VideoChats

VideoChats are real-time audiovisual communications between two or more participants over the Internet. They combine live video and audio streams with optional features such as text chat, screen sharing, file transfer, and recording. Video chats can occur in one-to-one calls or multiparty sessions and are delivered through web browsers, mobile apps, or dedicated desktop software.

Most contemporary video chats rely on real-time communication technologies such as Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC) or similar signaling-based frameworks. WebRTC enables direct media transmission between clients, while servers may handle signaling and routing through selective forward units (SFU) or multipoint control units (MCU). Media is typically compressed with codecs like VP8/VP9 or H.264 for video and Opus or PCM for audio, and transported over secure channels.

Common use cases include remote business meetings, online education, telemedicine, customer support, social interactions, and collaboration in development or media production. Features such as virtual backgrounds, polls, captions, and recording enhance productivity, while integrations with calendars, chat tools, and file storage broaden utility.

Security and privacy are central concerns in video chats. End-to-end encryption is not universal, and protections vary by platform. Best practices include encryption of signaling and media, access controls, data retention policies, and adherence to regulatory requirements such as GDPR or HIPAA where applicable.

History and development show a shift from early, bandwidth-intensive video calling to scalable, browser-based solutions that require little client-side installation. The rise of platforms offering WebRTC-based services in the 2010s accelerated mainstream adoption, enabling widespread use across workplaces, schools, and consumer markets.