The ecosystem divide between iOS and Android certainly has its disappointing moments. Perhaps, the most disappointing thing is the lack of a universal app for texting and video calling between the two platforms. iMessage and Facetime are pretty much the norm for Apple users, but if you want to contact someone who uses an Android device, you will need to look for other options. In this article, we bring you the best “other options” out there. Here is our list of the 7 best free apps to video chat between an iPhone and an Android phone in 2024.
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In This Article
Which is the ideal video-calling app for you?
While downloading a new app for the sole purpose of video calling, there are certain factors you need to take into account. The context of your conversations plays a big role in determining the app you should use. For casual conversations among family and friends, apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram fit the bill perfectly. Their accessibility and already established popularity already make them the front runners for video calling. On top of that, fun features like live effects and face filters significantly elevate the video-calling experience.
Apps like Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams are suited for more formal settings. These apps are perfect for hosting virtual meetings, online classes, and web seminars. The ability to host a large number of people and helpful features like screen sharing, whiteboards, audio transcripts, call recording, and more, make these apps ideal for meetings and conferences.
Lastly, another thing you should consider is the app’s privacy and security features. The good news is that most of the popular messengers offer end-to-end encryption for video calls. This is a standard feature on all of the apps mentioned in this list. Meaning, you don’t need to purchase a premium subscription to secure your calls.
Immensely popular on both platforms, WhatsApp manages to bridge the ecosystem divide perfectly. This year, the Meta-owned instant messenger added ‘screen sharing’ to its arsenal, allowing users to display their phone or desktop’s screen on a video call. The new landscape orientation makes it easier to view presentations on the video call while holding your phone horizontally. Another thing we like about video calling on WhatsApp is its picture-in-picture mode, which contracts the recipient’s video feed into a small box, so you can browse your phone with ease. If either recipient does not have WhatsApp, they can still join a call created using a ‘call link’.
Telegram
Telegram is the closest instant messaging app that comes close to matching WhatsApp’s popularity. One of the better aspects of using Telegram is that you don’t need to share your phone number with the recipient to call them. While the app does require your phone number at the time of registration, it can later be substituted for a username as your profile’s identifier. Video calling on Telegram is a smooth and secure process, especially with end-to-end encryption onboard. Like WhatsApp, you can also share your phone’s screen with the recipient on a video call.
Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger is a great way to overcome platform barriers and get talking easily. If you’re on Facebook, you’re probably already used to having Messenger as your primary messaging app. Apart from standard video calling features, Messenger also has a ‘Watch Together’ option that lets you watch Facebook videos with your friends. You can also make the call more fun, by using live face filters, stickers, and more.
Instagram may be new to the video calling game, but it gets the basics right and brings a lot of flair to the table. Like Facebook, you can use effects and face filters on a video call on Instagram. The call window shrinks in size when you go back to your feed, allowing you to browse the app while also staying on call. Apart from mutual followers, you can initiate a video call with anyone you have a DM thread with. If someone’s DM is sitting in the ‘Requests’ folder, they won’t be able to call you.
Discord
Intended primarily for online gaming communities, Discord has also found its way into other online niches, clubs, and communities, and has grown tremendously in size over the years. If you’re looking for a platform where you can watch a movie with a group of friends, Discord is the name that should come up first. The call stability on Discord is one of our favourite aspects of the entire experience. Since the platform is designed to host video calls with a large number of participants, you don’t need to worry about your call dropping out of the blue.
Google Meet
Google Meet is the ideal app for hosting virtual meetings, online classes, seminars, and more. Once a meeting is created, participants can join using the meeting code. Google Meet allows you to record a meeting, blur your background (or change it entirely), or apply a live face filter. Features like screen sharing and whiteboard are crucial when it comes to recreating the environment of a physical meeting or classroom online. The Google Meet app comes pre-installed on most Android phones as a part of the Google package. iPhone users will need to install it from the App Store and log in using their Google Account.
Facetime
Ending this list is a rather surprising entry because it may be the reason why you looked up this article in the first place. Facetime operates within Apple’s ecosystem, which means it isn’t available on the Google Play Store. You’d think that it is impossible for a video call to take place between an iPhone and an Android phone on Facetime, but that is not the case. Calls created using Facetime’s ‘call link’ allow Windows and Android users to join in as well, albeit with limited functions. Once an Android user clicks on a Facetime link, the call opens up on a webpage and they are put in a waiting room until the call creator lets them in. Once they’re in, they can perform basic functions like mute/unmute, camera on/off, camera toggle, and fullscreen toggle.
Frequently Asks Questions (FAQs)
Which is the best app to video chat between an iPhone and an Android phone?
WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Telegram, and Discord are all great apps to video chat between an iPhone and an Android phone. If you want to host an online meeting with several participants, apps like Zoom and Google Meet would be more up your alley.
Does Facetime work on Android phones?
No, there is no option to install and use Facetime on Android phones. However, Android users can join a call created with Facetime using a ‘call link’.
Which video-calling app should I use to watch Netflix with friends?
Apps like Discord, Scener, and Teleparty let you host Netflix viewing parties with your friends over a video call.
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Conclusion
These are the 7 best free apps to video chat between an iPhone and an Android phone in 2024. While video calling is a free feature on all of these apps, some (like Discord and Telegram) may require a premium subscription to unlock higher-end features. If you manage a large server on Discord, getting a Nitro subscription may be a good idea. Read this article to know if it is the ideal choice for you.
