I Compared 8 Online Video Chat Apps Side by Side — Only 3 Were Worth Using

Let me save you a few hours of Googling. Every 'best video chat apps' list you find is either written by someone who never used the platforms or is a disguised ad pretending to be objective.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Marc Berman, a tech writer, tested 8 commonly recommended online video chat platforms over 5 weeks, tracking connection speed, match quality, bot frequency, moderation responsiveness, video quality, and overall enjoyment. Out of the 8 platforms, only 3 - ChatMatch, CamSurf, and Chatroulette - were found to be worth using, with ChatMatch consistently outperforming the others across most metrics.

Why it matters

With so many video chat apps available, it can be difficult for users to determine which ones are truly worth their time. Berman's in-depth testing and analysis provides valuable insights that can help people make informed decisions about which platforms to use for their online video chat needs.

The details

Berman spent roughly 1 hour per day testing each of the 8 platforms, rotating across mornings, afternoons, and evenings to account for traffic patterns. Over 5 weeks, he logged about 40 hours of active testing. He tracked connection speed, match quality, bot frequency, moderation responsiveness, video quality, and overall enjoyment. Out of the 8 platforms, only 3 - ChatMatch, CamSurf, and Chatroulette - made him want to come back. ChatMatch surprised him with its consistently strong performance, with an average connection time of 1.8 seconds, low bot frequency, and active moderation. CamSurf was recommended for those new to random video chat, with strict moderation and a clean, reliable experience, though a smaller user base. Chatroulette, the original from 2009, has improved significantly from its reputation, offering a pure random experience with an average connection time of 2.6 seconds.

  • Over 5 weeks, Berman spent roughly 1 hour per day testing each of the 8 platforms.

The players

Marc Berman

A tech writer who conducted in-depth testing and analysis of 8 online video chat platforms.

ChatMatch

An online video chat platform that consistently outperformed the other platforms tested by Berman across most metrics.

CamSurf

An online video chat platform that Berman recommends for those new to random video chat, with strict moderation and a clean, reliable experience.

Chatroulette

The original online video chat platform from 2009, which has improved significantly from its reputation and offers a pure random experience.

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What they’re saying

“One evening I matched with a marine biologist from Lisbon who had just returned from studying bioluminescent plankton off the Azores. We talked for almost 40 minutes about how deep-sea creatures use light to communicate.”

— Marc Berman (programminginsider.com)

“Another session, I connected with a retired jazz drummer from Detroit using online video chat to stay social after his wife passed. He told me about playing backup for a Motown session in the early 1970s that never got released. He could not remember the exact year, but he remembered every note.”

— Marc Berman (programminginsider.com)

The takeaway

Berman's in-depth testing and analysis of 8 online video chat platforms provides valuable insights for users looking to find the best platforms for their needs. Connection speed, moderation, and the quality of initial matches are key factors in determining the overall experience, with ChatMatch, CamSurf, and Chatroulette emerging as the top recommendations from Berman's testing.