Apps like FaceTime have made video calls between two people instant and easy. Don't Forget You Can Make and Receive FaceTime Calls on Your Mac Don't Forget You Can Make and Receive FaceTime Calls on Your Mac Apple's FaceTime is seen in many of its ads, but some Mac users may not realize it. that the application is also available for use on your desktop computer. Read More Not too long ago, setting up a multiparty video chat was a huge pain in the neck, but thankfully that has changed.
No one wants to download a bunch of software How to Invite Someone to an Email Video Conference How to Invite Someone to an Email Video Conference Many of us use video conferencing, whether it's to catch up with friends, or when interviewing for a job . But how do you invite people to an email video conference? Read More We have good news:there are several amazing and simple services you can use for personal video conferencing that cost nothing.
Appear.in offers information on the simplest video conference you can imagine. Visit the site and you can create a chat room with the URL of your choice. Then simply send that link to your friends via text, email, or any other means and they'll join you instantly. There is no software to download and any modern browser will work just fine.
The service allows up to eight people in a room. You can “lock” a room if you are the owner, which requires guests to “hit” when they visit the link. This allows you to see who is trying to join and deny them if you see fit. Screen sharing and text chat (with stickers!) are included, it's as simple as that.
While other tools offer more functionality, Appear.in is your best choice for quick and simple meetings without setup. It's perfect for chatting with people who aren't tech savvy.
ooVoo has been around for a while, but has resurfaced in quite an impressive way recently. Still free of charge, the service now has apps for Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and even Windows Phone and Amazon Fire Phone. It's not available in the browser, so ooVoo is aimed at groups that use the app instead of ad hoc meetings, like Appear.in.
High quality video calls for 12 people (with the option to record), text chat, and even the ability to watch YouTube videos together are included with ooVoo 5 Great Tools to Watch YouTube Movies Simultaneously with Friends 5 Great Tools to Watch YouTube Movies simultaneously with friends Who doesn't like to relax with friends, watch a movie and laugh? Experience all the fun of cinema without leaving your home by using video sync websites. Read More If your friends are already on ooVoo or wouldn't mind trying it out, it's a great option for casual video calls.
True to its name, FreeConference offers powerful video conference calls at no cost. You'll find more business-oriented features in this service than the others, like dial-in numbers for audio participants. FreeConference lets you schedule meetings and send reminders automatically, but you can also start meetings instantly if you don't need advance notice.
Screen sharing call features as well as moderator controls so you can easily silence loud callers. You'll also receive meeting summaries after they're over, and you'll be able to keep track of your meetings with mobile calling apps. The best smartphone apps for free cross-platform video calls. The best smartphone apps for free cross-platform video calls. No matter your platform, from Mac to PC to Android and everything in between, one of these apps will let you make video calls. Read more.
The free plan is limited to 400 audio callers, 10 online meeting users, and 3 video casters. You'll need to upgrade to a paid plan to increase those numbers and add features like call recording. Is it legal to record phone calls? Is it legal to record phone calls? Planning to record phone calls? It's relatively easy, but is it legal? It is best to check your local laws for specific regulations as they may differ from state to state, country to country. Read More
Another business-oriented service, Voxeet prides itself on its proprietary TrueVoice technology that brings crisp, clear voice quality to calls. This claims to deliver concert hall quality with no static or dropped words, which is ideal for important calls. Guests can easily join calls from their browser without PIN calls or calling numbers.
However, this is only the beginning of Voxeet's abilities. The Time Zone Ninja tool makes scheduling across multiple time zones easier. See The Exact Time, and 4 More Awesome Time Tools. See The Exact Time, and 4 More More Awesome Time Tools. Time is what we always have less of. Let's look at some sites that show you what time it is around the world and what you should do with your time. Read More Another cool feature, whisper mode, allows you to have a side conversation with someone during the main call.
If you regularly organize meetings between friends and need a rich set of features, Voxeet is worth a visit.
No list of video calling apps would be complete without Skype, if for no other reason that many of the people you know already use it. Using apps for Android/iOS, Windows/Mac, or just in your browser, Skype lets you connect with your friends for easy video calls. Screen sharing is also supported.
A maximum of 25 people can join an audio call, but Skype vaguely says that the maximum number of video callers varies by device. Please note that Skype's fair use policy states that a group video call can only last four hours. You shouldn't have any problem calling with ten or more friends, as long as they each have a good internet connection.
If you need a more business-focused solution, Skype for Business Basic offers the fundamentals of the Skype for Business platform, including availability status and support for meetings. For most people, however, regular Skype should be enough.
Although close in name, this tool is different from the aforementioned FreeConference. FreeConferenceCall boasts the largest number of participants by far, with support for a staggering 1,000 people. Screen sharing is standard, and the service offers several apps to extend your experience. Invitees simply enter a meeting ID on the website to join instantly.
FreeConferenceCall is the closest free replacement for GoToMeeting How to Present Online from Anywhere How to Present Online from Anywhere Working with a global team or from home? The ability to give a presentation in real time is a professional necessity. Here are five tools to present from anywhere in the world. Read more in this list. Paid features like annotation, presenter mid-call switching, screen recording, and even radio streaming are free. You'll probably never have 1,000 people on a call, but this tool is worth a try if you're interested in your meetings.
These six tools offer different features for different user needs. If you just want to quickly make a family call, it doesn't get any easier than Appear.in. Groups of friends can take advantage of ooVoo's fun options. Skype is great because almost everyone uses it, while FreeConferenceCall, FreeConference, and Voxeet bring business-grade features to personal calls for free.
For more options, check out WhatsApp Video Calling WhatsApp Video Calling Guide:Everything You Need To Know WhatsApp Video Calling Calling:Everything You Need To Know Like other instant messaging apps, WhatsApp offers video calling. Here is everything you need to know about WhatsApp video calls. Read more . Didn't make this list because it doesn't allow group video calls still.
Which free video conferencing service is your favorite? Let us know what you use these tools for in the comments, and share the most participants you've ever had in a meeting!
