If you just need to talk to one person face-to-face, Zoom can feel like a lot: an app to install, an account to manage, and a free tier with limits. Videocall is a free Chrome extension built for exactly that — one-on-one video calls, nothing more.
Zoom is a genuinely capable platform, and for large meetings, webinars, and company-wide calls, it's hard to beat. But a lot of people searching for a "Zoom alternative" aren't running webinars — they're trying to make one video call with one other person, and Zoom's desktop client, sign-in flow, and free-plan restrictions feel like overkill for that.
That's the gap Videocall is built for. It's a free Chrome extension, not a full application — there's no installer, no separate download, and no email or phone number needed to sign up. You add it from the Chrome Web Store, pick a username and password, and you're ready to call.
A fair look at where each one fits.
| Videocall | Zoom | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free, no paid plan | Free plan available, with paid tiers for more features |
| Time limit | None | Free-plan meetings are limited to 40 minutes |
| Download required | No — Chrome extension only | Yes — a desktop or mobile app for full functionality |
| Account required | Yes — a username and password, no email or phone | Yes — a Zoom account to host calls |
| Peer-to-peer | Yes, whenever possible (WebRTC) | Depends on the call; group calls go through its servers |
| Screen sharing | Not yet (planned) | Yes |
| Best for | Quick 1:1 calls with friends, family, or clients | Large meetings, webinars, enterprise teams |
| Languages | English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese | Wide language support |
It wouldn't be an honest comparison without saying where Zoom is genuinely the better tool. If you're hosting meetings with a dozen or more participants, running webinars, or need enterprise-grade admin controls, meeting recording, and IT-level account management, Zoom's infrastructure is built for exactly that scale in a way a lightweight 1:1 extension isn't trying to replicate.
Videocall isn't trying to be a smaller Zoom. It's a different tool for a different job: the quick, no-fuss video call you make to catch up with a friend, check in with family, or hop on a call with one client — without opening a separate app or watching a clock.
Zoom isn't the only heavyweight video app people look to replace. See how Videocall compares to the Google Meet alternative and the Skype alternative pages, or check out the full roundup of best free video call apps. Or just head back to the Videocall homepage to see everything it does.
Yes. Videocall has one version, and it's free — no time limit, no subscription, and no features locked behind a paywall. It isn't a "free tier" of a paid product.
No. Videocall is a Chrome extension — you add it from the Chrome Web Store and there's nothing else to install, unlike Zoom's desktop or mobile app.
Not really, and we'd rather be upfront about that. Videocall is built for simple 1:1 video calls. For large group meetings, webinars, or enterprise admin controls, Zoom's dedicated infrastructure is still the better fit.
Free, simple, and right in your browser. Make your next call a Videocall.
Add to Chrome — it's free