Best Video calling apps of 2020 for professionals
If you want something for a more professional setting, then these are your best options. Video calling is about as easy as it can possibly get these days. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to limit face-to-face association, most of us are relying on video calls to keep in touch with work colleagues, family, and friends. There are plenty of options available for those looking to video chat with their friends or family.
Here is the list of best video calling/chat apps:
Zoom
Skype
Microsoft Teams
Cisco Webex
Google Duo
Google Meet
Slack
Hangout
Jiomeet
Discord
Guide for choosing the best app
- There's absolutely no risk involved. But if you want to know where to start, the best advice is to take stock of what you need this app for.
- If you're just looking to chat on your phone alone, Duo, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger will enough.
- However, if you and your friends use a number of devices to connect — phones, tablets, computers, and so on — or your need is more professional or collaborative, we recommend leaning toward Zoom, Skype, or Discord.
- Ultimately, you'll probably end up on whatever video chat app your friends and family already prefer using — that's the way these things tend to go.
1. Zoom
Zoom is a cloud-based video conferencing service you can use to virtually meet with others - either by video or audio-only or both, all while conducting live chats - and it lets you record those sessions to view later. A-Zoom Meeting refers to a video conferencing meeting that's hosted using Zoom. Zoom Rooms require an additional subscription on top of a Zoom subscription and are an ideal solution for larger companies.
2. Skype
It's also well-suited to connecting to people who don't have devices of their own, and perhaps are restricted to landlines or a basic cell phone. Because Skype supports international calling and texting, it's a comprehensive solution for friends and family countries away.
3. Cisco Webex
Webex is a video conferencing app that has been while it’s been mainly known as a business application and continues to focus on serving companies, For the current emergency, it has widened the features of the freemium version from 50 to 100 participants, and you can meet for up to 50 minutes.
4. Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams was built as a competitor to Slack and is an especially good idea if you’re part of the Office ecosystem. Until recently, it was mainly focused on business use. Microsoft has now stepped out of its three-piece suit and unveiled a free personal version of Teams that works on iPhones and Android devices and lets anyone chat, talk, or have video meetings with up to 20 people.
5. Google Duo
Google Duo supports a range of fun features and allows you to record and send video messages, so you can connect to friends and family, even when they're not available at the same moment in time. Google also has its mobile app Duo, which was built as a consumer app. All participants must be Duo users, which can be an issue for wider use.
6. Hangout
Google Hangouts the “classic” version, which is still available, although the company is not promoting it, especially to G Suite users and corporate customers who are being encouraged to use Meet. All that being said, if you’re feeling old-fashioned, you can use Hangouts to video chat with up to 10 people if you’re using Gmail or G Suite Basic up to 25 You can add text messages and share screens, but that’s about it. Still, if you want quick and easy, this is worth checking out.
7. Google Meet
Google Meet is Google's option for video calling and sits alongside Google Chat. It does have a separate app, but most people who use it are customers of Google's G Suite, which is basically Gmail, Calendar, and Docs but for business.
8. Slack
Slack is a little different from the competition as it's more of an open platform. It works as a central place for communication that pulls in third-party apps to make it work.
9. Jiomeet
JioMeet is a new video conferencing app. Unlike Zoom, JioMeet is absolutely free right now and comes with features such as video calls with up to 100 participants, screen-sharing, scheduled meetings, etc. Reliance Jio has launched JioMeet, a new video conferencing app for India. JioMeet is a cross-platform service, which means it is supported on all major operating systems including Android, iOS, Windows 10, macOS, and the web.
10. Discord
Gamers already know Discord as a great resource for connecting with their friends over text, but did you know Discord supports video chat, too? Additionally, because it allows for streaming in the app itself, it's a great way to play some games with friends, by streaming one user's screen content to the rest of the group.