The 4 Best Online Hangout Apps For Keeping in Touch Without Going Out

There's a good reason Zoom is the conferencing software of choice for businesses and schools. Not only does it include basic videoconferencing, but it enables you to share screens, record chats/video sessions, and more! It's geared toward people who need to work on something, but it's also a great app for any group of people who want to chat.

Google Hangouts allows for group video calls as well as group chats. For users who need something a little more professional and high-capacity, there's also the business-oriented Hangouts Meet, which is set up to make the videoconferencing experience as streamlined as possible without the hassle of installing new software or figuring out how to join.

Although it was initially targeted at gamers looking to coordinate multiplayer games, Discord has expanded to a popular platform for anyone looking for community. Once you create or join a server, you can chat via text, voice, and/or video, view each other's content, play games, listen to music together, and much more!

It's the OG, and it's still a good standby. Skype lets you make video calls and voice chat, and it offers screen-sharing options and the ability to call real phone numbers. It's come a long way from the days of laggy, pixelated video calls!