An application for talking over the camera. Programs for communication in games
In our review, we propose to consider programs for communicating on the Internet on a computer, which are currently considered popular means of communication and allow you to communicate with users from all over the world. The functionality of such utilities includes the exchange of voice and text messages, calls and video communications, file transfer, etc. .d.
We hope that a brief description and a table with criteria will help you choose the best messenger.
Rating of programs for communicating on the Internet
Programs |
Russian language |
License |
Chat |
Rating |
Video calling
|
| Yes | Free | Yes | 10 | Yes | |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 10 | Yes | |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 7 | Yes | |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 10 | Yes | |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 10 | No | |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 8 | Yes | |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 10 | Yes | |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 10 | Yes | |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 10 | Yes | |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 10 | No | |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 10 | No | |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 8 | Yes | |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 7 | No | |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 9 | Yes | |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 8 | No |
TOP 15 programs for communicating on the Internet
Skype is a free, popular utility for voice calls, chat and video communication with a contact from anywhere in the world. The most popular messenger is in great demand among users thanks to its various options for keeping in touch and high-quality voice and video calls.
ooVoo is a free application that allows you to make calls, chat and exchange files with contacts. When making a video call, you can create a conference with 12 users, send video mail, record the conversation and add effects during communication. The messenger has a clear interface and is Russian-language.
Mail.Ru Agent is a free email service that allows you to exchange messages and files, as well as make calls and video chats. The application sends notifications about incoming messages, interacts with instant messengers and social networks for correspondence directly from the M-Agent window.
Viber is a free utility for fast and high-quality communication and calls to different parts of the world. A useful messenger allows you to chat, send multimedia and documents, exchange emoticons and GIFs, share links to websites and call landline and mobile numbers in HD quality.
Zello is a free utility similar to a walkie-talkie that allows you to connect to various communication channels and communicate there with users in both open and closed (password-protected) frequencies. The application works via the Internet, has a convenient and intuitive interface with a menu in Russian. Has a convenient channel search.
LINE is a free utility for communicating via video and voice messages, exchanging files with contacts and creating group communications. The application has elements of a social network and allows you to view the news feed of popular personalities and friends. Imports contacts from the mobile application.
Skype Portable is a free portable version of the messenger of the same name with all the basic functions and can be launched from different media. Allows you to call, send messages, create conferences with users from any country in the world. Reliably protects user data, works on Windows XP, 8, 7, Vista.
FriendVokrug is a free messenger, a kind of social network for dating, communication, sharing photos, music and videos. Thanks to geolocation settings, you can find people nearby and start a conversation with them, exchange contacts and add each other as friends for further communication.
WhatsApp is a free application for convenient and secure communication between users, sending multimedia and creating group chats. The messenger allows you to exchange voice messages, documents and PDF files. Works even on older devices like Series 40 and Symbian S60.
Discord is a free application that allows you to exchange text and voice messages, set up conference calls and create your own server. The utility shows high quality audio transmission and minimal load on resources. Supports web access and has mobile applications.
TeamSpeak is a free application for voice communication between gamers during games or multiplayer conferences. The user can create his own channel for up to 1000 users or connect to existing ones to send audio messages or record conversations in “.wav” format. The software is optimized and does not interfere with the operation of games.
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, which 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
You and I know well that progress in mastering a new language comes when there is practice: you read, speak, listen, write in it.
Here are some convenient programs on your mobile phone through which you can communicate with foreigners every day by conversation, writing and voice messages, receiving feedback!
Bookmark this article so you don't lose the list!
- Before you decide which app to use, I suggest you read the descriptions below and know their features.
- Download one of the most suitable communication services to your phone, register and understand the basic functions.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the application, test it every day for a week.
- In principle, the applications overlap in function and are similar in many ways. But we are all different, so everyone will choose what suits them.
By the way, my blog already has several reviews of applications and websites. Watch them to quickly get comfortable with your chosen program.
1 italki
My favorite service, which I never tire of recommending, because I myself use it without interruption and quite successfully. Although the main tool through which you can communicate with native speakers is Skype, on italki you will find the right teacher and interlocutor for this. Believe me, nothing could be easier than calling for half an hour and chatting. And your speaking skills will become stronger.
- Here you can find a teacher for full lessons with homework and regular online meetings.
- There is an option for conversational classes with a native speaker and a teacher to practice speaking and listening.
- Convenient schedule and reminders about lessons by email and through an application on your phone.
- There is an option for your own diary with comments, the ability to ask questions and get corrections from native speakers of the language you are learning, as well as help other people with this.
2 HelloTalk
You can use the application even without knowledge of languages, just to communicate with different people around the world. The service offers special transliteration and translation functions for this purpose.
- You can record voice messages in Russian, and the application system will translate the phrase into the native language of the interlocutor. The same in reverse order.
- There is a text chat with the possibility of mutual correction.
- The function of checking and translating a message before sending it to the interlocutor.
- You can automatically translate all messages sent by a native speaker into Russian.
- Individual phrases from the chat can be saved and replayed.
- For additional practice, open discussion threads to chat with native speakers in the comments.
3 Tandem
Available on GooglePlay and AppStore.
An application that I discovered quite recently. I'm planning a review in the future. Using the service, you can learn a language through language exchange: you learn a foreign language, and in return you help someone who is learning your native language.
Available on GooglePlay and AppStore.
Through the application, you can communicate through text and audio chats, as well as calls.
- There are built-in translators and phrasebooks of phrases by topic, which makes communication easier.
- You can select ready-made phrases for chatting and replace individual words in them.
- There is voiceover of phrases: you can listen to them again and repeat them correctly.
- Phrase games make it easier to remember new expressions.
5 Speaky
Available on GooglePlay and AppStore.
Another opportunity to make multilingual friends around the world. The service offers more than 100(!) languages, and there is room to expand. I'm just starting to test. First impression: a simple interface and few functions (which I personally like, it’s immediately clear what and how).
- Search for ideal interlocutors and like-minded people with similar interests.
- Communication options via text chat, audio or video calls (to choose from).
- It is advisable to immediately check the settings, otherwise after registration you will instantly begin to receive an endless stream of messages from a variety of people.
6 HiNative
Available on GooglePlay and AppStore.
It is always interesting to find out how and how people of other nationalities live, what traditions they observe, how their way of life differs. Through this application you can ask almost any question you are interested in and quickly receive an answer directly from foreigners.
- The application has built-in templates for formulating questions.
- You can use the function to upload your audio recording so that native speakers can check the correctness of your pronunciation and send corrections.
- Among the questions: in what situations to use this or that word, how to put punctuation marks correctly, urgent translation of phrases.
What service do I use?
When I have questions about language learning or translation, I open the HiNative app. As for the other services... In my opinion, HelloTalk, Hello Pal and Tandem are similar in function and purpose. At the moment I don’t use them, because I don’t like activities without a goal and “extended over time.”
It is more convenient for me to assign a specific time and duration of the lesson to italki. You take a lesson on the chosen topic and get a clear result, and don’t just correspond “about nothing”. And here you can not only take regular lessons, but also simply practice conversation with a native speaker. By the way, there is an option to do this even without prior agreement.
If you have a goal for which you need to master a new language, but there is no system for learning and practicing it, follow the step-by-step 30-day program of my author's marathon.
Every day you will do exercises to practice every aspect of language (from speaking to reading) and learn to apply languages in real situations.
What applications for language practice with foreigners have you already tested? What did you like and what didn’t?
Do you like the article? Support our project and share with your friends!
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.
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.
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.
version: 7.1.1 from March 26, 2020Do you like to have fun with your friends via video chats and want to surprise them? Then install ManyCam. With its help, you can appear on the screen of your friends in the costume of an experienced pirate or, for example, it will snow right in your room.
And this is only one percent of the entire list of available effects. For example, you can add a caption to the video or change the background.
version: 3.5.1 from March 24, 2020The 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.
version: 5.23.0.2134 from March 19, 2020An 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.
version: 1.9.21 from March 19, 2020Telegram- 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.
version: 12.6.0.41 from March 19, 2020Viber - 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.
version: 10.0.39800 from March 17, 2020An 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.
version: 8.58.0.93 from March 17, 2020Skype - 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.