August, 2020 - Softonic English

The Best VPNs for Unblocking Content on Netflix

Netflix is the world’s most popular service for streaming TV shows and movies. With its superb catalog and affordable prices, and the fact that it allows multiple users to share the same account, it’s one of the best services by far. What’s more, Netflix has award-winning original series that you can’t watch anywhere else. It’s no wonder that film buffs consider it the ultimate platform..

Although the Netflix catalog seems limitless, you may run into a situation where you can’t find that series or movie you wanted to watch. But when you search for the series online, you discover that it’s available in other Netflix regions. This “tragedy” is often due to problems with licensing rights or localization, or the fact that the bosses at Netflix don’t consider it relevant for your region. Does that mean you can’t watch it, even though you’re paying for a subscription?

No! Fortunately, there’s an easy, straightforward way to access the full Netflix catalog in a few clicks: use a VPN. But not all VPNs can be used for this purpose, so don’t just go with the first one you find. To make things easier for you, in today’s article, we’re going to recommend the best VPNs you can use to unblock all of the content on Netflix. Want to give this method a try?

Netflix DOWNLOAD

How can a VPN unblock the full Netflix catalog?

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is capable of encrypting all of your data and ensuring total anonymity when you go online through the service’s private servers. But how does this unblock the geo-restricted content on Netflix?

Netflix offers specific catalogs according to users’ geographic regions. The service checks your IP address, and depending on the country where you live, it offers one catalog or another. In other words, you can’t access the Netflix USA catalog from Spain because your IP address is Spanish.

However, if you use a VPN, you can choose a server in any country and obtain an IP address from that location. That way, even if you live in Spain, you can go online with a US IP address and access the full Netflix USA catalog. It’s that easy!

Is it legal to unblock the geo-limited content of another Netflix region?

Accessing content that’s restricted in your country, while possible, is not allowed by Netflix. In fact, the terms and conditions of service clearly state that users are prohibited from accessing Netflix catalogs for countries other than the one in which they reside. So it’s up to you whether you want to use a VPN for these purposes.

Do all VPNs unblock Netflix?

The answer is a categorical no. In fact, it’s hard to find a good VPN that lets you watch Netflix content without annoying interruptions. Keep in mind that you have to connect to a server in a foreign country, which must then gather the requested data and send it to you. This isn’t a big problem if you’re just looking at websites, but it’s different when you’re going to be streaming videos. Any decrease in speed will result in pauses, lags, and frozen images, or even prevent the video from playing.

In addition, Netflix has made a big effort in recent years to detect users who use a VPN. It was once very easy to bypass the regional blocks, but today the platform detects a large number of VPNs and prevents them from accessing the catalog, displaying the error message M7111-5059. That’s why it’s very important to choose a VPN that’s not only fast and competent, but also reliable and high-quality.

The best VPNs for unblocking the Netflix catalog

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is definitely the fastest, most reliable VPN for anyone who wants to unblock restricted movies and series on Netflix. It works perfectly and can be used to watch Netflix on your PC as well as on Android, iOS, consoles like PS4 and Xbox One, and finally, on devices like Apple TV or Chromecast.

While some VPNs are unable to unblock Netflix on their first try, or even fail altogether, ExpressVPN always works perfectly. Also, the user-friendly interface will appeal to users who are new to the world of VPNs and just want easy access to their favorite series and movies.

Finally, keep in mind that ExpressVPN’s download speed is so fast that you can use Netflix to watch your TV shows and movies in standard definition as well as HD. If you’re interested, you can download ExpressVPN quickly and easily below.

ExpressVPN DOWNLOAD

NordVPN

NordVPN is another excellent option for unblocking Netflix. What makes NordVPN stand out from other services is its download speed. It’s so fast that you can watch Netflix not only in HD, but also in 4K without any interruptions or frozen images.

The quality of NordVPN servers is so high that regardless of the one you select, you can unblock Netflix in high resolution. And you can use this platform on your computer, Android or iOS phone or tablet, consoles (PS4 and Xbox One), and devices like Apple TV, Amazon Fire, and Chromecast.

If, aside from watching Netflix, you’re interested in safely browsing the internet, NordVPN has you covered. It boasts a 2048-bit encryption system, DNS protection, and a kill switch. You can download NordVPN below.

NordVPN DOWNLOAD

Surfshark

Surfshark is a VPN that was developed for the sole purpose of unblocking Netflix. In fact, the company is so proud of this fact that it advertises its VPN as an ideal solution for unblocking Netflix in 14 different countries. And it works perfectly!

One thing to keep in mind about Surfshark is that it’s easy to use. Both its interface and its options are very clear, which will come as a relief to users who are not very experienced in this area. However, this also means that Surfshark is a VPN that lacks all of the extra features for advanced users that we do find in NordVPN and ExpressVPN.

As for devices, Surfshark makes it possible to unblock Netflix on your PC and on your phone or tablet (Android and iOS), consoles (PS4 and Xbox One), in addition to USB devices (Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Chromecast, etc.). So if you’re looking for a simple yet effective VPN that will make life easier, it’s the perfect choice. You can download Surfshark quickly and easily below.

Surfshark VPN DESCARGAR

CyberGhost

CyberGhost is another great option for anyone seeking a user-friendly VPN that’s capable of unblocking Netflix. It has more than 6,500 servers in 90 countries, so you’ll be able to access the majority of the streaming platform’s content. Among the catalogs we’ve tried, CyberGhost works really well with Netflix USA, France, UK, and Germany.

So, what makes CyberGhost unique? First of all, it’s a VPN with an excellent selection of apps, so you can use its services on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. It’s also possible to run it on a PS4 or an Xbox One. However, the most promising thing about CyberGhost is that you don’t have to spend a long time researching which server is the best for you. CyberGhost does the dirty work for you, connecting you instantly to the fastest one.

In comparison to other VPNs, CyberGhost works perfectly and is very convenient to use. It might not be as fast as the other three, but without a doubt, it’s going to be very useful if you want to watch Netflix without restrictions. You can download CyberGhost quickly and safely below.

Cyberghost VPN DOWNLOAD

IPVanish

Last but not least, we recommend IPVanish. Although it isn’t strictly designed to unblock Netflix, it works perfectly in this regard. What’s more, it provides extraordinary 24/7 customer support to help you solve any problems you run into with the settings.

Another really great thing about IPVanish is that, aside from unblocking Netflix, it’s an excellent VPN to navigate the internet smoothly and safely. In fact, it’s one of the best-rated VPNs in the world, and for good reason. It has more than 40,000 IPs, 1,400 servers in more than 70 countries, and unlimited P2P traffic.

IPVanish is therefore a good option for anyone seeking a comprehensive, secure VPN for a good price that’s also capable of unblocking Netflix. You can download IPVanish quickly and safely below.

IP Vanish DOWNLOAD

We hope our selection of VPNs for accessing the full Netflix catalog has been helpful to you. Do you use a VPN that isn’t on our list? Tell us about it in the comments section!

The Best VPNs for Torrenting

The Truth about Spying in Video Chat Apps

In recent months, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to make widespread use of a variety of video chat apps. They have enabled us to connect face-to-face with our friends and families and to attend classes, work meetings, and even job interviews without leaving our homes. These apps are great for staying in touch, but are they secure?

We are living in the information age, and hackers and cybercriminals are well aware of the amount of personal data we share through video chats. That’s why privacy should be a concern whenever you install an app on our device. Nobody wants to be spied on or see their personal data fall into the wrong hands.

In today’s article, we’re going to talk about security in video chat apps. We’ll analyze the most popular ones to identify vulnerabilities and give you some tips to prevent unpleasant experiences.

Are video chat apps secure?

Like any app, or even the operating system on your device, video chat apps are not 100% secure. We don’t mean to say they are potentially dangerous, but they can have security holes and vulnerabilities that could be used for malicious purposes. You have probably heard of the notorious case in which Zoom was accused of leaking personal data to Facebook, including the data of users who didn’t have an account on the social media platform. Another case was far worse, also involving Zoom, and it concerned a vulnerability in its UNC links that allowed hackers to steal their victims’ Windows credentials.

Although these two examples concern Zoom, many other video chat apps have been found to have similar problems. Does that mean you should stop using them? No, but it does mean you need to choose your video chat app carefully instead of blindly following the trends. Always do your research before installing an app that could compromise your privacy and that of your data.

What problems could I have if I use an unsecure video chat app?

As we mentioned, most video chat apps have security holes that can cause a headache or two. Here are some of the typical problems that can be caused by these vulnerabilities:

They can undermine your privacy and that of your data– Some video chat apps don’t encrypt the data you share, which means hackers can hear whatever you say or access any files you share. They can even distort the message you are transmitting.
They can change the access to your video chat– Security holes often prevent you from controlling who can access your conversation or meeting. That’s why there have been so many cases of online trolls “bombing” video conferences and even taking over calls that are underway.
They can create fake problems with your computer– Another security hole makes it seem like you’re having problems with your PC’s microphone or camera, and as a result, you inadvertently hand over control of them to third parties.
They can take control of your PC– In the worst-case scenario, hackers can use vulnerabilities in video chat apps to gain full access to your computer. Fortunately, these problems are less common, and the vast majority of video chat apps are immune to them.

How can I protect myself during a video chat?

Before you have a video chat, it’s important to take a few simple steps to ensure your cybersecurity. That way, you’ll protect your privacy and data and enjoy your video chats with total peace of mind.

Make sure your video chat app is up-to-date– As we stated above, video chat apps have vulnerabilities that are repaired every time these apps are updated. Regardless of whether you use a mobile or a desktop app, make sure it is always the latest version.
Always protect your meetings with a password– If you are hosting an online work meeting or conference, never forget to add a password and activate a waiting room. That way, you can make sure that the only participants in your meeting are invited guests.
Switch off your guests’ microphones and cameras– In addition to the above, if you’re going to give a chat, don’t forget to mute the microphones and switch off the cameras of your guests.
Beware of uninvited guests– If you are hosting a work meeting, do a headcount to make sure that you have no unwanted visitors. This is frequent at large conferences: it seems like someone who’s not supposed to be there always manages to sneak in.
Be mindful of who you’re chatting with– Never share sensitive information with someone you don’t know or trust 100%.
Don’t video chat with strangers– Never accept a video chat invitation from someone you don’t know, and avoid using features available on some apps such as random video chat.
Don’t click on any links you receive– As a general rule, you should never click on any links you are sent during a chat. They could redirect you to a malicious website that uses the security holes in your video chat app to gain access to your computer.
Activate two-step verification– If the app you’re using has two-step verification, activate it. This makes it harder for hackers to gain access to your accounts.
Never make video calls on open Wi-Fi networks– Avoid using public or open Wi-Fi networks, because you run the risk of hackers intercepting your conversations.

Are the most popular video chat apps secure?

WhatsApp is one of the world’s most popular messaging apps for texts, phone calls, and video chats. One might think that since it now belongs to Facebook, it might not be secure. However, all chats, voice messages, and video chats on WhatsApp are 100% encrypted, so only you and the person on the other end of the line can access their content. In fact, the company can’t even access your content. WhatsApp uses the Signal Protocol system from Open Whisper, one of the best in the world, for encryption. WhatsApp is therefore a secure app for video conferencing. If you’re interested, you can download it below.

WhatsApp for Android

WhatsApp (Android) DOWNLOAD

WhatsApp for iOS

WhatsApp (iOS) DOWNLOAD

Zoom

Zoom has been the star app of the COVID-19 confinement season. It has allowed families separated by the pandemic to stay in touch and students to attend classes from home. However, it’s not an airtight app. In fact, Zoom has been at the center of multiple security-related scandals in recent months. Fortunately, the company has been updating the app systematically and fixing each vulnerability detected, although it’s likely that some have yet to be identified. That’s why if you use Zoom, it’s a good idea to take the security steps above.

Zoom for PC

Zoom Meetings DOWNLOAD

Zoom for Android

Zoom Meetings (Android) DOWNLOAD

Zoom for iOS

Zoom Meetings (iOS) DOWNLOAD

Messenger

Messenger is Facebook’s messaging and chat app. You can use it to chat with friends on the social media platform or on the convenient mobile app. Although Messenger wasn’t a very secure app in the past, it has since gained a number of features that protect your privacy. Among them are Secret Conversations, which are 100% encrypted in a similar way to WhatsApp. Therefore, when configured correctly, Messenger is a relatively secure app.

Messenger for PC

Messenger (PC) DOWNLOAD

Messenger for Android

Messenger (Android) DOWNLOAD

Messenger for iOS

Messenger (iOS) DESCARGAR

Google Duo

Google Duo is the perfect app for video chat fans who are concerned about privacy. It encrypts calls by default, so only the person you’re chatting with can see or hear you. In addition, the app is optimized to run smoothly regardless of the kind of connection you are using. Google Duo is therefore one of the best apps to guarantee privacy in your video chats.

Google Duo for Android

Google Duo (Android) DOWNLOAD

Google Duo for iOS

Google Duo (iOS) DOWNLOAD

Snapchat

Snapchat is one of the most popular apps for young people and teens all over the world. Users of this social media platform can share all kinds of multimedia content and have video chats. Among its biggest attractions are its many filters and fun effects that can be added to these video chats. Although videoconferences on Snapchat are said to be encrypted, they rely on symmetric key encryption within the app itself. This makes them very vulnerable to potential hacker attacks. If you want to have a confidential video call, it’s best to avoid Snapchat.

Snapchat for Android

Snapchat DOWNLOAD

Snapchat for iOS

Snapchat DOWNLOAD

We hope our article has helped you to protect your video chats. Do you use any apps that we didn’t include on our list? Tell us about them in the comments section!

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Comparing the Top Video Chat Apps

They’ve been around for years, but these days, video chat apps have become absolutely essential. They let you connect in a much warmer way than a text or a phone call, because there’s nothing like seeing the other person and chatting face-to-face. Many messaging apps now have integrated video chat, while other apps have been developed exclusively for this purpose. Do you know which one is best for you?

In today’s article, we’re going to compare the most popular video chat apps for PC and mobile devices. We hope it helps you to choose the best app to meet your needs. Let’s have a look!

Available for: Android, iOS, Windows Mobile.
What you need: A smartphone with a SIM card.
Contact info it needs: Your contact’s phone number.
Types of calls: Audio and video.
Group chats?: Yes.

Messenger

Available for: Android, iOS, Windows Mobile.
What you need: A Facebook account.
Contact info it needs: Your contact’s Facebook account.
Types of calls: Audio and video.
Group chats?: Yes.

FaceTime

Available for: iOS or MacOS.
What you need: iPhone or Mac with Apple ID.
Contact info it needs: Your contact’s email address or Apple ID.
Types of calls: Audio and video.
Group chats?: Yes.

Zoom

Available for: PC, Mac, Android, iOS.
What you need: A registered Zoom account.
Contact info it needs: Meeting ID, Zoom account, meeting URL.
Types of calls: Audio and video.
Group chats?: Yes.

Skype

Available for: PC, Mac, Android, iOS.
What you need: A Microsoft account or Skype account.
Contact info it needs: Skype user ID.
Types of calls: Audio and video.
Group chats?: Yes.

Google Duo

Available for: PC, Mac, Android, iOS.
What you need: A Google account.
Contact info it needs: Your contact’s Google account.
Types of calls: Audio and video.
Group chats?: No.

Which video chat app is the most reliable?

One of the most important qualities of any video chat app is a stable connection that won’t crash. Unfortunately, it’s common for these apps to have perfect video quality but be out-of-sync with your internet connection, so they lag, drop calls or constantly freeze.

All of the above-mentioned apps offer decent stability; that is, you can have video chats without significant glitches where audio or video are concerned. Google Duo and FaceTime definitely stand out as the most stable, because regardless of whether you’re using Wi-Fi or your phone’s data plan, they are incredibly smooth.

Skype is also reliable, and we have never found it to freeze. That said, its smooth connection is due basically to its inferior video quality. Similarly, Messenger has significantly lower video quality than the rest of the apps, especially in group chats. The least-reliable option is WhatsApp, because it can sometimes freeze for a few seconds. That said, its performance is still more than satisfactory.

The best: Google Duo (Android and Windows) and FaceTime (iOS, MacOS).

Which video chat app is the best to use on my phone?

Since it’s so convenient, you’ll probably want to use your phone for video chats. Although the above category already gives you an idea of the best app for phones, there’s one factor that it doesn’t consider: what happens when you’re not connected to Wi-Fi? Unless you have an unlimited data plan, you need to be sure that a video chat won’t eat through all your data. That’s why it’s also important to determine which app consumes the least data.

After testing the apps on our list, we found that they use, on average, 10 MB per minute during video chats. Some are very data-hungry, such as WhatsApp, which uses 20 MB, while others are more moderate consumers and therefore more advisable for phones. Again, this is the case of Google Duo and FaceTime, which use 7 MB and 4.5 MB, respectively. That’s why we recommend both for video chats using your phone’s data plan.

The best: Google Duo (Android and Windows) and FaceTime (iOS, MacOS)

Which app is the best for group chats?

This time the answer is easy, because it only depends on how many people you want to invite to your video chat. Below are the numbers of participants allowed by each app.

WhatsApp- eight participants.
Messenger- 50 participants.
FaceTime- 33 participants.
Zoom- 100 participants in the free version, 1,000 in the paid version.
Skype- 50 participants.
Google Duo- It doesn’t allow group calls.

As you can see, most of these video chat apps make it possible to have group chats. Again, one of the best options is FaceTime because it allows a large number of participants and is very reliable. The only drawback is that you and your contacts need to be Apple users. Otherwise, Messenger and Skype are your best bets, because both are reliable and smoother than WhatsApp. Finally, we recommend Zoom for group chats, classes, and conferences.

Which video chat app is the most secure?

Another key point when having video chats is to make sure the app doesn’t have security holes and your data won’t be intercepted by third parties.

Among the apps we’ve mentioned, the safest is definitely WhatsApp, because your entire conversation is encrypted on both devices using the Signal Protocol system from Open Peer. Another standout is Google Duo, which uses the same encryption system to prevent potential hackers from stealing your data.

Messenger, on the other hand, is a safe app, but if you want 100% encrypted conversations, you have to activate Secret Conversations mode. Finally, we don’t recommend using Zoom for video calls about any important or personal matters, or if you’re planning to share confidential data. This app has run into some serious security issues, and although it has gotten much better, it still has a lot of room for improvement.

The best: WhatsApp and Google Duo.

Which app is the best for video chats with filters?

Filters are one of the most in-demand features because they make video chats so much fun. By adding real-time effects to our conversations, they can lighten up the mood when we’re chatting with family and friends. We looked at the apps on this list to find the best video chat filters, and only three have them: Google Duo, Skype, and Messenger.

Google Duo offers lots of original, creative filters that will make you the center of attention, for example, a dinosaur, a flower, or an adorable cat. Skype also has a decent number of video filters: you can add hearts or floating teddy bears, or distort your face in funny ways. Finally, Messenger deserves special mention, because this app has a huge collection of filters that are constantly updated. For this reason, we consider Messenger to be the best of the main video chat apps when it comes to filters.

The best: Messenger.

Which video chat app should I choose?

There is no quick answer to this question. To choose the best video chat app, you need to stop and consider the kind of video conferencing you want to do (calling your parents, a virtual conference, a meetup with a group of friends, etc.). Then it’s important to think about the device you’ll be using for the video chat (desktop, laptop, phone, tablet, etc.), and finally, the kind of connection you’ll be using (cable, Wi-Fi, phone data plan, etc.). This will make it easier to identify the perfect app to enjoy your video chats to the fullest.

Where can I download the most popular video chat apps?

Once you’ve decided which video chat apps to use, it’s important to download them from their official websites, Google Play, the App Store, or a trusted website. Below you can find the links to download all of the video chat apps we have analyzed in this article. All of these downloads are verified and completely safe, so don’t be afraid to install them on your device.

WhatsApp for Android

WhatsApp (Android) DOWNLOAD

WhatsApp for iOS

WhatsApp (iOS) DOWNLOAD

Messenger

Messenger for PC

Messenger (PC) DOWNLOAD

Messenger for Android

Messenger (Android) DOWNLOAD

Messenger for iOS

Messenger (iOS) DOWNLOAD

FaceTime

FaceTime for Mac

FaceTime (Mac) DOWNLOAD

FaceTime for iOS

FaceTime (iOS) DOWNLOAD

Zoom

Zoom for PC

Zoom Meetings DOWNLOAD

Zoom for Android

Zoom Meetings (Android) DOWNLOAD

Zoom for iOS

Zoom Meetings (iOS) DOWNLOAD

Skype

Skype for PC

Skype (PC) DOWNLOAD

Skype for Android

Skype (Android) DOWNLOAD

Skype for iOS

Skype (iOS) DOWNLOAD

Google Duo

Google Duo for Android

Google Duo (Android) DOWNLOAD

Google Duo for iOS

Google Duo (iOS) DOWNLOAD

Don’t forget to keep your device secure by updating your video chat app regularly to fix any security holes it might have.

We hope you’ve found our comparison of the best video chat apps useful. Do you use an app that isn’t on our list? Tell us about it in the comments section!

Epic fails in Zoom and other Videoconferencing Apps

Videoconferencing has been our bread and butter over the past few months. We’ve used it to call our parents, tell our partner we love them, take online classes, and discuss the new business plan at work… but wait! Why is our boss suddenly a potato? And who’s that stranger who snuck into the conference with the camera on while he was in the bathroom? These and many other bizarre, embarrassing, and hilarious situations have occurred during lockdown when videoconferencing was our window to the outside world.

In today’s article we’re going to have some fun reminiscing about some of the most epic fails of the star app of the season, Zoom, as well as other videoconferencing applications. Ready for a few laughs? Take a seat and buckle up!

1.- Honey, Zoom turned my boss into a potato

Imagine you’re in the middle of a business meeting and your boss turns into…a potato! And the worst thing is that she doesn’t know how to turn off the filter and you have to endure the entire meeting with a tater giving you orders without being able to laugh. Well, that’s what happened to Rachele Clegg (@PettyClegg). A meeting that will be hard to forget.

2.- Pants? Who needs pants?

This poor woman’s work videoconference seemed to be going smoothly until her partner decided to walk around in his underwear behind her. Although the poor woman tries to act normal in the end she breaks down. It’s always a good idea to put clothes on at home, just in case. You can see the video by clicking here.

3.- The councilman and his noisy visit to the men’s room

At an extraordinary plenary session to discuss safety measures for coronavirus, a councilman decided to leave his computer to go to the bathroom. So far, so good. Unfortunately, the mayor forgot to turn off his mic, so the whole plenary heard the long trickle as he relieved himself. Obviously, the rest of the plenary session attendees had a hard time keeping a straight face.

4.- Working from home with kids, always a joy

Due to the COVID-19 crisis and lockdown, much of the planet has had to switch to working from home. Singles or couples without children haven’t had much trouble working peacefully, but what happens to parents now that children can’t go to school? Poor Jenna Weiss-Berman was surprised in the middle of a videoconference by her son yelling “Look at my penis!” and making farting noises. A fantastic way to look in front of your boss.

5.- Videoconferences are for pets too

The Reddit user TcpAckFrequency comments in a post how in his Zoom classes, the teacher asks students not to use their cameras. That’s why one day this young man decided to take a nap leaving the videoconference on thinking he’d get out of class. What TcpAckFrequency didn’t take into account is that he forgot to turn off his computer’s microphone and that his pet, a talkative parrot, was in the same room. While the young man was catching up on his sleep, the parrot kept up a constant stream of conversation during the videoconference. The teacher didn’t know how to kick him out of class so they spent the morning trying to negotiate with the parrot. As TcpAckFrequency explains, a classmate told him the parrot spent the entire class saying “Hello,” “What are you doing?,” and then obsessively repeating “OK” to anything anyone said.

6.- Keep an eye on daddy’s little helpers

You’re used to working from home, you may even have a little corner at home emulating your office, and everything seems to be fine, but do you know where your kid is? Matt Staneff tells us from Twitter how one day he walked into his small workspace and found his young daughter videoconferencing his boss. We’re sure they discussed important business.

7.- We know talking to cats is relaxing, but make sure your mic’s off

Daniel Taroy tells on his Twitter account how in the middle of a 68-person Zoom meeting he started talking to his cat, unaware he had left his microphone on. He only suspected something was up when people started laughing and mentioning the cat. Kill me now!

8.- Never suggest class is boring with your mic on

Here’s another Zoom blooper where the culprit is once again an open mic. On this occasion Twitter user xoxo glosslip girl explains that, tired with her Zoom class going over, she said to herself “Why is she still talking? I thought this was over.” To her surprise her mic was on and the teacher didn’t miss a beat, sarcastically responding, “Friend, you might want to mute yourself.” She probably won’t get great grades this quarter, although we hope we’re wrong.

9.- Wrong class, wrong country

There’s only one thing more embarrassing than crashing a Zoom class by mistake: if it isn’t even from your country! That’s what happened to Randol, a young man who doesn’t know how he got into a meeting that wasn’t his. Fortunately, the teacher was sympathetic to the young man’s plight and even thanked him for coming. You can see the video by clicking here.

10.- If you’re a snorer, don’t leave your mic on

Another to add to the long list of Zoom epic fails from leaving the mic on in the middle of a meeting, or in this case, of a chemistry masterclass. A student fell asleep in the middle of his teacher’s videoconference and the whole class could hear him snoring. So now you know, if you go to sleep during a class over Zoom, you need to turn off the camera and also mute the mic.

11.- Never take your laptop into the bathroom with you with the camera on

In the middle of a Zoom meeting, a girl got the urge to go and took her laptop right into the bathroom with her. That way she won’t miss anything and no one will ever be the wiser – or will they? The fact is that the young woman not only left the mic on but also forgot to turn off the laptop’s camera while she was answering the call of nature. And worst of all, not only do her Zoom buddies know about it, but so does the rest of the world thanks to the magic of the internet and social media.

12.- Smoking in the middle of class is never a good idea

Miles Berger thought his class that day was so boring that he could only get through it if he was high as a kite. The young man went right ahead and decided to start smoking marijuana in front of his teacher as if there was nothing unusual about it. Fortunately, the teacher took it with good humor.

13.- Never roll a joint with the camera on

We continue with the fails of students who just can’t get through class on Zoom without the help of some kind of mind-altering drug. In this case, the young Jay Huyck decides to go ahead and roll a joint to truly comprehend the concepts taught in class. Too bad he completely forgot to turn off his camera. You can see the video by clicking here.

14.- Have you ever had that nightmare where you’re in class in nothing but your underwear?

We’ve all had that terrible dream that we’re naked or can’t find our shoes or some other essential article of clothing in class. This is exactly what happened to the kid in the next video. He unknowingly had the camera on in the middle of a Zoom call and was completely naked and showing off his attributes not only to the teacher but to the rest of his classmates.

15.- A class with a built-in soundtrack

The class clown starts to perform his own rap ballad in the middle of a Zoom videoconference, thinking that no one will be able to hear him. Yeah, you guessed it. Again, the mic plays the part of trickster: everyone ended up listening to the song and laughing at it. You can see the video by clicking here.

16.- Live break-up

We all know that lockdown has sparked conflict between couples who are not used to spending 24 hours together. In fact, it is estimated that this pandemic has exponentially increased the number of divorces and break-ups around the world. This is exactly what happened to the couple in the video, except that they break up in the middle of a Zoom class and forget to turn off their mic. The attitude of the teacher begging them to mute the microphone is truly priceless. You can see the video by clicking here.

We hope our selection of Zoom and other epic app fails has made you laugh. Did you videoconference into classes or meetings during lockdown? Did anything funny happen in any of them? Tell us your experience and if you’ve had any Zoom fails or zoombombing!

The Truth about Spying in Video Chat Apps

Softonic Picks: The Best Apps for Videocalls

Video calls have gone from being a sporadic source of fun to completely essential since the arrival of coronavirus. They have helped us feel closer to our loved ones while in confinement, adding much-needed social interaction to make our daily lives more bearable. Although we’ve moved into the “new normal,” video calls are here to stay, having become the most popular way to call our family and friends.

Whether you want to have a face-to-face meeting with a distant colleague or tell your parents how much you love them, you’ll need a good video calling app. You’ve probably seen tons of video calling apps in the Google Play Store, but they don’t all work the same way. Some are designed for work meetings, while others are for two-person calls, group calls, etc. Which one should you choose?

In today’s article, we’ll look at a selection of what we consider to be the best video calling apps of 2020. We hope you find it helpful!

Zoom

Zoom has been a revolutionary app during the coronavirus pandemic. It can be used for video calls between two people, but if desired, you can host group meetings with up to 100 participants in the free version. This makes it perfect for online classes or meetings with a large number of attendees. Zoom has a user-friendly interface, and as the chat host, you’ll receive an ID number to be shared with the rest of the participants.

During chats, you can adjust your display to see only the speaker, or a mosaic view with all of the participants’ faces. Zoom is an easy app and it’s free to use. Also, it has versions for PC, Android, and iOS. Want to try it?

Zoom for PC

Zoom Meetings DOWNLOAD

Zoom for Android

Zoom Meetings (Android) DOWNLOAD

Zoom for iOS

Zoom Meetings (iOS) DOWNLOAD

These days, it would be hard to find anyone who doesn’t have WhatsApp installed on their phone. So it is understandably one of the most popular apps for video calling. As you probably know, this messaging app is perfect for sending texts, photos, and voice notes. What many people don’t realize is that WhatsApp is also an excellent app for making audio and video calls. Just open WhatsApp like you usually would, tap on your contact, and tap the video camera icon in the upper right corner.

Once your video chat begins, up to eight contacts can participate in it. WhatsApp is a convenient way to make video calls without bugging your contacts to install a new app, because, let’s be realistic, who doesn’t have WhatsApp on their phone?

WhatsApp for Android

WhatsApp (Android) DOWNLOAD

WhatsApp for iOS

WhatsApp (iOS) DOWNLOAD

Messenger

If you’re a Facebook user and you chat with family and friends through its messaging app, you’ll be interested to know that you can also use it to make video calls. Messenger lets you make voice or video calls with one or more contacts on your Friends list. In fact, you can host video calls for up to 50 people via its new service: Messenger Rooms.

Messenger’ video calling system is really easy to use. Just tap the camera icon in the upper right corner. Also, these video chats have fun filters and special effects that are updated every week. What are you waiting for? Download it today!

Messenger for PC

Messenger (PC) DOWNLOAD

Messenger for Android

Messenger (Android) DOWNLOAD

Messenger for iOS

Messenger (iOS) DOWNLOAD

Google Meet

Google Meet is Google’s latest foray into the world of video calling. It’s perfect for users of the Google suite, that is, Gmall, Drive, and Calendar. To access it, you only need a Gmail account, which is completely free. Get yours by clicking here. Google Meet offers video chats for up to 250 participants at the touch of a button. You can access them from the Gmail desktop version and through its convenient app for Android devices.

The way it works is very similar to Zoom. Create a meeting and share the link with the participants, all from Gmail’s convenient interface and without having to install any sort of plugin. Google Meet is especially good for work meetings and group video conferencing. To try it, click “Start a Meeting” in the lower left corner of your Gmail, or download the version for Android and iOS phones and tablets.

Google Meet for Android

Google Meet (Android) DOWNLOAD

Google Meet for iOS

Google Meet (iOS) DOWNLOAD

Skype

Skype was a true pioneer in the field of online voice calls and video conferencing. It is therefore one of the most stable services with the best performance in the market today. Although there are tons of ways to make video calls nowadays, Skype has the great advantage of being a multiplatform program. In other words, whether you use Windows, Mac, iOS or Android, you can make calls over Skype.

As for usability, Skype is especially convenient for group and work-related calls. This video calling service can be integrated into the Office 365 environment. We highly recommend it for job interviews.

Skype for PC

Skype (PC) DOWNLOAD

Skype for Android

Skype (Android) DOWNLOAD

Skype for iOS

Skype (iOS) DOWNLOAD

Google Duo

If you’re not entirely sold on Google Meet and would prefer a program for phone-to-phone video calling, try Google Duo. This app is very similar to FaceTime, the only difference being you don’t need an iPhone to use it… and it’s available for both iOS and Android devices!

Google Duo uses your phone number and lets you make free voice and video calls to anyone on your contacts list. The app has a feature called Knock-Knock that you can use to find out who’s on the other side of the camera before accepting the call. Another thing to keep in mind is that Google Duo lets you host group video calls for up to 12 people. Interested in trying it?

Google Duo for Android

Google Duo (Android) DOWNLOAD

Google Duo for iOS

Google Duo (iOS) DOWNLOAD

Houseparty

Houseparty is a fun app you can use to throw virtual parties without leaving your house. Every Houseparty user has a “house,” that is, a video-chat channel that users can visit, coming and going as they please.

Every channel allows up to eight visitors simultaneously, and it’s fun and easy to have little get-togethers with friends. What’s more, Houseparty features fun games you can play as a group, such as trivia or one where you have to finish the song lyric. It’s fantastic for hosting fun video chats with your friends.

Houseparty for PC

Houseparty (PC) DOWNLOAD

Houseparty for Android

Houseparty (Android) DOWNLOAD

Houseparty for iOS

Houseparty (iOS) DOWNLOAD

Snapchat

Snapchat is especially popular with young people. Besides being an excellent video calling app, it’s a social media platform where you can share photos and all kinds of multimedia content. Among Snapchat’s unique features are the funny filters you can use on your video calls. But that’s not all: Snapchat lets you make video calls with up to 16 people. It’s perfect for young people.

Snapchat for Android

Snapchat DOWNLOAD

Snapchat for iOS

Snapchat DOWNLOAD

FaceTime

FaceTime is an excellent app for making both video and voice calls. You can make one-on-one or group calls with a total of 32 people at the touch of a button. Although it’s a great app, it has a big problem: FaceTime is only available for Mac and iOS users. So if you’re a Windows person or you use the Android operating system, you won’t be able to download it.

FaceTime for Mac

FaceTime (Mac) DOWNLOAD

FaceTime for iOS

FaceTime (iOS) DOWNLOAD

Slack

Slack is a communication platform that has really taken off in recent years, especially in professional environments. Besides having chats with your coworkers and sending files, Slack lets you make two-person video calls. We should point out that if you use the app’s free version, you can’t make group video calls. Still, it’s a highly versatile app that you can use on both Android and iOS devices.

Slack for PC

Slack (PC) DOWNLOAD

Slack for Android

Slack (Android) DOWNLOAD

Slack for iOS

Slack (iOS) DOWNLOAD

WeChat

Our final pick is WeChat, a versatile app that offers hundreds of options for users. One of its strong points is that it can be linked to your social media accounts, so you can upload photos or videos directly to your account without leaving the app.

Moreover, it has interesting features like Shake, which lets you find users in your area who want to chat and make video calls. WeChat lets you make voice and video calls to individuals and groups. And it’s free! Interested in trying it?

WeChat for PC

WeChat (PC) DOWNLOAD

WeChat for Android

WeChat (Android) DOWNLOAD

WeChat for iOS

WeChat (iOS) DOWNLOAD

We hope you found our selection of video calling apps useful. Do you have a recommendation that isn’t on our list? Tell us about it in the comments section!

Our Guide to Using Zoom