Simple and Streamlined
According to Google, about half the people who have video chat capabilities don’t use them. The reason? To much of a hassle. Duo promises to be simpler and easier to use than any other video calling app. In fact, simplicity was one of the main aspects designers focused on when creating Duo. The interface is very straightforward, minimizing the steps it takes to initiate a call. You don’t need a separate account. In fact, you don’t even need to have a Google account.

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Faster and More Reliable
Designers also spent a lot of time making sure Duo could work reliably across different networks. The call quality automatically adjusts according to network conditions. If there’s not much bandwidth available, Duo will reduce your video resolution slightly so you can continue your call. If you’re on the move, it will switch between Wi-Fi to cellular data and back as needed, another fail-safe to keep you connected. Of course, it’s still possible for calls to be dropped. It’s just a lot less likely to happen than it would be using another video chat app.

Safe, Secure, and More Personal
Duo uses a secure connection, providing end-to-end encryption for all calls made through the app. This is to ensure that nobody can tap into your calls whether you are using cellular data or Wi-Fi. Designers also wanted to give Duo users a warmer, more personal experience. That’s why they added the Knock Knock feature, which lets you see a live video preview of your caller. (They can’t see you unless you answer, and it only works if the person is in your contacts list).

There’s a lot to love about Google’s Duo. So far, though, you can’t import contacts and there’s no desktop version of the app. Of course, designers say customer feedback will determine whether these features will be added in future updates. Running video of any sort on your mobile device can drain your battery quickly. No matter how functional and fun an app is, you can’t enjoy it with a dead device. Downloading a usage management app can help you save battery power and enjoy the apps you love longer between charges. Be wary of what you download, and only install a trusted power-saving app like PowerPRO from PSafe.

Unlike some other popular apps, you can sign out of Skype. However, it is still easy to “stay connected” even when you’re not connected. Whenever you’re not logged into the app or can’t answer an incoming call, you can have your calls forwarded to another phone.

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More often than not, you’ll achieve better call and video quality by using Skype on an LTE data connection as opposed to Wi-Fi — specially if many other devices are currently using your Wi-Fi. Keep in mind that a video call will use much more data than a phone call, so you may want to restrict your video calls to a certain time limit or else exclusively to Wi-Fi if video quality isn’t a big issue for you. You can also restrict the amount of data Skype uses by altering the app settings on your Android device. Simply click the app’s “data usage” option and activate “restrict app background data.”

If you’re more bothered by the connection speed than the video quality, a reduced video quality should help your video call to run smoother. You can reduce the video quality under settings. Reducing the video quality will also help to reduce your data consumption. There are also a few ways to reduce Skype’s battery usage, such as turning off your camera while in the middle of a video call, or else adjusting your phone’s screen brightness.

Another great feature of Skype is the ability to quickly send files to anyone. Send documents, pictures, contact information, or videos of any size through the messaging app. Another fun feature is the ability to quickly record and send video messages. Or, take advantage of all of the emoticons Skype has to offer. There are even secret emoticons you can use, which you can access by typing a specific word or phrase, without spaces, inside of parentheses. Some examples include (pool party) or (plane). A full list of visible and hidden emoticons are available on Skype’s Help webpage.

1. Hangouts

Offered by Google, this is one of the more well-known video chat apps on this list. It offers group video chats (for up to 150 people), two-person chats, SMS/MMS features, international calling (calling a Hangout user is free), interconnectivity with Google Voice for full integration with voicemail, phone numbers, and SMS, and the ability to contact any user, regardless of their device.

2. Viber

While people that are contact others on an international scale might be familiar with this app, there are features that are useful for anyone who wants an efficient and effective alternative to Facetime. The app allows you to send messages for free, along with free audio and video calls, although group video and audio aren’t an option. You can also have group texts with up to 200 people (though you’ll quickly get sick of all those notifications), delete messages after they’re sent, use it on all of your devices simultaneously and use it without creating an account.

3. Messenger

If you have Facebook on your device already, you most likely have this app already too, and know how it works. Congratulations! That being said, people seem to enjoy the video chatting and calling features on the app, which you can access by clicking on a conversation you’re having with someone, and clicking either the phone or camera icons on the top right corner of the screen.

4. Glide

Compared to the apps we’ve already discussed, this one is a little less known, though it seems to be just as effective and enjoyable as the best video chatting apps. Like the others, it allows you to send free messages, letting users text message and video chat (what the developers call “video messaging” on their Google Play description) at the same time. Additionally, you can use filters on your video messages, and review your videos before sending them. While the app is rather spartan when it comes to features, user reviews of the app speak highly of its functionality.

5. Zangi

Like Glide, this app is a lesser known gem – it is the most well reviewed video-chatting app on the Play Store (4.5/5). Notably, the app emphasizes its ability to function effectively in any online environment, regardless of connection strength. You can use the app for video and audio calls, along with messaging (all for free). It also lets users make calls to countries with internet restriction policies. The Zangi app has holistic support for people that are left-handed, high levels of security and privacy, low-battery consumption and the ability to call other phones with the Zangi-out service, which, according to the app description, offers “the lowest calling rates in the industry.”

Don’t let the conversation end too quickly! Make sure to download PSafe’s PowerPRO app to make sure that you’re getting the most out of your battery, so you never have to end your chats prematurely.