FaceTime vs Duo vs Skype vs Messenger: Which movie talk app is for you?

Google Duo for Android and iOS might seem like an unnecessary release given the existence of Hangouts, but if you think Google’s own movie talk app stable seems crowded, consider the field.

There’s no shortage of ways to connect with friends and family via free movie calls, whether it’s on a phone, tablet, or computer, and Google Duo is only the latest atop the pile. Its cross-platform treatment gives it an edge over FaceTime, but what about other major movie talk apps?

Each heavyweight contender has its perks and drawbacks, and you’ve got some choices to make if you’re attempting to stick with one of them.

Nosey what sets them apart? Here’s a look at what makes Apple’s FaceTime, Microsoft’s Skype, Google’s Duo, and Facebook’s Messenger a potentially ideal candidate for your face-to-face talks.

Apple Fans Only: FaceTime

If you have an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac, chances are good that you’re already very familiar with FaceTime. Apple’s own movie talk service is baked into iOS and OS X and couldn’t be simpler or lighter to use. You don’t even have to open up a separate app in iOS: from your contacts, you can simply tap the FaceTime button to connect, assuming the person on the other line is also using a compatible Apple device.

And that’s indeed the long and brief of why you’d use FaceTime: it’s rigorously for Apple device users, which makes up a massive stack of people. In classic Apple style, FaceTime’s simpleness is its calling card, as the app and UI aren’t overcharged with features—nor does it have text talk included. It’s you and the other person (so no group calls), and if all you want to do is catch up with a pal or loved one, FaceTime is a pretty ideal way to do so on your iPhone or Mac.

• Baked into iOS and Mac
• Plain and effective treatment

The all-in-wonder: Skype

Skype is the elder statesman of VoIP calling, whether it’s audio or movie, and the Microsoft-owned service has some strong qualities that other services can’t match. It’s a fully-featured, multiplatform suggesting, which means you’ll find a lot more here—whether you want it or not.

More importantly, you’ll find it pretty much anywhere: phones, tablets, computers, and even the Xbox One console via Kinect. (Reminisce Kinect? It’s good for Skype movie calls!) In fact, this picture shows me using a dated laptop with a low-res talk cam. Still, it works.

Beyond that awesome plasticity, Skype fountains in the features: it has group movie calls and screen sharing functionality, text talk and landline calls, not to mention live translation of seven spoken languages—albeit only on Windows devices for now.

As an all-in-one service, Skype might be intimidating for the casual user, and it’s certainly more than your mum would ever need on her phone. But for professionals and other well-traveled types, it’s one app that can connect you with pretty much anyone, wherever you are.

• On geysers of devices
• Group calls, translation, etc.

• Can be terrific
• No iOS/Android translation

Simpler but broader: Google Duo

Duo’s the fresh kid on the block in this category, but Google certainly isn’t: the company clearly learned from its inconsistent Hangouts app and wished to do something more straightforward and to the point.

In that sense, Duo is very much like FaceTime with its plainness and concentrate, permitting just two-person talks via an ultra-minimal interface. In this case, however, Duo is presently only compatible with mobile devices, so there’s no PC or Mac element.

However, if your digital life revolves around your smartphone, Duo bests FaceTime in a massive way by being available on both iOS and Android. It’s tied to your phone number, so as long as the other person has the app, you can get face to face with a duo taps.

It works well, plus the superb Knock Knock feature gives you a live preview of who’s calling (only on Android for now). Adding cross-platform functionality on top of the crisp movie and effortless interface makes Duo a strong contender—albeit one you might have to prod mates to download very first.

• Delightfully effortless to use
• For both iOS and Android

• No computer compatibility
• Knock Knock’s not on iOS

Because it's Facebook: Messenger

Facebook might have embarked as a mere social network, but now it’s become the primary communication hub for a rather large chunk of its billion-plus users. That’s thanks to the added shove for Messenger, which has more than nine hundred million users itself, and has expanded past text talk to include audio and movie calls over the years. And unlike Duo, you can talk inbetween the mobile apps and computers using the web version.

Messenger has more going on than Duo or FaceTime, since it has text talk and is directly linked into the core Facebook app, but the movie calling interface is very similarly straightforward and effortless to understand. Unluckily, movie quality has been pretty hit-or-miss in our testing, at least compared to these other apps.

And while the mobile Messenger apps suggest group audio talk, they only support two people for movie as of this writing. If you want something less cluttered than Skype, yet a bit more sturdy than FaceTime or Duo, then Messenger might do the trick. And you don’t even need a Facebook account (just a phone number), albeit that is the easiest way to connect with mates.

• Facebook’s thick user base
• Mobile-to-web movie calls

• Inconsistent quality
• No group movie talk
• Facebook can make people wary

FaceTime vs Duo vs Skype vs Messenger: Which movie talk app is for you, Stuff

FaceTime vs Duo vs Skype vs Messenger: Which movie talk app is for you?

Google Duo for Android and iOS might seem like an unnecessary release given the existence of Hangouts, but if you think Google’s own movie talk app stable seems crowded, consider the field.

There’s no shortage of ways to connect with friends and family via free movie calls, whether it’s on a phone, tablet, or computer, and Google Duo is only the latest atop the pile. Its cross-platform treatment gives it an edge over FaceTime, but what about other major movie talk apps?

Each heavyweight contender has its perks and drawbacks, and you’ve got some choices to make if you’re attempting to stick with one of them.

Nosey what sets them apart? Here’s a look at what makes Apple’s FaceTime, Microsoft’s Skype, Google’s Duo, and Facebook’s Messenger a potentially ideal candidate for your face-to-face talks.

Apple Fans Only: FaceTime

If you have an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac, chances are good that you’re already very familiar with FaceTime. Apple’s own movie talk service is baked into iOS and OS X and couldn’t be simpler or lighter to use. You don’t even have to open up a separate app in iOS: from your contacts, you can simply tap the FaceTime button to connect, assuming the person on the other line is also using a compatible Apple device.

And that’s truly the long and brief of why you’d use FaceTime: it’s rigorously for Apple device users, which makes up a massive stack of people. In classic Apple style, FaceTime’s simpleness is its calling card, as the app and UI aren’t overcharged with features—nor does it have text talk included. It’s you and the other person (so no group calls), and if all you want to do is catch up with a pal or loved one, FaceTime is a pretty ideal way to do so on your iPhone or Mac.

• Baked into iOS and Mac
• Plain and effective treatment

The all-in-wonder: Skype

Skype is the elder statesman of VoIP calling, whether it’s audio or movie, and the Microsoft-owned service has some strong qualities that other services can’t match. It’s a fully-featured, multiplatform suggesting, which means you’ll find a lot more here—whether you want it or not.

More importantly, you’ll find it pretty much anywhere: phones, tablets, computers, and even the Xbox One console via Kinect. (Reminisce Kinect? It’s fine for Skype movie calls!) In fact, this photo shows me using a dated laptop with a low-res talk cam. Still, it works.

Beyond that awesome plasticity, Skype explosions in the features: it has group movie calls and screen sharing functionality, text talk and landline calls, not to mention live translation of seven spoken languages—albeit only on Windows devices for now.

As an all-in-one service, Skype might be intimidating for the casual user, and it’s certainly more than your mum would ever need on her phone. But for professionals and other well-traveled types, it’s one app that can connect you with pretty much anyone, wherever you are.

• On explosions of devices
• Group calls, translation, etc.

• Can be staggering
• No iOS/Android translation

Simpler but broader: Google Duo

Duo’s the fresh kid on the block in this category, but Google certainly isn’t: the company clearly learned from its inconsistent Hangouts app and desired to do something more straightforward and to the point.

In that sense, Duo is very much like FaceTime with its plainness and concentrate, permitting just two-person talks via an ultra-minimal interface. In this case, however, Duo is presently only compatible with mobile devices, so there’s no PC or Mac element.

However, if your digital life revolves around your smartphone, Duo bests FaceTime in a massive way by being available on both iOS and Android. It’s tied to your phone number, so as long as the other person has the app, you can get face to face with a duo taps.

It works well, plus the superb Knock Knock feature gives you a live preview of who’s calling (only on Android for now). Adding cross-platform functionality on top of the crisp movie and effortless interface makes Duo a strong contender—albeit one you might have to prod mates to download very first.

• Delightfully effortless to use
• For both iOS and Android

• No computer compatibility
• Knock Knock’s not on iOS

Because it's Facebook: Messenger

Facebook might have embarked as a mere social network, but now it’s become the primary communication hub for a rather large chunk of its billion-plus users. That’s thanks to the added thrust for Messenger, which has more than nine hundred million users itself, and has expanded past text talk to include audio and movie calls over the years. And unlike Duo, you can talk inbetween the mobile apps and computers using the web version.

Messenger has more going on than Duo or FaceTime, since it has text talk and is directly linked into the core Facebook app, but the movie calling interface is very similarly straightforward and effortless to understand. Unluckily, movie quality has been pretty hit-or-miss in our testing, at least compared to these other apps.

And while the mobile Messenger apps suggest group audio talk, they only support two people for movie as of this writing. If you want something less cluttered than Skype, yet a bit more sturdy than FaceTime or Duo, then Messenger might do the trick. And you don’t even need a Facebook account (just a phone number), albeit that is the easiest way to connect with mates.

• Facebook’s gigantic user base
• Mobile-to-web movie calls

• Inconsistent quality
• No group movie talk
• Facebook can make people wary

FaceTime vs Duo vs Skype vs Messenger: Which movie talk app is for you, Stuff

FaceTime vs Duo vs Skype vs Messenger: Which movie talk app is for you?

Google Duo for Android and iOS might seem like an unnecessary release given the existence of Hangouts, but if you think Google’s own movie talk app stable seems crowded, consider the field.

There’s no shortage of ways to connect with friends and family via free movie calls, whether it’s on a phone, tablet, or computer, and Google Duo is only the latest atop the pile. Its cross-platform treatment gives it an edge over FaceTime, but what about other major movie talk apps?

Each heavyweight contender has its perks and drawbacks, and you’ve got some choices to make if you’re attempting to stick with one of them.

Nosey what sets them apart? Here’s a look at what makes Apple’s FaceTime, Microsoft’s Skype, Google’s Duo, and Facebook’s Messenger a potentially ideal candidate for your face-to-face talks.

Apple Fans Only: FaceTime

If you have an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac, chances are good that you’re already very familiar with FaceTime. Apple’s own movie talk service is baked into iOS and OS X and couldn’t be simpler or lighter to use. You don’t even have to open up a separate app in iOS: from your contacts, you can simply tap the FaceTime button to connect, assuming the person on the other line is also using a compatible Apple device.

And that’s indeed the long and brief of why you’d use FaceTime: it’s rigorously for Apple device users, which makes up a massive stack of people. In classic Apple style, FaceTime’s plainness is its calling card, as the app and UI aren’t overcharged with features—nor does it have text talk included. It’s you and the other person (so no group calls), and if all you want to do is catch up with a pal or loved one, FaceTime is a pretty ideal way to do so on your iPhone or Mac.

• Baked into iOS and Mac
• Plain and effective treatment

The all-in-wonder: Skype

Skype is the elder statesman of VoIP calling, whether it’s audio or movie, and the Microsoft-owned service has some strong qualities that other services can’t match. It’s a fully-featured, multiplatform suggesting, which means you’ll find a lot more here—whether you want it or not.

More importantly, you’ll find it pretty much anywhere: phones, tablets, computers, and even the Xbox One console via Kinect. (Reminisce Kinect? It’s superb for Skype movie calls!) In fact, this picture shows me using a dated laptop with a low-res talk cam. Still, it works.

Beyond that awesome plasticity, Skype geysers in the features: it has group movie calls and screen sharing functionality, text talk and landline calls, not to mention live translation of seven spoken languages—albeit only on Windows devices for now.

As an all-in-one service, Skype might be intimidating for the casual user, and it’s certainly more than your mum would ever need on her phone. But for professionals and other well-traveled types, it’s one app that can connect you with pretty much anyone, wherever you are.

• On geysers of devices
• Group calls, translation, etc.

• Can be breathtaking
• No iOS/Android translation

Simpler but broader: Google Duo

Duo’s the fresh kid on the block in this category, but Google certainly isn’t: the company clearly learned from its inconsistent Hangouts app and desired to do something more straightforward and to the point.

In that sense, Duo is very much like FaceTime with its plainness and concentrate, permitting just two-person talks via an ultra-minimal interface. In this case, however, Duo is presently only compatible with mobile devices, so there’s no PC or Mac element.

However, if your digital life revolves around your smartphone, Duo bests FaceTime in a massive way by being available on both iOS and Android. It’s tied to your phone number, so as long as the other person has the app, you can get face to face with a duo taps.

It works well, plus the superb Knock Knock feature gives you a live preview of who’s calling (only on Android for now). Adding cross-platform functionality on top of the crisp movie and effortless interface makes Duo a strong contender—albeit one you might have to prod mates to download very first.

• Delightfully effortless to use
• For both iOS and Android

• No computer compatibility
• Knock Knock’s not on iOS

Because it's Facebook: Messenger

Facebook might have commenced as a mere social network, but now it’s become the primary communication hub for a rather large chunk of its billion-plus users. That’s thanks to the added thrust for Messenger, which has more than nine hundred million users itself, and has expanded past text talk to include audio and movie calls over the years. And unlike Duo, you can talk inbetween the mobile apps and computers using the web version.

Messenger has more going on than Duo or FaceTime, since it has text talk and is directly linked into the core Facebook app, but the movie calling interface is very similarly straightforward and effortless to understand. Unluckily, movie quality has been pretty hit-or-miss in our testing, at least compared to these other apps.

And while the mobile Messenger apps suggest group audio talk, they only support two people for movie as of this writing. If you want something less cluttered than Skype, yet a bit more sturdy than FaceTime or Duo, then Messenger might do the trick. And you don’t even need a Facebook account (just a phone number), albeit that is the easiest way to connect with mates.

• Facebook’s thick user base
• Mobile-to-web movie calls

• Inconsistent quality
• No group movie talk
• Facebook can make people wary

FaceTime vs Duo vs Skype vs Messenger: Which movie talk app is for you, Stuff

FaceTime vs Duo vs Skype vs Messenger: Which movie talk app is for you?

Google Duo for Android and iOS might seem like an unnecessary release given the existence of Hangouts, but if you think Google’s own movie talk app stable seems crowded, consider the field.

There’s no shortage of ways to connect with friends and family via free movie calls, whether it’s on a phone, tablet, or computer, and Google Duo is only the latest atop the pile. Its cross-platform treatment gives it an edge over FaceTime, but what about other major movie talk apps?

Each heavyweight contender has its perks and drawbacks, and you’ve got some choices to make if you’re attempting to stick with one of them.

Nosey what sets them apart? Here’s a look at what makes Apple’s FaceTime, Microsoft’s Skype, Google’s Duo, and Facebook’s Messenger a potentially ideal candidate for your face-to-face talks.

Apple Fans Only: FaceTime

If you have an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac, chances are good that you’re already very familiar with FaceTime. Apple’s own movie talk service is baked into iOS and OS X and couldn’t be simpler or lighter to use. You don’t even have to open up a separate app in iOS: from your contacts, you can simply tap the FaceTime button to connect, assuming the person on the other line is also using a compatible Apple device.

And that’s truly the long and brief of why you’d use FaceTime: it’s rigorously for Apple device users, which makes up a massive stack of people. In classic Apple style, FaceTime’s plainness is its calling card, as the app and UI aren’t overcharged with features—nor does it have text talk included. It’s you and the other person (so no group calls), and if all you want to do is catch up with a pal or loved one, FaceTime is a pretty ideal way to do so on your iPhone or Mac.

• Baked into iOS and Mac
• Elementary and effective treatment

The all-in-wonder: Skype

Skype is the elder statesman of VoIP calling, whether it’s audio or movie, and the Microsoft-owned service has some strong qualities that other services can’t match. It’s a fully-featured, multiplatform suggesting, which means you’ll find a lot more here—whether you want it or not.

More importantly, you’ll find it pretty much anywhere: phones, tablets, computers, and even the Xbox One console via Kinect. (Reminisce Kinect? It’s fine for Skype movie calls!) In fact, this picture shows me using a dated laptop with a low-res talk cam. Still, it works.

Beyond that awesome plasticity, Skype fountains in the features: it has group movie calls and screen sharing functionality, text talk and landline calls, not to mention live translation of seven spoken languages—albeit only on Windows devices for now.

As an all-in-one service, Skype might be intimidating for the casual user, and it’s certainly more than your mum would ever need on her phone. But for professionals and other well-traveled types, it’s one app that can connect you with pretty much anyone, wherever you are.

• On geysers of devices
• Group calls, translation, etc.

• Can be tremendous
• No iOS/Android translation

Simpler but broader: Google Duo

Duo’s the fresh kid on the block in this category, but Google certainly isn’t: the company clearly learned from its inconsistent Hangouts app and wished to do something more straightforward and to the point.

In that sense, Duo is very much like FaceTime with its plainness and concentrate, permitting just two-person talks via an ultra-minimal interface. In this case, however, Duo is presently only compatible with mobile devices, so there’s no PC or Mac element.

However, if your digital life revolves around your smartphone, Duo bests FaceTime in a massive way by being available on both iOS and Android. It’s tied to your phone number, so as long as the other person has the app, you can get face to face with a duo taps.

It works well, plus the superb Knock Knock feature gives you a live preview of who’s calling (only on Android for now). Adding cross-platform functionality on top of the crisp movie and effortless interface makes Duo a strong contender—albeit one you might have to prod mates to download very first.

• Delightfully effortless to use
• For both iOS and Android

• No computer compatibility
• Knock Knock’s not on iOS

Because it's Facebook: Messenger

Facebook might have embarked as a mere social network, but now it’s become the primary communication hub for a rather large chunk of its billion-plus users. That’s thanks to the added shove for Messenger, which has more than nine hundred million users itself, and has expanded past text talk to include audio and movie calls over the years. And unlike Duo, you can talk inbetween the mobile apps and computers using the web version.

Messenger has more going on than Duo or FaceTime, since it has text talk and is directly linked into the core Facebook app, but the movie calling interface is very similarly straightforward and effortless to understand. Unluckily, movie quality has been pretty hit-or-miss in our testing, at least compared to these other apps.

And while the mobile Messenger apps suggest group audio talk, they only support two people for movie as of this writing. If you want something less cluttered than Skype, yet a bit more sturdy than FaceTime or Duo, then Messenger might do the trick. And you don’t even need a Facebook account (just a phone number), albeit that is the easiest way to connect with mates.

• Facebook’s massive user base
• Mobile-to-web movie calls

• Inconsistent quality
• No group movie talk
• Facebook can make people wary

FaceTime vs Duo vs Skype vs Messenger: Which movie talk app is for you, Stuff

FaceTime vs Duo vs Skype vs Messenger: Which movie talk app is for you?

Google Duo for Android and iOS might seem like an unnecessary release given the existence of Hangouts, but if you think Google’s own movie talk app stable seems crowded, consider the field.

There’s no shortage of ways to connect with friends and family via free movie calls, whether it’s on a phone, tablet, or computer, and Google Duo is only the latest atop the pile. Its cross-platform treatment gives it an edge over FaceTime, but what about other major movie talk apps?

Each heavyweight contender has its perks and drawbacks and you’ve got some choices to make if you’re attempting to stick with one of them.

Nosey what sets them apart? Here’s a look at what makes Apple’s FaceTime, Microsoft’s Skype, Google’s Duo and Facebook’s Messenger a potentially ideal candidate for your face-to-face talks.

Apple Fans Only: FaceTime

If you have an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac, chances are good that you’re already very familiar with FaceTime. Apple’s own movie talk service is baked into iOS and OS X and couldn’t be simpler or lighter to use. You don’t even have to open a separate app in iOS: from your contacts, you can simply tap the FaceTime button to connect, assuming the person on the other line is also using a compatible Apple device.

And that’s truly the long and brief of why you’d use FaceTime: it’s rigorously for Apple device users, which makes up a massive stack of people. In classic Apple style, FaceTime’s simpleness is its calling card, as the app and UI aren’t overcharged with features—nor does it have text talk included. It’s you and the other person (so no group calls), and if all you want to do is catch up with a pal or loved one, FaceTime is a pretty ideal way to do so on your iPhone or Mac.

• Baked into iOS and Mac
• Ordinary and effective treatment

The all-in-wonder: Skype

Skype is the elder statesman of VoIP calling, whether it’s audio or movie, and the Microsoft-owned service has some strong qualities that other services can’t match. It’s a fully-featured, multiplatform suggesting, which means you’ll find a lot here—whether you want it or not.

More importantly, you’ll find it pretty much anywhere: phones, tablets, computers and even the Xbox One console via Kinect. (Reminisce Kinect? It’s superb for Skype movie calls!) In fact, this picture shows me using a dated laptop with a low-res talk cam. Still, it works.

Beyond the plasticity, Skype fountains in the features: it has group movie calls and screen sharing functionality, text talk and landline calls, not to mention live translation of seven spoken languages—albeit only on Windows devices for now.

As an all-in-one service, Skype might be intimidating for the casual user and it’s certainly more than your mum would ever need on her phone. But for professionals and other well-traveled types, it’s one app that can connect you with pretty much anyone, wherever you are.

• On explosions of devices
• Group calls, translation, etc.

• Can be breathtaking
• No iOS/Android translation

Simpler but broader: Google Duo

Duo’s the fresh kid on the block in this category, but Google certainly isn’t: the company clearly learned from its inconsistent Hangouts app and desired to do something more straightforward and to the point.

In that sense, Duo is very much like FaceTime with its simpleness and concentrate, permitting just two-person talks via an ultra-minimal interface. In this case, however, Duo is presently only compatible with mobile devices, so there’s no PC or Mac element.

However, if your digital life revolves around your smartphone, Duo bests FaceTime in a massive way by being available on both iOS and Android. It’s tied to your phone number, so as long as the other person has the app, you can get face to face with a duo of taps.

It works well, plus the fine Knock Knock feature gives you a live preview of who’s calling (only on Android for now). Adding cross-platform functionality on top of the crisp movie and effortless interface makes Duo a strong contender—albeit one you might have to prod mates to download very first.

• Delightfully effortless to use
• For both iOS and Android

• No computer compatibility
• Knock Knock’s not on iOS

Because it's Facebook: Messenger

Facebook might have embarked as a mere social network, but now it’s become the primary communication hub for a rather large chunk of its billion-plus users. That’s thanks to the added shove for Messenger, which has more than nine hundred million users itself and has expanded past text talk to include audio and movie calls over the years. And unlike Duo, you can talk inbetween the mobile apps and computers using the web version.

Messenger has more going on than Duo or FaceTime, since it has text talk and is directly linked into the core Facebook app, but the movie calling interface is very straightforward and effortless to understand. Unluckily, movie quality has been pretty hit-or-miss in our testing, at least compared to these other apps.

And while the mobile Messenger apps suggest group audio talk, they only support two people for movie at the time of writing. If you want something less cluttered than Skype, yet a bit more sturdy than FaceTime or Duo, then Messenger might do the trick. And you don’t even need a Facebook account (just a phone number), albeit that is the easiest way to connect with mates.

• Facebook’s meaty user base
• Mobile-to-web movie calls

• Inconsistent quality
• No group movie talk
• Facebook can make people wary

FaceTime vs Duo vs Skype vs Messenger: Which movie talk app is for you, Stuff

FaceTime vs Duo vs Skype vs Messenger: Which movie talk app is for you?

Google Duo for Android and iOS might seem like an unnecessary release given the existence of Hangouts, but if you think Google’s own movie talk app stable seems crowded, consider the field.

There’s no shortage of ways to connect with friends and family via free movie calls, whether it’s on a phone, tablet, or computer, and Google Duo is only the latest atop the pile. Its cross-platform treatment gives it an edge over FaceTime, but what about other major movie talk apps?

Each heavyweight contender has its perks and drawbacks, and you’ve got some choices to make if you’re attempting to stick with one of them.

Nosey what sets them apart? Here’s a look at what makes Apple’s FaceTime, Microsoft’s Skype, Google’s Duo, and Facebook’s Messenger a potentially ideal candidate for your face-to-face talks.

Apple Fans Only: FaceTime

If you have an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac, chances are good that you’re already very familiar with FaceTime. Apple’s own movie talk service is baked into iOS and OS X and couldn’t be simpler or lighter to use. You don’t even have to open up a separate app in iOS: from your contacts, you can simply tap the FaceTime button to connect, assuming the person on the other line is also using a compatible Apple device.

And that’s indeed the long and brief of why you’d use FaceTime: it’s rigorously for Apple device users, which makes up a massive stack of people. In classic Apple style, FaceTime’s simpleness is its calling card, as the app and UI aren’t overcharged with features—nor does it have text talk included. It’s you and the other person (so no group calls), and if all you want to do is catch up with a pal or loved one, FaceTime is a pretty ideal way to do so on your iPhone or Mac.

• Baked into iOS and Mac
• Elementary and effective treatment

The all-in-wonder: Skype

Skype is the elder statesman of VoIP calling, whether it’s audio or movie, and the Microsoft-owned service has some strong qualities that other services can’t match. It’s a fully-featured, multiplatform suggesting, which means you’ll find a lot more here—whether you want it or not.

More importantly, you’ll find it pretty much anywhere: phones, tablets, computers, and even the Xbox One console via Kinect. (Reminisce Kinect? It’s fine for Skype movie calls!) In fact, this photo shows me using a dated laptop with a low-res talk cam. Still, it works.

Beyond that awesome plasticity, Skype fountains in the features: it has group movie calls and screen sharing functionality, text talk and landline calls, not to mention live translation of seven spoken languages—albeit only on Windows devices for now.

As an all-in-one service, Skype might be intimidating for the casual user, and it’s certainly more than your mum would ever need on her phone. But for professionals and other well-traveled types, it’s one app that can connect you with pretty much anyone, wherever you are.

• On geysers of devices
• Group calls, translation, etc.

• Can be breathtaking
• No iOS/Android translation

Simpler but broader: Google Duo

Duo’s the fresh kid on the block in this category, but Google certainly isn’t: the company clearly learned from its inconsistent Hangouts app and desired to do something more straightforward and to the point.

In that sense, Duo is very much like FaceTime with its plainness and concentrate, permitting just two-person talks via an ultra-minimal interface. In this case, however, Duo is presently only compatible with mobile devices, so there’s no PC or Mac element.

However, if your digital life revolves around your smartphone, Duo bests FaceTime in a massive way by being available on both iOS and Android. It’s tied to your phone number, so as long as the other person has the app, you can get face to face with a duo taps.

It works well, plus the superb Knock Knock feature gives you a live preview of who’s calling (only on Android for now). Adding cross-platform functionality on top of the crisp movie and effortless interface makes Duo a strong contender—albeit one you might have to prod mates to download very first.

• Delightfully effortless to use
• For both iOS and Android

• No computer compatibility
• Knock Knock’s not on iOS

Because it's Facebook: Messenger

Facebook might have commenced as a mere social network, but now it’s become the primary communication hub for a rather large chunk of its billion-plus users. That’s thanks to the added thrust for Messenger, which has more than nine hundred million users itself, and has expanded past text talk to include audio and movie calls over the years. And unlike Duo, you can talk inbetween the mobile apps and computers using the web version.

Messenger has more going on than Duo or FaceTime, since it has text talk and is directly linked into the core Facebook app, but the movie calling interface is very similarly straightforward and effortless to understand. Unluckily, movie quality has been pretty hit-or-miss in our testing, at least compared to these other apps.

And while the mobile Messenger apps suggest group audio talk, they only support two people for movie as of this writing. If you want something less cluttered than Skype, yet a bit more sturdy than FaceTime or Duo, then Messenger might do the trick. And you don’t even need a Facebook account (just a phone number), albeit that is the easiest way to connect with mates.

• Facebook’s fat user base
• Mobile-to-web movie calls

• Inconsistent quality
• No group movie talk
• Facebook can make people wary

FaceTime vs Duo vs Skype vs Messenger: Which movie talk app is for you, Stuff

FaceTime vs Duo vs Skype vs Messenger: Which movie talk app is for you?

Google Duo for Android and iOS might seem like an unnecessary release given the existence of Hangouts, but if you think Google’s own movie talk app stable seems crowded, consider the field.

There’s no shortage of ways to connect with friends and family via free movie calls, whether it’s on a phone, tablet, or computer, and Google Duo is only the latest atop the pile. Its cross-platform treatment gives it an edge over FaceTime, but what about other major movie talk apps?

Each heavyweight contender has its perks and drawbacks, and you’ve got some choices to make if you’re attempting to stick with one of them.

Nosey what sets them apart? Here’s a look at what makes Apple’s FaceTime, Microsoft’s Skype, Google’s Duo, and Facebook’s Messenger a potentially ideal candidate for your face-to-face talks.

Apple Fans Only: FaceTime

If you have an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac, chances are good that you’re already very familiar with FaceTime. Apple’s own movie talk service is baked into iOS and OS X and couldn’t be simpler or lighter to use. You don’t even have to open up a separate app in iOS: from your contacts, you can simply tap the FaceTime button to connect, assuming the person on the other line is also using a compatible Apple device.

And that’s indeed the long and brief of why you’d use FaceTime: it’s rigorously for Apple device users, which makes up a massive stack of people. In classic Apple style, FaceTime’s simpleness is its calling card, as the app and UI aren’t overcharged with features—nor does it have text talk included. It’s you and the other person (so no group calls), and if all you want to do is catch up with a pal or loved one, FaceTime is a pretty ideal way to do so on your iPhone or Mac.

• Baked into iOS and Mac
• Elementary and effective treatment

The all-in-wonder: Skype

Skype is the elder statesman of VoIP calling, whether it’s audio or movie, and the Microsoft-owned service has some strong qualities that other services can’t match. It’s a fully-featured, multiplatform suggesting, which means you’ll find a lot more here—whether you want it or not.

More importantly, you’ll find it pretty much anywhere: phones, tablets, computers, and even the Xbox One console via Kinect. (Reminisce Kinect? It’s superb for Skype movie calls!) In fact, this photo shows me using a dated laptop with a low-res talk cam. Still, it works.

Beyond that awesome plasticity, Skype explosions in the features: it has group movie calls and screen sharing functionality, text talk and landline calls, not to mention live translation of seven spoken languages—albeit only on Windows devices for now.

As an all-in-one service, Skype might be intimidating for the casual user, and it’s certainly more than your mum would ever need on her phone. But for professionals and other well-traveled types, it’s one app that can connect you with pretty much anyone, wherever you are.

• On fountains of devices
• Group calls, translation, etc.

• Can be staggering
• No iOS/Android translation

Simpler but broader: Google Duo

Duo’s the fresh kid on the block in this category, but Google certainly isn’t: the company clearly learned from its inconsistent Hangouts app and desired to do something more straightforward and to the point.

In that sense, Duo is very much like FaceTime with its simpleness and concentrate, permitting just two-person talks via an ultra-minimal interface. In this case, however, Duo is presently only compatible with mobile devices, so there’s no PC or Mac element.

However, if your digital life revolves around your smartphone, Duo bests FaceTime in a massive way by being available on both iOS and Android. It’s tied to your phone number, so as long as the other person has the app, you can get face to face with a duo taps.

It works well, plus the fine Knock Knock feature gives you a live preview of who’s calling (only on Android for now). Adding cross-platform functionality on top of the crisp movie and effortless interface makes Duo a strong contender—albeit one you might have to prod mates to download very first.

• Delightfully effortless to use
• For both iOS and Android

• No computer compatibility
• Knock Knock’s not on iOS

Because it's Facebook: Messenger

Facebook might have embarked as a mere social network, but now it’s become the primary communication hub for a rather large chunk of its billion-plus users. That’s thanks to the added shove for Messenger, which has more than nine hundred million users itself, and has expanded past text talk to include audio and movie calls over the years. And unlike Duo, you can talk inbetween the mobile apps and computers using the web version.

Messenger has more going on than Duo or FaceTime, since it has text talk and is directly linked into the core Facebook app, but the movie calling interface is very similarly straightforward and effortless to understand. Unluckily, movie quality has been pretty hit-or-miss in our testing, at least compared to these other apps.

And while the mobile Messenger apps suggest group audio talk, they only support two people for movie as of this writing. If you want something less cluttered than Skype, yet a bit more sturdy than FaceTime or Duo, then Messenger might do the trick. And you don’t even need a Facebook account (just a phone number), albeit that is the easiest way to connect with mates.

• Facebook’s giant user base
• Mobile-to-web movie calls

• Inconsistent quality
• No group movie talk
• Facebook can make people wary

FaceTime vs Duo vs Skype vs Messenger: Which movie talk app is for you, Stuff

FaceTime vs Duo vs Skype vs Messenger: Which movie talk app is for you?

Google Duo for Android and iOS might seem like an unnecessary release given the existence of Hangouts, but if you think Google’s own movie talk app stable seems crowded, consider the field.

There’s no shortage of ways to connect with friends and family via free movie calls, whether it’s on a phone, tablet, or computer, and Google Duo is only the latest atop the pile. Its cross-platform treatment gives it an edge over FaceTime, but what about other major movie talk apps?

Each heavyweight contender has its perks and drawbacks, and you’ve got some choices to make if you’re attempting to stick with one of them.

Nosey what sets them apart? Here’s a look at what makes Apple’s FaceTime, Microsoft’s Skype, Google’s Duo, and Facebook’s Messenger a potentially ideal candidate for your face-to-face talks.

Apple Fans Only: FaceTime

If you have an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac, chances are good that you’re already very familiar with FaceTime. Apple’s own movie talk service is baked into iOS and OS X and couldn’t be simpler or lighter to use. You don’t even have to open up a separate app in iOS: from your contacts, you can simply tap the FaceTime button to connect, assuming the person on the other line is also using a compatible Apple device.

And that’s truly the long and brief of why you’d use FaceTime: it’s rigorously for Apple device users, which makes up a massive stack of people. In classic Apple style, FaceTime’s plainness is its calling card, as the app and UI aren’t overcharged with features—nor does it have text talk included. It’s you and the other person (so no group calls), and if all you want to do is catch up with a pal or loved one, FaceTime is a pretty ideal way to do so on your iPhone or Mac.

• Baked into iOS and Mac
• Ordinary and effective treatment

The all-in-wonder: Skype

Skype is the elder statesman of VoIP calling, whether it’s audio or movie, and the Microsoft-owned service has some strong qualities that other services can’t match. It’s a fully-featured, multiplatform suggesting, which means you’ll find a lot more here—whether you want it or not.

More importantly, you’ll find it pretty much anywhere: phones, tablets, computers, and even the Xbox One console via Kinect. (Recall Kinect? It’s excellent for Skype movie calls!) In fact, this photo shows me using a dated laptop with a low-res talk cam. Still, it works.

Beyond that awesome plasticity, Skype fountains in the features: it has group movie calls and screen sharing functionality, text talk and landline calls, not to mention live translation of seven spoken languages—albeit only on Windows devices for now.

As an all-in-one service, Skype might be intimidating for the casual user, and it’s certainly more than your mum would ever need on her phone. But for professionals and other well-traveled types, it’s one app that can connect you with pretty much anyone, wherever you are.

• On fountains of devices
• Group calls, translation, etc.

• Can be staggering
• No iOS/Android translation

Simpler but broader: Google Duo

Duo’s the fresh kid on the block in this category, but Google certainly isn’t: the company clearly learned from its inconsistent Hangouts app and desired to do something more straightforward and to the point.

In that sense, Duo is very much like FaceTime with its simpleness and concentrate, permitting just two-person talks via an ultra-minimal interface. In this case, however, Duo is presently only compatible with mobile devices, so there’s no PC or Mac element.

However, if your digital life revolves around your smartphone, Duo bests FaceTime in a massive way by being available on both iOS and Android. It’s tied to your phone number, so as long as the other person has the app, you can get face to face with a duo taps.

It works well, plus the fine Knock Knock feature gives you a live preview of who’s calling (only on Android for now). Adding cross-platform functionality on top of the crisp movie and effortless interface makes Duo a strong contender—albeit one you might have to prod mates to download very first.

• Delightfully effortless to use
• For both iOS and Android

• No computer compatibility
• Knock Knock’s not on iOS

Because it's Facebook: Messenger

Facebook might have embarked as a mere social network, but now it’s become the primary communication hub for a rather large chunk of its billion-plus users. That’s thanks to the added thrust for Messenger, which has more than nine hundred million users itself, and has expanded past text talk to include audio and movie calls over the years. And unlike Duo, you can talk inbetween the mobile apps and computers using the web version.

Messenger has more going on than Duo or FaceTime, since it has text talk and is directly linked into the core Facebook app, but the movie calling interface is very similarly straightforward and effortless to understand. Unluckily, movie quality has been pretty hit-or-miss in our testing, at least compared to these other apps.

And while the mobile Messenger apps suggest group audio talk, they only support two people for movie as of this writing. If you want something less cluttered than Skype, yet a bit more sturdy than FaceTime or Duo, then Messenger might do the trick. And you don’t even need a Facebook account (just a phone number), albeit that is the easiest way to connect with mates.

• Facebook’s yam-sized user base
• Mobile-to-web movie calls

• Inconsistent quality
• No group movie talk
• Facebook can make people wary

FaceTime vs Duo vs Skype vs Messenger: Which movie talk app is for you, Stuff

FaceTime vs Duo vs Skype vs Messenger: Which movie talk app is for you?

Google Duo for Android and iOS might seem like an unnecessary release given the existence of Hangouts, but if you think Google’s own movie talk app stable seems crowded, consider the field.

There’s no shortage of ways to connect with friends and family via free movie calls, whether it’s on a phone, tablet, or computer, and Google Duo is only the latest atop the pile. Its cross-platform treatment gives it an edge over FaceTime, but what about other major movie talk apps?

Each heavyweight contender has its perks and drawbacks, and you’ve got some choices to make if you’re attempting to stick with one of them.

Nosey what sets them apart? Here’s a look at what makes Apple’s FaceTime, Microsoft’s Skype, Google’s Duo, and Facebook’s Messenger a potentially ideal candidate for your face-to-face talks.

Apple Fans Only: FaceTime

If you have an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac, chances are good that you’re already very familiar with FaceTime. Apple’s own movie talk service is baked into iOS and OS X and couldn’t be simpler or lighter to use. You don’t even have to open up a separate app in iOS: from your contacts, you can simply tap the FaceTime button to connect, assuming the person on the other line is also using a compatible Apple device.

And that’s indeed the long and brief of why you’d use FaceTime: it’s rigorously for Apple device users, which makes up a massive stack of people. In classic Apple style, FaceTime’s simpleness is its calling card, as the app and UI aren’t overcharged with features—nor does it have text talk included. It’s you and the other person (so no group calls), and if all you want to do is catch up with a pal or loved one, FaceTime is a pretty ideal way to do so on your iPhone or Mac.

• Baked into iOS and Mac
• Plain and effective treatment

The all-in-wonder: Skype

Skype is the elder statesman of VoIP calling, whether it’s audio or movie, and the Microsoft-owned service has some strong qualities that other services can’t match. It’s a fully-featured, multiplatform suggesting, which means you’ll find a lot more here—whether you want it or not.

More importantly, you’ll find it pretty much anywhere: phones, tablets, computers, and even the Xbox One console via Kinect. (Recall Kinect? It’s fine for Skype movie calls!) In fact, this pic shows me using a dated laptop with a low-res talk cam. Still, it works.

Beyond that awesome plasticity, Skype fountains in the features: it has group movie calls and screen sharing functionality, text talk and landline calls, not to mention live translation of seven spoken languages—albeit only on Windows devices for now.

As an all-in-one service, Skype might be intimidating for the casual user, and it’s certainly more than your mum would ever need on her phone. But for professionals and other well-traveled types, it’s one app that can connect you with pretty much anyone, wherever you are.

• On geysers of devices
• Group calls, translation, etc.

• Can be terrific
• No iOS/Android translation

Simpler but broader: Google Duo

Duo’s the fresh kid on the block in this category, but Google certainly isn’t: the company clearly learned from its inconsistent Hangouts app and desired to do something more straightforward and to the point.

In that sense, Duo is very much like FaceTime with its plainness and concentrate, permitting just two-person talks via an ultra-minimal interface. In this case, however, Duo is presently only compatible with mobile devices, so there’s no PC or Mac element.

However, if your digital life revolves around your smartphone, Duo bests FaceTime in a massive way by being available on both iOS and Android. It’s tied to your phone number, so as long as the other person has the app, you can get face to face with a duo taps.

It works well, plus the excellent Knock Knock feature gives you a live preview of who’s calling (only on Android for now). Adding cross-platform functionality on top of the crisp movie and effortless interface makes Duo a strong contender—albeit one you might have to prod mates to download very first.

• Delightfully effortless to use
• For both iOS and Android

• No computer compatibility
• Knock Knock’s not on iOS

Because it's Facebook: Messenger

Facebook might have began as a mere social network, but now it’s become the primary communication hub for a rather large chunk of its billion-plus users. That’s thanks to the added thrust for Messenger, which has more than nine hundred million users itself, and has expanded past text talk to include audio and movie calls over the years. And unlike Duo, you can talk inbetween the mobile apps and computers using the web version.

Messenger has more going on than Duo or FaceTime, since it has text talk and is directly linked into the core Facebook app, but the movie calling interface is very similarly straightforward and effortless to understand. Unluckily, movie quality has been pretty hit-or-miss in our testing, at least compared to these other apps.

And while the mobile Messenger apps suggest group audio talk, they only support two people for movie as of this writing. If you want something less cluttered than Skype, yet a bit more sturdy than FaceTime or Duo, then Messenger might do the trick. And you don’t even need a Facebook account (just a phone number), albeit that is the easiest way to connect with mates.

• Facebook’s ample user base
• Mobile-to-web movie calls

• Inconsistent quality
• No group movie talk
• Facebook can make people wary

FaceTime vs Duo vs Skype vs Messenger: Which movie talk app is for you, Stuff

FaceTime vs Duo vs Skype vs Messenger: Which movie talk app is for you?

Google Duo for Android and iOS might seem like an unnecessary release given the existence of Hangouts, but if you think Google’s own movie talk app stable seems crowded, consider the field.

There’s no shortage of ways to connect with friends and family via free movie calls, whether it’s on a phone, tablet, or computer, and Google Duo is only the latest atop the pile. Its cross-platform treatment gives it an edge over FaceTime, but what about other major movie talk apps?

Each heavyweight contender has its perks and drawbacks, and you’ve got some choices to make if you’re attempting to stick with one of them.

Nosey what sets them apart? Here’s a look at what makes Apple’s FaceTime, Microsoft’s Skype, Google’s Duo, and Facebook’s Messenger a potentially ideal candidate for your face-to-face talks.

Apple Fans Only: FaceTime

If you have an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac, chances are good that you’re already very familiar with FaceTime. Apple’s own movie talk service is baked into iOS and OS X and couldn’t be simpler or lighter to use. You don’t even have to open up a separate app in iOS: from your contacts, you can simply tap the FaceTime button to connect, assuming the person on the other line is also using a compatible Apple device.

And that’s truly the long and brief of why you’d use FaceTime: it’s rigorously for Apple device users, which makes up a massive stack of people. In classic Apple style, FaceTime’s simpleness is its calling card, as the app and UI aren’t overcharged with features—nor does it have text talk included. It’s you and the other person (so no group calls), and if all you want to do is catch up with a pal or loved one, FaceTime is a pretty ideal way to do so on your iPhone or Mac.

• Baked into iOS and Mac
• Ordinary and effective treatment

The all-in-wonder: Skype

Skype is the elder statesman of VoIP calling, whether it’s audio or movie, and the Microsoft-owned service has some strong qualities that other services can’t match. It’s a fully-featured, multiplatform suggesting, which means you’ll find a lot more here—whether you want it or not.

More importantly, you’ll find it pretty much anywhere: phones, tablets, computers, and even the Xbox One console via Kinect. (Recall Kinect? It’s superb for Skype movie calls!) In fact, this pic shows me using a dated laptop with a low-res talk cam. Still, it works.

Beyond that awesome plasticity, Skype fountains in the features: it has group movie calls and screen sharing functionality, text talk and landline calls, not to mention live translation of seven spoken languages—albeit only on Windows devices for now.

As an all-in-one service, Skype might be intimidating for the casual user, and it’s certainly more than your mum would ever need on her phone. But for professionals and other well-traveled types, it’s one app that can connect you with pretty much anyone, wherever you are.

• On explosions of devices
• Group calls, translation, etc.

• Can be breathtaking
• No iOS/Android translation

Simpler but broader: Google Duo

Duo’s the fresh kid on the block in this category, but Google certainly isn’t: the company clearly learned from its inconsistent Hangouts app and desired to do something more straightforward and to the point.

In that sense, Duo is very much like FaceTime with its simpleness and concentrate, permitting just two-person talks via an ultra-minimal interface. In this case, however, Duo is presently only compatible with mobile devices, so there’s no PC or Mac element.

However, if your digital life revolves around your smartphone, Duo bests FaceTime in a massive way by being available on both iOS and Android. It’s tied to your phone number, so as long as the other person has the app, you can get face to face with a duo taps.

It works well, plus the excellent Knock Knock feature gives you a live preview of who’s calling (only on Android for now). Adding cross-platform functionality on top of the crisp movie and effortless interface makes Duo a strong contender—albeit one you might have to prod mates to download very first.

• Delightfully effortless to use
• For both iOS and Android

• No computer compatibility
• Knock Knock’s not on iOS

Because it's Facebook: Messenger

Facebook might have began as a mere social network, but now it’s become the primary communication hub for a rather large chunk of its billion-plus users. That’s thanks to the added thrust for Messenger, which has more than nine hundred million users itself, and has expanded past text talk to include audio and movie calls over the years. And unlike Duo, you can talk inbetween the mobile apps and computers using the web version.

Messenger has more going on than Duo or FaceTime, since it has text talk and is directly linked into the core Facebook app, but the movie calling interface is very similarly straightforward and effortless to understand. Unluckily, movie quality has been pretty hit-or-miss in our testing, at least compared to these other apps.

And while the mobile Messenger apps suggest group audio talk, they only support two people for movie as of this writing. If you want something less cluttered than Skype, yet a bit more sturdy than FaceTime or Duo, then Messenger might do the trick. And you don’t even need a Facebook account (just a phone number), albeit that is the easiest way to connect with mates.

• Facebook’s phat user base
• Mobile-to-web movie calls

• Inconsistent quality
• No group movie talk
• Facebook can make people wary

FaceTime vs Duo vs Skype vs Messenger: Which movie talk app is for you, Stuff

FaceTime vs Duo vs Skype vs Messenger: Which movie talk app is for you?

Google Duo for Android and iOS might seem like an unnecessary release given the existence of Hangouts, but if you think Google’s own movie talk app stable seems crowded, consider the field.

There’s no shortage of ways to connect with friends and family via free movie calls, whether it’s on a phone, tablet, or computer, and Google Duo is only the latest atop the pile. Its cross-platform treatment gives it an edge over FaceTime, but what about other major movie talk apps?

Each heavyweight contender has its perks and drawbacks, and you’ve got some choices to make if you’re attempting to stick with one of them.

Nosey what sets them apart? Here’s a look at what makes Apple’s FaceTime, Microsoft’s Skype, Google’s Duo, and Facebook’s Messenger a potentially ideal candidate for your face-to-face talks.

Apple Fans Only: FaceTime

If you have an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac, chances are good that you’re already very familiar with FaceTime. Apple’s own movie talk service is baked into iOS and OS X and couldn’t be simpler or lighter to use. You don’t even have to open up a separate app in iOS: from your contacts, you can simply tap the FaceTime button to connect, assuming the person on the other line is also using a compatible Apple device.

And that’s indeed the long and brief of why you’d use FaceTime: it’s rigorously for Apple device users, which makes up a massive stack of people. In classic Apple style, FaceTime’s plainness is its calling card, as the app and UI aren’t overcharged with features—nor does it have text talk included. It’s you and the other person (so no group calls), and if all you want to do is catch up with a pal or loved one, FaceTime is a pretty ideal way to do so on your iPhone or Mac.

• Baked into iOS and Mac
• Ordinary and effective treatment

The all-in-wonder: Skype

Skype is the elder statesman of VoIP calling, whether it’s audio or movie, and the Microsoft-owned service has some strong qualities that other services can’t match. It’s a fully-featured, multiplatform suggesting, which means you’ll find a lot more here—whether you want it or not.

More importantly, you’ll find it pretty much anywhere: phones, tablets, computers, and even the Xbox One console via Kinect. (Recall Kinect? It’s good for Skype movie calls!) In fact, this picture shows me using a dated laptop with a low-res talk cam. Still, it works.

Beyond that awesome plasticity, Skype geysers in the features: it has group movie calls and screen sharing functionality, text talk and landline calls, not to mention live translation of seven spoken languages—albeit only on Windows devices for now.

As an all-in-one service, Skype might be intimidating for the casual user, and it’s certainly more than your mum would ever need on her phone. But for professionals and other well-traveled types, it’s one app that can connect you with pretty much anyone, wherever you are.

• On geysers of devices
• Group calls, translation, etc.

• Can be terrific
• No iOS/Android translation

Simpler but broader: Google Duo

Duo’s the fresh kid on the block in this category, but Google certainly isn’t: the company clearly learned from its inconsistent Hangouts app and wished to do something more straightforward and to the point.

In that sense, Duo is very much like FaceTime with its simpleness and concentrate, permitting just two-person talks via an ultra-minimal interface. In this case, however, Duo is presently only compatible with mobile devices, so there’s no PC or Mac element.

However, if your digital life revolves around your smartphone, Duo bests FaceTime in a massive way by being available on both iOS and Android. It’s tied to your phone number, so as long as the other person has the app, you can get face to face with a duo taps.

It works well, plus the superb Knock Knock feature gives you a live preview of who’s calling (only on Android for now). Adding cross-platform functionality on top of the crisp movie and effortless interface makes Duo a strong contender—albeit one you might have to prod mates to download very first.

• Delightfully effortless to use
• For both iOS and Android

• No computer compatibility
• Knock Knock’s not on iOS

Because it's Facebook: Messenger

Facebook might have commenced as a mere social network, but now it’s become the primary communication hub for a rather large chunk of its billion-plus users. That’s thanks to the added shove for Messenger, which has more than nine hundred million users itself, and has expanded past text talk to include audio and movie calls over the years. And unlike Duo, you can talk inbetween the mobile apps and computers using the web version.

Messenger has more going on than Duo or FaceTime, since it has text talk and is directly linked into the core Facebook app, but the movie calling interface is very similarly straightforward and effortless to understand. Unluckily, movie quality has been pretty hit-or-miss in our testing, at least compared to these other apps.

And while the mobile Messenger apps suggest group audio talk, they only support two people for movie as of this writing. If you want something less cluttered than Skype, yet a bit more sturdy than FaceTime or Duo, then Messenger might do the trick. And you don’t even need a Facebook account (just a phone number), albeit that is the easiest way to connect with mates.

• Facebook’s big user base
• Mobile-to-web movie calls

• Inconsistent quality
• No group movie talk
• Facebook can make people wary

FaceTime vs Duo vs Skype vs Messenger: Which movie talk app is for you, Stuff

FaceTime vs Duo vs Skype vs Messenger: Which movie talk app is for you?

Google Duo for Android and iOS might seem like an unnecessary release given the existence of Hangouts, but if you think Google’s own movie talk app stable seems crowded, consider the field.

There’s no shortage of ways to connect with friends and family via free movie calls, whether it’s on a phone, tablet, or computer, and Google Duo is only the latest atop the pile. Its cross-platform treatment gives it an edge over FaceTime, but what about other major movie talk apps?

Each heavyweight contender has its perks and drawbacks, and you’ve got some choices to make if you’re attempting to stick with one of them.

Nosey what sets them apart? Here’s a look at what makes Apple’s FaceTime, Microsoft’s Skype, Google’s Duo, and Facebook’s Messenger a potentially ideal candidate for your face-to-face talks.

Apple Fans Only: FaceTime

If you have an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac, chances are good that you’re already very familiar with FaceTime. Apple’s own movie talk service is baked into iOS and OS X and couldn’t be simpler or lighter to use. You don’t even have to open up a separate app in iOS: from your contacts, you can simply tap the FaceTime button to connect, assuming the person on the other line is also using a compatible Apple device.

And that’s indeed the long and brief of why you’d use FaceTime: it’s rigorously for Apple device users, which makes up a massive stack of people. In classic Apple style, FaceTime’s plainness is its calling card, as the app and UI aren’t overcharged with features—nor does it have text talk included. It’s you and the other person (so no group calls), and if all you want to do is catch up with a pal or loved one, FaceTime is a pretty ideal way to do so on your iPhone or Mac.

• Baked into iOS and Mac
• Ordinary and effective treatment

The all-in-wonder: Skype

Skype is the elder statesman of VoIP calling, whether it’s audio or movie, and the Microsoft-owned service has some strong qualities that other services can’t match. It’s a fully-featured, multiplatform suggesting, which means you’ll find a lot more here—whether you want it or not.

More importantly, you’ll find it pretty much anywhere: phones, tablets, computers, and even the Xbox One console via Kinect. (Reminisce Kinect? It’s superb for Skype movie calls!) In fact, this photo shows me using a dated laptop with a low-res talk cam. Still, it works.

Beyond that awesome plasticity, Skype explosions in the features: it has group movie calls and screen sharing functionality, text talk and landline calls, not to mention live translation of seven spoken languages—albeit only on Windows devices for now.

As an all-in-one service, Skype might be intimidating for the casual user, and it’s certainly more than your mum would ever need on her phone. But for professionals and other well-traveled types, it’s one app that can connect you with pretty much anyone, wherever you are.

• On fountains of devices
• Group calls, translation, etc.

• Can be staggering
• No iOS/Android translation

Simpler but broader: Google Duo

Duo’s the fresh kid on the block in this category, but Google certainly isn’t: the company clearly learned from its inconsistent Hangouts app and desired to do something more straightforward and to the point.

In that sense, Duo is very much like FaceTime with its simpleness and concentrate, permitting just two-person talks via an ultra-minimal interface. In this case, however, Duo is presently only compatible with mobile devices, so there’s no PC or Mac element.

However, if your digital life revolves around your smartphone, Duo bests FaceTime in a massive way by being available on both iOS and Android. It’s tied to your phone number, so as long as the other person has the app, you can get face to face with a duo taps.

It works well, plus the fine Knock Knock feature gives you a live preview of who’s calling (only on Android for now). Adding cross-platform functionality on top of the crisp movie and effortless interface makes Duo a strong contender—albeit one you might have to prod mates to download very first.

• Delightfully effortless to use
• For both iOS and Android

• No computer compatibility
• Knock Knock’s not on iOS

Because it's Facebook: Messenger

Facebook might have embarked as a mere social network, but now it’s become the primary communication hub for a rather large chunk of its billion-plus users. That’s thanks to the added shove for Messenger, which has more than nine hundred million users itself, and has expanded past text talk to include audio and movie calls over the years. And unlike Duo, you can talk inbetween the mobile apps and computers using the web version.

Messenger has more going on than Duo or FaceTime, since it has text talk and is directly linked into the core Facebook app, but the movie calling interface is very similarly straightforward and effortless to understand. Unluckily, movie quality has been pretty hit-or-miss in our testing, at least compared to these other apps.

And while the mobile Messenger apps suggest group audio talk, they only support two people for movie as of this writing. If you want something less cluttered than Skype, yet a bit more sturdy than FaceTime or Duo, then Messenger might do the trick. And you don’t even need a Facebook account (just a phone number), albeit that is the easiest way to connect with mates.

• Facebook’s big user base
• Mobile-to-web movie calls

• Inconsistent quality
• No group movie talk
• Facebook can make people wary

FaceTime vs Duo vs Skype vs Messenger: Which movie talk app is for you, Stuff

FaceTime vs Duo vs Skype vs Messenger: Which movie talk app is for you?

Google Duo for Android and iOS might seem like an unnecessary release given the existence of Hangouts, but if you think Google’s own movie talk app stable seems crowded, consider the field.

There’s no shortage of ways to connect with friends and family via free movie calls, whether it’s on a phone, tablet, or computer, and Google Duo is only the latest atop the pile. Its cross-platform treatment gives it an edge over FaceTime, but what about other major movie talk apps?

Each heavyweight contender has its perks and drawbacks and you’ve got some choices to make if you’re attempting to stick with one of them.

Nosey what sets them apart? Here’s a look at what makes Apple’s FaceTime, Microsoft’s Skype, Google’s Duo and Facebook’s Messenger a potentially ideal candidate for your face-to-face talks.

Apple Fans Only: FaceTime

If you have an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac, chances are good that you’re already very familiar with FaceTime. Apple’s own movie talk service is baked into iOS and OS X and couldn’t be simpler or lighter to use. You don’t even have to open a separate app in iOS: from your contacts, you can simply tap the FaceTime button to connect, assuming the person on the other line is also using a compatible Apple device.

And that’s indeed the long and brief of why you’d use FaceTime: it’s stringently for Apple device users, which makes up a massive stack of people. In classic Apple style, FaceTime’s plainness is its calling card, as the app and UI aren’t overcharged with features—nor does it have text talk included. It’s you and the other person (so no group calls), and if all you want to do is catch up with a pal or loved one, FaceTime is a pretty ideal way to do so on your iPhone or Mac.

• Baked into iOS and Mac
• Plain and effective treatment

The all-in-wonder: Skype

Skype is the elder statesman of VoIP calling, whether it’s audio or movie, and the Microsoft-owned service has some strong qualities that other services can’t match. It’s a fully-featured, multiplatform suggesting, which means you’ll find a lot here—whether you want it or not.

More importantly, you’ll find it pretty much anywhere: phones, tablets, computers and even the Xbox One console via Kinect. (Reminisce Kinect? It’s good for Skype movie calls!) In fact, this pic shows me using a dated laptop with a low-res talk cam. Still, it works.

Beyond the plasticity, Skype fountains in the features: it has group movie calls and screen sharing functionality, text talk and landline calls, not to mention live translation of seven spoken languages—albeit only on Windows devices for now.

As an all-in-one service, Skype might be intimidating for the casual user and it’s certainly more than your mum would ever need on her phone. But for professionals and other well-traveled types, it’s one app that can connect you with pretty much anyone, wherever you are.

• On fountains of devices
• Group calls, translation, etc.

• Can be terrific
• No iOS/Android translation

Simpler but broader: Google Duo

Duo’s the fresh kid on the block in this category, but Google certainly isn’t: the company clearly learned from its inconsistent Hangouts app and desired to do something more straightforward and to the point.

In that sense, Duo is very much like FaceTime with its plainness and concentrate, permitting just two-person talks via an ultra-minimal interface. In this case, however, Duo is presently only compatible with mobile devices, so there’s no PC or Mac element.

However, if your digital life revolves around your smartphone, Duo bests FaceTime in a massive way by being available on both iOS and Android. It’s tied to your phone number, so as long as the other person has the app, you can get face to face with a duo of taps.

It works well, plus the good Knock Knock feature gives you a live preview of who’s calling (only on Android for now). Adding cross-platform functionality on top of the crisp movie and effortless interface makes Duo a strong contender—albeit one you might have to prod mates to download very first.

• Delightfully effortless to use
• For both iOS and Android

• No computer compatibility
• Knock Knock’s not on iOS

Because it's Facebook: Messenger

Facebook might have began as a mere social network, but now it’s become the primary communication hub for a rather large chunk of its billion-plus users. That’s thanks to the added thrust for Messenger, which has more than nine hundred million users itself and has expanded past text talk to include audio and movie calls over the years. And unlike Duo, you can talk inbetween the mobile apps and computers using the web version.

Messenger has more going on than Duo or FaceTime, since it has text talk and is directly linked into the core Facebook app, but the movie calling interface is very straightforward and effortless to understand. Unluckily, movie quality has been pretty hit-or-miss in our testing, at least compared to these other apps.

And while the mobile Messenger apps suggest group audio talk, they only support two people for movie at the time of writing. If you want something less cluttered than Skype, yet a bit more sturdy than FaceTime or Duo, then Messenger might do the trick. And you don’t even need a Facebook account (just a phone number), albeit that is the easiest way to connect with mates.

• Facebook’s big user base
• Mobile-to-web movie calls

• Inconsistent quality
• No group movie talk
• Facebook can make people wary

FaceTime vs Duo vs Skype vs Messenger: Which movie talk app is for you, Stuff

FaceTime vs Duo vs Skype vs Messenger: Which movie talk app is for you?

Google Duo for Android and iOS might seem like an unnecessary release given the existence of Hangouts, but if you think Google’s own movie talk app stable seems crowded, consider the field.

There’s no shortage of ways to connect with friends and family via free movie calls, whether it’s on a phone, tablet, or computer, and Google Duo is only the latest atop the pile. Its cross-platform treatment gives it an edge over FaceTime, but what about other major movie talk apps?

Each heavyweight contender has its perks and drawbacks, and you’ve got some choices to make if you’re attempting to stick with one of them.

Nosey what sets them apart? Here’s a look at what makes Apple’s FaceTime, Microsoft’s Skype, Google’s Duo, and Facebook’s Messenger a potentially ideal candidate for your face-to-face talks.

Apple Fans Only: FaceTime

If you have an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac, chances are good that you’re already very familiar with FaceTime. Apple’s own movie talk service is baked into iOS and OS X and couldn’t be simpler or lighter to use. You don’t even have to open up a separate app in iOS: from your contacts, you can simply tap the FaceTime button to connect, assuming the person on the other line is also using a compatible Apple device.

And that’s indeed the long and brief of why you’d use FaceTime: it’s rigorously for Apple device users, which makes up a massive stack of people. In classic Apple style, FaceTime’s simpleness is its calling card, as the app and UI aren’t overcharged with features—nor does it have text talk included. It’s you and the other person (so no group calls), and if all you want to do is catch up with a pal or loved one, FaceTime is a pretty ideal way to do so on your iPhone or Mac.

• Baked into iOS and Mac
• Plain and effective treatment

The all-in-wonder: Skype

Skype is the elder statesman of VoIP calling, whether it’s audio or movie, and the Microsoft-owned service has some strong qualities that other services can’t match. It’s a fully-featured, multiplatform suggesting, which means you’ll find a lot more here—whether you want it or not.

More importantly, you’ll find it pretty much anywhere: phones, tablets, computers, and even the Xbox One console via Kinect. (Reminisce Kinect? It’s good for Skype movie calls!) In fact, this picture shows me using a dated laptop with a low-res talk cam. Still, it works.

Beyond that awesome plasticity, Skype geysers in the features: it has group movie calls and screen sharing functionality, text talk and landline calls, not to mention live translation of seven spoken languages—albeit only on Windows devices for now.

As an all-in-one service, Skype might be intimidating for the casual user, and it’s certainly more than your mum would ever need on her phone. But for professionals and other well-traveled types, it’s one app that can connect you with pretty much anyone, wherever you are.

• On fountains of devices
• Group calls, translation, etc.

• Can be breathtaking
• No iOS/Android translation

Simpler but broader: Google Duo

Duo’s the fresh kid on the block in this category, but Google certainly isn’t: the company clearly learned from its inconsistent Hangouts app and wished to do something more straightforward and to the point.

In that sense, Duo is very much like FaceTime with its simpleness and concentrate, permitting just two-person talks via an ultra-minimal interface. In this case, however, Duo is presently only compatible with mobile devices, so there’s no PC or Mac element.

However, if your digital life revolves around your smartphone, Duo bests FaceTime in a massive way by being available on both iOS and Android. It’s tied to your phone number, so as long as the other person has the app, you can get face to face with a duo taps.

It works well, plus the fine Knock Knock feature gives you a live preview of who’s calling (only on Android for now). Adding cross-platform functionality on top of the crisp movie and effortless interface makes Duo a strong contender—albeit one you might have to prod mates to download very first.

• Delightfully effortless to use
• For both iOS and Android

• No computer compatibility
• Knock Knock’s not on iOS

Because it's Facebook: Messenger

Facebook might have commenced as a mere social network, but now it’s become the primary communication hub for a rather large chunk of its billion-plus users. That’s thanks to the added thrust for Messenger, which has more than nine hundred million users itself, and has expanded past text talk to include audio and movie calls over the years. And unlike Duo, you can talk inbetween the mobile apps and computers using the web version.

Messenger has more going on than Duo or FaceTime, since it has text talk and is directly linked into the core Facebook app, but the movie calling interface is very similarly straightforward and effortless to understand. Unluckily, movie quality has been pretty hit-or-miss in our testing, at least compared to these other apps.

And while the mobile Messenger apps suggest group audio talk, they only support two people for movie as of this writing. If you want something less cluttered than Skype, yet a bit more sturdy than FaceTime or Duo, then Messenger might do the trick. And you don’t even need a Facebook account (just a phone number), albeit that is the easiest way to connect with mates.

• Facebook’s ample user base
• Mobile-to-web movie calls

• Inconsistent quality
• No group movie talk
• Facebook can make people wary

FaceTime vs Duo vs Skype vs Messenger: Which movie talk app is for you, Stuff

FaceTime vs Duo vs Skype vs Messenger: Which movie talk app is for you?

Google Duo for Android and iOS might seem like an unnecessary release given the existence of Hangouts, but if you think Google’s own movie talk app stable seems crowded, consider the field.

There’s no shortage of ways to connect with friends and family via free movie calls, whether it’s on a phone, tablet, or computer, and Google Duo is only the latest atop the pile. Its cross-platform treatment gives it an edge over FaceTime, but what about other major movie talk apps?

Each heavyweight contender has its perks and drawbacks, and you’ve got some choices to make if you’re attempting to stick with one of them.

Nosey what sets them apart? Here’s a look at what makes Apple’s FaceTime, Microsoft’s Skype, Google’s Duo, and Facebook’s Messenger a potentially ideal candidate for your face-to-face talks.

Apple Fans Only: FaceTime

If you have an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac, chances are good that you’re already very familiar with FaceTime. Apple’s own movie talk service is baked into iOS and OS X and couldn’t be simpler or lighter to use. You don’t even have to open up a separate app in iOS: from your contacts, you can simply tap the FaceTime button to connect, assuming the person on the other line is also using a compatible Apple device.

And that’s indeed the long and brief of why you’d use FaceTime: it’s stringently for Apple device users, which makes up a massive stack of people. In classic Apple style, FaceTime’s plainness is its calling card, as the app and UI aren’t overcharged with features—nor does it have text talk included. It’s you and the other person (so no group calls), and if all you want to do is catch up with a pal or loved one, FaceTime is a pretty ideal way to do so on your iPhone or Mac.

• Baked into iOS and Mac
• Plain and effective treatment

The all-in-wonder: Skype

Skype is the elder statesman of VoIP calling, whether it’s audio or movie, and the Microsoft-owned service has some strong qualities that other services can’t match. It’s a fully-featured, multiplatform suggesting, which means you’ll find a lot more here—whether you want it or not.

More importantly, you’ll find it pretty much anywhere: phones, tablets, computers, and even the Xbox One console via Kinect. (Recall Kinect? It’s good for Skype movie calls!) In fact, this pic shows me using a dated laptop with a low-res talk cam. Still, it works.

Beyond that awesome plasticity, Skype explosions in the features: it has group movie calls and screen sharing functionality, text talk and landline calls, not to mention live translation of seven spoken languages—albeit only on Windows devices for now.

As an all-in-one service, Skype might be intimidating for the casual user, and it’s certainly more than your mum would ever need on her phone. But for professionals and other well-traveled types, it’s one app that can connect you with pretty much anyone, wherever you are.

• On explosions of devices
• Group calls, translation, etc.

• Can be breathtaking
• No iOS/Android translation

Simpler but broader: Google Duo

Duo’s the fresh kid on the block in this category, but Google certainly isn’t: the company clearly learned from its inconsistent Hangouts app and wished to do something more straightforward and to the point.

In that sense, Duo is very much like FaceTime with its simpleness and concentrate, permitting just two-person talks via an ultra-minimal interface. In this case, however, Duo is presently only compatible with mobile devices, so there’s no PC or Mac element.

However, if your digital life revolves around your smartphone, Duo bests FaceTime in a massive way by being available on both iOS and Android. It’s tied to your phone number, so as long as the other person has the app, you can get face to face with a duo taps.

It works well, plus the excellent Knock Knock feature gives you a live preview of who’s calling (only on Android for now). Adding cross-platform functionality on top of the crisp movie and effortless interface makes Duo a strong contender—albeit one you might have to prod mates to download very first.

• Delightfully effortless to use
• For both iOS and Android

• No computer compatibility
• Knock Knock’s not on iOS

Because it's Facebook: Messenger

Facebook might have began as a mere social network, but now it’s become the primary communication hub for a rather large chunk of its billion-plus users. That’s thanks to the added thrust for Messenger, which has more than nine hundred million users itself, and has expanded past text talk to include audio and movie calls over the years. And unlike Duo, you can talk inbetween the mobile apps and computers using the web version.

Messenger has more going on than Duo or FaceTime, since it has text talk and is directly linked into the core Facebook app, but the movie calling interface is very similarly straightforward and effortless to understand. Unluckily, movie quality has been pretty hit-or-miss in our testing, at least compared to these other apps.

And while the mobile Messenger apps suggest group audio talk, they only support two people for movie as of this writing. If you want something less cluttered than Skype, yet a bit more sturdy than FaceTime or Duo, then Messenger might do the trick. And you don’t even need a Facebook account (just a phone number), albeit that is the easiest way to connect with mates.

• Facebook’s phat user base
• Mobile-to-web movie calls

• Inconsistent quality
• No group movie talk
• Facebook can make people wary

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