This article is from our user Emily, who moved to New York two years ago and loves using JusTalk to video chat with her parents and friends. Let's see what she says about JusTalk, and its difference with FaceTime.

Video chat platforms on mobile devices have evolved at an impressive pace in recent years. Each has its perks and drawbacks, and you've got some choices to make if you're trying to stick with one of them.

I moved to New York two years ago, and I have tried some free video calling apps to connect with my parents and friends in my hometown, like FaceTime, Skype, JusTalk, Google Duo, and Messenger. After two months' try out, I found that JusTalk, though least well known, is my favorite and most useful to keep in touch. My second favorite is FaceTime, so here I will make comparison of these two apps and give some of my advices.

JusTalk

• Availability

JusTalk is available for both iOS and Android users. If you have an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, and your friend has an Android phone or tablets, you can still enjoy free video call together on JusTalk.

Better yet, you can download and video chat on JusTalk in all countries, even in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Pakistan, where FaceTime can't be used.

• Interface

JusTalk changed its user interface to a new black and white design for backgrounds and menus this year, which is more simple and easier to use, especially for your parents to get used.

• Convenience

You can use your phone number or Facebook account to register JusTalk, which only takes you a few seconds. JusTalk allows you to scan QR code to add friends face to face. If you are an iOS user, you can quickly start a video call on iMessage with one tap.

• Performance

Video quality. High quality video calling is always the calling card of JusTalk, which makes it survive in the fierce competition among other heavyweight contenders. JusTalk video call can switch smoothly under Wi-Fi, 3G and 4G connections. Even in slower networks, JusTalk can provide stable video calling. When it's dark, you can turn on the night vision to see more clear during the call.

Features. The unique features of JusTalk are group video calling, and interactive fun features during the call, including doodles, games and photo sharing. JusTalk also supports instant messaging, moment snapping and etc.

FaceTime

• Availability

FaceTime is exclusively available for free on Apple products—iPhones, iPads, iPod Touches, and Mac computers. However, it is very much locked into everything Apple. It's not even available on Windows, works only on Macs or iPads, you can’t call landlines and the only mobiles you can call are iPhones.

FaceTime isn’t available or might not appear on devices purchased or used in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Pakistan.

• Interface

FaceTime has a very simple interface and allows one-tap video calling option to its contacts. The interface is little more traditional as it resembles the operating system of iOS. It automatically detects contacts in your Address Book so you don’t have to mess about adding them.

• Convenience

Using FaceTime requires an Apple ID and an email address which, if you’re using an Apple product, you likely already have. It works with your address book rather than having to make a call through a separate app. If you receive a call, you can answer on any one of your Apple devices.

• Performance

Video quality. If your network is stable, FaceTime works smoothly on video calls, but sometimes it faces some issues during video calls due to network connection like video hang and video drop.

Features. FaceTime supports one-to-one video calling, and if your iPhone is iOS 11, you can take live photos of your friends during video chats. However, FaceTime doesn’t support group video calls and text chat.

My conclusion:

It's tough to decide which is better between JusTalk and FaceTime. I'll say JusTalk suits me better.

JusTalk wins in some of the areas like the compatibility on different platforms, unique features like group video chat and real-time doodles. Facetime also has some positive sides as well like device supports Mac and one tap video calling. But from my side JusTalk is better as it doesn’t allow video calls to drop even on a slow network, and I will never get bored during the call.

For most of you who are still hesitating, if all you want to do is see your pal or loved one face to face on Apple devices, FaceTime is a pretty ideal way for you to stay connected with them. If your digital life revolves around your smartphone, and you’re looking for a full service replacement for FaceTime for Android, JusTalk will be just what you’re looking for.