Top 8 FaceTime Alternatives iPad

As with all of these alternatives articles, it surprises me the amount of users out there that are simply not aware there even are any alternatives. It’s this ignorance that results in brand names becoming verbs, such as the way people now talking about “Skyping” one another. Speaking of video chatting apps, one of the most used default Apple apps is FaceTime, which is probably good enough for your average user but does have its problems. As with any preinstalled Apple apps, there is a veritable mountain of different alternatives out there that do things better and don’t cost a dime – the trick is finding the app that best suits you. These days, as mentioned above, Skype seems to be the most used among video calling apps, representing a huge percentage of the market and continuing to grow thanks to impressive cross platform capabilities. There are however a lot of other, perhaps more overlooked apps out there that are worth taking a look at as valid FaceTime alternatives for your iPad. Check out our picks below and feel free to suggest your own in the comments section!

8. WeChat (Free)

Over half a billion people now use WeChat around the world, which is more than enough reason to give it a passing mention on a list of FaceTime alternatives. Much of WeChat’s userbase exists in the East, however, which might be why you haven’t heard of it yet. The features are what you might expect, with the ability to make HD audio and video calls but also to send SMS and MMS messages, share photos and even play games with friends. It’s one of the best apps out there when it comes to keeping in touch with friends and family across the globe, so might be worth checking out if that’s your situation. – Download from iTunes

7. Tango (Free)

I remember back when Apple first introduced FaceTime to the public, and how there was a rush among developers to come up with some kind of Android equivalent. Tango was one of those apps that struck early and gained an impressive share of the market as a result, largely because it came preinstalled on HTC devices. These days, things are slightly different bit Tango is still a viable alternative that is worth checking out if you’re sick of FaceTime or just looking for a change. It offers HD video and audio calls, messaging and a group chat option. There are also some other interesting features such as the ability to play games and explore channels of content.  – Download from iTunes

6. Imo (Free)

One video calling and chatting app that you might not have heard of at this point, Imo offers similar features to what you’re used to getting with FaceTime but is a nice stripped down app without all the clutter you see on some apps. The video and audio quality is good enough, and you can make unlimited calls for free; you can also send photos and videos, if your friend in question is not online or unable to chat at that particular moment. The app also has an extensive amount of cute emojis, so do check this app out if that’s your thing. – Download from iTunes

5. OoVoo (Free)

OoVoo is I suppose quite similar to the likes of Tango and Viber (we’ll get to this one soon) if you consider the features it offers and nature of the app itself. There is HD video and audio calls, just as with most of the apps out there looking to compete, but ooVoo sets itself apart from the pack somewhat thanks to its group chatting experience. The app ofers video calls for up to 12 people at once, and manages the whole thing very well, too, by splitting up the full screen of your device for each of the person in your conversation and getting rid of any clutter.  – Download from iTunes

4. LINE (Free)

LINE will always be number one on that list of supremely popular apps that you just so happen to have never heard of. Around 350 million people around the world take advantage of the messaging and video chatting features that LINE offers on a daily basis, but many of these users are based in Asia which is perhaps why you may not have heard of it. LINE has a lot of fun stickers and emojis so is an excellent pick for the younger generation. It’s also one of the best apps out there in terms of cross platform capabilities, and is currently available on iOS and Android devices, as well as Windows Phone, Blackberry, desktop and even Firefox OS. – Download from iTunes

3. Hangouts (Free)

Perhaps the most obvious FaceTime alternative is Google’s own Hangouts, which might be worth checking out if you’re an avid Google user who will typically use Gmail for email and Docs for your work stuff. Hangouts is for some reason looked down upon by users as a pretender, but does boast a lot of functionality such as the ability to send SMS and MMS messages, as well as audio and video calls. One area I’ve found that Hangouts really excels in however is when it comes too group video calls, or video conferences – perhaps for work, if we’re looking for an example. – Download from iTunes

2. Viber (Free)

Viber has rocketed in popularity recently and established itself as one of the most used video calling apps out there across a range of different devices. The app offers all of the basics including HD video and audio calls, as well as calling to mobiles and that kind of thing. You can also send text, photo and video messages which is something that some users will be looking out for. The difference between Viber and other apps out there that we’ve featured on this list is that with Viber, your phone number is actually your ID. This is similar to the way that WhatsApp does away with usernames and passwords and instead connects your ID to your number. Of course, all of this doesn’t apply to the iPad but it’s still something that users will appreciate. Viber is also available across a bunch of different platforms, including Android, iOS, Windows Phone and desktop. – Download from iTunes

1. Skype (Free)

You can go out there and look at the very best video calling services out there for mobile devices, but at the end of the day once all the dust has settled Microsoft’s Skype will be up there near the top. I walk into internet cafes on a regular basis and see most of the computers open on Skype, mainly because it has become more affordable than investing in telephone cards if you’re living in a different country and want to communicate with friends and family back home – especially when calling from a PC to a landline or cellphone. Skype currently accounts for most of the video calling market, and really should be the app that comes preinstalled on devices ahead of FaceTime, etc. Part of the reason for Skype’s domination is the fact that it’s been around for so long – about 12 years- at the time of writing and is available on just about every platform out there.  – Download from iTunes