Telegram and WhatsApp calls don’t work. 11 alternative apps

Russia has began restricting voice calls on popular messengers Telegram and WhatsApp. For users, this means that the usual way of communicating no longer works, especially for business negotiations or quick personal calls. However, there are alternatives – from Russian apps to international services – that are still available.

We’ve put together a detailed review of services that can replace voice communication in foreign messengers – with a description of features, strengths and weaknesses.

Why calls stopped working

The restrictions are due to data and security requirements, according to media reports. At the same time, text chats continue to work, but voice functions are blocked on the service providers’ side. This situation has already affected users in different regions of the country.

VK Messenger

VK Messenger is a full-fledged chat, voice and video calling app that is integrated into the VK ecosystem and available on all major platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS and the web version. It supports group conversations with an unlimited number of participants, and file transfers of up to 4 GB make it a convenient tool for sharing media and documents. The app features fast media opening, the ability to sort chats into folders, pin important conversations, and search message history. An added bonus is integration with Sferum for lectures and online lessons, which is especially useful in an educational environment.

• Voice and video calls, group chats with no limit on participants;
• Sending files up to 4 GB, accelerated media download, integration with “Sphereum”;
• Folders for chats, pinning correspondence, quick search and synchronization between devices;

• No support for bots and channels;
• Bugs with displaying unread messages and rare application crashes are possible.

Yandex Messenger

“Yandex Messenger” was originally created for the corporate segment, but thanks to its functionality and integration with the Yandex ecosystem, it has become in demand among ordinary users as well. It supports audio and video calls with up to 40 participants, allows you to create private and group chats, channels, leave reactions and comments to messages. The application is deeply connected with the services “Yandex.Disk”, “Calendar” and “Mail”, which is convenient when working with documents and planning meetings. The interface is minimalistic and user-friendly, notifications come consistently, and synchronization between devices is fast.

• Private and group chats, channels, reactions, comments;
• Integration with “Yandex.Disk”, mail and calendar;
• Stable notifications, support for calls up to 40 participants.

• No text selection, stickers or hashtags;
• Cannot sort chats into folders and view the list of connected devices.

Max

Max is a Russian national app that is actively promoted as a replacement for foreign messengers. It supports voice and video calls with no time or number of participants, screen sharing, participant grid and group conferences. The app includes text chats, voice messages, stickers, emoji, built-in GigaChat neural network, and file transfer up to 4 GB. Max combines features for personal communication, work, and entertainment, including mini-apps and chatbots.

• Personal and group calls, screen sharing, participant grid;
• Voice and text messages, stickers, mini-apps, GigaChat;
• Transfer files up to 4 GB.

• Saves IP addresses, contacts, and user activity.

Compass

Compass is an open source enterprise messenger that can be deployed on your own server, which is especially valuable for companies concerned about data security. It supports video conferencing for up to 1,000 participants, private and group chats, favorite correspondence, dividing chats into “spaces” and commenting on messages. There are built-in tools for collecting statistics on user actions in a team, making it convenient for managing large teams.

• Conferences up to 1000 participants, split chats into spaces;
• Collection of statistics, comments to messages;
• Support for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux and HarmonyOS.

• No dark theme;
• No web version and screen demo;

eXpress

eXpress is a Russian corporate communications platform with over one million active users. It supports voice and video calls, conferences with up to 250 participants, media sharing, contacts, geolocation, and built-in image editing tools. Automatic timer-based message deletion helps you control the privacy of your messages.

• Conferences up to 250 participants, voice and video communication;
• Sharing media, contacts, geolocation;
• Tools to edit images and auto-delete messages;

• Limits file size to 25MB in the free version;
• No video conferencing without subscription;

Package

“Pack” is an enterprise messenger analog to Slack that can be integrated into business platforms, but it’s suitable for personal use as well. It supports audio and video calls, conferences up to 100 participants, chats, branches, reactions and file sharing. There is an option to invite external participants via guest accounts and data backup.

• Calls and conferences up to 100 participants;
• Support for threads, reactions, file sharing;
• Free guest accounts, backups;

• No audio messages;
• Can’t connect multiple accounts.

Google Meet

Google Meet is a popular online meeting platform that is suitable for both business and personal conversations. The free version supports up to 100 participants, while the paid version supports up to 250. Features include screen sharing, meeting recording, virtual backgrounds, subtitles, and cloud encryption. Works on all devices via browser or app.

• Calls up to 100 or 250 participants depending on the rate;
• Screen demo, meeting recording, virtual backgrounds;
• Subtitles and cloud encryption;

• Possible restrictions on working in Russia in the future.

FaceTime

FaceTime is Apple’s built-in service for high quality audio and video calls. Works on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and integrates with iMessage and calendar so you can schedule and connect to calls quickly.

FaceTime is Apple’s built-in audio and video calling service with high quality transmission.

• High quality communication, integration with iMessage and calendar;
• Easy scheduling and launching of calls;

• Available only on Apple devices;
• No text chat or file sharing;

Botim

Botim is an international messenger with support for voice and video calls, including group calls up to 500 participants. It allows you to exchange text and voice messages, photos, videos, stickers and emoji. It is available on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux.

• Group video calls with up to 500 participants;
• Messaging, media, stickers and emoji;

• Some features are only available by subscription;
• App crashes and crashes are possible.

Briar

Briar is a messenger that works without internet via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct. Suitable for communication in areas without connectivity, as it synchronizes messages when devices are directly connected. Useful when traveling, camping, or when networks go down.

• Works without internet via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct;
• Secure local communication;

• Limited range;
• No support for voice and video calls;

Bridgefy

Bridgefy is a Bluetooth offline communication app with a range of up to 100 meters. It is used at festivals, camping trips, and in conditions of communication outages. Transmits text messages without internet access.

• Works without internet via Bluetooth;
• Range up to 100 meters.