As video conferencing has evolved, it’s also become much less expensive for the average person to use. Apps like FaceTime and even Skype can make connecting with friends cheap, or even better, entirely free. While these five apps may not have a long list of features or abilities, they all allow you to connect via video in a basic manner.
FaceTime
Created by Apple, FaceTime has become both a popular app and a verb. It’s common to hear phrases like “Let’s FaceTime tonight!”, between friends. That’s because FaceTime is free to download, easy to use, and can run on both smartphone data plans and Wi-Fi, ensuring that it’s very easy to connect whenever or wherever you are. The only real downside to FaceTime is that each party on a video call must be calling from an Apple device. This can be problematic, as Apple and Android devices both have a very dedicated fan base.
Skype
Skype’s video calling is entirely free from computer to computer, but it also provides an easy way to chat, send files, and even call telephones all across the globe. With its recent combination with Windows Messenger, Facebook, and more, it’s even possible to conglomerate your friend lists all in a single application. Skype wins points for being compatible with both Mac and PC, as well as iPhone and Android. This ensures that it’s possible to connect to anyone on any of these devices as long as both are online.
ooVoo
The ooVoo platform has been adopted by both business people and by individuals. It’s surprisingly flexible for a free application. It can be used to connect to up to 12 people, anywhere on Earth, as long as each has the application on their device. One of the best features that ooVoo has to offer is that video calls can be streamed in HD, ensuring that people with compatible devices can see and send video that’s crystal-clear.
AnyMeeting
AnyMeeting is a flexible program that has both a free version and several premium versions. Unlike the other apps, it can be used to provide web conferencing or meetings to up to 200 attendees. While all of the attendees can’t stream video at once, large group video is certainly possible. It’s an excellent choice for families and small to medium businesses. Unfortunately, the free version doesn’t come with any of the pro options, making it extremely stripped down and basic. For simply connecting with a few people, it’s enough; for anything outside of this, you’ll need to look at a premium membership or even a separate solution.
Google Hangouts
Google + may have gotten a bad rap when it first released–and it still really hasn’t picked up in popularity. But Google Hangouts itself certainly has become a go-to solution for many people. Through Google Hangouts, you can chat with your friends via IM, share photos and galleries, and even share video just as you can with the other services. As an added bonus, it’s built right into GMail, so you can set up a separate account to handle all of your hangouts. It’s a great way to build a small business, or even connect with specific groups of people.
[Feature Photo - Flickr: jaybcrealtor]
