Best Private Video Calling Apps
Choose a safe, secure app for family video calls
Mar 17, 2026 | Share 
Security, Streaming Guides, Technology
Video calling makes it easy to connect to your kids and grandkids, no matter where they are, but could those calls be hacked? It’s horrifying to think that a video call could put one of your family members in harm’s way.
I have been speaking with real families about intergenerational video calls, and I put together some resources for getting started with video calls and troubleshooting video calls when something goes wrong.
Privacy is important, too, and I want to address it head-on. Here’s a quick list of the calling apps I recommend if privacy is a top concern:
- Signal: Best private video app for everything from international spycraft to calls with the kids
- FaceTime: Best private video app for everyday family calls
- WhatsApp: Best private video app for mixed-device households
I’ll dig into the pros and cons below, then offer a few more suggestions in case my top three aren’t quite right for you and your family.
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Signal | FaceTime | WhatsApp | Other private video calling apps | What I choose
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Signal
The gold standard in private video calling
Pros
Maximum privacy
No call records
Username support
Screenshot blocking for Android and Windows 11 devices
Cons
Fewer bells and whistles for the kids
No web version for calls
Phone number required for signup
Spam messages are common
The Signal app is hands-down the best video calling app for privacy, whether you’re trying to evade hackers or keep your info away from big tech firms or even government officials. It can also keep you and your grandkids safe from hackers or stalkers. Video calls and messages are scrambled for everyone but you and your caller (even Signal itself).
Signal is free and privately owned, and calls are encrypted end-to-end. You have to download the app to make calls, though, and it’s not super sleek. In other words, it may be overkill for anyone who’s not trying to start a revolution or, say, sell something illegal on the dark web.
Pro tip: What is end-to-end encryption?
End-to-end encryption, or E2EE, is the digital version of a sealed envelope, where the letter inside is scrambled unless you have a pair of keys. You have one, and your recipient has the other. App developers can’t decode your message, and neither can your internet provider or a third party like the police, stalkers, or hackers.
E2EE on video works the same, but applies to packets of data. Your phone encrypts these packets before they ever leave your camera, and doesn’t unlock them until they get to the other person’s device. Their private key unscrambles the info in real time, turning it back into a video feed.
FaceTime
Excellent quality and security for Apple users
Pros
Automatic encryption
Excellent audio and video quality
Easy to use
Screenshot and recording notifications
Cons
Works well only on Apple devices
Everyone needs an Apple ID
Apple keeps call logs for 30 days
FaceTime is my top recommendation for family video calls overall, and it’s a great choice for privacy. The app comes installed and ready to go on all Apple devices, and it’s very secure. Even if someone steals your phone (or your grandkid’s phone), they can’t see FaceTime history without a FaceID or TouchID.
Apple does keep metadata, though, so there’s no easy way to hide the fact that a call happened. That data also stays on your phone in the app logs, which could open you up to something like a subpoena.
FaceTime is great, but there’s a big caveat: The privacy features work only if everyone on the call has an Apple device. Android and Windows users can join calls, but their devices introduce security risks.
WhatsApp
Fun, secure video calls from the owners of Facebook
Pros
Works on any smartphone
Allows groups of up to 32 people
Fun features like stickers, confetti, and video call effects
Cons
Parent corporation collects data on who you talk to (and how often)
Every family member must share their phone number
Lots of spam calls and messages
If you are already set up with Facebook or Instagram and don’t need spy-level privacy, WhatsApp is a great choice. Unlike with Messenger, WhatsApp doesn’t let the parent company Meta access your chats and video calls, and everything is routed through encrypted WhatsApp servers.
WhatsApp works internationally and on any device, and the encryption for calls is automatic. Backups on Google Drive or iCloud are not encrypted by default, though, unless you turn on End-to-end Encrypted Backup in settings.
The big caveat here is that the app is notorious for spam and could let strangers contact your grandkids. For kids, make sure you (or their parents) adjust profile settings during setup.
Other private video calling apps to try
One of the most important things about choosing a private video calling app is finding one that everyone can agree on. If your family can’t come to a consensus on one of the options above (or if your app-of-choice is down), here are a few others I recommend.
Telegram
Secure video calling if you take extra steps
The Telegram app lets you have massive family groups, and the interface is sleek and fun. But you must manually select the “secret chat” option to trigger end-to-end encryption, and you can only have secret calls one-on-one. I use it, and I like that you can delete messages and files from your device and the other person’s device. There can be a lot of spam, though, and it tracks more metadata than competitors.
Google Meet
Good for Androids when nothing else works
Google Meet comes pre-installed on Android devices and has security software built in. Users can kick participants out or deny entry to a room, and that can come in handy if someone is trying to spy on your call. The app can be hard to use, though, because you have to create a room for each call. Plus, your data is subject to Google’s privacy policy agreements.
The app uses cloud encryption, meaning Google keeps a copy of your keys and could unscramble your data if it wanted to. If you need true E2EE, toggle on Additional Encryption in the pre-call screen.
Jitsi
Digital calls without a trace
Let’s imagine your husband is a software expert and you need to plan a surprise birthday party with the grandkids. Jitsi lets you create a completely disposable meeting room with no account registration required. Once the last person leaves the private room, the room (and its data) are deleted from the server.
Just be aware that you have to toggle on the E2EE manually, and it may fail if anyone on the call hasn’t updated their browser. Of course, you’ll also want to hide any messages about the call, especially if you and your husband share devices.
Threema
Calling security that meets European standards
You’ve heard of Swiss bank accounts. Threema is like that, but for video calls. Everyone joins using a random ID instead of a phone number or email. There’s almost no metadata, and the app meets European privacy standards. Unfortunately, it’s not free. The first time you use it, you have to pay $6.
My take: I choose FaceTime or Signal
I am fully bought into Apple’s walled garden, and I feel safe using FaceTime for all my video calls with anyone else who has access to an Apple device. I have family members who are die-hard Android fans, though. With them, I like Telegram (and occasionally use the secret chat function) or Signal for private calls and chats. For everyday family calls and chats, I stick to WhatsApp.
All that said, I’m not a lawyer or a law enforcement officer, and I’m not even a hacker. I just want to help people have nice experiences connecting to their loved ones online.
If you have legal concerns about keeping your communications private, talk to a qualified attorney. If you need help stopping someone from harassing you or your grandkids, file a complaint with the FBI. If you’re being stalked, call 911 or text START to 88788 to chat with an advocate on the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
Author - Chili Palmer
Chili Palmer covers home tech services, with a special focus on understanding what families need and how they can stay connected on a budget. She handles internet access and affordability, breaking news, mobile services, and consumer trends. Chili’s work as a writer, reporter, and editor has appeared in publications including Telecompetitor, Utah Business, Idaho Business Review, Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, and Switchful.com.
Editor - Jessica Brooksby
Jessica loves bringing her passion for the written word and her love of tech into one space at HighSpeedInternet.com. She works with the team’s writers to revise strong, user-focused content so every reader can find the tech that works for them. Jessica has a bachelor’s degree in English from Utah Valley University and seven years of creative and editorial experience. Outside of work, she spends her time gaming, reading, painting, and buying an excessive amount of Legend of Zelda merchandise.
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