these best video calling apps for iPhone and iPad.
- Google Duo
- Facebook Messenger
- Viber
- Zoom Cloud Meetings
- Skype
- JusTalk
- Marco Polo – Stay in Touch
- Signal
- FaceTime
- Tango
All these apps allow you to chat with complete freedom. It only comes down to your interests. So, which video-calling app stands out to you the most? Let us know what you’ve chosen in the comments below!
1 Comment
Messenger is just great overall! I’ve been a fan since 2015…