Free Video Conferencing Apps — No Registration Required

There’s a problem with standard video conferencing clients. Though they are in abundance, they’re only remotely useful if all parties are collectively using the same client. Popular services such as Skype and Google Hangouts all have this problem.

One solution to this is to have accounts for them all, which is something I used to do and is a very very tedious job.Instead, the best solution however, is to use one of the many free video conferencing websites that don’t require an account for hosting your online meeting .

All of these services have a unique link you can easily share in an email, text message or on social media. Many even have additional functions and features such as custom links, chat, screen sharing, allowing more than two persons and locking the conference or room whatever you call it , so no one else can enter.

Note about WebRTC

Many of these video conferencing services are built on WebRTC (real time communication) framework. This is an emerging standard that is currently compatible with all Chrome, newer versions of Firefox, and most recently Internet Explorer and Safari also support WebRTC .

What about mobile browsers? As long as you're using Chrome, Firefox or Opera on your Android or iOS device, you can use most WebRTC-based services. When “mobile support” or “mobile browsers” is mentioned, these are the three being referred to.

GoToMeeting Free 

GoToMeeting Free has long established itself as a professional video conferencing service, used widely by businesses everywhere. What you may not know is that they now have a free tool.People recognize the name and the interface is clean and is based on what one feels to be true even without conscious reasoning.

GoToMeeting Free has some great features, but don't expect to get a platter full – they still want to promote their pro service. I do understand some of the “cons” such as limiting the number of users, however, the strangely named custom links can be confusing when sharing with someone. Also, if you want to claim a specific link or edit your username, you have to sign in with Facebook or Google. This is different from creating an account, however, and these features are still free.

Pros

• Professional appearance and trustworthy
• Shareable link
• Schedule a meeting (browser extension required)
• Share documents
• Share screens (browser extension required)
• Full-screen mode
• Chat
• Claim a room by signing in with Facebook/Google

Cons

• Custom links are strange and potentially confusing
• Must Sign in with Facebook/Google to change your username
• No mobile browser support – must download app
• Only allows up to 3 users

Firefox Hello

Firefox Hello isn't just for Firefox though. You and your friend can use any WebRTC-compatible browser. If you are a Firefox user, it’s already built in. There aren't any extra features like text chat, but it’s simple, easy to use, and a great option if you only want to talk with one person.

Pros

• Supports all WebRTC-compatible browsers
• Mobile browser support
• Full screen/pop-out mode

Cons

• No more than two parties allowed
• No extra features
• No text chat

vLine

vLine is a simple video chat client with a modern interface.Just click the green “Go” button, enter your name and your video conference will start. Then share that link with up to three other people (4 total) for the best quality and experience. The interface is clean, but simple and doesn’t come with any extras, which could be a good thing if video conferencing is all you need.

Have more questions about vLine ? They have a very helpful FAQ page with questions about call security, mobile use, call scheduling, etc.

Pros

• Mobile browser support
• Full-screen mode
• Built on WebRTC

Cons

• No extra features
• No text chat
• No ability to customize the link

Talky

Talky is built on open-source technologies of both SimpleWebRTC and their own Otalk platform. It allows up to 5 people in the conversation, screen sharing, custom links, password-protected sessions and is mobile friendly.

There aren't any negatives to Talky besides it is not having chat.

Pros

• Up to 5 people
• Customizable links
• Play the Lander game while you wait
• Screen sharing (requires browser extension)
• Locked rooms
• Based on open-source platforms, SimpleWebRTC and Otalk
• Mobile browser support
• Put call “on hold”
• iOS app

Cons

• No chat (not much of a con)

Appear.in

We know about Appear.in as a competitor to Google Plus, Skype, and other services alike,there hasn’t been a solid video conferencing tool for some time. The “popular” ones have several issues or just aren't convenient. All of the services mentioned in this article could be a solution to that, but Appear.in is superior.

The excellent design, call quality and abundance of additional features, make it easy to use and that it is one of the best free video calling services. In fact, you can now add Appear.in’s video conferencing facilities to any website.

Pros

• Customizable links
• Lock rooms
• Screen sharing (requires browser extension)
• Claim rooms upon creating an account
• Slack and Hip Chat integration
• Up to 8 people
• Built on WebRTC
• iOS app
• Claim and customize a room by signing in
• Mobile browser support
• Chat

Cons

• None

Gruveo

If you don't need as many options or the capability to talk to multiple parties,Gruveo is a good choice. Once both the people agree on a “custom code” for the call, the call starts. That code goes at the end of the URL. And you don't need to worry about others coming into your call since it allows maximum of two.

Pros

• Voice-only option
• Customizable links
• iOS app
• Built on WebRTC
• Full screen mode
• Chat Mobile browser support
• Mobile browser support

Cons

• No more than two parties allowed

Room

For a more corporate,and a still modern approach, you might find Room attractive due to the option to upload files directly from Dropbox and combination with Slack and Flowdock (team collaboration apps).Room allows up to 4 users to talk at a time and includes text chat, screen sharing, an iOS app, and is compatible with Android browsers,which is the cool part of it.

One thing I always look for when trying a new service is a Help or FAQ page for quick answers to questions. I couldn't find either of these on Room. You also can’t customize your video conferencing links and you must sign in to change your username.

Pros

• Screen sharing (requires extension)
• Allows 4 people total
• Text chat
• iOS app
• Integration with Slack and Flowdock
• Dropbox integration
• Mobile browser support

Cons

• Sign up to change username
• No customization links
• No apparent FAQ/help page

Rabbit

Rabbit chose the direction to be accessible by all users, from any platform. They do this through the popular WebRTC framework, as I told you before. Rabbit allows an impressive 10 users to connect at once – more than any other service that I know of still now. Its focus is on “more than just video calling” and aims at “sharing content online”, from slideshows to videos and music.

More options are being added as Rabbit grows. Screen sharing isn’t currently available, if this will be added eventually that would be great !! . A significant negative is the lack of mobile browser support. There’s no app either.That's the bad part of it.

Pros

• Chat
• Share anything from the web
• Chat with up to 10 people
• Based on WebRTC

Cons

• Must sign up for custom URL
• No mobile browser support (in progress as of this writing)

GetARoom.io

GetARoom.io is about as simple and modern as video calling gets. Just click the “Start a new call” button and share the unique link with up to 3 others. Like most other WebRTC-based services, GetARoom.io works on mobile browsers Chrome, Firefox, and Opera.

Pros

• Up to 4 people
• Lock room
• Streamlined and simple
• WebRTC and SkylinkJS
• Mobile browser support

Cons

• Few “extra features”
• No ability to customize link
• No text chat

Try Them All!

Keep in mind that these services could end or change at any time, especially because they're free and sometimes just a developer’s side project.

Do you have a personal experience with any of these? We welcome your suggestions in the comments!