While Skype (with Video conferencing up to 10 people) has been a household mainstream platform for consumers for over a decade, there are several other services that offer the same thing and more. Here are some others to consider:
Google Voice and Google Hangouts: – Google Voice phone service gives you a free phone number to use on your phone, tablet, and computer. The service offers international calling, conferencing, call blocking, ringing any of your phone lines, voicemail and voicemail transcription, text messaging from your phone or computer from your free phone number and more. Currently the service is limited to US subscribers. Android or iOS.
WeChat (Voice and Video Conferencing up to 9 people):- WeChat is a free messaging service for desktop or mobile smartphone (iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Blackberry, Symbian) that offers phone calls, video conferencing and conference calls, instant messages, voice and text messages. WeChat also offers a VoIP service enabling users to make international calls for low rates.
VoxOx (Voice Calls):- VoxOx delivers communication services across desktop and smartphone/mobile devices through it’s VoIP and cloud communications software. Like Google Voice, you get a US phone number that can be used across your devices to call or text. VoxOx features video messaging, voice calls, instant messages, SMS, in chat fax, group conference calling up to 20 people, personal assistant for call routing and screening, visual voicemail, and instant language translation.
You Voice (Voice 1-1 calling and 3-way):- Get the app for free; it is one of the easiest and greatest ways to connect with your friends or with new people.
You Voice has all the messaging features you may need. You can send any type of multimedia, all you need is a stable internet connection. You can use it with your contact list and friends, or with the new people you meet through the platform. If you are offline and someone messaged you, you will get the messages instantly when you go online. You can voice chat with your You Voice Contacts and enjoy all features of the App in parallel.
Viber (Voice and 1-1 Video calling):- Viber enables you to make calls and group calling up to 50 people, video chats, texts, and image sharing over wifi connections. Calls between Viber users are free and start at .013/minute for calling out. Viber works across computers, Windows, iOS and Android smartphone devices.
Line (Voice and 1-1 Video calling):- Line is messaging software that enables real-time voice and video calls, individual and group messaging, photo and video sharing, send voicemails and location information. Calls between Line accounts are free, and calls outside of the app are 1 cent per minute. The service is available for desktops and smartphones (iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Blackberry, and Nokia).
Appear. in (Video Conferencing for 8 people):- Appear. in enables you to video conference up to 8 people. All you need is a browser to run the service. The process involves a straightforward chat room creation with various options. Appear. In works across computers, iOS and Smartphone Android Smartphone devices.
ooVoo (Video Conferencing for 12 people):- ooVoo enables you to video conference up to 12 people. Setup is simple and only requires a browser or mobile app to run the service. You can send a web-based chat to anyone by sending a link to join a video call. The service is available for desktops and smart phones (iOS, Android, Windows Phone).
Talky (Video Conferencing for 15 people):- Talky is a free and simple video calling service for up to 15 people in a room. Setup is simple and only requires a browser or mobile Smartphone app to run the service. Simply enter a room name on the homepage to start a chat. Chat rooms may be protected.
