Omegle, a web-based chatting app, garnered popularity due to its anonymity and lack of registration requirements. However, due to multiple controversies and lawsuits, the platform was forced to shut down in 2023. This is why people are looking for sites like Omegle that offer anonymity paired with better moderation, filters, and other features. If you’re looking for the same, you’re at the right place.
This guide presents the best alternatives to Omegle and what makes them stand out. It also discusses the risks of using these apps and how to stay safe.
Table of Contents
Part 1. 10 Popular Sites Like Omegle for Chatting
Omegle captured the hearts of many by allowing them to connect with random people around the world and interact anonymously. But with its shutdown, many members are looking for chat sites like Omegle for virtual social connections. If you are as well, select the best from the list:
1. OmeTV
OmeTv is a top Omegle-like site that allows you to do video chats with random people and keeps you safe through effective content management. More than a million monthly viewers come every month to interact with strangers on video calls. You can also converse with the other person via live chat and messaging feature, provided you’re logged into the platform.
What makes it stand out is the features it offers. There are one-on-one chats, random user pairing, and the ability to partner with celebrities on call. While it’s free, you can only log in through Facebook and VKontakte. You can also download the app on your Android or iOS device or directly chat with strangers on its web portal.
2. Emerald Chat
Emerald Chat is another popular free site like Omegle that makes chatting fun and secure for its users. There are a lot of community guidelines in place so users can stay safe when online. Also, people who complained about the lack of moderation in Omegle, Emerald Chat offers user verification and customized chat filters.
It’s available on multiple platforms (Web, Android, and iOS) and supports easy login so you can initiate chats or video calls with random people around the globe and make friends. It also offers multiple communication modes, such as one-on-one chats, one-on-one video calls, and even group chats.
3. ChatRandom
As in the name, ChatRandom is a site like Omegle dedicated to talking with strangers. It has made chatting much easier, as you only need to select your gender and chat or video call with strangers. You don’t need to sign up or log in for that. Also, facemasks are available on the website to protect your privacy during video calls.
The app offers free webcams like Omegle, where essential text and video chat features are free. Or you can opt for its premium subscription that lets you access filters like gender and location filters and hide your location. The constant ad pop-ups are gone with the subscription.
4. Monkey
Monkey is a cam site like Omegle that focuses on quick, short, and entertaining video calls and allows users to meet with many random people quickly. It’s available on Android, iPhone, and the web. It doesn’t require a login, and you can just tap “Start video call” to meet new people and make friends.
Along with the traditional video call, Monkey lets you add one of your friends and have a “duo” video call. These features make Monkey a popular choice for users who want to break from traditional messaging platforms.
However, unlike ChatRandom, the platform is exclusive for video calls, and no filters or masks are available to keep your location or gender anonymous.
5. ChatHub
If you want a simple and straightforward app to connect with random people and make new friends, ChatHub prides itself on being the best in the category. Sign-up is optional, and the app allows you to connect with genders of your choice and their language. It also has multiple audio and video filters for users to keep their identities anonymous.
Similar to the other platforms, it’s available on the web and mobile and allows users to join two different types of rooms. One is for casual conversations, and the other is meant for topic-wise conversations. Unfortunately, most of these features are accessible only if you subscribe to its premium package, which is costly.
6. Tinychat
As the name suggests, Tinychat is a simple and straightforward chat room app like Omegle that lets you chat with random people via text, voice, or video. But unlike other apps, it requires you to register before you can start connecting.
Upon signing in, you’ll find some pre-made groups based on specific topics and interests where you can hop on and join the conversation. Its free version comes with plenty of ads and popups, and you’ll need a premium subscription to eliminate them.
It also changes your username to gold to make your profile stand out. That’s not a major upgrade from other platforms, but it is indeed a bonus. But there are no available audio or video filters.
7. CamSurf
CamSurf is a pretty popular alternative to Omegle that doesn’t require a sign-up or log-ins to video chat with random people online. Signing up, however, provides you with options to filter out genders, languages, and locations of users you’re matched with, as well as face filters.
You can either use its web version or its Android/iPhone app. The app is lightweight, and you can scroll through it seamlessly to chat and make new friends.
8. Bazoocam
Bazoocam is an addictive video chatting site that pairs users with random members who are online. Although the pairing is random, you can choose to skip a person if they don’t interest you. That’s typical with most random chat sites like Omegle.
However, what makes it unique is that users can play multiplayer games like Tic Tac Toe and Tetris with the people they meet and have fun. Another interesting feature is that you can match with nearby strangers by checking a box before entering the chat room.
However, a potential drawback of the platform is that it isn’t available on Android or iOS platforms. Its web portal is simple to use and lets you connect with random people without requiring sign-ins or personal information.
9. Chatspin
Many users might not be comfortable revealing their faces when talking to strangers over video calls, and they often cover the camera by hand or wear masks. Instead, you can use the Chatspin app.
Its AI mask features let you chat with random people without revealing your face. There’s a Tinder-like swipe-right feature so you can continue browsing until you find a person who shares your interest. Also, users can set a chat preference only for boys or girls.
10. Shagle
Last but not least, Shagle is a decent Omegle alternative that lets you chat with hundreds of random people worldwide. It lets you make video calls and send text messages without signing up, but you might miss features like country and gender filters.
Also, a “Private chat” feature secures your chat with end-to-end encryption. This way, you can quickly meet the type of people you’re looking for and chat with them securely.
However, no mobile application is available, and most of its advanced features require a premium subscription.
Part 2. Potential Risks of Using Random Chat Sites
Chatrooms like Omegle allow users to connect with strangers around the world and make new friends. It appeals to adults and even kids towards these apps, but potentially puts them at risk. Many users, especially kids, were victims of such dangers on Omegle, which was eventually shut down. The following are the risks of using similar apps:
Sharing or Viewing Inappropriate Content: Omegle didn’t have a powerful moderation in place; no registration or age verification was required. So, many younger people started using it and became a potential target of online abuse. They were asked for their age, name, and location by strangers. Investigations even found sexually explicit live streams or videos involving minors as young as seven to eight years. When it comes to alternatives, some apps offer moderation, while most can be accessed without signing in.
Predators: As most Omegle-like chat apps don’t have any age verification, predators can target kids and young people. For example, a kid might get paired up with an old man who can extort personal details, hack their computer, and even bully them. The investigation on Omegle saw many similar instances and was eventually shut down in November 2023.
Malware and Viruses: Strangers might send a link on the chat, and opening it might lead to malware or other viruses. Other than that, chances are that the stranger gets access to your device along with the stored sensitive information.
Data Retention: Omegle-like apps retain some of your data, such as online identifiers, chat logs, and IP addresses, for a fixed period unless laws require it to retain a few more days. However, the chats you save on these platforms are retained indefinitely unless you delete them manually. There is a chance that predators might hack the account and gain access to all your activities on the platform.
Part 3. Safety Tips for Using Sites Like Omegle
If you are keen on using online chat sites like Omegle, the following are a few tips to keep in mind to stay safe:
- Avoid Suspicious Links and Ads: Chances are that clicking ads or malicious links on other sites like Omegle might lead you to malicious websites that could potentially infect your device with malware. Importantly, do not download or click on files sent by strangers.
- Report Inappropriate Users: If you’ve experienced any kind of visual or verbal abuse from the users on the chat platform, promptly report their profile so administrators can take quick action. It’s also crucial for you to immediately exit the conversation.
- Do not share Personal Data: As you’re talking to strangers on these platforms, remember not to share any personal data with them. You do not know anything about the person sitting in front of you, and they might use the information for their own gain.
- Use Parental Control Tools: Kids and younger users are more vulnerable on these websites, and parents must monitor their online activities. They can use monitoring tools like FamiGuard Pro, which provides details of their kids’ online activities, and they can also block the usage of websites like Omegle.
How FamiGuard Pro Protects Kids' Online Safety?
A parental control software like FamiGuard Pro can help you monitor your children's social media chatting, see their Internet browsing history and set up keyword alerts. For example, in Remote Control > Track Keywords of FamiGuard Pro, you can set up special alarm words, and if the related keywords appear, you will be notified immediately and the hidden screenshot function of the software will be triggered, so you can know what's going on immediately.
Conclusion
Although many sites like Omegle let you chat without revealing your personal information or location and offer better moderation, they aren’t entirely safe. It might pose several dangers, like online predators, exposure to inappropriate content, blackmailing, and others. Parents must make sure their kids don’t access these websites. So, use the app blocker feature of FamiGuard Pro to block such unsafe apps. Other than that, its features like WhatsApp and social media monitoring ensure your child is safe.
By Tata Davis
professional in software and app technology, skilled in blogging on internet
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