Staying connected has never been more important, and luckily, chat and video call apps make it easier than ever. Whether you’re catching up with family, collaborating with coworkers, or just having fun with friends, you want an app that’s reliable, secure, and easy to use.
However, with so many options available—each packed with new features like AI-powered call enhancements—it can be tough to choose the best one. That’s why we’ve rounded up the top 10 chat and video call apps to help you find the perfect fit for your needs.
Top 10 Chat and Video Call Apps in 2025
Whether you’re catching up with loved ones or collaborating with colleagues, here are the top 10 chatting and video call apps of 2025 that offer privacy, high-quality video, and seamless integrations with other tools:
1. WhatsApp
There is no doubt that WhatsApp from Meta has an extremely high popularity. So far, it has more than 2.95B users from over 180 countries worldwide. The end-to-end encryption delivers the ultimate privacy protection. You can share text messages, files, voice and video calls with families, friends, and coworkers without worrying about security. Moreover, it is a subscription-free app that works smoothly even in areas with slow connection speeds.
Highlighted Features:
- End-to-end encryption of messages, calls, photos, and videos
- Create up to a 1,024-member group
- Group video calls for up to 32 participants
- High-quality voice and video calls, even in low bandwidth conditions
- Share locations or record voice messages in case of emergencies
2. Telegram
As one of the top 5 apps in the world, Telegram has over 950 million active users. Its group chat feature is so powerful. You can create group chats with up to 200,000 members. In the group, you can effortlessly send instant messages and share videos and documents within 2GB. While it offers impressive features, the interface remains intuitive. Everyone knows how to use it once downloaded.
Highlighted Features:
- Allow up to 200,000 members in one group
- Auto-delete messages after a certain time
- Sending audio/videos/documents up to 2GB
- Manage multiple accounts on one device
- Register with usernames instead of phone numbers
- Support bots for automated tasks and integration with other services
3. Zoom Workplace
As its name indicates, Zoom Workplace encompasses a full set of productivity and communication tools. When used as a call and video app, you can benefit from its impressive features including group team chat, meetings, whiteboard, calendar, mail, docs, and more. It is a good choice to bridge your teamwork on the go. What’s more, the capable free version is enough for personal users.
Highlighted Features:
- One tap to chat/join video meetings
- Place/receive phone calls
- Picture in Picture on Android phones or Split Screen on tablets for efficient multitasking
- SSO (Single Sign-On) feature for data security
- Voice access commands for hands-free control
- Organize and share information with Zoom Docs, whiteboards, meeting summaries
4. Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger helps you get in touch with people anytime, anywhere. You can find and keep in touch with your friends and families without a cell phone number. Deeply tied to Facebook’s social properties, Messenger is also the one-stop app for exploring interests, building a community, or sharing unspeakable emotions.
Highlighted Features:
- Make high-quality voice and video calls with up to 50 participants
- Send text messages, emojis, GIFs, and multimedia files effortlessly
- Create and manage group chats with multiple contacts
- Connect with Facebook friends
- End-to-end encrypted chats (edit/recall supported)
- Create shared albums
5. Microsoft Teams
You’ve probably heard that Skype is officially shutting down (RIP), replaced fully by Microsoft Teams. Designed for remote work and collaboration, Teams combines chat, video conferencing, and file sharing in one powerful platform. In 2025, Microsoft has enhanced its AI-driven features, including real-time meeting transcriptions, smart scheduling, and improved integration with Microsoft 365 applications.
Highlighted Features:
- Seamless integration with Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.)
- AI-powered meeting summaries and transcription
- Virtual meeting rooms and webinar support
- Secure end-to-end encryption for business communication
- Supports large video conferences with up to 10,000 participants
6. Line
LINE, a free VoIP program, has changed the way people communicate. In addition to the ability to make landline calls, Line brings family, friends, and loved ones closer together by offering emoticons, stickers, group messaging, and the ability to share multiple media with other Line users. In addition to being used to share your life and stay in touch, you can also use Line Pay to make purchases. It can also be used to hail a cab when traveling in Japan.
Highlighted Features:
- Enjoy voice and video calls with the LINE friends
- Create large group chats with up to 200 members
- Stickers and emojis supported
- Letter Sealing encrypts your messages, call history, and location information
- Line Pay for payments through the app
- Keep informed and entertained with news, entertainment, and other content
7. FaceTime
Developed by Apple, FaceTime is a chatting and video call app for iPhones/iPads. In a single call, you can have up to 32 people. Even if not on the latest device, it still runs smoothly. You can not only leave a video or audio message to express exactly what you want to say, but you can also control the other person’s device remotely when screen sharing is permitted.
Highlighted Features:
- High-quality audio-only or video calls
- Up to 32 people group calls
- Enhanced audio effects like echo cancellation and noise suppression
- Create FaceTime links to allow anyone to join
- SharePlay allows sharing screens, watching movies, and listening to music together
- Organize participants with a grid view
8. Signal
Developed by the Signal Foundation, Signal has privacy at its core. Applying the open-source Signal Protocol, even the development team knows nothing about users and their conversations. The end-to-end encryption ensures all the conversations and attachments including texts, voice messages, photos, videos, GIFs, and files are completely private.
Highlighted Features:
- End-to-end encryption
- Send texts, voice messages, photos, videos, GIFs, and files for free
- Create up to 1,000 people group chats
- Group calls supported for up to 40 people
- Auto-delete images, texts, and video Stories after 24 hours
9. WeChat
WeChat integrates messaging, social, and lifestyle into one app. It has over one billion users worldwide. You can not only make real-time voice/video calls with friends and family but also leave voice/video/picture messages. In its Moments, you can share posts for those memorable moments in your life. It also integrates many third-party services. You can enjoy one-stop shopping and other services with WeChat Pay.
Highlighted Features:
- Make high-quality audio and video calls in real-time
- Message friends using text, photo, voice, video, location sharing, etc.
- Create group chats with up to 500 members
- Make group video calls with up to 9 people
- Customize stickers or create Selfie Stickers
- The "Look around" feature allows you to meet people nearby
10. Discord
Discord is originally designed for gamers. Now it has become a versatile communication tool for various communities worldwide. Besides messaging with voice, video, and text chats across devices, you can even watch videos, play built-in games, listen to music, or just scroll together and spam memes. Overall, you can always find someone and something to kill time once joined in.
Highlighted Features:
- High-quality voice and video calls with screen sharing
- Organize conversations into different servers and channels
- Send private messages to individuals or groups
- Create and use custom bots for various tasks and automation
- Connect with other apps and services for enhanced functionality
How to Choose the Right Chat and Video Call App for You
Choosing the perfect chat and video call app can feel a bit tricky with so many options out there. But don’t worry—by asking yourself a few key questions, you’ll find the tool that fits your needs like a glove. Here’s how to narrow it down:
Assess Your Primary Needs
Start by asking: What will you use it for?
- Personal use: Look for apps with fun features like filters, stickers, or easy group calls (e.g., WhatsApp, FaceTime).
- Work or school: Prioritize screen sharing, recording, and calendar integrations (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams).
- Both? Hybrid apps like Google Meet offer flexibility for casual and professional chats.
Check Compatibility
Your app should work seamlessly across your devices and your contacts’ too. If you’re an Android user but your best friend swears by iMessage or FaceTime, cross-platform apps like Telegram or Signal keep everyone connected.
Prioritize Security
Privacy matters! Opt for apps with end-to-end encryption (E2EE), which scrambles messages so only you and the recipient can read them. Signal and WhatsApp excel here.
Compare Features
Make a checklist of must-haves:
- Group call limits (Zoom allows 100+ participants on paid plans)
- File-sharing capabilities
- Custom backgrounds or live captions
- Integration with tools like Slack or Google Drive
Test the User Experience
A clunky interface ruins the vibe. Download a few options and try them! If your grandma can figure it out in 10 minutes, you’ve got a winner.
Consider Performance and Reliability
Nothing’s worse than a frozen screen mid-conversation. Read reviews to gauge video quality and server uptime. Apps like Discord handle high traffic well, while FaceTime leverages Apple’s ecosystem for smooth performance.
Budget Wisely
Many apps are free but may have limits (e.g., 40-minute calls on free Zoom). Need advanced features? Compare subscription costs. For example, Microsoft Teams starts at $4/month.
Building Your Own Chat and Video Call App? Try TRTC’s Solutions
If you’re a developer looking to build a chat and video call app, choosing the right technology stack is crucial. You need a solution that ensures low latency, high-quality communication, and seamless integration—all without breaking the bank. That’s where Tencent Cloud’s TRTC (Tencent Real-Time Communication) solution comes in.
TRTC is a powerful, cost-effective communication platform that provides stable and reliable text, audio, and video transmission services. Whether you’re developing a messaging app, video conferencing platform, or a real-time interactive experience, TRTC allows you to quickly integrate chat and video calling features with just a few lines of code.
Feature-Rich Chat Messaging Solution
TRTC’s Chat functionality goes beyond basic messaging, offering advanced features such as:
- Rich Media Messages: Supports text, images, audio, and video messages.
- Threaded Replies: Enables users to reply to specific messages within a conversation thread.
- Message Essentials: Includes offline messaging, message recall and deletion, read receipts, presence indicators, push notifications, and exportable chat history.
- Message Analytics: Allows developers to monitor and optimize chat experiences with real-time usage and quality metrics.
- Security & Compliance: Ensures user data privacy with TLS/SSL encryption and data deletion options to comply with regulations.
- AI-Powered Message Translation: Supports over 100 languages, allowing seamless global communication.
High-Quality Real-Time Calls with Low Latency
TRTC’s Call functionality delivers exceptional voice and video quality with low latency, even in poor network conditions. Key features include:
- One-on-One & Group Voice/Video Calls: Scalable communication for any social or business use case.
- AI-Powered Noise Cancellation: Reduces background noise for clearer conversations.
- Offline Call Notifications: Ensures users never miss an important call.
- Multi-Device Synchronization: Enables smooth transitions across devices.
- Robust Performance in Weak Networks: TRTC maintains audio calls even with 80% packet loss and video calls with 70% packet loss, ensuring reliable connectivity worldwide.
Conclusion
With so many great chat and video call apps available, the best one for you depends on what matters most—whether it’s top-notch video quality, strong privacy features, or fun extras like filters and reactions. The key is finding an app that fits your lifestyle and keeps your conversations smooth and hassle-free. No matter how or where you connect, there’s an app out there that’s perfect for you. Ready to upgrade your chats? Try out a few and see which one feels just right!
FAQs
Which app is best for secret video calling?
Developed by a non-profit team, Signal is the best app for secret video calling. Besides regular end-to-end encryption, it also applies open-source Signal Protocol to ensure complete privacy. The team commits to user privacy, with no ads or trackers. In Signal, you’re the master of everything about yourself, no one including the development team knows anything about you and your chats.
Is WhatsApp video call free?
Yes, WhatsApp video calls are free of charge. It uses data from your mobile plan or Wi-Fi. This makes WhatsApp a perfect chatting and video app for cross-country connections.
Which app is best for chatting and calls?
The best app for chatting and calls depends on your needs. WhatsApp offers free messaging and encrypted calls. FaceTime is great for Apple users. Zoom is reliable for video calls, especially for work. Discord is ideal for communities and gaming. Choose based on your device and preferences.
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