Video calling

First depicted in science fiction, video calling using a video call app on a PC, tablet, or mobile device lets callers simultaneously hear and see each other.

Three people in a meeting room on a Teams video call with nine other participants.
Two people leaning over a laptop on a Teams video call.

Benefits of video calling

Conversations are different on a live video call. They’re more engaging and valuable because facial expressions and body language convey meaning and feeling beyond what’s being said.

Quicker than an email

Make an online video call and share your screen instead of writing notes, adding attachments, and waiting for replies. Save time and encourage teamwork by empowering collaboration in the moment.

Three people in a meeting room with a Teams video call and presentation being displayed on a screen.
A person using a tablet device to participate in a Teams video call.

Provide freedom and flexibility

Give people more control and reduce location constraints by allowing them to connect face-to-face with a video chat or video call online whenever and wherever—from across town or across the globe.

Skip taking notes

Record your video chat for future reference or to share with others who couldn’t join the call. It’s easy using a video chat app on your device.

A person sitting at a desk with a laptop and desktop monitor on a Teams video call.
A person sitting at their desk and holding a cup of coffee while on a Teams video call.

Reduce overexposure

Let people maintain their privacy by allowing them to hide their background with background blur and share only what they want others to see during a live video chat.

Connect people wherever they work

With more and more people working remotely, free video calling and online video chat keeps them connected and engaged and helps decrease feelings of isolation.

A person sitting at a table using a mobile phone.

Additional benefits of video calling

Empower engagement

Video calling allows people to engage in a deeper, more personal way.

Foster collaboration

Work together in real time with a live video call even when you’re apart.

Increase productivity

The visual nature of video calling lets people communicate more in less time.

Improve the employee experience

Talking face to face with a video chat gives employees working remotely a sense of belonging.

Ready to get started with Microsoft Teams

Plans and pricing

See what customers are saying about Microsoft Teams

“We wanted to give everyone the ability to make calls through Teams, which is providing 80% cost savings. It’s even more valuable that our people can take important calls from anywhere and at any time using any of their assigned technologies.”

Bill Wyatt

CIO, State of Georgia, Office of the State Treasurer

“The clarity and quality of the Teams audio is great, and the user interface is really friendly. It’s also much more resilient when it comes to transitioning between Wi-Fi and cellular data—we no longer lose calls because we have to leave our desks.”

Nathan Hieber

IT Director of Workplace Technologies, Arrow Electronics

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Phone calling or conference calling is a phone call between two or more participants with audio input and output. Video calling or video conferencing is a call between two or more participants that provides video, as well as audio, input and output. It provides the benefit of being able to see the expressions and reactions of other people on the call in addition to being able to hear what they’re saying.

Video calling and conferencing enables real-time collaboration, increases productivity, saves time, and helps people who are working remote feel less isolated and more engaged. If participants in a group video call, or video conference, don’t feel like being on camera, they can always opt to turn it off and just leave their microphone on. Some video calling and conferencing solutions even allow people to blur or change their background to add privacy without losing the ability to connect face to face.

Remote work and working from home have increased dramatically so being able to communicate and collaborate in real time with a video call or conference fosters productivity, participation, and morale. During times that keep people apart, video calling helps fulfill our need to work and be together.

There are many benefits to using a software application (app) developed for real-time online collaboration such as video calling and conferencing in addition to other capabilities including file sharing and calendaring. That’s because the software is designed specifically to create a better overall experience for people who want to chat, call, and collaborate online—anywhere and anytime. What’s more, a video calling and conferencing application that’s integrated seamlessly with an entire suite of productivity apps—versus a stand-alone app—provides additional timesaving, workflow, and ease-of-use benefits.