There are the best Facetime Alternatives that you can consider now. For an extended period, Facetime has held its ground as a prominent video calling solution. Facetime hasn’t changed much since it first came out because it follows Apple’s design philosophy. But it only works on iOS devices, which limits the number of people who can use it. On the other hand, many other video calling apps have come out that are compatible with platforms other than Apple’s and have many more features than Facetime.
Because of this, iPhone and iPad users all over the world are now using these other platforms to have video chats with friends and family who don’t have Apple devices. This change is made even more important by the fact that, in the past, a Facetime bug caused audio to be sent before the call was connected. So, people are looking into these best Facetime alternatives because they are worried about Facetime Activation and want to move beyond the limits of being stuck on a single platform.
Why You Might Need a FaceTime Alternative?
FaceTime is a popular way to make video calls, but there are a few reasons why you might need or want to look into other options:
Cross-Platform Compatibility: Apple devices are the only ones that can use FaceTime. If you need to talk to people who use Android, Windows, and other types of devices, you’ll need an alternative that works on more than one platform.
Accessible: Not everyone has an Apple product. If you want to talk to friends, family, or coworkers who don’t have FaceTime, you’ll need an option that is more widely available.
Group Calls on Non-Apple Devices: FaceTime is mostly made for one-on-one or group calls between Apple users. If you need to have group calls with people who don’t have Apple devices, you will need an alternative that lets you do that.
Business and Professional Use: In a professional setting, you might need features like screen sharing, virtual backgrounds, integration with productivity tools, and strong security measures. FaceTime might not have all of these features as well as other video conferencing software.
International Calls: FaceTime works over the internet. It can save you money on international calling fees, but it may not be easy to use in some areas or countries because of network restrictions or government rules. In these situations, other platforms might be safer.
Features to Consider When Choosing a FaceTime Alternative
When looking for an alternative to FaceTime, there are a few key features to think about based on your needs and preferences. Here are some important things to remember:
Cross-Platform Compatibility: Make sure that the option you choose works on different operating systems, such as iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS. This lets you talk to a wider range of users and devices.
Video and Audio Quality: Both video and audio must be of high quality for communication to go well. Look for alternatives that let you make HD video calls and hear clearly even when you have a low bandwidth.
Group calls: If you often need to talk to more than one person at the same time, choose a platform that lets you have group video calls with a good number of people. As more people join the call, make sure the quality stays the same.
Privacy and security: Make sure that the option you choose is concerned with user privacy and security. Look for features like end-to-end encryption, safe data storage, and the ability to choose who can join your calls.
Ease of Use: The platform should be easy to use, even for people who don’t know much about technology. For communication to go smoothly, the controls should be easy to use and set up should be simple.
Best Facetime Alternatives Comparison Table
This table shows the best alternatives to FaceTime and gives an overview of their main features, compatibility, and unique benefits. It helps users choose the best platform for video calling based on their needs, such as cross-platform compatibility, group calls, or special features like screen sharing and end-to-end encryption.
| Feature | Skype | Google Duo | Facebook Messenger | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Messaging | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes |
| Voice Calling | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Video Calling | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Group Chat | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| End-to-End Encryption | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| File Sharing | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes |
| Location Sharing | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes |
| GIF Support | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Stickers | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Platform Support | iOS, Android | Windows, Mac, | iOS, Android | iOS, Android, | iOS, Android |
Features
- Messaging, voice, and video calls
- Social media platform
- Payment services
- Multi-platform support
- Group chats
About 1 billion people use Tencent’s all-in-one app for China every month. It’s also making its messaging service available in more places around the world. Its high video quality isn’t compromised in any way, so it gives the best results on the market. Overall, this is one of the best Facetime Alternatives you can consider now.
Pros
- Feature-rich platform with text messaging, voice/video calls, social media, and more.
- Popular in China and offers seamless integration with various services.
- Supports group chats and multimedia sharing.
Cons
- May have security and privacy concerns due to Chinese government regulations.
- Limited adoption outside of China.
- User interface can be overwhelming for some.
Skype
Features
- Messaging, voice, and video calls
- Screen sharing
- International calling
- Conference calls
- Integration with Microsoft services
Skype has been around longer than any of the other video calling apps on this list and has proven to be the best. We think it’s the best video-calling app for large groups and meetings. Since a long time ago, Skype has been the first choice for global business conferences among professionals. Overall, this is one of the best Facetime Alternatives you can consider now.
Pros
- Widely recognized and used for video conferencing and business communication.
- Available on various platforms, including desktop and mobile devices.
- Supports international calling and screen sharing.
Cons
- Interface can be complex and less intuitive for some users.
- Call quality may vary depending on internet connection.
- Microsoft account requirement might deter some users.
Google Duo
Features
- High-quality video calls
- Cross-platform availability
- Knock Knock feature (preview of caller)
- End-to-end encryption
- Simple interface
Google has made its own video calling app to compete with apps like Facetime and Messenger. It says that its video calls are better than any other video calling app on the market. Many reviewers from big media outlets have confirmed that this is true. Some people even say that it’s better than facetime. Its Knock Knock feature is very easy to use. When the phone rings, the person on the other end can see us live. Still, this is one of the best Facetime Alternatives you can consider now.
Pros
- Simple and straightforward interface, easy to use.
- Offers end-to-end encryption for security.
- Works well even on slower internet connections.
Cons
- Less feature-rich compared to some other alternatives.
- Limited integration with other Google services.
- Might not be as popular as other options.
Features
- Messaging and voice/video calls
- End-to-end encryption
- Group chats
- Media sharing
- Status updates
Another app made by Facebook. The most popular and well-liked messaging app can also be used for video calls. It is also the most popular app in the world, so you might not have to worry about whether the person on the other end is using it or not (except in a few countries where the government has banned it). WhatsApp lets up to 4 people make video calls together. Compared to FaceTime or Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp’s video calls aren’t as good. Thus, this is one of the best Facetime Alternatives you can consider now.
Pros
- Enormous user base, making it widely adopted.
- End-to-end encryption enhances privacy.
- Works seamlessly on mobile devices.
Cons
- Tied to a phone number, which might not be preferred by all users.
- Limited to mobile devices, lacks a dedicated desktop application.
- Owned by Facebook, raising privacy concerns for some users.
Facebook Messenger
Features
- Messaging and voice/video calls
- Integration with Facebook friends
- Group chats
- Stickers and GIFs
- Games and entertainment features
The Facebook Messenger service on Facebook has a lot of features, such as Video Calling. This social media giant does have a lot of users all over the world. If we talk about numbers, there are about 2 billion monthly active users. This app lets you make video calls across different platforms and send photos, videos, documents, contacts, stickers, and a lot more. It also lets the user upload a story that disappears 24 hours after it was uploaded. Overall, this is one of the best Facetime Alternatives you can consider now.
Pros
- Large user base and integration with Facebook social features.
- Supports text, voice/video calls, and multimedia sharing.
- Available on multiple platforms, including web browsers.
Cons
- Privacy concerns due to Facebook’s data handling practices.
- Interface can be cluttered and distracting.
- Requires a Facebook account, which some users might not have or want.
How to Make the Switch to a FaceTime Alternative?
Switching to an alternative to FaceTime can be a great way to try out different ways to communicate based on your needs and preferences. Here’s a step-by-step plan to help you change:
Think about what you need from a video calling app. Know what features you want. Think about the number of people who will be attending, how easy it is to use, how secure it is, and if you need extra features like screen sharing or group chats.
Look into Other Options: Look into other options besides FaceTime. Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Skype, WhatsApp, Signal, and more are all popular choices. Find the one that fits your needs best by looking at its features, reviews, and how other people have used it.
Install and Set Up: Once you’ve decided which option to go with, you can download and install the app on your device(s). Follow the setup instructions, which usually involve entering your email address and making a password for your account.
Add Contacts: If the alternative app has its own contact list, add your friends, family, and coworkers. Some apps might automatically sync with the contacts on your phone or tablet.
Learn the ropes: Take some time to learn how to use the new app’s user interface, features, and settings. This could mean figuring out how to use the buttons, menus, and options to make calls, change audio/video settings, and handle notifications.
FAQs
FaceTime is now on Android as of September 2021. But neither the Google Play Store nor the Microsoft Store have a FaceTime app that you can download. To invite you to a FaceTime call, someone with an Apple device needs to make a link.
Google Duo is like Apple FaceTime in that it is meant for personal phone calls. Duo is different from FaceTime in that it has an app for iOS and Android devices and can be used on the web and some smart devices. Google said that Google Duo and Google Meet would be merged on June 1, 2022.
