Distance is no longer the barrier it once was. Whether your grandchildren are across the country or your sister lives in a different time zone, today's free apps make it possible to share a meal over video, watch the kids open their birthday presents in real time, or simply say goodnight. The hard part isn't the technology — it's knowing which app to use for what.
Here's a plain-English rundown of the five most popular options, with honest pros and cons for each.
FaceTime — Best for Apple Households
If you and your family members all use iPhones or iPads, FaceTime is probably the easiest place to start. It comes pre-installed on every Apple device, so there's nothing to download or set up. Just open the app, tap a contact's name, and press the video button.
What it's good for: One-on-one video calls with other Apple users. The video and audio quality are excellent, and the app is very stable. You can also do group calls with up to 32 people, which works well for family gatherings.
Worth knowing: FaceTime only works between Apple devices. If your son has an Android phone or a Windows computer, he won't be able to join — though Apple has added a workaround that lets you send a web link for non-Apple users to join via a browser.
Best for: Families where everyone uses iPhones or iPads.
WhatsApp — Best for Mixed Devices and International Families
WhatsApp is owned by Meta (the company behind Facebook) and works on iPhones, Android phones, tablets, and computers. It's free to use anywhere in the world, which makes it particularly popular for families spread across different countries.
What it's good for: Text messages, voice calls, and video calls — all free, all over your internet connection rather than your phone plan. You can create group chats for family updates, share photos and videos, and send voice messages when typing feels like too much work.
Worth knowing: Everyone needs to have the app installed. Setup takes about five minutes and requires your phone number. WhatsApp collects some data about usage, which bothers some people — but for most families it's a non-issue.
Best for: Families with a mix of iPhone and Android users, or anyone with family overseas.
Zoom — Best for Larger Family Gatherings
Zoom became a household name during the pandemic and for good reason: it's reliable, works on almost any device, and handles large groups better than most. The free version allows meetings of up to 100 people for up to 40 minutes at a time.
What it's good for: Family reunions, holiday gatherings, book clubs, or any situation where more than a handful of people want to be on a call together. The "gallery view" shows everyone's face at once, which feels more like being in the same room.
Worth knowing: The 40-minute limit on the free plan can be frustrating for longer calls — though you can simply start a new call immediately after. The host (the person who starts the meeting) needs an account, but guests can join without one.
Best for: Larger family calls, holiday get-togethers, or anyone who wants a more structured video meeting experience.
Google Photos Shared Albums — Best for Sharing Memories
This one is a little different — it's not a calling app. Google Photos lets you create shared photo albums that any family member can contribute to and view. Think of it as a family photo album that lives in the cloud and updates automatically.
What it's good for: Sharing photos from holidays, family events, or just everyday life without clogging up anyone's text messages. Family members can add their own photos, and everyone sees the full collection. It works on both iPhones and Android devices.
Worth knowing: Everyone needs a Google account (a Gmail address works). Setting up the shared album takes a few minutes, but after that, adding photos is as simple as tapping "share to album" from your camera roll.
Best for: Keeping everyone connected through photos, especially grandparents who love seeing pictures of the grandchildren regularly.
Marco Polo — Best When Schedules Don't Line Up
Marco Polo is one of the most underrated apps for families, and it solves a specific problem: what do you do when you want to connect but can never seem to find a time when everyone's available?
Marco Polo works like video voicemail. You record a short video message — it can be 30 seconds or five minutes — and your family member watches it whenever is convenient for them, then records a reply. It feels much more personal than a text message, and there's no pressure to be "on" at the same time.
What it's good for: Staying in touch with people who are in different time zones, have different schedules, or who find live video calls a bit stressful. It's particularly popular with grandparents and grandchildren.
Worth knowing: The free version is fully functional. There's a paid "Plus" version with extra features, but you don't need it. The app is available for both iPhone and Android.
Best for: Asynchronous connection — sharing moments without needing to coordinate schedules.
Which One Should You Start With?
If your family all uses iPhones, start with FaceTime — it requires no setup at all. If there's a mix of devices or anyone lives abroad, WhatsApp is the most versatile choice. For big family calls, add Zoom. And if you want something running in the background that keeps you visually connected day to day, Google Photos and Marco Polo are both worth the few minutes it takes to set them up.
You don't need to use all five. Pick the one that fits your family's habits and start there. The goal is connection, not technological mastery.