The 7 best videoconferencing applications for teleworking

Video calls can be made with a single interlocutor or in a group, with a maximum of four participants. However, Facebook has just formalized the imminent possibility that WhatsApp will take care of up to eight people simultaneously. So we stay far enough from the 32 video calls with Apple Facetime, the 50 simultaneous users for Microsoft Skype, and even the 100 people authorized by Zoom. However, those who have experienced video lectures at more than four speakers know that it is often difficult to manage too many participants without an appropriate infrastructure.

What free videoconferencing applications to use ?

The various strike movements invite teleworking. Several applications thus make it possible to make very simply meetings, conferences, video calls from your smartphone or tablet. Overview of different free solutions.

Advertising, your content continues below

Whether it is to televail or simply keep a warmer contact than the good old phone call, there is no shortage of reasons to launch a video conferencing. Several free software offers to keep in touch with your loved ones in a tapping on your smartphone or tablet.

Free videoconferencing applications

Zoom

Zoom, an instant messaging service and multiplatform videoconference, mainly oriented for professionals, but which offers a free version limited to 40 minutes and 100 people that individuals can use.

• Downloads: 8274
• Release date: 19/09/2023
• Author: Zoom.US
• License: Free license
• Categories: Internet – Communication – Productivity
• Operating system: Android, Linux, Online Service, Windows, iOS iPhone / iPad, MacOS (Apple Silicon), MacOS (Intel)

• Android
• Linux
• Online service
• Windows
• iOS iPhone / iPad
• MacOS (Apple Silicon)
• MacOS (Intel)

Difficult not to mention Zoom in this list. Since the security problems encountered in the spring of 2020 and highlighted by the urgency of the health crisis, the American company has revised its copy. It now offers end -to -end encryption, including for free users. No need to join a zoom meeting, but it is necessary if you want to create a. In free version, meetings can count up to 100 users simultaneously, for a maximum duration of 40 minutes per session.

Skype

Skype, a voice reference application on IP (VOIP) and instant messaging that allows you not only to use the Internet to communicate with other users, but also to call fixed and mobile phones at special special rate.

• Downloads: 125
• Release date: 09/22/2023
• Author: Microsoft
• License: Free license
• Categories: Internet – Communication
• Operating system: Android, Google Chrome Extension, Mozilla Firefox extension, Linux, Online Service, Windows XP/Vista/7/8/11, iOS iPhone/iPad, macOS

• Android
• Google Chrome extension
• Mozilla Firefox extension
• Linux
• Online service
• Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10/11
• iOS iPhone / iPad
• macos

WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, although widely used, are not the only possible solutions to make video calls for two or more. Microsoft offers Skype for example – 300 million active users – which also allows group video discussions, up to a maximum of 50 people simultaneously. Often used by players, but also increasingly by companies, Discord allows you to create videoconferences up to 10 people in group messages. We also find Viber, a software published by Rakuten and which, like his little friends, offers video discussions for two, or in a group with a maximum of 5 people simultaneously.

Discord

Discord is free software and multiplates of textual or vocal chat, above all dedicated to video games that has evolved and staying accessible to any type of user.

• Downloads: 154
• Release date: 19/09/2023
• Author: Hammer & Chisel Inc.
• License: Free license
• Categories: Games – Communication
• Operating system: Android, Linux, Online Service, Windows 7/8/8.1/10/11, iOS iPhone/iPad, macOS

• Android
• Linux
• Online service
• Windows 7/8/8.1/10/11
• iOS iPhone / iPad
• macos

On the side of Apple, there is obviously the unbeatable facetime. However, the latter requires that his contacts have an Apple device available so that the one can operate. The number of participants can wait 32 people on video and Apple describes the procedure to be followed in a rather well done.

Advertising, your content continues below

Facetime

FaceTime is the free visioconference application of Apple, available on mobile devices under iOS It allows you to call all your contacts on video (friends, family, colleagues, etc.)).

• Version: 1.3.3
• Downloads: 343
• Release date: 09/19/2019
• Author: Apple
• License: Free license
• Categories: Video
• Operating system: iOS iPhone / iPad

Google offers duo (Android / iOS), an application that requires only a phone number to register. The maximum number of participants is 8 people simultaneously. Again, a fairly well done tutorial is offered on the Google website.

Google Duo

Google Duo is the free Google application that will allow you to chat on video with your friends, family or colleagues during videoconferences. Practical It is available in mobile application (Android and iOS).

• Downloads: 25
• Release date: 12/04/2023
• Author: Google Inc.
• License: Free license
• Categories: Internet – Communication
• Operating system: Android, online service, iOS iPhone / iPad

• Android
• Online service
• iOS iPhone / iPad

If Google Duo is a bit of Apple’s frontime equivalent, the Mountain View giant also has Meet, a videoconferencing application reserved until now for the G Suite. Faced with the rise of zoom, Skype and other Microsoft Teams, Google could not watch the train pass. From Monday May 4, 2020, Google Meet will therefore be available for everyone for free, as soon as you have a Gmail address. Following the many problems encountered by Zoom, Google wishes to limit any inconvenience and will therefore also require some conditions, such as the need to have a Google account to connect (no anonymous person). Google Meet on computer does not require specific application and can be executed on a recent browser. Communications are encrypted, and if you want to record the video, it will also be on Google Drive. On mobile, however, download specific Google Meet applications, available on the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. Sessions are limited to 60 minutes in free mode. Beyond that, it will be necessary to subscribe to the paid offer G Suite. To help you create your first meeting, you can already consult the help offered by Google.

Advertising, your content continues below

Google Meet

Google Meet is a secure videoconferencing application, developed by Google. Available for free, it allows you to group 100 people in a video discussion salon.

• Version: 45.0.328626805
• Downloads: 3683
• Release date: 09/21/2023
• Author: Google LLC
• License: Free license
• Categories: Video – Office – Communication
• Operating system: Android, online service, iOS iPhone / iPad

• Android
• Online service
• iOS iPhone / iPad

Finally, let us emphasize the presence of Jitsi, a very good free alternative on the videoconferencing market. A very correct service, both audio and video side, and there is no limit of simultaneous users, except that of servers and bandwidth. Your data is systematically encrypted and you can also control access to your conferences (which is made via the links) with a password.

Jitsi

Jitsi is an application of instant messaging and completely free and open source videoconference which will allow you to keep in touch with your loved ones and make meetings when you are on telework.

• Downloads: 84
• Release date: 09/22/2023
• Author: 8 × 8
• License: Free software
• Categories: Internet
• Operating system: Android, Linux, online service, 32 -bit Windows – XP/Vista/7/8/10/11, Windows 64 Bits – XP/Vista/7/8/10/11, iOS iPhone/iPad/ Apple Watch, MacOS

• Android
• Linux
• Online service
• 32 -bit Windows – XP/Vista/7/8/10/11
• Windows 64 bit – XP/Vista/7/8/10/11
• iOS iPhone / iPad / Apple Watch
• macos

The most used: WhatsApp

WhatsApp is currently the messaging application leader with more than 2 billion active users around the world. It allows you to send text messages to your contacts, photos, videos or any file. Audio calls-perfect abroad are offered when we have wi-fi, but no roaming-and video.

Video calls can be made with a single interlocutor or in a group, with a maximum of four participants. However, Facebook has just formalized the imminent possibility that WhatsApp will take care of up to eight people simultaneously. So we stay far enough from the 32 video calls with Apple Facetime, the 50 simultaneous users for Microsoft Skype, and even the 100 people authorized by Zoom. However, those who have experienced video lectures at more than four speakers know that it is often difficult to manage too many participants without an appropriate infrastructure.

WhatsApp

WhatsApp is free and secure instant instant messaging that allows you to keep in touch with all your friends or family, you can download it and install it on all platforms.

• Downloads: 18078
• Release date: 09/22/2023
• Author: WhatsApp
• License: Free license
• Categories: communication
• Operating system: Android, online service, Windows 10/11, iOS iPhone, macOS

• Android
• Online service
• Windows 10/11
• iOS iPhone
• macos

Videoconference with one person

Nothing could be simpler, we go to the conversation of our contact and a simple click on “video call” (camera icon) allows to launch the call.

Advertising, your content continues below

Group videoconference

The first step is to create a group with three contacts to the maximum. Once the group is created, you must press on group call (phone icon with a +), select the contacts to be added to the device and then click on the video icon (video call).

Up to 50 at the same time ? Facebook Messenger

Facebook offers an alternative to WhatsApp with Messenger – yet Facebook property also. Used by 1.3 billion users around the world, it has recently required a Facebook account to be used – which is not the case with WhatsApp.

It is possible to make videoconferences to a maximum of 6 people if you want to see all your interlocutors at the same time. Beyond this number, only the video of the person speaking is displayed on the screen-a maximum of 50 people can be added to the group.

Facebook Messenger

Facebook Messenger, free instant messaging that allows you to chat with your Facebook friends in writing, but also on vocal and video call for two or in groups (thanks to the creation of fairs).

• Downloads: 9436
• Release date: 09/22/2023
• License: Free license
• Categories: Internet – Communication
• Operating system: Android, online service, Windows 10/11, iOS iPhone / iPad, macOS

• Android
• Online service
• Windows 10/11
• iOS iPhone / iPad
• macos

Videoconference with one person

Again the manipulation is quite simple, once the discussion is opened with its contact, you simply tap the camera icon at the top right. The call launches instantly.

Group videoconference

The first step is to create a new message. On the next page, we tap on “Create a new group” then add the contacts that we want to contact on video. A tapping on “next” and the group is created. The last step is once again very simple and consists in tapping the camera icon at the top right.

For virtual aperitifs and evenings with friends

Launched in 2016, the Houseparty application is experiencing revival of popularity. Now developed by Epic Games – the company at the head of Fortnite -, the app allows you to regroup virtually with friends and video up to 8 people. Nothing original so far, you will tell us. This is without counting on the fun side: participants can participate in drawing games, questions and answers like Pictionnary, etc. Some of these games are free, others can be added for a certain sum. What to spend a virtual aperitif or other evening with all his friends from a distance. Two downsides, however: the application is entirely in English (including games) and the privacy policy of the app is subject to debate – as often with social applications.

The 7 best videoconferencing applications for teleworking

Nothing more important when working remotely than equipping yourself with high -performance communication tools. Selecting the best videoconferencing apps !

Summary of this article

Google Meet

Google has changed its videoconference application to make it accessible to everyone through its latest, more integrated version: Google Meet, available with its workspace suite.

Google gives you access to all the tools necessary to manage your videoconferences but above all much more, all in a unified and efficient ecosystem:

• Personalized messaging
• Secure online file sharing
• Video chat
• And all the integrated power of Google tools !

Workspace is a real plus for daily management of your activity.

Zoom

The reference solution for meetings and videoconferences. Accessible in web version or desktop, Zoom brings together all the useful and necessary options to exchange remotely in a few clicks. Practical: Zoom meetings synchronize with your calendar.

Skype

Skype is still there after several years of service and remains efficient despite increasingly fierce competition. Skype will allow you to make video calls up to 10 people, share your screen and record your conversions, in its free version.

Webex Meetings

Webex meetings, videoconference with ease ! Enjoy quality video and HD audio functions and live screen sharing. Unlimited number of meetings (up to 24 hours), up to 100 participants.

Blizz

Blizz is the TeamViewer tool, a remote screen sharing leader. Video calls in 4K, screen sharing, up to 5 people in its free version, a whole bunch of options in its paid version !

Livestorm

Livestorm is a complete solution for video communication: videoconference, meetings and wébinars, survey … probably the most complete tool that we have been able to test in its free version !

U meeting

CyberLink offers the U -meeting app for videoconferencing. Accessible in web version and desktop. Up to 25 participants per 30 -minute meeting maximum in its free version, up to 100 simultaneous participants in its paid version.

These solutions are reliable and will meet your daily videoconference needs !

Article written by Thomas
Thomas has been a teleworker for 9 years in the tech & elected CSE field in a company of 50 employees, creator of Teletravail-Info.