Free Video Conference Services for Military Families
Free Video Conference Services to Connect With Family and Friends
For military families, staying in touch with friends and family is a significant consideration. Keep in touch with family and friends using these 10 free video services that let you connect face-to-face.
Whether you are catching up with one friend or hosting Family Night with your extended family, these services offer a variety of features to meet your needs. Some even allow connections via phone, letting you include folks without computers or smartphones.
Maintaining privacy and security is also important. Regardless of the service you choose, make sure you are running the latest version and follow video conferencing security best practices.
Facetime
Apple’s video calling feature has been around since 2010. FaceTime is a video conference and chat service for IOS devices. It works via an app over Wi-Fi and cellular networks. It has a live speaker view that is helpful with big groups. Other features include filters, emojis, stickers, and more.
Security/Privacy: FaceTime uses end-to-end encryption. User data is saved. Opt-out options are available.
FreeConference
FreeConference offers web conferencing for up to five people for 12 hours. It’s available via browser and app, and users can join from any Android or iOS device. Additional features include document sharing, whiteboard, on-demand meeting rooms, and dial-in numbers.
Security/Privacy: FreeConference uses end-to-end encryption. User data is saved and shared. Opt-out options are available.
Jitsi
If you are tech-savvy or passionate about privacy, this open-source video conferencing service could be a good option. It is available via the browser and iOS and Android apps. Unlimited-time sessions for up to 75 people are available with a single click. Tech-savvy folks can also customize the open-source Jitsi platform. Features include screen sharing, joint document editing, foreign language translation, and more. Jitsi doesn’t require user accounts. All meeting data is deleted at the end of the session.
Security/Privacy: Jitsi uses hop-by-hop encryption, with an option to add an end-to-end security layer. User data is not saved.
Marco Polo lets you set up groups and send video messages for members to watch and respond to when they have time. Family-friendly, children under 13 are not eligible for accounts. Videos are stored for repeat viewing. You can use filters, drawing, and other fun features on the videos. It operates on iOS and Android through both browsers and an app.
Security/Privacy: Marco Polo does not use end-to-end encryption. User data is saved. Opt-out options are available.
Meet
Google’s video conferencing service allows groups of up to 100 people. It offers screen sharing, captioning, and other features previously available only to paid accounts. It runs via browser or app for both Android and iOS users. Free video conferences can be up to an hour. You need a Gmail account to set up meetings, but participants don’t need one unless they are using a mobile phone. Google Duo has been incorporated into Google Meet.
Security/Privacy: Meet uses end-to-end encryption. User data is saved and shared. Opt-out options are available.
Messenger
Facebook Messenger is for more than just chats. With the Room platform, groups of up to 50 people can share a dedicated live video space, with no time limit as long as someone is in the Room. It is available for Android and iOS via app and browser. It includes features such as background effects, filters, event themes, and more. You can set your room to be public or private, and guests don’t need a Facebook account to join. You can use Messenger Rooms from Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Portal.
Security/Privacy: Messenger Rooms are not automatically encrypted end-to-end. “Secret Conversations” must be selected when the Room is set up. User data is saved and shared. Opt-out options are available.
Skype
Owned by Microsoft, Skype supports group video calls for up to 100 people and can be used via browser, app, and landline phone. Groups can hang out for up to 10 hours a day. You can use Skype on Android and iOS devices, Alexa, and Xbox. Screen sharing and live subtitles are available, as are call and screen recording. For diverse language groups, Skype offers a voice translator for 10 languages and a text translator for 60 different languages.
Security/Privacy: Skype sessions are encrypted end-to-end. Sessions connecting to non-Skype users are not encrypted. User data is saved and shared. Opt-out options are available.
WhatsApp is known for supporting secure communications over the internet without phone minutes or SMS charges. Up to eight people can participate in secure video chats with WhatsApp. Gifs, emojis, stickers, drawings, and filters are all available. Through an integrated Facebook Messenger Room, groups of up to 50 people can connect live. You have to have Facebook Messenger installed to set up the event, but guests don’t need it to participate in the actual video conference.
Security/Privacy: End-to-end encryption is used for WhatsApp video and text chats, posted photos and videos, and calls. Video conferences in Facebook Messenger Rooms are not automatically end-to-end encrypted. “Secret Conversations” must be selected when the Room is set up. User data is saved and shared. Opt-out options are available.
Zoom
Host up to 100 people for up to 40 minutes. Zoom features include background effects, breakout rooms, multiple screen-sharing options, recording, and more. Zoom is available via app and browser for Android, iOS, and Linux. Meeting passwords and waiting rooms are now default features. Guests can participate in group events with a landline phone.
Security/Privacy: Zoom does not use end-to-end encryption. User data is saved and shared. Opt-out options are available.
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About the author
Lori Waddell serves as Co-director of an emergency response COAD in Montana, a freelance writer, and an Air Force Key Spouse. She is passionate about empowering communities and individuals through knowledge and resources. She currently lives in Montana with her husband and two children.
