Pros/Key features: Customizable backgrounds A beauty filter (Video settings –> Touch Up My Appearance) Record video to your computer Share screen icon on toolbar.Ĭons: Major security breaches in early April 2020 (subsequent fixes include password protection and the creation of virtual waiting rooms the only free video chat app with a time limit (40 minutes) it can be difficult to use in a web browser (there’s an extension for Chrome or Firefox).

Zoom is available both on desktop and mobile devices. We like that you can customize your background ( here’s how to add in famous works of art!). There’s a free version that you download as an app (with a 40-minute limit on group meetings), or you can pay for additional functionality. Renowned for its high-quality video and sound, Zoom is a popular choice amongst companies and schools for its meetings, webinar and video chat capabilities. If you’re still not committed to a particularly video chat app, consider this your cheat sheet with the various pros and cons to help you find the one that suits your needs best! Best Video Chat Apps Of course it’s also become notorious for some serious security flaws, and was even temporarily banned by MOE due to some horrible ‘Zoom bombing’ incidents. So far Zoom seems to be the most popular choice – it’s not laggy, it’s easy to see everyone at once when you’re chatting a large group, and you can even choose fun backgrounds like the planets or a deserted island.

We break down the pros and cons of each.ĭue to the pandemic and Phase 2 HA, whether your kiddo is suddenly immersed in home-based learning, you find yourself working from home, or you’re trying to stay positiveby doing virtual happy hours or long-distance family catch-ups, there’ve been ample opportunities to try out the various video chat apps currently available. We’ve all gotten a crash course in video chat apps – Zoom, Skype, FaceTime etc.

Skype vs zoom vs