7 Best Voice Chat Apps and Services for Gamers
Feb. 1, 2019Having taken a close look at several voice chat apps designed for gamers, we have chosen apps that offer seamless communication. While some apps offer basic features, others go well beyond the simple messaging experience.
So, depending on your preference, you can use apps to stay connected with your buddies using voice, video, and even conferencing. Not just that, many voice chat services also allow you toshare filesso that you can hatch killer plans with ease. That being said, let’s get started with the roundup!
1. Discord
Going by the numbers, Discord is by far the most lovedfree chat service for gamers.The app allows players to chat with other members in their Discord group, through voice or even text chat. Players cancreate a serverand invite friends. The servicecan be used directly on the web, or players can download the app.
Since it is available as a web service, players can quickly join servers, and begin communicating. Personally, I’ve used Discord quite a bit while playing CS: GO, andgames like Fortnite, and most of the gamers here at Beebom depend on Discord to communicate during theirPUBGmatches.
Feature-wise, Discord offers a lot. Players can createcustom hotkeys, and use Discord as an in-game overlay. The overlay feature is pretty useful because it allows players to have a seamless interaction with both the game that they are playing, as well as all of the people they are communicating with, using Discord. You can alsoadd botsto add extra features.
The service also allows players to setindividual volume levelsfor other players, so it’s easy to increase the volume for people you want to listen to and decrease it for others. Couple that with thelow resource, and bandwidth usage of Discord, and you easily have a winner.
Apart from that, Discord also offersIP, and DDoS protection, so you don’t need to worry about anyone DDoSing your server. Even though Discord is one of the best voice chat apps for gamers but if you don’t want to go with Discord, here are some viableDiscord alternativesthat you can check out.ProsConsFree to useNo self-hosted serversBuilt-in DDoS protectionDefault codec might not be the best of the lotNifty tweaks like individual volume levels for playersSupport forcool and useful bots
Platforms:Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and WebPricing:Free, Discord Nitro for $9.99 per monthDownload
If you are looking for a voice chat app that can offer youbetter administrator controlin a beautiful UI, give serious consideration to TeamSpeak. Probably the best part of this app is the range of permission options that you can use to set desired control and even manage your servers. It features an advanced user interface where you can manage multiple channels and moderate other team members.
Another feature that makes TeamSpeak pretty handy is thefast file transferwhich plays a key role in keeping the communication in sync. Even in terms of security, this voice chat app is up to the mark thanks tothe AES encryption. Notably, it also allows you to enable server-wide encryption. Add to that the offline/LAN functionality and a customizable user interface and it becomes a complete voice chat app for gamers.ProsConsMany permission controlsLacks video communicationOffline/LAN functionalityAES encryption
Platforms:Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and WebPricing:Free, 64 server slots for $55 per yearDownload
Boasting always-on encryption, Mumble is one of the finestVoIP appsthat gamers should try out. Thanks to the encryption, your data is always secure on the servers. Mumble supportslow latency audio streaming, so you will experience minimum lags while chatting with your friends. It also supports positional sound, which gives the game you’re playing a much morerealistic, and immersive feel.
Mumble gives the server admins a plethora of user permissions, which they can use to manage, and control the users on the server, and almost every aspect of it. It also comes with anin-game overlay, making it one of the apps like Discord.
Apart from the features that Mumble already offers, players can use“Ice”middleware, to get additional featuresin their Mumble servers, such as web interfaces, channel viewers, authenticators, and many more. Mumble also has mobile applications that have been developed by third-party developers.
Platforms:Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOSPricing:Free, 15 server slots for $9 per monthDownload
Featuring a modern-looking design, Element doesn’t take long to win attention. The appoffers free unlimited voice andvideo conferencingto let you communicate with your friends. So, you can hatch strategies with your buddies using the preferred communication tool, and execute those plans to eliminate rivals during high-octane co-op modes.
With the pretty straightforward file-sharing feature at your disposal, you can share important files with your buddies. Thanks to the availability of several handy file management tools, you can keep everything organized. To ensure you don’t forget an important thing, the app sends you timely alerts about things that matter to you.
Furthermore, Element is an open-source app and is available across platforms. So, it doesn’t matter whether you are on iOS, Android or Windows, you can use this voice chat app to communicate freely with your friends. Courtesy end-to-end encryption, it makes sureyour messages stay safeguarded against prying eyes.ProsConsModern-looking designEncryption keys management is a bit tediousEnd-to-end encryptionVideo calling quality needs improvementOffers unlimited voice, video, and conferencing
Platforms:macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, and WebPricing:Freeup to 200 usersDownload
SteamChat is another great option that you can rely on for all your voice communication needs while playing a game. Since most of you might already have Steam installed on your system and running in the background while you’re playing a game, it’s a great option you can try out before installing any of the other apps on this list.
After all, if you’re playing PUBG on PC, why launch a separate chat client, when Steam supports the feature itself, right? Steam’s chat feature isfree to useand allows you tocreate your own groupswith friends.
SteamChat also allows users toshare unique URLsthat they can use to share the chat room. Chat administrators also get the privilege toset roles for members, giving them the ability to kick other members, manage group information, and set chat restrictions. Furthermore, SteamChat alsohas a web client, which you can use if you don’t already have Steam installed on your system.ProsConsSupports grouping friends by gamesVoice quality isn’t on par with options like TeamSpeakHas a web-clientQuite robust
Platforms:Windows, macOS, and LinuxPricing:FreeDownload
If you are looking for the best voice chat app for Android, let me direct you to Rune. Yes, there is Discord on Android, but Rune is also apowerful voice chat app, designed especially for gamers. You can play anyAndroid gameon your smartphone and make teammates, speak with them, strategize about your attack and do much more. It also supports text messaging with support for stickers and other cool features. This is one of the best Discord alternatives that you can use in case the popular service is not working for you for some reason.
The best part is that you can create multiple teams based on your game and you can also discover other teammates who speak your language. Not to mention, Rune is also available on iOS soiPhone userscan also join the voice chat and play games together with voice chat in the background. All in all, if you want an Android app for voice chat while gaming, Rune is a fantastic choice.ProsConsPowerful voice chat for Android with text supportAt times, the audio stuttersBeautiful UISupports all Android games
Platforms:Android and iOSPricing:FreeDownload(Android,iOS)
Blizzard Voice Chat is for everyone who loves playing games from Blizzard Studio like Overwatch, CoD, Diablo Immortal, Warcraft, and more. The desktop battle.net app comes with the voice chat feature and it works like a charm. You can create channels based on your game, mute other members in the channel,change the volume level, and do much more. There is also an option to join multiple voice channels, but you can only use voice chat in one of the sessions at a time.
To get started with Blizzard Voice chat, you simply need to plug in your microphone and click on the headset button in the top-right corner of the chat window. EnableTransmission Modeand there you go! As I said above, it works without any fuss. The only con is that voice chat is only available on the desktop app. You can, however, text chat with its Android app. To conclude, for Blizzard gamers, this is the best voice chat service you have at your disposal.ProsConsBest voice chat service for Blizzard gamesVoice chat is not available on mobileAudio and mute controls are availableJoin multiple voice channels
Platforms:Windows and macOSPricing:FreeDownload
Proper team communication is an important part of winning anyco-op multiplayer game, and these VoIP apps and services will definitely help you communicate with your clan more effectively. So, what chat applications do you use for communicating with your team? And what games do you guys play? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Metroid Prime Hunters (launched in March 2006), was the first game that allowed voice chatting through the Nintendo DS’s microphone.
Nintendo’s official voice chat solution is an app that you can download for iOS and Android devices to chat with other Nintendo users. Besides, Switch also offers in-game voice chat to let you communicate with your buddies.
Many games work with the Switch companion app for iOS and Android. You can use the built-in mic of your phone or use the headphone jack to plug in most headsets to the Switch.
