Group video calls have become an essential tool for connecting people from different parts of the world. They allow multiple participants to simultaneously engage in a live video call, enhancing connectivity and interaction among users regardless of their geographical location. This article will explain what group video call is and recommend some popular software applications that enable group calling. As a bonus, we will guide you on how to create group video calls using Tencent RTC, a versatile platform that improves remote communication.
What Is a Group Video Calling?
Group video calling is a digital communication form where multiple participants can engage in a live video and audio conversation over the Internet. This technology connects people who are geographically dispersed, facilitating virtual gatherings for personal, business, or entertainment purposes. Participants can interact face-to-face in real-time, whether spontaneously or scheduled, making it a valuable tool for maintaining connections and collaboration.
Modern group video calling platforms offer a range of functionalities that extend beyond just video and audio transmission. Many include screen sharing, file sharing, recording capabilities, and collaborative tools to enhance the virtual interaction experience. These services cater to different user needs, from casual chats to professional meetings and large digital conferences. They offer accessibility and usability across various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and computers, regardless of location.
Recommended Applications for Group Calling:
Excited to know what is the best group video call app? We got you! Here are some of our top recommendations for group calling:
Voov Meeting
Voov Meeting is a highly recommended application for group video calling, ideal for business collaborations, webinars, and conferences. It provides ultra-clear, high-quality video, making it suitable for delivering a smooth, user-friendly experience. Developed by Tencent Cloud, Voov Meeting supports up to 300 participants at a time. In addition to its audio and video call optimization, it grants users the ability to share screens, documents, and whiteboards. The app even extends IT controls for enterprise customers needing secure and smooth operations. For those needing a professional meeting application that offers flexibility and utility, Voov Meeting is a commendable choice.
Google Meet
Google Meet is a popular choice, developed by the tech titan, Google. This cloud-based video conferencing application offers a secure and reliable means of communication, often utilized by businesses and schools. With its seamless collaboration with Google Workspace, users can easily schedule meetings on their calendars, send invite links via email, and collaborate using Google applications like Docs, Sheets, and Slides while in the meeting. Google Meet supports up to 250 participants on a call and 100,000 viewers via Live Stream, making it perfect for large corporations and educational institutions.
Zoom
Zoom is undeniably among the go-to solutions for video conferencing, riding the wave of remote work. Widely recognized for its robust feature set, Zoom provides options for video and voice calls, messaging, and content sharing. Its video calls support up to 1000 video participants and 49 videos on screen. Additionally, Zoom offers features like hand-raising, polling, and breakout room capabilities that step up collaborative sessions. This group video call API boasts advanced security features like end-to-end encryption, ensuring secure conversations. For those looking for a versatile and feature-rich platform suitable for both individual and enterprise needs, Zoom is a top contender.
Facetime
Facetime, an Apple exclusive, is known for its simplicity and high-quality video calls. While it primarily services one-on-one calls, it also allows group calls for up to 32 participants. Although lacking features some competitors offer, such as file sharing or advanced meeting controls, Facetime delivers on user-friendliness, security, and dependability. The advantages of Facetime include its seamless integration with Apple devices, making it a good option for iOS and Mac users who seek intuitive and hassle-free video calling.
WhatsApp might be globally recognized as an instant messaging app, but it has also made its mark in video conferencing. This Facebook-owned platform allows free one-on-one and group video calls with up to eight people. WhatsApp's appeal lies in its simplistic, user-friendly interface, ensuring it is accessible to users of all ages. It also provides end-to-end encryption, guaranteeing the security of users' conversations. For personal, casual, or small-scale business interactions, WhatsApp offers a comfortable and secure platform.
How to Create Group Video Calls Using Tencent RTC?
Building group video calling features doesn't have to be complicated. With Tencent RTC and its pre-built TUICallKit, developers can quickly add high-quality, real-time audio and video calls to their applications without building the calling interface from scratch.
TUICallKit supports one-to-one and group calls with up to 9 participants, making it suitable for online education, virtual consultations, social applications, and small-team collaboration. It provides ready-to-use calling interfaces and supports Android, iOS, Web, and Flutter.
Here's how to create a group video call using Tencent RTC, with Android as an example.
Step 1: Prepare Your Development Environment
Before integrating TUICallKit, make sure your Android development environment meets the following requirements:
Android version: Android 5.0 (API level 21) or later.
Gradle version: 4.2.1 or later.
Device: An Android device running Android 5.0 or later.
Network: A stable internet connection.
For other platforms, refer to the corresponding Tencent RTC integration documentation.
Step 2: Create an Application and Activate the Call Service
Log in to the Tencent RTC Console.
Create an application or select an existing one.
Activate the Call service and choose an available trial or paid plan that supports group video calling.
Obtain your SDKAppID and SDKSecretKey from the application configuration. You'll need these credentials to authenticate users during integration.
For detailed instructions, refer to the Call Service Activation Guide.
Step 3: Integrate TUICallKit into Your Application
TUICallKit provides pre-built UI components for video calling, helping developers reduce the effort required to implement calling interfaces.
First, download the TUICallKit components from the official Tencent RTC GitHub repository.
Copy the atomic_x and tuicallkit-kt modules into your Android project, then register them in your settings.gradle.kts file:
include(":tuicallkit-kt")
include(":atomic_x")Add the TUICallKit dependency to your app module:
dependencies {
api(project(":tuicallkit-kt"))
}Next, initialize user authentication using TUILogin.login() with your SDKAppID, UserID, and UserSig.
For production applications, generate the UserSig on your server rather than exposing the SDKSecretKey in client-side code.
After successful authentication, your application is ready to use TUICallKit's calling features.
For complete integration details, see the Android TUICallKit Integration Guide.
Step 4: Start a Group Video Call
Once TUICallKit is integrated and users have logged in, you can initiate a group video call using the calls API.
The API supports both one-to-one and group calls:
One User ID: Initiates a one-to-one call.
Multiple User IDs: Initiates a group call.
For example, the following Kotlin code initiates a group video call with two other users:
import com.tencent.qcloud.tuikit.tuicallkit.TUICallKit
import io.trtc.tuikit.atomicxcore.api.call.CallMediaType
import io.trtc.tuikit.atomicxcore.api.call.CallParams
val userIdList = mutableListOf("user1", "user2")
val mediaType = CallMediaType.Video
val params = CallParams()
TUICallKit.createInstance(context).calls(
userIdList,
mediaType,
params,
null
)With the calls API, there's no need to create a Chat group before starting a multi-person call. Simply provide the target users' IDs and select the video call media type.
TUICallKit handles the call interface and invitation workflow, allowing participants to accept or decline incoming calls.
For additional details, see the TUICallKit API Documentation.
Step 5: Handle Incoming Calls and Notifications
When a user receives a call invitation, TUICallKit provides the incoming call interface and ringtone.
The behavior depends on the application's current state and device permissions:
Foreground: Users can receive and respond to incoming calls through the calling interface.
Background: Incoming call presentation depends on Android permissions and the application's background behavior.
App terminated or offline: Configure offline push notifications so users can be notified of incoming calls when the application is not running.
For a reliable calling experience, test incoming calls in foreground, background, and terminated-app scenarios on real Android devices.
Step 6: Customize and Enhance Your Group Video Calls
Beyond basic video calling, TUICallKit provides features to improve the user experience, including:
Custom nicknames and avatars: Display user identities during calls.
Floating windows: Allow users to minimize the calling interface while continuing their conversation.
Custom ringtones: Personalize incoming call alerts.
Microphone and camera controls: Let participants manage their audio and video.
Virtual backgrounds: Offer greater privacy during video calls.
Offline push notifications: Help users receive call invitations when the app isn't active.
Call event monitoring: Track call status and respond to calling events.
Some advanced capabilities require additional configuration or an eligible service plan.
Start Building Group Video Calls with Tencent RTC
With Tencent RTC's TUICallKit, developers can integrate group video calling without building every calling component from scratch. The pre-built UI, simplified calling APIs, and cross-platform support make it easier to deliver real-time communication experiences.
Whether you're developing an online learning platform, a social app, or a customer consultation service, TUICallKit provides a practical starting point for group video calling.
Visit the Tencent RTC Console to create an application, or explore the TUICallKit documentation to get started.
Conclusion
In conclusion, group video call technology has significantly transformed communication, making connecting with friends, family, and colleagues easier regardless of geographical barriers. Equipping yourself with knowledge about the best applications for group calling and leveraging Tencent RTC for creating such calls not only enhances your communication experience but also ensures that you remain connected in the most efficient and effective way possible.
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