WhatsApp Enhances Video Calling Features to Compete with Zoom and Google Meet
WhatsApp, the popular messaging app owned by Meta, has recently made significant improvements to its video calling functionality. These updates position WhatsApp as a viable competitor to Zoom and Google Meet in the video conferencing space. One of the notable improvements is the increase in the number of participants allowed in a video call. Previously, WhatsApp only allowed 32 people to join a video call on mobile devices, while Windows users were limited to 16 participants, and macOS users could only have eight people in a call. However, with the recent update, WhatsApp now allows up to 32 participants in video calls across all devices.
Comparing WhatsApp’s new video call participant limit to its competitors, Zoom still holds the lead. Zoom allows up to 100 participants in video calls for Basic and Pro accounts, with the limit increasing to 300 for Business accounts and 500 for Enterprise accounts. Google Meet also has similar participant limits, allowing up to 100 participants for Standard/Essentials Starter/Essentials accounts, 150 participants for Business Standard/Enterprise Essentials accounts, and 250 participants for Teaching and Learning Upgrade accounts. Apple’s Facetime, on the other hand, allows up to 32 people in a video call. With this update, WhatsApp has positioned itself as a strong alternative for video calls among smaller groups.
In addition to the increased participant limit, WhatsApp has introduced other new features to enhance the video calling experience. Users can now share their screens during a call, making it convenient for presentations or collaborative work. Another useful feature called Speaker Spotlight has been added, which highlights the current speaker on the call, making it easier for participants to identify who is speaking.
Furthermore, WhatsApp has emphasized its commitment to audio and video quality. The company recently launched its MLow audio codec, which aims to enhance call reliability and quality, regardless of the user’s internet connection. This improvement is crucial for ensuring clear and uninterrupted communication during video calls.
Overall, with these recent updates, WhatsApp has made significant strides in improving its video calling capabilities. By increasing the participant limit and introducing new features like screen sharing and Speaker Spotlight, WhatsApp has become a more attractive option for users seeking a reliable and feature-rich video conferencing platform. While Zoom and Google Meet still offer larger participant limits, WhatsApp’s focus on audio and video quality, coupled with its extensive user base, positions it as a strong competitor in the video calling market. Whether it’s for personal or professional use, WhatsApp now offers a compelling alternative for smaller group video calls.