What videochat is best for use?

In addition to well-known offerings like Skype and Facetime, there is now a wide range of video chat programs available. Keeping track of them all is a real challenge for many parents. The various offerings have a lot in common: They allow live streaming via camera and are suitable for both one-on-one chats and phone calls as well as group conversations. "SCHAU HIN!" advises mothers and fathers to review video chat tools in advance and select them together with their child. Data protection and privacy are particularly important.

House Party

The video chat app "Houseparty" can be used as an app or via the Chrome web browser on a PC. Up to eight people can video chat with each other while playing the games available in the app. New game versions can be unlocked via in-app purchases.

Registration and costs

Registration is done via email. Houseparty is free.

Data and youth protection

Houseparty like MILF Webcams VibraGame allows contacts to connect directly without ringing a bell. This also applies to group video chats. If you want to avoid this, you should block chats from other people. Video calls can be recorded and downloaded in the app without informing the chat partners. However, not only privacy but also data protection is poor on Houseparty: A wide variety of data, including personal data, is collected and stored, and according to the privacy policy, which must be accepted for use, may be shared with third parties for business purposes.

zoom

Zoom is a video conferencing software that can be used both on desktop and as an app on mobile. Up to 1,000 people can join a video conference and share their screens with each other. Text chat is possible within a meeting. It's also possible to share files and record video calls.

Registration and costs

To register, you'll need an email address, a Google account, or a Facebook account. Zoom is free for calls up to 40 minutes. Longer calls require a paid subscription.

Data and youth protection

During registration, Zoom asks users for permission to identify themselves with personal Google data. This and other collected meeting metadata, such as the IP address and camera type, are sent to Google. Zoom stopped sharing data from the iOS app with Facebook with an update. Furthermore, the software manufacturer responded to the security issue known as "Zoombombing" in April 2020 with waiting rooms and password protection for meetings. Communication is now protected by end-to-end encryption.

Skype

With Skype, people can connect with their contacts via phone, chat, or video chat. In addition to group chats with up to 50 participants and screen sharing, video messaging is also possible. Skype chats and video conferences can now be accepted without registration – via an invitation link. Skype also allows you to call a person using their home phone number.

Registration and costs

When registering, you must provide an email address or phone number. Skype calls within the application are free.

Data and youth protection

Users can be found by the provided name, phone number, or email address. The operator, Microsoft, collects various data, including personal data, which is used for marketing purposes. Since 2018, Skype has also offered secure end-to-end encryption in addition to its existing encryption method. However, this is optional and must be activated by users for each conversation.

FaceTime

FaceTime is a chat service available only on Apple devices. Users can call or video chat with up to 30 contacts.

Registration and costs

The app is pre-installed on all Apple devices. You can also sign up with an iPhone phone number. Using FaceTime is free.

Data and youth protection

Communication via FaceTime is protected by end-to-end encryption. A phone number, email address, or Apple ID is required to contact someone. While calls are not stored on Apple servers, Apple may store data associated with calls, such as invited participants and the network configuration of the devices. Users can choose whether messages are automatically deleted from their device after 30 days, one year, or never.

Viber

Viber is a messaging service that can be used on both smartphones and PCs. Its features range from voice and video calls to group chats with unlimited members to recording video and voice messages.

Registration and costs

After installing the Viber app on your smartphone, you can also use Viber on your desktop using your phone number. Using Viber is free. However, there is a paid app called "Viber Out" for calling people who don't have Viber installed.

Data and youth protection

Communication is protected by end-to-end encryption. No sent data is stored on Viber's servers. Viber cannot read or listen to messages and calls from individual and group chats, nor can it be used for advertising purposes. Furthermore, users must confirm the identity of their chat partners by exchanging security keys. Contacts are notified if their personal data changes.

Discord

Discord is suitable for instant messaging, chats, voice, and video conferencing. The online service can be used on both smartphones and PCs. Up to ten people can participate in a video chat simultaneously. Screen sharing is also possible. Discord can also be connected to social network profiles.

Registration and costs

Registration is done by creating a user account. Discord can be launched via the app or directly from the browser. Costs are only charged for the premium version. Otherwise, Discord is financed through personalized advertising.

Data and youth protection

To contact someone, you need their username and the account's tag number. Otherwise, Discord's privacy is very limited. All chat content can be read, used, and resold by the company. Personal data is stored, and personalized advertising is displayed.

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams allows users to chat with each other via text or video—in group chats, even with up to 10,000 people simultaneously. Word, PowerPoint, and Excel files can be accessed, shared, and edited via Microsoft Teams. Screen sharing is also possible during video chats.

Registration and costs

Registration is done via an email address, a phone number, or a Skype ID. A limited version of Microsoft Teams is free to use; full functionality is only available with a Microsoft Office business subscription.

Data and youth protection

Microsoft Teams protects data with security and encryption measures. Data collection, storage, and use are transparent: Users can track where and what data is stored. Collected data is not used for advertising.

Jitsi Meet

Jitsi Meet is a video call provider available only in English. It allows up to 2,000 people to communicate simultaneously. It offers the option of screen sharing and collaborative document editing via Etherpad.

Registration and costs

Registration isn't required. Simply enter a URL name to create a meeting room. Then copy the link and send it to the people you want to speak with. Jitsi Meet is free to use.

Data and youth protection

Since no account is required, using Jitsi Meet is anonymous. No personal data is requested, and video content and messages are not saved. Meeting rooms sent via links are created when the first participant joins and closed when the last one leaves. Currently, communication is only protected by transport encryption.

Rooms

"Rooms" is Meta Platforms' video call feature, which can be accessed via WhatsApp. It allows up to 50 people to meet in a virtual meeting.

Registration and costs

All WhatsApp and Facebook users can access the feature free of charge. It can be found under the name "Room" by clicking on the paperclip next to the text field. To create a video chat, you must have an active Facebook account. However, anyone who receives an access link and provides their name can participate.

Data and youth protection

An advantage is that users who simply want to participate in the video chat don't need a Facebook account. Therefore, it's advisable to have adult Facebook users, such as parents, organize the video chat. Children can then participate without setting up a Facebook account. Users who organize a video call have the option to remove participants at any time and prevent the invitation link from being shared.