And the good thing is that these apps are not limited to 4 or 6 people. Some Android and iOS apps let you chat with up to 25 people at a time. So, if you think that 20 is not a crowd, here are some of the best Android and iOS video conferencing apps that let you video calls with multiple people. Let’s get started.
1. Skype (50 Participants)
Do you have a large group? If yes, you might want to try out Skype (see Skype vs. Skype Lite). This app from Microsoft lets you make calls with up to 50 people. While 50 participants might be too big a number for casual users, you can at least rest assured that you won’t see the “users exceeded” message anytime soon. Also, you better have a large display to accommodate all of them. The best part is that you can call on any device, be it a phone, laptop, or tablet. To place a call, head over to the Call page and tap on the New Call icon. Select the people you want to add to the group and tap on the video button. Yep, as simple as that. Apart from the above, Skype also lets you call up phone numbers directly. This feature comes in use, especially if the person on the other side doesn’t have internet connectivity, and you have to reach out to them urgently. Get Skype
2. FaceTime (32 Participants)
The one limitation of FaceTime is that it’s exclusive to only iPhone and iPad users. If that’s not an issue for you, let me tell you that Apple FaceTime can handle up to 32 participants at a single time. All you need is the phone number and email address of the participants saved on your phone’s Contacts to initiate a call. Did You Know: You can also use your Memoji during FaceTime calls.
3. Zoom Cloud Meetings (100 Participants)
Currently open of the top apps in the Google Play Store, this video conferencing app lets you chat up to 100 persons. But then again, you have to keep in mind that Zoom is not strictly a ‘chat’ app. Instead, it’s meant more for business users and team meetings But the good news is that the free version has plenty of features and lets you carry on your video calls without any issues. Unlike most of the popular video apps out there, here you have to schedule a meeting. Alternatively, you can also set up a meeting and invite participants to it. You will get a Meeting ID and related password. You have to share them with your participants. Apart from that, Zoom comes with several cool features. The one I like the most is that it lets you change your background. So, instead of your room’s messy wall, you can have a cool wall of the Golden Bridge on your background. On a serious note, you can also record your calls and meetings. Perhaps, the best thing is that it’s platform-independent, and you can take your calls from your tablet, Android phone, Windows laptop, or your iPhone. Get Zoom Cloud Meetings
4. Google Duo (12 Participants)
One of the simplest apps in the market, Google Duo lets you connect up to 12 people on a call. Yes, it can get crowded, but that’s where the fun lies, right? It’s worth to be noted that Duo initially had a limitation of 4 people. However, now Google has increased the participant count to 12. What makes this app special is its simple interface. All your frequent contacts are there on the first page. To place a call, swipe up and tap on Create Group and then select from your list of contacts. One of the biggest features of Duo is that it lets you call people on Android and iOS devices. Plus, all the conversations are encrypted, and you needn’t worry about data leaks. Last but not least, I love the live preview mode. With it, you’ll be able to see a live feed from recipient’s camera. The only catch is that the person should be on your contact list. Get Google Duo
5. WhatsApp (4 Participants)
Last but not least, we have WhatsApp. This app is for those who want to keep things simple since it lets you add up to 4 participants in a single call. The interface is simple and straightforward. If you already have a group on WhatsApp, open it and tap on the Call icon at the top of the screen. Next, select the participants and place the call. Simple, right? Get WhatsApp
Social Distancing Done Right
With these apps by your side, you do not need to worry about getting out of touch. So, be it playing a game on the call or catching up with your friends, now you need to download one of the apps mentioned above, and get going. Next up: Searching for games to play with your friends and family? Check out these cool online board games in the article below.
