The Best Free Video Chat Apps for Organizing a Virtual Holiday Party
Several video chat apps are undergoing big changes to help families host virtual holiday gatherings this year . Zoom, for example, will raise the call time limit for free users on Thanksgiving . Free Zoom meetings are usually limited to 40 minutes, but calls can be as long as you like, from 12 noon on November 26 to 6 a.m. on November 27 (Eastern European Time).
Zoom isn’t the only app making changes for the holidays. Back in September, Google increased call times to 24 hours for free Meet users. You will be able to talk a lot until March 31, 2021; after that, who knows where we are going to pandemic.
More recently, Microsoft Teams has been updated so that free users can host 24-hour meetings with up to 300 people. You can join Teams meetings even if you don’t have an app or Microsoft account, so this new unlimited talk time could make Teams the best option for hosting Thanksgiving dinners during a video call, as well as any other December holidays you celebrate. …
However, Teams, Zoom, and Meet aren’t the only free video chat options . Lots of apps allow unlimited calling with large groups, many of which you probably already use. However, the exact number of participants will vary, and some participants require a software download or create an account before they can join the call.
Here’s a complete list of our favorites:
- Microsoft Teams : Calls up to 300 participants 24/7. Only the organizer needs a Teams account; Guests can open the meeting link from any device without installing the Teams app or needing a Microsoft account to join.
- Zoom : Typically 40 minutes per meeting, but no limit on November 26th. Meetings can be joined online without a Zoom app or account.
- Google Meet : 24-hour meeting duration (until March 31, 2021, then reduced to 60 minutes). Free calling supports 100 members, but a Google account is required to join.
- Facebook Messenger : Unlimited call duration for up to 50 users, but requires the Messenger app or desktop client and Messenger / Facebook account to connect.
- Facetime : unlimited call duration for up to 32 participants, but only available on iOS, Mac, or iPad.
- WhatsApp : unlimited call time for a group of up to 8 users, but WhatsApp app is required.
- Houseparty : unlimited video chat time for up to 8 people. You need the HouseParty app, but this might be the only way to get Fortnite- obsessed teens into your home to join this year’s virtual family gathering.
Other options
You can also find out which smaller or niche group chat apps like Discord, Webex, 8×8, and others are offering free users on this handy webpage . We can also help you find basic video chat apps for people who are struggling with technology, although Teams will probably help too. And for those who prioritize data security, check out our list of video chat apps with the best privacy and encryption features .