Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, video conferencing apps such as Zoom and Skype have taken over the business world. These video conferencing apps allow users to talk and discuss whatever it is they wish to talk about.
However, Zoom has been getting a lot of criticisms because of privacy concerns. If it haven’t been this report about security breaches involving obscene images, I wouldn’t have disable Zoom from my laptop. My daughter’s playschool is having online lessons every Wednesday and Thursday on Zoom.
As much as I will be with her during her online lessons, I don’t really want to expose her to internet dangers. (In case you are wondering, her half an hour online lessons are really her teachers and playmates singing songs together with her participation.)
I am using Skype for my freelancing business and I don’t want to mix it with pleasure. Especially when Skype has screwed me before as mentioned here.
So what am I left with? Which apps are available that will work similarly to Zoom and Skype?
Discord
Discord is usually used by gamers to reach out to one another and talk.
Although it is mostly used in text chats, the app does allow video calls, private messaging and video calls. Users can also share videos, audio and files through the service.
All users have to do to begin using Discord is form a “Server” or a private room where everyone can talk. It is available in all major browsers and they have an app dedicated for Mac, Linux, Windows, Android and iOS.
Facetime
If your team owns an iPhone, iPad or iMac, they definitely have FaceTime.
The app is Apple’s free voice and video call service for its users. It can do multiple calls at one time and you can even add emojis in your messages. They can also send voice recordings and files through the chat box.
You simply have to sign up for the app, activate it for your device and it is ready to go.
Jitsi Meet
Jitsi is an open-source video conferencing tool that does allow users to video call others through a web browser or through the available app.
Although it is free, it does have quite a lot of features such as screen sharing, video streaming and many others.
Unfortunately, Jitsi does not have end-to-end encryption, which may be a setback if you want your chats to be secure.
Slack
Slack is a new form of communication app for businesses and does provide users ways to call others whether through audio or video. It has apps for any mobile device and computer use.
While it does not have a strong encryption capacity, the company says that this option is done so the service remains functional to users.
Slack does offer paid plans if users wish to access other features in the app.
Google Hangouts
If you can’t pay for Google’s Hangouts Meet, you may want to consider Hangouts.
This app can be used in both web browsers and apps and allows users to send messages to one another. Whether call, text or video call, it is ok. Like Jitsi, this service still has encryption issues as data is encrypted when it reaches the server.
Conclusion
There are a lot more apps out there that allow users to video conference to one another. With these six, you can reach your co-workers without a problem and you won’t even pay a cent for them.
Don’t let the Covid pandemic and any other situations force you to stop working. Let these apps help you do your work efficiently even while at home.
And hopefully, they apprehend the sickos that hack into Zoom to terrorise those poor kids.
To be productive working at home, check out these useful articles:
8 Mistakes To Avoid While Working From Home
Create A Home Office That Companies Will Covet
4 Skills You Can Learn From Home That Can Help You Get a Job
Can’t get enough of MiddleMe? You can find me sharing my thoughts here as well:
Instagram @kallymiddleme
Twitter (MiddleMe_net)
FaceBook (MiddleMe.net)
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/kallytay
Best things in life are meant to be shared, start spreading MiddleMe around, after all, sharing is caring.
MiddleMe 
Slack is awesome so far.
I love the features they provide and this is probably the best platform for team management.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thank you for your recommendation! I certainly enjoyed using Slack as many of my clients do so.
LikeLike
Very informative,thank you Kally!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Ravisingh. Have a wonderful Friday!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the good ideas. I’ve been teaching my online classes with Webex. I can share my screen. I’m not sure about encryption; I think it has it. After the end of the sememster, I plan to switch to zoom because it will allow me to put students in small groups from the larger call.
LikeLiked by 3 people
You’re most welcome. Do be careful of Zoom’s bad reputation on their security measures.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I’ll be careful.
LikeLike
https://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&client=ms-android-samsung&source=android-browser&q=ways+to+be+better
15 ways to become better …
LikeLiked by 3 people
Hello Kally and thank you! This is a very informative post and I really appreciate it. All the best to you and my greetings from Spain.
Francisco
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much, Francisco. Have a peaceful weekend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You too Kally! Enjoy and stay safe!
LikeLiked by 1 person
How are you doing Peng Yu? Everybody home and safe?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hey Peng Yu, I’m doing fine. Everyone is bored but healthy. How about you? How are you coping?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey Kally. We are fine so far. Touch wood… ☺️ Getting cabin fever after a month. 😉😷Now it seems it will last all of May too… 😩I hope your parents are very careful, even if Singapore seems to handle the situation well…
Stay safe… 😷🙏🏻
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, peng yu. We are experiencing some cabin fever too. But trying our hardest to stay positive. My family are trying their hardest to be careful. Especially my mom since she’s still working as her services as a pharmacy technician is considered as essential service.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. let’s stay positive. Your mom does need to be careful, but I’m sure she is well-trained. And Singapore seems to have a good handle on the situation. Cheers.
LikeLike
Thanks, this is very helpful! I’m having to do a lot more video conferencing now, but I always had trouble with Skype and I hadn’t even figured Zoom out before I started hearing concerns about it. It’s nice to get an idea of the alternatives out there!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Same here. I always have trouble with Skype, always with connection or sometimes it just auto-log me out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very useful information!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you very much and welcome to MiddleMe, Sam.
LikeLike
Thanks. Very timely, I have been seeking options. Well done!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you, Bryan. I hope you have a peaceful weekend. Keep safe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Kally! How are you doing? Hope your daughter is fine.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Ravisingh! Yes, my daughter and I are doing well. Thank you for asking. Hope everything is good on your end.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great! Cheers kally!
LikeLiked by 2 people
https://worldphoto12.wordpress.com/2019/12/15/traduttore-del-sito-per-la-comunita-translator-site-for-community/
LikeLiked by 1 person
great ideas – its easy to get stuck on only using one thing…
LikeLiked by 2 people