What is FaceTime used for?

FaceTime is Apple's video and audio calling app, built into iPhone, iPad and Mac for calls between Apple device users. It is a good fit for personal video calls with family and friends, and quick calls between Apple device users.

Is FaceTime open source?

No. FaceTime is proprietary (closed-source) software and can't be self-hosted. Open-source alternatives to FaceTime include Jitsi Meet, MiroTalk C2C and Briefing.

What are some alternatives to FaceTime?

FaceTime competes with WhatsApp, Google Meet and Zoom. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source FaceTime alternatives.

FaceTime: features, pricing and alternatives

About FaceTime

FaceTime is the video and audio calling app that Apple includes with its devices. It lets people place calls to contacts from an iPhone, iPad or Mac, and it is most often used for personal conversations between friends and family who also own Apple hardware.

It is a proprietary service run by Apple and is not installed or hosted by users. The vendor's website could not be read when this entry was prepared, so details about group calling limits, web access and supported platforms should be checked on Apple's site. It is typically used for personal rather than workplace meetings.

Key features

Video calls between Apple devices
Audio-only calls between contacts
Built into iPhone, iPad and Mac
Integrated with Apple contacts

Good fit for

→Personal video calls with family and friends
→Quick calls between Apple device users

Tags: video-calling; audio-calling; apple; ios; macos; consumer

FaceTime: questions and answers

What is FaceTime used for?: FaceTime is Apple's video and audio calling app, built into iPhone, iPad and Mac for calls between Apple device users. It is a good fit for personal video calls with family and friends, and quick calls between Apple device users.
Is FaceTime free?: Yes. FaceTime is free to use.
Is FaceTime open source?: No. FaceTime is proprietary (closed-source) software and can't be self-hosted. Open-source alternatives to FaceTime include Jitsi Meet, MiroTalk C2C and Briefing.
What are some alternatives to FaceTime?: FaceTime competes with WhatsApp, Google Meet and Zoom. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source FaceTime alternatives.