Google Hangouts is a versatile addition to Google’s suite of productivity tools. It’s available on many different platforms, affords you multiple methods of communication with your Google contacts and others (including text messages, phone calls, and video chats), and only costs money if you use it to call standard phones outside the United States or Canada.
However, its functionality can differ significantly depending on what platform (mobile, desktop, or browser extension) you use it on. Also, its integration with several other Google services (such as Gmail, Google Chrome, and Google Voice) can make it somewhat cumbersome to use, unless you use a lot of products from Google anyway.
However, if you’re looking for alternatives to Google Hangouts that are more user-friendly and not so heavily tied into a network of other services, try one of these six apps like Google Hangouts.
1. Skype
A very popular Google Hangouts alternative, Skype is currently run by Google’s rival Microsoft. You can use it as a stand-alone service, or connect it with your Microsoft account. Like with Google Hangouts, you can use Skype to exchange text messages, pictures, and computer files with anyone else whom you have added as a Skype contact (or who has added you as one). You can also chat with them over a live video feed! Skype also allows you to send or receive phone calls to standard phones, but unlike Google Hangouts, you have to pay for almost all calls that you make (even if they’re within the United States or Canada).
Skype is also really easy to use! See just how easy it is in our Skype course!
2. Whereby
Whereby (formerly known as Appear.in) is one of the simpler Google Hangouts alternatives. Basically, you just go to the website, sign up for an account, and pick a name for your chat room. Once you’re inside, just copy the web address and send it to other people whom you want to talk to over email, phone, text message, etc. (a free account allows up to 4 people in a meeting at once). When they enter the address into their Internet browser, they’ll join the chat. Then, you can talk to each other on video, exchange text messages (including Internet links), and even lock the chat room if you don’t want anyone else joining the session. Whereby also has apps for Android and iOS devices.
3. WeChat
WeChat is a similar app to Google Hangouts, and offers several of the same services. You can find contacts on WeChat and exchange text messages, pictures, and videos. You can also talk to each other over phone or video chat, including multi-user teleconferencing. Some other things that it can do includes letting you send money to other people, and following the activities and promotions of famous people and companies!
Learn how to use WeChat with our free course on WeChat here.
4. Line
Line is an interesting alternative to Google Hangouts, as it includes a lot of additional features other than basic messaging services (such as adding contacts and teleconferencing through text chats, video meetings, and phone calls). These include games, customization options for your interface, and “hidden chats” that are deleted after a certain amount of time. In that sense, Line is a more socially-oriented communication app, something akin to Snapchat.
5. Viber
Viber is another Google Hangouts competitor that takes a more social approach, offering features like public chat rooms concerning various topics and custom emotion stickers that you can purchase and add to your messages. Viber often gets compared to Skype, but it is different in two key ways. First, it doesn’t show advertisements… ever. Second, the ability to call standard phones through Viber is covered by a flat subscription rate, not charged on a per-call basis and subject to differing international rates. However, this feature is only available on the Viber mobile app.
Have you tried out any of these services like Google Hangouts? Are there any other apps or tools like Google Hangouts that you would recommend? Let us know by leaving us a comment below, or dropping us a line on our social media pages.
