Best Voice Chat Tools In 2021
What are the best and most popular voice chat tools for communicating online? Let us guide you through some of the top choices.
1. Echo
Echo is unlike the other voice chat apps on this list, although it shares elements with several. Instead of telephone-style voice calling, it’s based around the notion of sending recorded asynchronous messages which can be listened to at the leisure of the user.
It’s a business-focused app like Slack, designed for remote team communication, but leaning far more heavily into voice. Using Echo, users can send voice messages to individual colleagues or workgroups, as well as highlight their current status: either online, offline, or focused on another task. In the event that they are offline, the messages are saved until they are online once again.
Listen receipts make it clear when a message has been heard, ensuring that users know when their colleagues have had the opportunity to listen. (For those times when users would rather read text, cutting edge voice recognition tools also transcribe each message for reading.)
The result is an app — currently available exclusively for Mac — that redefines the experience of voice chat online. And hopefully helps transform communication for your team along with it.
2. Skype
Skype wasn’t the first online phone service (that would have been early 90s tools like Free World Dialup and Speak Freely). But, for many people, it was the first one they used. It’s also still around today, which makes it open for inclusion on this list. Skype was founded in Estonia in 2003.
Initially it was audio-only, although later on it added video-calling, file-sharing, and other communication features. It was purchased by eBay soon after its founding, and then acquired by Microsoft in 2011. Earlier this year, Microsoft revealed that Skype has a user base of around 200 million people — and usage has dramatically increased during the coronavirus pandemic.
3. FaceTime
FaceTime, the proprietary Apple calling service launched in 2010, initially on iOS and then on Mac. As its name suggests, FaceTime puts a lot of emphasis on the video calling aspect of voice chat: taking advantage of the front-facing cameras that suddenly became a staple of smartphones around this time.
However, FaceTime also offers an audio-only version that lets you call other Apple users without worrying about consuming any minute limitations you might have as part of your phone contract. Apple has continued to expand its voice chat functionality, adding group-calling capabilities (group voice chat is something that many online voice chat apps now offer) as well as the ability to record and send audio messages inside Apple’s Messages app.
4. WhatsApp
Initially released in 2009, WhatsApp is still going strong more than a decade later as the cross-platform messaging and online voice chat app of choice for millions of people around the world. Today, WhatsApp has some 2 billion users, and the might of Facebook behind it, which purchased the company in 2014 for a massive $19.3 billion.
Voice calling isn’t the main thing WhatsApp is known for, but it does it well, allowing users to make calls to anyone with a WhatsApp account for free voice chat online. WhatsApp’s ubiquity makes it a good choice when it comes to finding a calling app both parties are likely to have. Its enormous number of users means that, in most cases, you can be confident that the other person will have the WhatsApp app at their disposal as well.
5. Snapchat
Launched in 2011, Snapchat is a less serious app than the others included on this list. It’s also got a slightly more unusual approach to voice chat. Snapchat’s original conceit was allowing users to send multimedia messages that would be viewable for just a short period of time before disappearing forever into the digital ether. These messages could be sent either to individuals or to a group of people. The result was a form of asynchronous voice chat (with a focus on video as well) in which users could exchange recorded messages.
Snapchat’s user base skews younger than some of the more po-faced entries on this list, which probably explains why it has since embraced social networking elements and fun novelties like AR (augmented reality) filters. If they want, users can use the app today for live video or voice-based chatting. These can be with up to 32 users at a time.
6. Slack
The first business-focused voice calling service on this list, Slack is a predominantly text-based workplace communication tool that lets you send messages to colleagues, either privately or as part of a group.
To support this, there’s the ability to place a live voice call with colleagues as well. It’s not a major part of the app, but it’s a useful one -- especially at a time when teams are spread out working remotely.
Conclusion: It’s all about voice
The speed at which the online voice chat industry is growing shows just how seriously people are taking it. Landline phones are increasingly looking like relics in the hyper-connected age. But don’t make the mistake of thinking that the plethora of ways we can now communicate reduces the importance of voice messaging.
Especially in a time when more people than ever are working remotely, voice chat programs are essential. Thanks to tools like the ones mentioned above, you can get the most out of it!
Voice Chat Online - FAQs
What is the best voice chat software?
This depends on what you’re using it for and who you’re speaking to. Tools like WhatsApp are multi-platform and ubiquitous. However, if you’re using voice for business purposes consider trying out our own Echo app for Mac.
Where can I voice chat online?
All the apps in this article use online connectivity to transfer voice messages. The answer to this question depends on what you’re hoping to achieve with your chat -- whether it’s increasing productivity in your team (Echo) or sending quirky messages to your buddies (Snapchat.)
What are the most popular online voice chat rooms?
Many of the apps featured in this article allow users to make voice calls to large groups of people. Phone calls no longer need to be limited to one-on-one interactions.
How can I voice chat online with friends?
Read our app round-up here, then download whichever of the tools sounds the best fit for you, and give it a go. It really is that easy!
