If you use the app for work, it has features that allow you to host up to 50 people, share what’s on your screen, and record the proceedings. It’s Alexa-compatible and can be accessed via web browser and even on an Xbox gaming console. S kype: Skype can be downloaded to smartphones, tablets, and computers. In addition to text and audio calls, it also offers video calls, and in late 2020, it even added support for group video calls. S ignal : The messaging app Signal, which runs on most major platforms (including Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows) is frequently recommended by privacy and security experts, thanks to its strong encryption. Meta is also in the process of “upgrading” Messenger so that you can make and receive video calls between Messenger and Instagram, though you have to opt in to that option first. As noted above, Instagram has yet to offer end-to-end encryption for those calls, but the other two apps do provide it.

Instagram/M essenger/WhatsApp : Meta, the company formerly known as Facebook, owns all three of these popular apps, and all three support cross-platform video calls. If the person you’re calling doesn’t pick up, you can leave a quick video message. Less business-focused than Skype, Google Duo lets you chat with up to eight people. It can be downloaded onto a phone, a tablet, a computer (including via web browser), or even a smart speaker with a display, like the Google Nest Hub Max. Google Duo: This app comes standard on most Android phones, but it’s also available in Apple’s app store. Android users can’t initiate a FaceTime call, however. Now hosts with the latest version of iOS or macOS can send a link to Android users inviting them to join a FaceTime video call.

FaceTime: Apple’s well-known videochat app launched in 2010, but until just a few weeks ago, it worked only on the company’s own devices.

Skype video conferencing for mac