Facetime: The 3 best alternatives for the iPhone and iPad

Facetime enables you to make video calls on iPhone and iPad. In our practical tip we show you the best alternatives to Apple's video telephony service.

Facetime alternative: Skype for iPhone / iPad

The most well-known provider for Internet telephony is Skype. The program is not only available as a PC version. You can also skype on iPhone and iPad.

• The Skype app is free. It offers a modern user interface that has been adapted to the mobile operating system. Thanks to the simple menu navigation, even inexperienced users can find their way around easily.
• You can make voice and video calls over the Internet for free. You can also send messages using the Skype app. Video telephony works via WLAN and from UMTS (3G), voice calls also work with a slower internet connection.
• To use the features of the app, you need a free Skype account.
• Advantage with Skype: The service is very common, so a Skype account probably already has some of your contacts.

Facetime alternative: Tango Video Calls

The Tango Video Calls app works just as well as Skype.

• The app is also free. With the chic, colorful surface, making calls on the iPhone or iPad is fun.
• Voice and video calls over the Internet (WLAN and UMTS) work reliably and with good voice quality. You can also chat with your Tango contacts.
• Similar to WhatsApp Messenger, log in with your mobile phone number and you will see all your contacts who also use Tango.
• Advantage with Tango: Tango contacts are automatically displayed to you based on the cell phone number.

Facetime alternative: Google Hangouts

Google’s messenger application Google Hangouts brings together several messaging services, including “Google+ Messenger”, “Google Talk” and the video chats known from Google+.

• Google Hangouts is also completely free. Hangouts works on desktops, phones, and tablets. So you can also use the service at home on the PC if you have a webcam.
• The app offers many chat features and of course free video and voice telephony via WLAN and UMTS.
• To use the service, you need a free Google account.
• Advantage with Google Hangouts: The app is not only suitable for making calls, it also offers a full messenger.

In the next practical tip, we will show you all the differences between iMessage and WhatsApp.