Top Voice Chat Apps and Services for Gamers (August 2022)
Having 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 to share files so 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 loved free chat service for gamers. The app allows players to chat with other members in their Discord group, through voice or even text chat. Players can create a server and invite friends. The service can 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, and games like Fortnite, and most of the gamers here at Beebom depend on Discord to communicate during their PUBG matches.
Feature-wise, Discord offers a lot. Players can create custom 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 also add bots to add extra features.
The service also allows players to set individual volume levels for 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 the low resource, and bandwidth usage of Discord, and you easily have a winner.
Apart from that, Discord also offers IP, 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 viable Discord alternatives that 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 for cool and useful bots
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and WebPricing: Free, Discord Nitro for $9.99 per monthDownload
2. TeamSpeak
If you are looking for a voice chat app that can offer you better administrator control in a beautiful UI, give serious consideration to TeamSpeak. Probably the best part of this app is a 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 the fast file transfer which 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 to the 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
3. Mumble
Boasting always-on encryption, Mumble is one of the finest VoIP apps that gamers should try out. Thanks to the encryption, your data is always secure on the servers. Mumble supports low 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 more realistic, 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 an in-game overlay, like the others in this list, which can be very useful as well.
Apart from the features that Mumble already offers, players can use “Ice” middleware, to get additional features in 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
4. Element
Featuring a modern-looking design, Element doesn’t take long to win attention. The app offers free unlimited voice and video conferencing to 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 sure your 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: FreeDownload
5. SteamChat
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 is free to use and allows you to create your own groups with friends.
SteamChat also allows users to share unique URLs that one can use to share the chat room. Chat administrators also get the privilege to set roles for members, giving them the ability to kick other members, manage group information, and set chat restrictions. Furthermore, SteamChat also has 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
6. Rune
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 a powerful voice chat app, designed especially for gamers. You can play any Android game on 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. 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, Run is also available on iOS so iPhone users can 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)
7. Blizzard Voice Chat
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. Enable Transmission Mode and 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
Can you Talk in a Party on the PlayStation App?
Yes, you can. The app works pretty well in letting you chat in a party in the PlayStation app. (Head into the PS4 second screen app on your mobile device -> Chat Transcription from the Party menu -> create/join a party -> follow the prompts on your mobile device to chat.
What was the First Game with Voice Chat?
Metroid Prime Hunters (launched in March 2006), was the first game that allowed voice chatting through the Nintendo DS’s microphone.
What is Voice Chat on Switch?
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.
How do I Turn on Voice Chat on Nintendo Switch?
Nintendo provides a voice chat solution in the Nintendo Switch Online app for iOS and Android (requires Switch online subscription). While some games support the voice chat feature directly on the console with a headset, others require a separate smartphone app to allow voice chat.
Simply start the game mode that supports voice chat or tap on Start after receiving the prompt on your smartphone to turn on voice chat.
How do I Get My Microphone to Work on My Switch?
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.
Use Voice Chat Apps to Communicate with Your Clan
Proper team communication is an important part of winning any co-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.
