Frontline Tech

Category: Video Chat with Newcomers

Video chat tools you can use to have video conversations and meetings with 1-on-1 or group settings.

  • Google Chat

    Description

    Google Chat is a video messaging tool developed that allows users to collaborate at a distance, instant message, video chat, and share photos, computer screens, and files. You can message a person or group in Google Chat the same way that you do in classic Hangouts, but with enhanced features. Google Chat is available in Gmail. Learn the differences between Google Chat and classic Hangouts.

    Current known uses in the sector

    Video overview

    Pricing

    Google Chat is free with a personal Google account.

    Service Context and activities

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Google Chat comes integrated with your Google account and is easy to use. For example, you can add Chat to your Gmail inbox and get all the features of Chat directly in Gmail. You can use Google Chat with a screen reader or keyboard shortcuts.

    Mobile friendly

    You can also use Google Chat on the web and on mobile with apps for Android, iOS and desktop.

    Google Hangouts can be accessed online or through mobile apps available for iOS and Android.

    Privacy/security features (including data security and message encryption)

    Google Chat is not the most secure messaging app.

    When creating a Google account, a valid name, email address, username, and password are required. It is also optional to provide a phone number to recover your account if the password is lost. Upon creation of your account, Google closely tracks your searches, bookmarks, and location services, among other data. These underlying data collection practices and Google’s sharing of your information with third parties make the use of Google tools for personal purposes unsafe.

    Google offers information about privacy in this article, Understand the basics of privacy in Google Chat. According to Google “data is encrypted in-transit and at-rest.”

    Google Chat offers different features for paid and personal accounts.

    Multilingual capabilities

    Additional resources

  • Microsoft Teams

    Description

    Microsoft Teams combines video conferencing software with team collaboration tools. It is a workspace chat and videoconferencing tool, with file storage, and integration with other applications. Part of the Microsoft 365 family of products.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Teams is used by many organizations as both an internal tool for collaboration as well as an external client service tool.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    Teams has a free version as well as a number of paid options with additional features that come with a Microsoft 365 subscription. Microsoft also has a Charity program which offers discounts on Microsoft 365, including Teams.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Microsoft has a number of accessibility features, such as voice-controlled navigation, support for multiple assistive devices.

    Mobile friendly

    Teams is mobile friendly and available on Android, iOS, and Windows apps.

    Privacy/security features (including data security and message encryption)

    Find out about Privacy, security, and compliance in Microsoft Teams. Microsoft 365 Business Premium (Nonprofit Staff Pricing) appears to have more advanced security features according to Microsoft.

    Multilingual capabilities

    Additional resources

  • GoTo Meeting

    Description

    GoTo Meeting is a video meeting and video conferencing tool.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • GoTo Meeting can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival as a way to communicate in real time with Newcomers and colleagues.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    GoTo Meeting has a free version as well as several paid options.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    GoTo Meeting is easy to use. Find out more about accessibility features.

    Mobile friendly

    GoTo Meeting has a computer app as well as Android and iOS apps.

    Privacy/security features (including data security and message encryption)

    Multilingual capabilities

    You can change your language settings in GoTo Meeting.

    Additional resources

  • Whereby

    Description

    Whereby is a video chat/conferencing tool that does not require any downloads.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Whereby can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival as a way to communicate in real time with Newcomers and colleagues.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    Whereby has a free version and paid plans with additional features.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Whereby is easy to use. They recommend using the accessibility settings in Google Chrome for closed captioning functionality.

    Mobile friendly

    Whereby works with mobile web browsers.

    Privacy/security features (including data security and message encryption)

    Multilingual capabilities

    You can change Whereby’s interface into a few languages.

    Additional resources

  • VDO.Ninja

    Description

    VDO.Ninja is a video chat/conferencing tool used in your browser, no downloads needed.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • VDO.Ninja can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival as a way to communicate in real time with Newcomers and colleagues.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    VDO.Ninja is free.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    VDO.Ninja is easy to use. No information about accessibility is available.

    Mobile friendly

    VDO.Ninja is accessible in mobile web browsers.

    Privacy/security features (including data security and message encryption)

    You can find information about security and privacy features here.

    Multilingual capabilities

    VDO.Ninja is available in English.

    Additional resources

  • Jitsi

    Description

    Jitsi is a free, secure, and open source video conferencing with collaboration functionality, video directly in browse. No downloads required.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Jitsi can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival as a way to communicate in real time with Newcomers and colleagues.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    Jitsi is free to use. They also offer paid versions with additional features.

    Ease of use

    Jitsi is easy to use. No information about accessibility could be found.

    Mobile friendly

    Jitsi works on mobile web browsers. They also have Android and iOS apps.

    Privacy/security features (including data security and message encryption)

    Multilingual capabilities

    Jitsi’s interface is in English.

    Additional resources

  • Skype

    Description

    Skype is a free web-based communication tool which allows people to video conference, make calls, and instant message.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Skype can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival as a tool to engage with Newcomers visually, brainstorm ideas, capture Newcomer feedback, ideas, insights, suggestions, comprehension, etc.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    Skype is free. However, if you want to get a phone number with the country code in which you live, you have to pay a little amount of money.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Skype is fairly simple. You can easily see sign up, download Skype, use Skype online, and help icons.

    Skype offers voiceover, narrated screen reader, High-contrast settings, magnifier, and speech recognition to convert speech to texts to support people with hearing or seeing disabilities.

    Mobile friendly

    Skype is available for iOS and Android devices.

    Privacy/security features (including data security and message encryption)

    Skype uses cookies to get some personal information about users. It benefits from the cookies to improve itself, recognize people’s preferences, and tailor Skype web content for individuals. You can disable cookies if you do not  want Skype to use your information.

    All Skype-to-Skype voice, video, file transfers and instant messages are encrypted. If you make a call from Skype to mobile and landline phones, the part of your call that takes place over the PSTN (the ordinary phone network) is not encrypted. Voice messages are encrypted when they’re delivered to you. However, after you have listened to a voice message, it is transferred from Skype servers to your local machine, where it is stored as an unencrypted file.

    Multilingual capabilities

    Additional resources

  • Google Meet

    Description

    Google Meet is voice, instant messaging, video chat/conferencing platform.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Google Meet can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival as a way to communicate in real time with Newcomers and colleagues.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    Google Meet is free.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Google Meet is easy to use and allows you to have video meetings right in your web browser instead of having to download any software. Find out about accessibility features here.

    Mobile friendly

    Google Meet is available as an Android and iOS app.

    Privacy/security features (including data security and message encryption)

    Google Meet security and privacy for users information is here.

    Multilingual capabilities

    Additional resources

  • Discord

    Description

    Discord is a community-building tool where you can connect over voice, video, and text chat. Discord uses text channels to chat over text, and voice channels where you can use over voice and video.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Discord can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival as a way to communicate with Newcomers and colleagues.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    Discord is free to use, and has an upgraded plan for a fee.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Discord is easy to learn and use.

    Find information about accessibility features here.

    Mobile friendly

    You can use Discord through your web browser, computer software, or Android and iOS apps.

    Privacy/security features (including data security and message encryption)

    Discord has robust Safety policies. You can find information about privacy and security features here, including data policies and data/message encryption settings.

    Multilingual capabilities

    You can set and change the default language on Discord.

    Additional resources

  • Zoom Meeting

    Description

    Zoom Meeting is a video platform you can use to communicate with Newcomers through video meetings, text chat, audio/phone, interactive sessions, and online events.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Zoom Meeting can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival as a way to communicate in real time with Newcomers and colleagues.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    Zoom Meeting Basic is free, as well as other fee-based plans with additional features.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Zoom is easy to use. Find information about accessibility features here.

    Mobile friendly

    Zoom has Android and iOS apps.

    Privacy/security features (including data security and message encryption)

    Browse their Privacy, Security, Legal Policies, and Modern Slavery Act Transparency Statement resources, as well as their Trust Center for more information about privacy and security settings and standards.

    Multilingual capabilities

    Additional resources