Encrypted messages plus voice and video calls for up to 32 people, on your phone, computer or browser.
Best for group video calls with friends, family and small teams who already use WhatsApp
Facts checked November 4, 2026 · First written by Mutuo Mbilla
The short answer
WhatsApp suits people who want to start a call from a chat they already have open, and it costs nothing beyond the mobile data you use. Group voice and video calls hold up to 32 people with no time limit, support screen sharing, and are encrypted end to end. It works less well for business meetings: everyone on a call needs a WhatsApp account, and you get no call recording or webinar tools. For client calls and larger meetings, Zoom or Google Meet is a better fit.
Choose it if
- The people you call already have WhatsApp on their phones, so nobody has to install anything new
- You want group video calls of up to 32 people that don't cut off after 40 or 60 minutes
- Privacy matters to you, and you want calls and messages encrypted so only the people in the conversation can read or hear them
- You switch between phone, tablet and laptop, since you can link up to four devices to your main phone and call from the Windows, Mac or web app
- You run a small business and want to reply to customers in the app they use every day through the separate WhatsApp Business app
Skip it if
- You need to invite guests who don't have a WhatsApp account, such as clients or job candidates
- Your meetings have more than 32 people
- You want to record calls or run webinars for an audience
- Your company needs admin controls, single sign-on or user management for a team account
- You don't want to tie your work calls to your personal phone number
Main features
Group video calls
Call up to 32 people at once, with no set time limit on group calls. You can start a call from any chat or group you're already in.
Screen sharing
Show your phone, tablet or laptop screen to everyone on a video call, which helps when you're walking a relative through a settings menu or showing a colleague a document.
Encrypted calls and chats
WhatsApp encrypts personal messages and calls end to end, so only the people in the conversation can read or hear them.
Calls from a computer
Make or answer calls from the Windows, Mac and iPad apps or from WhatsApp Web in a browser, instead of holding your phone for a long call.
Linked devices
Link up to four devices to your main phone, so your chats and calls follow you from phone to laptop.
AI video backgrounds
Create a custom background for a video call by typing a short description of what you want behind you.
WhatsApp Business app
A separate app for small businesses that lets you greet new customers, reply when you're away and show your products and prices in the chat.
Business Platform
Larger companies can send marketing, utility and authentication messages through the WhatsApp Business Platform and pay for each message WhatsApp delivers.
Pricing
Checked November 4, 2026. WhatsApp's own page says messaging and calls are free, with possible data charges from your mobile provider. The Business Platform rate card didn't show US dollar figures, so per-message rates aren't listed here.
$0
Messages, voice and video calls for up to 32 people, screen sharing and up to four linked devices; data charges from your provider may apply
WhatsApp Business Platform
/ per delivered message
Messaging for businesses through the API, charged per delivered marketing, utility or authentication message at rates that vary by country; service messages are not charged
Reviews
Write a reviewNo reviews yet. If you use WhatsApp, yours would be the first.
Alternatives to WhatsApp
| Product | Choose it instead if | Starts at |
|---|---|---|
| Zoom | You meet with clients or groups of more than 32 people and want recordings, booking pages and a link guests can open in a browser | Free |
| Google Meet | You want a free browser-based meeting link for up to 100 people, with 60-minute group calls and no limit one to one | Free |
| Slack | Your team wants work chat in channels, kept apart from personal messages, with quick huddle calls | Free |
Questions people ask
Is WhatsApp free?
Yes. WhatsApp says its messaging and voice and video calls are free, although your mobile provider may charge for the data you use. Businesses that send messages through the WhatsApp Business Platform pay for each delivered marketing, utility or authentication message.
How many people can join a WhatsApp video call?
Up to 32 people can join a WhatsApp group voice or video call, and group calls have no set time limit. For bigger meetings you'll need a tool such as Zoom, which allows 100 people even on its free plan.
Can I make WhatsApp calls from my computer?
Yes. You can make and answer calls from the WhatsApp apps for Windows, Mac and iPad, or from WhatsApp Web in your browser. You can link up to four devices to your main phone.
Can you share your screen on a WhatsApp call?
Yes, during a video call. You can share your phone, tablet or laptop screen with everyone on the call in real time.
Are WhatsApp calls private?
WhatsApp says calls and personal messages are always encrypted end to end, so only the people on the call can hear them. If you want an app run by a nonprofit, Signal also encrypts messages end to end.
Is WhatsApp good for work meetings?
It works for quick calls inside a small team where everyone already has WhatsApp. It isn't a good fit for client meetings because guests need an account, and it has no call recording or admin controls. A meeting tool like Zoom or Google Meet handles those calls better.
Sources we checked 11
- whatsapp.com for free messaging and calls, data charges, encryption, platforms, WhatsApp Business checked November 4, 2026
- whatsapp.com/calling for 32-person group calls, unlimited call duration, screen sharing, desktop and web calling, encryption checked November 4, 2026
- whatsapp.com/features for four linked devices, AI-generated call backgrounds checked November 4, 2026
- whatsapp.com/download for mobile, desktop, tablet and web versions checked November 4, 2026
- whatsapp.com/about for founders, user count, joining Facebook in 2014 checked November 4, 2026
- whatsapp.com/legal/terms-of-service for company name (WhatsApp LLC), Menlo Park address, Meta Platforms checked November 4, 2026
- whatsappbusiness.com/products/business-app for WhatsApp Business app features checked November 4, 2026
- whatsappbusiness.com/products/platform-pricing for Business Platform per-message pricing model checked November 4, 2026
- zoom.us/pricing for Zoom participant limits used in comparisons checked November 4, 2026
- workspace.google.com/products/meet for Google Meet free plan limits used in comparisons checked November 4, 2026
- signal.org for Signal facts used in alternatives checked November 4, 2026