Paid plans give you the option to record calls (to the cloud or your device), and some levels allow for automatic text transcription. While Zoom is at its best on a desktop app (the Android version only lets you have a four-video grid on your screen at once), its mobile version is also nice. The interface is clean, and there are no ads, trackers, or Signal data mining, as grants and donations support the platform. However, because there’s not much money flowing in, you can’t expect flashy new features or product innovations. While the platform caters to gamers and tech enthusiasts, you can create a server that supports any of your passions. The video chat function allows you to chat with your group or one on one, and the screen-sharing feature makes Discord great for streamers who want a more exclusive group than something like Twitch allows. You can get on a call with up to eight people, which is enough for families but might present some limitations for large friend groups. Where the app shines is that it connects you with anyone who has a Facebook or Instagram account, meaning you can set up a call on the Android Facebook Messenger app quickly and easily. So, if you want to have video chats with people who use WhatsApp as their primary text device, it’s a natural progression. It’s easy to set up by tapping the video call icon at the top of the screen when you’re in a chat. There is a way to create a “room” and invite multiple people to join, but that functionality is a bit clunky and not ideal. The association with Microsoft also makes it friendlier for business. There’s plenty of non-video functionality, allowing you to use SMS texting with a corresponding phone number or call a live phone number from the app. This latter point makes it an excellent hybrid for any use you could have for a phone, whether it’s conducting a voice call to order a pizza or a video call to connect with your family. You can conduct meetings with up to 200 participants with the highest subscription level. With smart calendar sync functionality and a seamless file-sharing engine, BlueJeans is ideal for business meetings. It’s not all positive. While you can join any meeting, you must sign up for an account to create your own. Subscriptions start at $10 per month. There is an option to call or text real phone numbers using a Viber Out function, but that isn’t a free-to-use option, so you’ll have to pay for this aspect of the app. It also doesn’t offer the most modern-feeling design, with some buried menus and dated brand identity. But, if you’re looking for an alternative to WhatsApp, Viber could be a good bet, provided you’re willing to put up with its quirks.
