Download the program for communicating via the Internet. Best apps for video calling and voice communication

The most popular messenger in the world from former employees of Yahoo!, with more than 450 million user base, and the main enemy of mobile operators, because of which all reasonable owners of phones and smartphones will soon completely forget about SMS. Since 2009, it has successfully helped its users send text messages, as well as videos, pictures and audio. At the same time, WhatsApp developers, unlike their competitors, focused specifically on messages, abandoning support for audio and video calls, which gave them the opportunity to bring their functionality to almost perfection. However, after the recent purchase of WhatsApp by Zuckerberg, it became known that voice calls may appear in the application.

iPhone owners can talk about iMessage as much as they want, which allows you to send messages and any files no less painlessly on your budget, but everyone has plenty of friends who use Android and other platforms.

Free basic features

Synchronization
with phone book

Stickers

PROS

MINUSES

The application can be used for free only for the first year, after which you will have to pay $0.99. Although those who bought the app a long time ago at the price of $0.99 have now received a lifetime subscription.

iPad is not supported.

You cannot make calls over the Internet via WhatsApp - all calls are made exclusively through your mobile operator.

Facebook Messenger

Facebook recently bought WhatsApp for $19 billion, but Zuckerberg continues to slowly develop his messenger. Having gotten rid of an annoying competitor, which in just a few years had easily captured the Eastern and South American audience, he gained time to further improve his application. But, in our opinion, Facebook Messenger is already pretty good, and its only drawback is that it is aimed exclusively at Facebook users. Until Zuckerberg resolves this issue, the application is closed to the big world of messengers.

FREE CORE FEATURES

NO ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS

SYNCHRONIZATION
WITH PHONE BOOK

GREAT PROBABILITY OF FINDING YOUR FRIENDS

OPPORTUNITY TO SEND DIFFERENT TYPES OF FILES

STICKERS

PROS

Synced well with Facebook - when you receive a message, you'll be taken to Messenger, but can also be taken back to your Facebook feed. But if all this were combined in one application, it would be much more convenient.

The stickers here are extremely varied. Actually, just exchanging these funny emojis can be done endlessly.

Minimalist functionality - it's just a messenger, nothing extra.

MINUSES

The main disadvantage of the messenger is that it is only available to Facebook users. This is actually a plus, but it automatically removes it from the list of universal messengers available to absolutely everyone.

Line

A Japanese messenger with a standard set of functions for sending messages and files, which is also a gaming platform and a mini-social network. In addition to, in fact, the basic functionality of a regular messenger, Line allows users to share their statuses and comment on others - in general, do the same thing as in other social networks. A long time ago, the main difference of this application were funny stickers with funny cartoons, which became one of the founders of the emoji fashion, but now this will not surprise anyone.

FREE CORE FEATURES

NO ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS

SYNCHRONIZATION
WITH PHONE BOOK

GREAT PROBABILITY OF FINDING YOUR FRIENDS

OPPORTUNITY TO SEND DIFFERENT TYPES OF FILES

STICKERS

PROS

The main difference of this application is its funny stickers, reminiscent of emoticons from Facebook and, in fact, significantly inferior to them.

A large list of games that you can play with your chat partner. But who actually plays them is not clear.

Line supports official celebrity accounts, although there are not very many of them so far - we were only able to find Katy Perry and Paul McCartney.

MINUSES

Even if you synchronize with your phone book, you will see a pathetic list of three friends in the application.

Most of the stickers and other additional pleasures are paid separately - 66 rubles apiece.

Viber

The second most popular instant messenger after WhatsApp, it differs only in the presence of audio calls, a smaller user base and a less sophisticated design. In the end, if you like to communicate via instant messengers and focus your choice primarily on your friends, then Viber should definitely appear on your phone: it is used by that part of your friends who have ignored WhatsApp.

FREE CORE FEATURES

NO ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS

SYNCHRONIZATION
WITH PHONE BOOK

GREAT PROBABILITY OF FINDING YOUR FRIENDS

OPPORTUNITY TO SEND DIFFERENT TYPES OF FILES

STICKERS

PROS

With Viber you can call even those users who do not have it installed. This service is called Viber Out and costs money - prices can be found in Viber itself. Considering the Internet fee, this will not cost you much less than regular calls.

MINUSES

Due to its Israeli origins, Viber is suspected by Egyptian and Lebanese authorities of supporting Zionist spies. Therefore, before traveling to Lebanon, it is better to install another messenger for insurance.

Telegram

The youngest, but at the same time one of the most promising representatives of the messenger family, created in 2013 by Pavel Durov’s company Digital Fortress. On the very first day of launch, the entire Internet accused the creators of 100% plagiarism of WhatsApp (they even have similar dialogue backgrounds!) and many other errors, and at the same time once again reminded Durov of the similarities between VKontakte and Facebook. Meanwhile, this messenger has a number of undeniable advantages such as high loading speed of everything, good information security and other pleasant little things. According to Durov, Telegram, as we see it now, is just an intermediate product that, after proper testing, can become completely different, and the visual similarity with its older brother is just a starting point. At the same time, the lack of a Russian interface, which all schoolchildren continue to complain about, clearly hints at grandiose plans to capture the world market.

FREE CORE FEATURES

NO ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS

SYNCHRONIZATION
WITH PHONE BOOK

GREAT PROBABILITY OF FINDING YOUR FRIENDS

OPPORTUNITY TO SEND DIFFERENT TYPES OF FILES

STICKERS

PROS

Instead of the usual stickers for competitors, there is a search for images throughout the Internet, that is, instead of a paid image with a dancing walrus from a limited set of the application, you can attach to a message a photo of absolutely any walrus from the Internet, or even a hippopotamus.

Integration with VKontakte is completely absent, and this is a plus, at least because even if VKontakte is closed or Durov himself finally leaves there, the messenger will remain afloat.

To the delight of Android fans, Durov perceives this platform as the main one for this application.

MINUSES

Unfortunately for iOS fans, Durov sees Android as the main platform for this application.

Snapchat

The messenger of the future with self-destructing information and simply an ideal communication application that erases all your messages a maximum of ten seconds after reading. The most interesting thing is that each text must be accompanied by a photo or video taken in real time. With these unusual and uncomfortable rules, Snapchat most closely resembles real interaction between people, and not the pre-prepared monologues that we are accustomed to when corresponding on social networks and other instant messengers. After all, everything you say in a normal conversation is not recorded on the hard drive and after a while disappears forever. To experience these unprecedented sensations, you just need to register, take a photo, put some simple text on top, set the destruction timer from one to ten seconds and send the resulting message to one of your friends.

FREE CORE FEATURES

Download programs for communicating via the Internet for free.
Free Internet communication programs for Windows XP, 7, 8, 10.
Download programs for correspondence and voice conversations on the Internet, in games and local networks.

Viber - a program for video calling, instant messaging and photo exchange, when launched, synchronizes contacts on your computer with your mobile device, i.e. the user always has the most current and complete version of all his correspondence.

The history of Viber began in 2010, when a team of five Israeli developers decided to create a serious alternative to . A lightweight application with excellent connection quality and a pleasant interface immediately captivated millions of users. By 2015, the Viber audience exceeded the Skype audience - 400 million versus 300.

Skype - a program for free video calls, voice communications, file and message exchange, also allows you to call regular phones, send SMS and today is the most popular instant messenger in the world.

If you need to communicate with relatives, friends or colleagues who are far away, what could be better than a video call. The latest version of Skype is ideal for this - just download the Skype program and make sure you have a web camera on your PC. You will also need a headset, although if your computer or laptop has a microphone and speakers or speakers, you can do without it.

Telegram- a fast messenger for private correspondence, transferring media files and voice calls, maintains the confidentiality of your data online, preventing information leaks.

Telegram uses the latest encryption methods and its own server hardware with closed source code, which makes the contents of transmitted messages inaccessible even to intelligence services and governments of different countries. Today it is the most secure messenger in the world.

Fast cross-platform messenger with voice communication support. WhatsApp is one of the world's most popular services for messaging, sharing photos and videos.

“Beautiful, fast and convenient” - these three epithets can be used to characterize the messenger. With it, you can communicate in private and group chats, transfer photos and videos, send documents, spreadsheets and PDF files. The application uses a simple visualization system, notifying you when messages have been delivered and read. Fans of social networks will appreciate the ability to set a status and profile photo. If you wish, you can add pleasant emotions to the dialogue thanks to a set of original emoticons. Particular emphasis is placed on the security of correspondence - all information is transmitted in encrypted form. The phone number is used as the user ID.

An advanced program for communicating with high-quality video calling and exchanging files of various formats. It is distinguished by a number of social functions that made LINE a kind of hybrid of a messenger and a social network.

The desktop version of LINE offers almost all the functionality of the mobile application. You can transfer contacts, make voice and video calls, correspond, exchange photos and documents, and spice up your communication with funny stickers.

An application for online correspondence, file sharing, voice and video communication. Allows you to communicate, including with users of other instant messengers and social networks.

The legendary chat program was created back in 1996 by four high school students from Israel. The guys wrote a program to correspond with each other and distributed it among their friends for free. Two years later, the software became so popular that AOL Corporation bought it, paying schoolchildren $287 million.

Flash mobs, quests, negotiations between drivers of the TNT corporation - Zello played a role in all this. The app has been downloaded by millions of users around the world on PC, Android, iOS and Windows Phone.

It all started with the fact that a simple St. Petersburg guy Lyosha Gavrilov decided to revive in modern smartphones a function that was in his old Nokia phone from 2001. Having collaborated with another programmer, Bill Moore, Lyosha began work on a project that would later become a powerful tool in the hands of the makers of history.

The TeamSpeak voice communication application works on the principle of a multi-channel walkie-talkie - to connect, just press a key on the keyboard. Ideal for multiplayer online games and business audio conferencing.

TeamSpeak is an extremely user-friendly application that can provide high-quality voice communication over the Internet. All you need is a headset or speakers and a microphone.

Separately, we note that the selection does not include a proprietary utility for communicating on the popular social network - Facebook Messenger. The service is very popular among mobile device users, but its desktop version at the time of review is presented only as an application in the Windows 10 store, and not as a separate program for all types of operating systems. Moreover, even this client is far from ideal. Therefore, we do not include Facebook Messenger in our ratings for now.

Cross-platform programs for communicating via the Internet

At the beginning of the collection, we will consider universal communication solutions. These programs are used not only for communication between two computers, but also for exchanging messages, transferring files, and even viewing news feeds; however, the desktop versions of some services do not allow establishing a voice and video communication session. All applications in this category are free (with the exception of some paid additional content like stickers), and they have clients for Android and iOS devices. The utilities are open to third-party developers and allow you to connect electronic assistants - bots. To launch them, you need to enter the bot's name in your address book.

The address book and history of group chats in such utilities are stored on the server by default. Some instant messengers like WhatsApp even store photos in the cloud. The advantage of this solution is that the data is automatically transferred to the new device after authorization. The logical disadvantage is security, in this case the active end-to-end encryption function (zero data access) comes in handy.

It would seem that choosing such a program is not a problem. But when it comes to adding a dozen new interlocutors to a conference, sharing the screen, recording a conversation or streaming on YouTube, it becomes clear that one or another function is missing. How not to make a mistake when installing a program for video calls from a computer, read our article.

Questions:

How to make free calls over the Internet?

How to send messages over the Internet?

How to register on Skype for the first time?

Other questions about communicating via the Internet

According to the results of our research by a wide margin Two applications are in the lead. Hangouts has the most universal functionality, but in terms of communication quality and ease of use - which is probably the most important thing - it is somewhat inferior to Skype.
In addition, the prevalence of programs must be taken into account. So, despite all its advancement, Hangouts has not yet been able to become the most used video calling application. In our opinion, the main reason for this is the focus on the web interface and, as a result, inconvenient management. In this regard, Skype definitely wins.

According to the authors, for full-fledged video communication at a distance using Skype, a PC with a dual-core processor and an Internet connection no slower than 512 kbps is enough. We also add that the developers from Microsoft decided to integrate the Skype application into Windows 10. And if everything suits you, you won’t have to look for alternatives.

Google Hangouts has replaced Google Talk. Windows users can use the web version of the application, available as an extension for common applications, or simply log into their GMail account in the Google Chrome browser.

If you have a Google account, working with this software is easier. You can start a call directly from Gmail or Google Plus. In Hangouts, you can create a group video conference for ten interlocutors, share the screen, chat, and take notes without minimizing the communication window. Plus, with Hangouts you can stream live content directly to YouTube. In general, there are so many functions that at first you even get a little confused.
Personally, our impression was also spoiled by the fact that establishing a connection from an application on a mobile platform to a user working with Hangouts in a browser is very problematic. Simply because the person may have another tab open and will not notice your call.

ooVoo is a popular free program for video calling from a computer. When compared with Skype, there are no fundamental differences in the level of communication. At the same time, this client program provides a free group video chat in which up to 12 users can participate.

As for voice calls, a maximum of three people can communicate in this mode for free (you can connect up to six people, but for a fee). The Video Call Recording feature allows you to record a telephone or video conversation for free.
ooVoo is also actively expanding to tablets and smartphones. The ability to switch between interlocutors is also provided. The only drawback of the application is that it is not promoted. To be honest, during testing we personally liked the “picture” quality in ooVoo the most.

The program has become incredibly popular over the past few years. Millions of fans of comfortable online communication have managed to download Viber to their computers, although the majority of the application’s 450 million audience are mobile device users. The desktop version is often installed for video calls to acquaintances and friends who find themselves with a tablet or smartphone somewhere in nature or abroad.

Unfortunately, you won't be able to create a video conference in Viber. But during one-on-one video communication, you will not notice any “slowdowns”. Of course, provided that the Internet connection speed is good.

This messenger with support for video calls has gained great popularity in Asia and the USA. And recently, European users began to actively install it. And there is a reasonable explanation for this.

The application attracts with its minimalist interface and some options typical for social networks. So, you can view friends’ feeds, comment on photos and rate statuses. In addition, the program developers implemented the exchange of files of different formats. You can do this during a video session, as well as exchange messages.
Once launched, you will be able to import contacts from your mobile device and call anyone who also has LINE installed. It is noteworthy that the video call is available for recording, but there is a limit of no more than ten seconds.

In the latest version of ICQ, the developers have made a number of improvements in the quality of voice and video calls. The new engine on which the popular messenger runs will allow you to communicate in full screen mode, while VGA 640x480 resolution will be provided during video calls. But group video conferences on ICQ are not available.

To make a voice call, just one click is enough. But we can only talk for free with a user who also has an ICQ client installed. To make a call to a landline or mobile phone, you need to deposit money into a virtual account. As a rule, regular calls via ICQ occur without delays or interruptions.

Tango was designed primarily for mobile devices as a calling app for tablets, allowing users to call each other for free while connected to the Internet. The company thought about PC users only after releasing versions for Android and iOS.

It's easy to synchronize contacts from your phone with your computer - you just need to enter your phone number or email address. All that Tango for PC requires is Windows OS and a network connection with a speed of at least 4 Mbps. And, of course, a web camera and a headset (or speakers). I can't help but be pleased with the fact that to start Tango you don't need to create an account or log in.
This software will fit perfectly on most modern smartphones and communicators with front cameras. But on a PC you may be somewhat disappointed by the image quality during a video call.

How to improve the quality of communication?

During video calls, you may experience stuttering and stuttering. The reason for this is often not the speed of the Internet connection, but the processes running on the computer. Therefore, before making a video call, we recommend that you close all unnecessary applications. The same applies to browser tabs.
It also doesn’t hurt to clean your computer of components that “clog” the system. This can be done using optimizers such as or . To ensure security and high performance of your computer, we recommend installing an anti-virus suite equipped with tools for system optimization.

If you find interesting features in two or three programs at once, you can download them together. But be sure to keep in mind that such applications place a significant load on computer resources, so using them simultaneously is recommended only in exceptional cases.

Messenger (from English Messenger translates as “messenger”, “messenger”) is a program for instant messaging. Modern chat rooms have much greater functionality with the ability to make calls, exchange multimedia, video conferencing and other useful options.

Some utilities provide their services for free, while others charge a separate fee for additional features. Some messengers allow you to exchange hundreds of colorful emoticons, add more than 200 participants to groups, while others, limiting themselves to modest functionality, guarantee encryption of all transmitted information. Our selection will help you get acquainted with the capabilities of the best free instant messengers and choose the one that best suits your requirements.

It is the most popular messenger with which users from different parts of the world can call mobile and landline numbers, send messages and files, and also communicate via video calling for free. Using the software, you can make calls from a browser, use a variety of emoticons for vivid communication, share your screen, arrange video conferences with several contacts, and synchronize with all devices.

An equally popular messenger with a user base of 800 million. With it you can send free messages, call any country, exchange multimedia data and establish contact with landline and mobile numbers. The quality of communication, user-friendly interface, video communication in HD format, compatibility with almost all popular platforms have brought Viber to a leading position. In the latest versions, the developers have added entertainment additions: public accounts, games, a store of emoticons and stickers. You can send not only photos to another contact, but also videos, instant camera shots, GIF files, links to content from popular resources and Wikipedia articles. Various settings allow you to change the background, notification settings and your actions, show hidden chats and blocked contacts. Work in the utility begins with registering an account using a mobile number, after which you can start communicating on your PC.

Messenger on a cross-platform system with a guarantee of maximum data encryption. Works on laptop and desktop computers, as well as mobile systems that synchronize with each other. The user can configure automatic deletion of messages after a certain period and saving multimedia in the cloud. You can send objects up to 1.5 GB, create personal integrated modules, use emoticons when chatting, change backgrounds and choose connection types.

A popular utility for voice communication, correspondence in group and individual chats, exchange of multimedia content and calls. The messenger works even on outdated mobile devices, allows you to combine up to 256 contacts into one group, publish and change your status, create mailing lists and highlight messages as favorites. All communication in the program is carefully encrypted, and the user can change the chat wall wallpaper, archive messages and apply custom notification sounds.

Being an improved version of Kvip 2010, the messenger we are considering allows you to combine contacts of various social networks and services into a single database for quick communication. The work of external modules allows you to conduct video and audio communication with users of different protocols and social networks in different countries. To protect against spam, you can configure message filtering, and the ability to listen to the radio and view content on popular services from the Quip 2012 window will not leave the demanding user indifferent.

A high-quality messenger for text and voice communication, calls, online games and sharing multimedia files. Integrates with social networks, notifies about new messages, and sends SMS to Mail.ru mobile phones. The program works with ICQ's instant manager and notifies about its news and protects against spam mailings. In the application, the user can play games with a friend, call home and mobile phones, and also instantly send a message.

It is a free analogue of Skype with the same wide functionality. Allows you to conduct video communication, correspond, exchange files and short messages, record a conversation, call on a PC, landline and mobile. Up to 12 users can be added to the chat, and a video message can be recorded for 60 seconds. Configured import of contacts, correspondence history and work on various platforms.

It is a walkie-talkie application that guarantees protection against wiretapping and ideal sound quality. Has a large audience reach and communication in an open communication channel or its own radio channel. Channels have their own themes and regional affiliations. It is possible to send the user an off-line voice message, view history, configure options through a web browser and work with voice mail.

A utility for quick correspondence, listening to the radio, communicating on VK and working with Gmail. With the help of connected plugins, you can significantly expand the functionality of Miranda, namely: changing the appearance of the interface, adding translations from different languages, viewing statistics, setting up secure communication and enabling notifications. Passwords and database protection are carried out using cryptographic algorithms.

A simple and functional utility that has a built-in messenger function and elements of social networks. It has about 400 million users and applies to most well-known desktop and mobile operating systems. The application allows you to determine the geolocation of contacts, send content, voice and video messages. Thanks to the interface similar to social networks, in the LINE menu you can view the news feed of your favorite idols or contacts, simultaneously correspond with several users, use stickers during correspondence and send files of various formats.

A lightweight and compact messenger that integrates with various social networks and other communication programs. In addition to the standard functions of sending multimedia and messages, with ICQ you can call landline/mobile numbers, block the interlocutor, change skins, support a microblog, open message history and simultaneously communicate in other social networks.

The messenger is relevant for creating voice conferences and communicating between gamers while playing the game. This client creates a server in which a conference call is established between users and further communication is carried out. Discord provides all messenger options for free, in addition, it protects against DDoS attacks and supports an in-game overlay. The utility administers voice communication channels, creates personal and public chats, and also works in Push-to-Talk.

Multichannel walkie-talkie for voice communication with the creation of a personal channel with servers. In the settings, the user sets a button or a coded voice message, which in the future will be the start of work in the messenger. TeamSpeak provides high quality communication, suppresses noise and interference, joins up to 1000 users to a conversation and allows you to communicate in several communication channels simultaneously. In the settings you can set passwords for your channels, filter access and record conversations. There is a version for 64-bit OS.