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Video chat comparison: Skype vs Messenger vs FaceTime vs Viber vs Duo

AndroidPIT best messenger apps new hero
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Many applications allow you to have voice and video conversions, which, unlike telephone technology of old, are transmitted via the internet. But how do you choose among all these apps? Read on for which video chat app you should choose for Android.

Before we present the advantages and disadvantages of each of these applications, it is important to clarify several things. The quality of the video and fluidity depends on many factors, ranging from internet connection to the front camera quality.

The worse the connection, the more the call sputters and the image quality gets distorted. By the same logic, if the picture quality of your front camera is bad, it is obvious that you shouldn't expect miracles, especially when your lighting is poor. The phone's performance may also be a factor, but flagships are not really a problem, just low-end devices and some mid-range.

Below are some popular applications to communicate directly in real time with video.

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Skype

Skype is probably the most popular application of this list, and it's not for nothing. This was primarily the big star on computers (Windows, Mac and Linux) and, faced with such popularity, a mobile version was obviously necessary.

Unlike other instant messaging applications, Skype does not use your phone number to identify you. You must create an account using an email address, allowing a bit more anonymity. You don't have to provide your main email address or real name.

Skype allows you to do more or less everything possible from a normal video chat app: text, audio and video. The number of emojis and animated images has increased significantly in recent years, making the application a little less pure. Sending files is of course possible, as well as taking photos and videos directly from the application.

Regarding audio and video calls, I can say from experience that the quality is very satisfactory. Again, it all depends on the device used and the quality of the connection, but overall it's very fluid on the audio front, slightly less with video but it also depends on the camera quality. What may appeal to some is that you can make group video calls.

AndroidPIT skype app 1
The quality of a Skype call depends on the device and connection. / © NextPit

What's not good about Skype

The fact that Microsoft owns Skype may bother some. The Redmond, Washington company has appropriated Skype and obviously uses it in its own way. So confidentiality and management of your privacy may be questionable, like all of the huge multinationals.

The application has been greatly simplified since a while ago when it was rather slow. Today it is a little too simplistic for my taste, even childish. Also, I do not really like the light blue (which also reminds me of the old version of TouchWiz). Well, that's a matter of taste.

Another negative: the complexity of the contacts. Some courier directly analyzes the directory to find out whether the contacts on Skype could be added to your list (and if your contact accepts you). This is not a big effort for most, but for some it can be a little more difficult.

FaceTime

FaceTime is an application designed exclusively for Apple products. It is present by default on all MacBooks, iPads and any iPhone. Unlike other applications of this list, FaceTime has a clear, clean and precise objective: audio and video communication. Clearly, this application offers no superfluous functions: no smileys, text, gifs, etc. Its interface is uncluttered – to our delight.

Having a minimalist interface and functions is a good idea and through this Apple is able to keep the quality high. It is impossible to say which application on this list is the best because too many factors come into account, but several of my colleagues consider this application as the best in the field (and these are Android fans!).

AndroidPIT facetime app 1
FaceTime is the star of Apple. / © NextPit

What's not good about FaceTime

If you are looking 'Swiss Army knife' app that allows you to chat and immortalize moments in pictures, you do not want FaceTime. You can install WhatsApp Messenger, Viber or Skype, but FaceTime will not meet your needs.

Keep in mind that this is an application from Apple, it is designed for Apple users. If you want to make video calls with contacts that do not have an iPhone or Mac, it will go through another application.

Viber

Viber is an alternative to the giants of communication. In practice, it allows for more or less the same as its competitors: texting, sending pictures, emoji, possibility taking a picture or video and sending files saved on the phone.

The advantage of this application is that it can be used on multiple platforms, including PC (even Linux). So you can make video calls your smartphone when you're outside, and from your computer or tablet when you are home. In addition to this, it scans your Viber contacts (like with WhatsApp). This is very convenient because you do not have to add contacts manually.

Regarding video calls, there is nothing special to report since the application does what is expected. Again, do not expect to see great results if you do not have a quality camera and a good internet connection. But from what I could see (and what you can see for yourself even in the picture below), the picture is clear and the video relatively smooth.

AndroidPIT viber app 1
In terms of quality, Viber is pretty good, but unfortunately underused. / © NextPit

What's not good about Viber

Viber requires a lot of permissions, which can cause problems for the most cautious of us. But the real problem is not security but rather the number of application users: many have installed and then quickly uninstalled because their contacts do not use the app. Viber is a typical example of a good application that cannot win against the competition.

(Facebook) Messenger

The biggest advantage to Messenger is that everyone uses it. And since everyone uses Facebook, many people use Messenger. In summary, if you use Facebook, it is very likely that you'll find all your contacts directly within the application. You can also use the app without your Facebook account, which then necessitates a phone number.

Messenger offers text messaging, emojis and a large number of moving images to convey emotion easily. It is possible you to make audio and video calls for free, as long as you are connected to the internet, of course.

With texts as well as voice communications, you can go through the groups and talk with several people at once, which is a handy feature. Regarding sending files, of course you can access all your files and transfer them to your contacts. You can also share your location or take a photo or video directly from the application.

As explained in the introduction, image and sound quality depends on several factors but overall quality on Messenger is good (not particularly great though). You get decent quality images and resolution. From what I can tell, this is not comparable to Duo and FaceTime, the quality seems much better on these two applications. 

AndroidPIT messenger app 1
Messenger is the most popular but not the best. / © NextPit

What's not good about Messenger

As often with Facebook (and Google, for that matter), confidentiality and management of private data is often questionable. You either give your number or use Facebook, not to mention the necessary authorizations, data management, etc.

Facebook has improved the safety of its application (and that of WhatsApp) improving data encryption (end-to-end). This certainly protects possible external problems to the network but not ownership and resale of private data.

Another negative point, it's not possible to configure notifications by category (message, call, etc.). So you must choose: either you receive all notifications or receive none. The size of this application has often been criticized in the past but Messenger is not much bigger than other instant messaging applications.

Google Duo

The application has only been out a day so it is best to avoid going too far in saying that it is excellent and/or better than another video chat app. What is certain is that it is considered the FaceTime of Android, the only difference is that calls are only on video while FaceTime allows audio calls. Google, however, said it also plans to implement a voice call function. Anyway, you can find it on the Play Store.

Like FaceTime, the interface is very simple, if not even simpler since Duo has a single large button that allows you to choose the contact to call. A Swipe up allows you to see your recent calls and a menu which can be handy if you plan to use it frequently.

My colleagues told me that video quality is good but I want to clarify again that this depends highly on your connection. As noted by my colleague Hans-Georg in his review, it may be just an attempt to see if such a market is promising to decide whether the application merits further consideration or not. This would explain the simplicity of the application.

AndroidPIT duo app 1
From what I could see, Duo offers excellent image quality. © NextPit

What's not good about Duo

This simplicity is both a blessing and a curse. Users can easily understand how it works, but why use an application that you can only video chat while competing apps do the same and more?

While Apple reserves FaceTime for its own customers, Google offers Duo to everyone. Unfortunately, unlike its competitor, Apple, Duo can only be installed / used on a single device. Regrettably, not everyone wants to use their smartphone to communicate, many of us would like to use it from our computer or our tablet. Maybe this will change in the future.

Summary

  Skype FaceTime Viber Facebook Messenger Google Duo
Free to use/download Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Free audio calls Yes Yes Yes Yes No

Send text messages

(and emojis)

Yes No Yes Yes No
Phone number required No No

Yes (only

for creating

the account)

Yes (only if

you don't want to use

a Facebook account)

Yes
Read reports No - Yes Yes -

Secure end-to-end

data encryption

No Yes Yes Yes Yes

Send files

(video, music, etc.)

Yes No Yes Yes No
Customize notifications Yes No Yes

Yes

No

High probability of 

finding many contacts

using the app

Yes No Yes Yes No

Possibility of using the 

app on multiple devices

Yes

Yes (only with

iOS devices)

Yes Yes No
Available on Android Yes No Yes Yes Yes

Group video calls

available

Yes No No No No

Which video chat app do you like the most? Let us know in the comments.

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Benoit Pepicq

Benoit Pepicq
Editor

Benoit is passionate about new technologies and everything related to computers. A big Android fan since 2011, he joined the AndroidPIT team to satisfy his passion and to share his knowledge on Android with readers.

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20 comments
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  • 2
    william porter Jun 3, 2017 Link to comment

    The reason why i prefer skype is , Multipurpose & provide good user experience. It can be use for personal and business both. But instant chatting or video we can also try HD Video features app like BirdsBeep


  • 1
    Chris F May 1, 2017 Link to comment

    The reason I would use Google Duo is because no tiresome registration is required, except just your phone number.


  • Dayle Rodriguez 1
    Dayle Rodriguez Dec 28, 2016 Link to comment

    I may be somewhat biased but I think that Sentab should be included in this line up. Although new to the arena it is a very stable platform and works across multiple devices; smartphones, tables and desktops. In addition it has a few alternative/non-conventional devices it can be used on.


  • Juliet Bell 2
    Juliet Bell Dec 1, 2016 Link to comment

    All the above tools are good for social and casual interactions. But for business meetings, tools like on premise R-HUB web conferencing servers is recommended. The reaosn being it works from behind the firewall, hence better security.

    Dayle Rodriguez


  • Eliezer Martinez 3
    Eliezer Martinez Oct 16, 2016 Link to comment

    I am so shocked this article did not include Tango and don't start telling me Tango sucks or it's crap and believe me it's not Tango has improved in recent years and I use it all the time on my HTC One M8 Sprint since I don't have an iPhone I have to rely on Tango and let me tell you Tango can pretty much do everything like text audio and video calling you can also take pictures or send videos from Tango and my favorite feature and none of these apps has this feature you can use funny emojis during video chatting which makes video chatting a lot more fun and enjoyable not only that you can play mini games during video chat not even Skype Viber WhatsApp Facebook Messenger FaceTime does not have this feature this article is wrong in their statement they need to redo their article Tango should have been in this list.

    Dayle Rodriguez


  • JD Grobler 2
    JD Grobler Sep 2, 2016 Link to comment

    Not entirely up to date and correct as FaceTime is not compatible on Android, and Facebook messenger is not encrypted!!!

    Dayle Rodriguez


  • Ruggero Strong 4
    Ruggero Strong Aug 23, 2016 Link to comment

    this mistake: "Snapchat does not fit these criteria since the video is recorded and sent and not disseminated in real time." was written on almost all sites in the various languages, except the Portuguese, but unites Snapchat to instagram for their " stories "not real-time (who does?), and except YOUR SITE iN GERMAN IS nOT WRONG, nOT GIVING A Snapchat INABILITY 'to make video calls lIVE,
    perhaps are the only AndroidPIT
    who used Snapchat


  • Mag Pro 2
    Mag Pro Aug 22, 2016 Link to comment

    A few Google application properties compared with other applications, but I think that these characteristics will be present in the application, which allo and several by Google, this will be a complement to the application of Google duo


  • 11
    Steph Longbridge Aug 22, 2016 Link to comment

    Which app should I choose? it's kind of fuzzy.
    But I just keep in mind that each of my contact has its own preferences.
    If one tell me he/she is a viber-addict, I'll stick to viber with him/her.
    On the other hand, it's pretty cool the way you can transparently switch from pc to smartphone, on another network, with the same app on each device.
    Follow my eyes going to Skype.
    Skype is also very popular.

    Dayle Rodriguez


  • Madars G 10
    Madars G Aug 22, 2016 Link to comment

    i know tha skype webchat and sound quality is better than messenger

    Dayle Rodriguez


    • Eliezer Martinez 3
      Eliezer Martinez Oct 16, 2016 Link to comment

      That all depends on your internet connection and how fast it can be I tested both Skype and Facebook Messenger video calling on 5 gigahertz Wi-Fi and both of them have excellent sound quality and video quality if you are using 2.4 gigahertz Wi-Fi you're not really going to get the best sound and video quality unless you are using carrier service such as 4G LTE network outside you will definitely get good sound and video quality.


  • 2
    Sam andrew Aug 21, 2016 Link to comment

    All the above mention app are Good. Laitkor Infosolutions also develops user friendly messenger apps. For details visit app.laitkor.com

    Dayle Rodriguez


  • 3
    alexander Aug 21, 2016 Link to comment

    where is line?? that's the best


  • con burnes 2
    con burnes Aug 21, 2016 Link to comment

    I think messenger has it nailed at the moment. Simple to use and most people are on messenger . Even on a slow connection it works unlike Skype after Microsoft got their hands on it. The fact IM is all rolled into it means I won't be changing any time soon. Unless this app can produce something different. Perhaps if this was put into Gmail as an extension then it might have a chance.


    • Madars G 10
      Madars G Aug 22, 2016 Link to comment

      i disagree you. I usually has to swap from messenger to skype because skype has better internet conection, videochat quality and sound


  • Ruggero Strong 4
    Ruggero Strong Aug 21, 2016 Link to comment

    sorry to read on a big site like this inaccuracies, but Snapchat can make audio calls and video calls in real time, then do not forget to WeChat and line and tango and imo, I tried them all, although it is hard to find contacts the use, however, the worst for me for quality in my tests was messenger, greetings

    Dayle Rodriguez


  • Ali 2
    Ali Aug 21, 2016 Link to comment

    LINE is missing

    Dayle Rodriguez


  • 51
    Deactivated Account Aug 21, 2016 Link to comment

    Hangouts is missing...


    • Eliezer Martinez 3
      Eliezer Martinez Oct 16, 2016 Link to comment

      Oh hell no Hangout is a curse that needs to be put down permanently because the app itself basically invades all permissions and privacy not only that Hangout can also modify or delete your contacts or any information you have on your smartphone and smart tablet I do not trust Hangout at all never did never will and so should you stay away from it.

      Dayle Rodriguez


  • Parvind Chahal 21
    Parvind Chahal Aug 21, 2016 Link to comment

    when there was time for google to have these kind of apps they focus on not good apps......they r now starting when other apps r well establised....hope now google provide good user experience and get some fan base

    Dayle Rodriguez

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