Facetime for PC

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10 Best FaceTime Alternatives for Video Calls

As discussed in our previous articles, we had mentioned about FaceTime, about its working and how to use it on Mac & iPhone. Here in this article, we are going to discuss the FaceTime alternatives. So if you are looking for some best alternatives for video calls in the market for FaceTime, this article is for you. So let’s explore some other alternatives of FaceTime and their respective features…

Although there are many apps like Facetime and many are coming in the market almost daily. As per our research and user reviews, we are listing down top 10 best FaceTime alternatives for video calls along with their pros and cons.

Facetime is also available for Windows and Mac devices. Officially Facetime is not launched for Windows PC but here is a method to use Facetime on PC and some best alternatives of Facetime.

FaceTime alternatives for video calls

Apple’s audio and video calling service, FaceTime, from which you can make free calls to anywhere just at the cost of your wifi or cellular data. Here are some alternatives to that for video calling.

FaceTime alternatives
FaceTime alternatives

1) Skype

Pros:

  • Flexible calling
  • Real-time Video+VoIP on mobile and PC
  • Cross-platform
  • You can make direct international calls at cheap rate
  • A simple group calling feature
  • Beneficial for large group calls over multiple platforms
  • Google Voice
  • Can create voicemail number in order to receive calls from landline or mobiles (offline)
  • FaceTime can only be used for iOS users while Skype supports multi-platform like windows, android, etc
  • Advantages of multi-tasking

Cons:

  • Being a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) its speed depends upon the speed of network connectivity
  • More prone to cyberbullying and attacks
  • Wiretapping capabilities could cause security breaches
  • Requires Wi-fi or 3G services to work

Also Read: How to Use FaceTime on iPhone and Mac

2) Facebook Messenger

Pros:

  • Absolutely free platform for texting, calling and collaborations
  • Nice platform for group calls
  • Not only calls, but texting is also fun like never before
  • You can call your Facebook friends easily and hassle-free
  • It makes chatting faster and easier
  • You can send media as well
  • In-built stickers make video calls a fun experience
  • Seamless audio & video calls capabilities

Cons:

  • Not so apt as per the security
  • Drains battery of the device faster
  • Annoying frequent notifications
  • Takes up a lot of space

3) Google Duo

Pros:

  • Offers 720p high definition video calling
  • High-quality video calls over low-speed internet as well
  • Great upgradation in video calling experience
  • Google trusted services
  • A feature of leaving a message if a person isn’t available to pick up the call

Cons:

  • Cannot be used on different devices as it uses the phone number
  • Cannot send a text or chat over this platform
  • No knock preview option over iOS version for the incoming calls unless the duo is opened

4) WhatsApp

Pros:

  • WhatsApp video call is seamless and easy to use
  • Call connect even over low-speed internet
  • The two caller screen can be toggled
  • While calling you can get back to the messaging chat
  • Doesn’t drain too much battery of the device
  • You can flip the camera as well for showing the opposite side of your face

Cons:

  • The quality of video call isn’t too appreciable
  • The low-speed internet lowers the video quality
  • Video calls cause hindrance if either of the caller’s internet speed is slow

5) Viber

Pros:

  • Offers full-screen call notification
  • Video calls and texting facilities
  • You can respond to messages through push notifications without actually opening the Viber
  • Integrates phone address book each time you make a call or send a message
  • Group chats services
  • Media sharing available

Cons:

  • Doesn’t offer call blocking facility
  • Reduces video quality over slow speed internet
  • If you change your number, you have to reinstall Viber
  • You can’t communicate a non-Viber or offline friend

6) IMO

Pros:

  • Doesn’t consume much space. Possess small sized cache files.
  • Huge sticker listing for fun experience
  • International calls are easier and seamless
  • High-quality video calling
  • Supports Group chats
  • Best-in-class control
  • Call encryption ensures security

Cons:

  • Cannot be used without internet connectivity
  • Consumes battery

7) Google Hangouts

Pros:

  • User-friendly interface with fun features
  • Youtube integration
  • Grouping calling facilities
  • Comes with ease of use and practical interface

Cons:

  • Needs an invitation to Google+ to get started
  • Google Video plugin needs to be installed

8) Tango

Pros:

  • Tango recognizes you through your mobile number and hence username and password creation like in FaceTime isn’t required
  • Contacts address book synchronization automatically
  • Free video and voice calling service
  • During calls, you can create certain animations like flying balloons over the screen.
  • Simple and straightforward interface with user-friendly features

Cons:

  • No integration with other platforms
  • No calls to non-tango users possible
  • No texting possible

9) WeChat

Pros:

  • An extensive set of interesting features other than simple chat and calling facilities like finding a store nearby, shake to identify songs, send money, search for articles, WeChat wallet, and so on
  • Mini programs and online games
  • Apart from calling and chatting, other communication methods include picture messaging, contacts details sharing, and act as a social media platform.
  • Wallet features make it more versatile than most of the instant communication platforms

Cons:

  • There is a limit to add the number of friends
  • Sometimes the features are a bit confusing
  • Privacy settings are not up to the mark

10) Hike Messenger

Pros:

  • Fast and easy-to-use
  • Interesting interface and updates frequently
  • Other features like news, games and many small programs
  • Free SMS facility for offline contacts
  • High-quality video calls
  • Attractive stickers and chat background feature
  • Mutual chat background feature
  • Wallet facility

Cons:

  • Calli quality is not up to the mark
  • Overwhelming interface

Final Words:

Thanks for reading this article on best Facetime Alternatives for Android and Windows PC. Comment your favorite Video Calling App like Facetime for PC or Windows.

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How to Use FaceTime on iPhone and Mac?

Apple’s audio and video calling service, FaceTime, from which you can make free calls to anywhere just at the cost of your wifi or cellular data. All you need uninterrupted data and HD web camera. The major benefit of FaceTime on iPhone is that it is available free of cost to all Apple device users, but the drawback is, the app is only available for Apple users only. If you are new to iOS and iPhone then read this complete article to understand How to Use FaceTime on iPhone and Mac OS.

FaceTime can be used over Mac, iPhone, iPad, and other Apple devices seamlessly. It only works on wifi networks, but also on cellular networks. Users are able to make a choice between audio and video calls. So if you are willing to see your family or friends being apart from them, FaceTime will make it happen for you with some easy-peasy steps. Now if you are wondering how to make the best out of this FaceTime audio/video calling, this article would act as a perfect guide for you. Without further delay, let’s start…

Guide to Use FaceTime on iPhone and Mac

If you are a new Apple user and do not have an Apple ID, we will guide you through the entire process in detail. In case you possess an Apple ID, it would take less time for you to set up the FaceTime. If you are using Windows then you should read this Facetime for PC guide.

DO NOT HAVE AN APPLE ID:

In order to set up or use FaceTime for the first time, the foremost thing you need is an Apple ID. If you are a new user or still didn’t create an Apple ID. Here’s the thing you need to do for creating an Apple ID (useful for all Apple devices once created).

1) Unlock your iPhone and Open Settings.

2) Go to iTunes & App Store.

Then tap ‘Create New Apple ID’.

3) Choose the country and enter your email id (would be the name of your Apple ID).

4) Create a password and verify it. Just keep in mind that the password must be of 8 characters, both upper & lowercase. And do not repeat the same character three times in a row.

5) Set the security question and date of birth.

6) Adding a payment method is optional.

7) Once you have verified your ID using email. You are good to go. Your Apple ID is created. Now you can download any app you want for your Apple device.

HAVE AN APPLE ID:

If you already have an Apple ID, setting FaceTime for the first time would be much easier for you. All you need to do is follow the guide as given below:

Guide to set up FaceTime for iPhone users

1) Simply go to Settings and scroll down to FaceTime.

2) If you have an iPhone, your ID must have already been verified over FaceTime.

3) You can add your email by tapping ‘Use your Apple ID for FaceTime’.

4) Log in to your Apple ID.

5) Set caller ID (either email or phone number). This will be shown to your friends over FaceTime.

Guide to set up FaceTime for iPad or iPod users

If you wanna set up faceTime for your iPad or iPod, follow the steps as follows:

1)  Simply run the Settings app.

2) Locate the FaceTime tab.

3) Choose ‘Use your Apple ID for FaceTime’.

4) Log in to your Apple Account.

5) Now you are able FaceTime anyone you want who also uses FaceTime on their Apple devices.

Guide to set up FaceTime for Mac users

If you wanna set up FaceTime over your Mac device, you need to follow the stepwise guide as follows:

1) Simply go to apps and try to locate FaceTime in case you cannot locate in over your dashboard.

2) Enable the toggle button by shifting it to the right side.

3) All your data would sync with the iPhone automatically. But in case if it doesn’t happen, you can also set your Apple ID preferences.

4) After opening FaceTime, login to your Apple ID.

5) Finally, you are good to go and you can use faceTime seamlessly.

How to receive FaceTime call from Mac?

If someone makes a FaceTime calls to you, you will receive a notification on the screen with their caller ID. You can receive the call by clicking on “Accept” and end the call by tapping on the red handset icon shown. It is as easy as receiving a normal phone call, isn’t?

How to stop FaceTime call from Mac?

If you do not want to receive FaceTime calls or wanna make it stop. Simply open FaceTime and in the menu FaceTime > Preferences, click “Sign Out”. If you wanna make a particular caller stop calling you, you can block that ID. Right-click on the number and click “Block This Caller”.

How to FaceTime using an email address?

As long as someone has set up their FaceTime to receive calls through email address as well, you do not need the caller’s mobile number to call them. You can FaceTime someone using their email address as well. Cool right?

How to make a FaceTime call pause or mute?

There is a situation when you are on a long FaceTime and you just need to mute or pause it for a while, follow these steps…

Step 1: Click on the yellow button on the top left side of the window. It will minimize the window and you call will be paused, but the audio will be continued.

Step 2: Just click on the FaceTime icon to continue.

Step 3: To make yourself mute, hover the mouse pointer over call window. Step 4: You can then click on the mute button that appears.

How to erase recent FaceTime call logs?

1) Open FaceTime. Click on Audio or Video.

2) Either remove a particular call by clicking on it and tap ‘Remove from Recents’

3) Or click ‘Remove all Recents’ from the bottom list menu.

Can I change the ringtone for FaceTime calls?

1) Go to FaceTime > Preferences.

2) Click on Settings and the box beside ringtone to a specific caller.

3) Open Contacts (or press Command + Space and start typing Contacts)

4) Find the caller you want the ringtone to assign to.

5) Click on Edit and scroll to ringtone and then click on the arrow to select the new one.

Can I make a FaceTime call from Mac to another iPhone, iPad, or iPod?

Yes, you can do it. All you need to do is to both of the users need to login to their IDs and make FaceTime call in a hassle-free way.

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Ways to Check Data Usage by Facetime?

Being a video and audio application, Facetime consumes high data. The minutes do not matter much when you are on a Wi-Fi connection, but it can hurt when on a cellular connection. Even without this consideration, you might be curious to know about the data usage per call, be it audio or video. Fortunately, you can check individual call data usage in two ways.

If you noticed high Data usage by Facetime then this article will help you. There are some ways to check data usage by Facetime. You can check how many data used by Facetime.

Check Data Usage by Facetime while HD call

You can check any call data usage within the Facetime app itself. For it:

  • From the iPhone Home Screen, tap on Facetime to open the app.
  • Now, you can tap on either the Audio or Video buttons located at the top. It would list out all your call logs whose history had not been deleted.
  • Beside each call, there would be an ‘I’ button for information.
  • Tapping on it will give you detailed information about that call, including the data used on that call.

Checking total data used by Facetime in the Phone app

You can also check the total data that has been used by the Facetime via the Phone app. For it

  • Launch the Phone App and click on ‘Recents’ which is located in the bottom navigation.
  • You can tap either Audio or Video tab at the top to select a call.
  • You would find the ‘I’ tab beside it. Click on it to get the required information.

Checking Overall Facetime cellular data usage

You can also check the overall accumulated data used by the Facetime app. For it, tap the Settings app on iPhone and tap on Cellular. In the appeared list, scroll down to Facetime. You will find the data usage for the current period provided you have reset your cellular data counter. Otherwise, it would reflect lifetime usage. For monthly monitoring, you can easily reset it at the start of the monthly data cycle.

Logging out of Facetime on a Mac

Keeping Facetime on every time can be disturbing as calls may come at random hours. Thus, you have the flexibility to turn the app off for the duration you do not wish to receive any calls on it. To achieve it on the Mac

  • Launch the app and click on ‘Preferences’ from the menu options.
  • There would be a switch next to Facetime.
  • Turn it off and click ‘Done.’

If you wish to do the same on iPhone, tap on the Home button<< Settings<< Phone<< Facetime. Turn the settings to ‘Off.’ Exit out of all apps.

How to Use Facetime with Apple TV?

If you own an Apple TV, you can actually enjoy your Facetime on Apple TV. This also allows you to share your communication with a larger audience, something which is not possible with the comparatively small screen of the iPhone. For it, you would need the Airplay, which is a service that facilitates connecting multiple Apple devices through stream audio and video. The steps to do it are:-

  • Both devices should first be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
  • Open the Facetime application on your iPhone.
  • Next, double-click the Home button, click on Fast App Switcher to locate Airplay.
  • Tap on Airplay. Select Apple TV as a source of video streaming.
  • Click on the Mirroring tab to enable you to use your iPhone for audio communications while the video will be visible on the Apple TV.

We hope you have found adequate information about the Facetime App and are now able to use it in a much better way. If you like this article, do spread the word about it. For any queries, suggestions or experience-sharing, do chime in below in the comments box. We would love to receive any feedback from you as well as clarify any of your doubts.

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