To help you keep in touch with your family and friends without human contact and without the risk of spreading the Covid-19, here is our selection of the 11 best software solutions to stay in touch with family!
Skype
A benchmark in the communication, audio and video calls sector, but also for video conferences, Skype is free software in French available on all platforms.
It allows you to communicate by instant messaging, by audio and / or video call, via a desktop computer, a laptop, a tablet or a smartphone. Just install the software on your PC or mobile, create a free account, and have an Internet connection. Your contacts must also have a Skype account and the application.
Skype allows you to start a conversation with one, two, three ... up to 10 people. Convenient for online family reunions!
>> Download Skype.
Whatsapp is one of the most used instant messaging applications in the world and mainly on Android and iOS. Working with the mobile phone network, Whatsapp allows you to enter into audio, video and chat conversation with your contacts without being limited in the amount of data. The main interest of Whatsapp is its ability to create as many discussion groups as you want.
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Just create a group, register the contacts you want to join the conversation, customize your group with an illustration, a title, etc. and voila !
Very easy to use and compatible with all operating systems (except Linux), Whatsapp is one of the top 10 most installed mobile applications in 2019.
In terms of VoIP, using Whatsapp is as simple as instant messaging since for each contact, you can start an audio or video conversation by clicking on the icon of the small camera.
>> Download Whatsapp
ICQ
Compatible with all operating systems, ICQ is one of the first instant messaging software, and still has several million users.
In addition to its age, it is also through its functionalities that ICQ has managed to establish itself in the market for internet communication tools.
Like its competitors, ICQ allows you to make audio and video calls using an internet connection. One of the advantages of ICQ is undoubtedly its synchronization tool with all your devices on which you have installed the software. You can thus find all your instant messaging conversations on all your communication media.
Latest innovation from ICQ: its video service which allows its users to create channels and share videos to other members.
>> Download ICQ
Jitsi
Available in French and cross-platform, Jitsi is a free and free software for instant messaging, voice over IP and videoconferencing.
In addition to traditional multi-participant videoconferencing, chat in discussion groups, and screen sharing, Jitsi can be supplemented by extensions and thus adapts to the needs of its users.
With Jitsi, there is no need to create an account to start a conversation. Start a session, share your meeting URL with your contacts and just wait for them to join you. It's as simple and quick as that.
If you want to secure your meeting online, you can add a password to communicate only to members participating in your videoconference session.
>> Download Jitsi
Viber Messenger
Free and multiplatform, Viber Messenger is an interesting alternative to Skype since it combines the communication services in fixed or mobile telephony of Skype (with a paid monthly subscription), and the instant messaging service and mobile VoIP communication of Whatsapp. Once the application is installed on your smartphone, you can communicate with your contacts and send them text messages without them having to install Viber Messenger themselves on their Android or iPhone. Participating in group discussions, private conversations and sending photos or videos are some of the features available.
You can also compose a voice or video message and send it to your contact (s) in a few clicks.
Like Whatsapp, you can delete a message or text even after it has been sent.
>> Download Viber Messenger
Spike
Spike (formerly Hop) is one of the most complete communication software. It combines instant messaging with audio conversation and VoIP, like the other applications in this selection, but it also adds the functionality of an email box and a calendar.
Operational and useful in all situations, Spike is the Swiss Army knife that will replace many other software installed on your computer.
Available for Windows, Mac, Android and iPhone / iPad, but also as an online service, Spike consolidates your online email accounts (Gmail, Yahoo, iCloud, etc.) and can also be combined with an email service. cloud hosting (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.) to share links and files in your messages and thus avoid large attachments.
Of course, emails are encrypted and messages are secured by an AES256 encryption service.
Spike does not have a calendar, it groups your online calendars like Google Calendar, Facebook, and Apple Calendar, in order to facilitate the organization of your appointments.
All these tools are accessible and made available to you in a modern, ergonomic and easy-to-use interface.
The only black point that we could identify is its interface in English.
>> Download Spike
Tox
Tox is an open source and free messaging service that focuses on security and ergonomics.
Instant messaging, audio or video chat, screen sharing, file transfer, group chat and video conferencing, it's all there!
The difference with other communication software lies in the encryption and security of your communications.
Thus, Tox establishes a tunneling type connection which allows you to get in touch with your friends and no one else can have access to your IP address. In addition, it uses several cryptographic libraries to secure your exchanges and it generates temporary (public and private) keys which change with each connection.
To take advantage of Tox's network and communication services, you will need to install "client" software that differs depending on your operating system. For Windows, MacOS and Linux users, you can install qTox and on your Android smartphone, the free Antox application must be installed.
>> Download Tox
Google Hangouts
Hangouts is Google Suite’s instant messaging and VoIP communication service . It allows you to stay in audio, video and chat contact with your friends and colleagues.
Available on all platforms, in online service or as an extension for your browser, Google Hangouts automatically synchronizes with your Gmail address book and allows you to quickly initiate a discussion in pairs or in groups, without requiring the import of your contacts. In addition, your chat messages are automatically synchronized on all your devices to continue your conversation from any terminal.
Like any messaging software, you have emojis and animated GIFs to enhance your private conversations or your group discussions.
Free and in French, this software and online service allows you to send photos and videos to your instant messenger and allows you to make audio or video calls free of charge to other Google Hangouts users.
>> Download Google Hangouts
Line
Available on mobile and Windows, Line fulfills the same communication missions as the other software in this selection. Instant messaging, audio and video calls, voice messages, the basics are assured.
Among the assets that allow it to stand out, Line has a "social network" section with the possibility of following the accounts of your favorite large press groups, artists and other celebrities, to know their news in real time.
The use of "Stories" to share with your contacts and subscribers is also one of Line's exclusives, as well as the little games you can play with your contacts.
>> Download Line
Telegram
Telegram is available on absolutely all platforms. Free, in French, open source and without advertising, this communication service is more about security and speed than aesthetics.
In addition to end-to-end message encryption, Telegram even offers a self-destruct system for your secret messages, which are themselves encrypted with public and private keys, different for each caller and each session.
Your messages are therefore doubly secure and will be deleted at the end of the time that you have specified in the security settings beforehand.
Obviously, Telegram supports private conversations and discussion groups, audio and video calls and the transfer of files, photos and videos.
>> Download Telegram
FaceTime
Although FaceTime does not have an instant messaging service, this exclusive application for iPhone, iPad and Mac is very good video calling software.
Quickly accessible and installed by default on your iOS smartphone and MacOS X, FaceTime allows you to start a group video conference up to 32 participants.
The application also offers inquiry calls, allowing the ongoing conversation to be put on hold to take the new call.
Of course, if the other party does not pick up, you can leave him a message.
What do FaceTime users love the most? It is its simplicity of access! Using the Wi-Fi network or via the mobile phone network, FaceTime can be launched with a single click when you want to make a simple audio call. This video option is automatically offered to you on condition that your contact also has this service.
>> Download FaceTime
With all the essential functionalities, namely audio and video calls, and instant messaging, it is above all the ancillary services, such as e-mail, or file transfer, security and speed that will allow you to make a choice. among these 11 powerful software.
