Below is a list of technology options in alphabetical order, including cost, pros, and cons. If you have any questions about these or would like to discuss virtual ministry options further, contact us.
Adobe Connect (virtual meetings and seminars)
Cost: Free until July 1
Group size: Up to 25
Pros: Virtual meeting rooms to record, interface is simple and intuitive
Cons: Typically $50/mo, no dial-in service, can’t invite non-Adobe users into the platform
Discord (small group communication)
Cost: Free
Group size: Up to 8
Pros: Free voice/text, multiple chat channels
Cons: Privacy mode is not private
Facebook Messenger (instant messaging platform through Facebook)
Cost: Free
Group size: Up to 250 texting; 50 audio/video
Pros: Instant messaging, share videos and audio recordings, 8-hour limit, easy phone call connection
Cons: Privacy terms and conditions allow recording at any time, Facebook + Facebook Messenger use 100+ mb of storage on phone, because of high usage during COVID-19, their services haven’t always been reliable.
FaceTime (iPhone text, voice, video calls)
Cost: Free
Group size: Up to 32
Pros: Superior sound quality
Cons: Limited to iPhone/Apple users
Google Duo (text, voice, video calls)
Cost: Free with Google
Group size: Up to 8
Pros: Alternative to Facetime for Android users, knock knock feature lets you know who is contacting you
Cons: Some history of inconsistency, battery drain
Google Hangouts Meet (virtual, video meeting experience)
Cost: Free with Google Suite
Group size: Up to 250 participants or 100,000 livestream viewers
Pros: Easy to join meetings; for Google users, it is Google’s Zoom
Cons: Requires high bandwidth
GroupMe (group messaging app)
Cost: Free
Group size: Up to 250
Pros: No message limits, send money, great GIFS, take polls and vote
Cons: Details can get lost in a large group because conversation is not in a thread
Houseparty (group video chat app)
Cost: Free
Group size: Up to 8 people but can be part of multiple parties at one time
Pros: Integrates friends list from phone
Cons: Invite strangers to participate; parental supervision suggested, they get access to all your contacts
Marco Polo (video-based messaging system)
Cost: Free
Group size: Up to 200
Pros: Leave video at any time, respond to video at any time
Cons: No time limit on videos, some users report that it eats a lot of data (use wifi when possible)
TikTok (video and music messaging)
Cost: Free
Group size: Unlimited
Pros: Encourages creativity, create and share music, dance, and activities, “the karaoke of technology”
Cons: Parental supervision suggested, has had recent criticism for bullying
WhatsApp (text, voice, video calls)
Cost: Free
Group size: Up to 256 and up to 5 groups
Pros: Encrypted calls, alternative to Facetime to include android users, reduces data usage for calls and texts, can delete “sent” messages, delivery status feature, great for international communication
Cons: File size limit, requires Internet connection
Zoom (virtual video meeting format)
Cost: free option (with 40 minute limit), upgraded versions ($15/month/host or $20/month/host)
Group size: Up to 100 with free Zoom
Pros: Live chats, recorded meetings, allows on-screen sharing
Cons: Free option cuts off at 40 minutes, can’t record in breakout rooms
