Omegle Alternatives to Chat with Strangers Safely | VeePN Blog (2024)

One of the good Omegle alternatives: A quick answer

If you’re looking for a worthy alternative to Omegle, consider CallMeChat. The platform offers many decent features, allowing you to meet new people online and communicate with strangers while staying protected thanks to encryption and two-factor authentication.

Now, let’s dive deeper into the topic and explore why the popular Omegle chatting platform was shut down in the first place.

Why was Omegle shut down?

Omegle was shut down after facing numerous claims of abuse. While not many details have been revealed to date, it’s already clear that the young woman identified as “A.M.” fell victim to a pedophile known as “Omegle Predator” in 2014, when she was just 11 years old. In 2021, the man was sentenced to jail in Canada after being accused of multiple sexual crimes.

But it wasn’t the end of the story. A.M. and her attorneys also filed a suit against Omegle, claiming that the platform’s design facilitated abuse against her, as well as many other victims. In fact, according to BBC, the platform was mentioned in nearly 50 recent cases related to pedophiles and sexual predators. And most likely, that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Before it shut down on Thursday, Omegle — a platform that paired strangers in video chats — paired a lot of children with predators. https://t.co/58b8Vtu9Mb pic.twitter.com/tAclMmCeXI

— Forbes (@Forbes) November 10, 2023

A.M. sought $22 million in damages. In November 2023, the two parties came to an agreement, which led to Omegle’s shutting down a week afterward. “Frankly, I don’t want to have a heart attack in my 30s,” – K-Brooks concluded in his farewell post.

That’s how the iconic chatting website closed forever. Now, if you enjoy talking to strangers online, you likely wonder whether there are some alternatives to Omegle (less insecure, yet still entertaining). No worries – we got you covered! Let’s look at the most noteworthy websites and apps similar to Omegle but with better privacy and security features in place.

Top 10 alternatives to Omegle

Looking for a new Omegle? Here are our top picks of the best Omegle alternatives you can jump into right now.

1. CallMeChat

CallMeChat is a decent alternative for Omegle, allowing you to connect with strangers while avoiding privacy concerns. This website secures your communication with reliable encryption and two-factor authentication. Besides, you don’t have to share your personal information to start chatting.

CallMeChat’s features include common and random video chats and access to your call history. Also, you can earn coins on the platform to unlock some unique functions and upgrade your account. The platform comes with a 7-day free trial and provides various discounts and special offers for new users.

2. ChatRandom

ChatRandom is another Omegle video chat alternative that functions as an online dating app. It allows you to choose the gender and country of the people you connect with.

Also, ChatRandom has a swipe-right feature similar to Tinder. With its help, users can look for the most interesting random matches on the platform. ChatRandom offers a mobile app for iOS and Android, enabling convenient on-the-go communication.

3. Tinychat

This Omegle alternative lets you connect with strangers via audio or video calls and text them. Registration isn’t mandatory, but you will have to log in to join various groups based on certain topics and interests.

The Tinychat mobile app is available for iOS and Android. It also offers a premium version that comes without pop-ups and ads.

4. LiveMe

This online chatting platform is somewhere in the middle between Omegle-like sites and game-streaming services like Twitch. LiveMe lets you run live streams available to multiple users worldwide. At the same time, you can interact with other streamers and even create open group chats.

Many extra features of LiveMe can be used if you own Coins – specific in-app currencies you can earn on the platform or purchase online. VIP users unlock premium labels, badges, group chat boxes, stream replays, and more.

5. YouNow

YouNow is another application that combines online chatting and live streaming. You can establish brief conversations with random users or build a huge international fanbase, broadcasting to many users from different countries. YouNow is a convenient platform for bloggers, influencers, and their fans.

YouNow comes with Facebook and Twitter (now X) integrations, so you can notify your subscribers about your upcoming streams.

6. Shagle

Among multiple Omegle-similar sites, Shangle stands out as a convenient and feature-rich platform for chatting with strangers. One of its specifics is that users can send or receive virtual gifts and exchange content, such as images, videos, and voice messages. If the platform spots potentially offensive or irrelevant content, it automatically erases the message.

Shagle is only available via a web browser. Also, to communicate solely with the chosen gender, you will have to switch to a paid plan.

7. CamSurf

CamSurf is a very simple and user-friendly online chatting platform that offers mobile apps for Android and iOS. The platform includes all the essential features you would expect from a decent Omegle alternative. In particular, it doesn’t require registration. But registered users can access extended functionality (for example, they are allowed to choose the gender of people they meet).

8. EmeraldChat

One more worthy alternative to Omegle is EmeraldChat. This platform works on browsers only and doesn’t require users to register (but similar to other free video chatting websites, EmeraldChat has a paid version with additional features). The website provides several communication options, including video calls, one-on-one chats, and group chats. It also has stricter guidelines for the community and more solid moderation than Omegle.

9. Bazoocam

Bazoocam is an online chatting site offering to participate in multiplayer games like Tetris and meet new people along the way. Also, if you share your geolocation when entering the chat, the platform will connect you with nearby users. The “Next” button works similarly to Tinder swipe, letting you skip unwanted chats and keep looking for a better match.

10. Chatspin

This Omegle video chat alternative app is a modern and interactive way to talk to people from different countries and regions. The platform is well-designed and easily accessible. You can use AI-generated face masks to hide your real identity and have fun while making new friends. On top of that, Chatspin allows you to apply filters based on users’ gender and location.

Now, suppose one of the options listed above seems to be your go-to. But even with much stronger security features and a more transparent privacy policy than Omegle offered, it’s still not bulletproof. That said, you need a strong solution to protect yourself from the risks associated with any online chatting platform (spoiler: a good VPN is your best bet to stay protected – read on to learn how).

Now, let’s briefly overview the most significant challenges you may encounter when using apps or websites similar to Omegle.

Main risks associated with video chatting websites like Omegle

Here are the most critical privacy and security issues of Omegle alternative websites.

Inappropriate content

Even with strict moderation and fair use rules, chatting sites and applications like Omegle can’t stop all offenders from misusing the platform. Usually, they have an anonymous approach and follow a “click-and-go” principle, which may lead to unwanted connections. Such websites are especially dangerous for minors who may come across illicit content like nudity or violent acts.

How to avoid it?

As a parent, prevent your children from accessing insecure online chatting platforms by enabling parental controls.

Hacks and scams

Before Omegle closed, a couple of independent studies proved that such a website could be easily hacked (which is likely true for any other platform of this kind). Despite claiming to be anonymous, Omegle-like websites have multiple vulnerabilities, which may result in sensitive information leakage. Later, threat actors can use it to harass or blackmail users.

How to avoid it?

Install strong VPN and Antivirus solutions on your device to use online chatting platforms privately, preventing scams, hacks, and data leaks.

Grooming and sextortion

As mentioned, the A.M. case was just one out of hundreds (or even thousands) of sexual abuse cases associated with Omegle. While similar websites may be moderated more strictly, they still put users at risk of being trapped by predators. All in all, it’s safe to say that most video chatting sites that connect random strangers can’t be safe for kids and teenagers.

How to avoid it?

Make sure the apps and sites your children use are safe for kids.

Screen recordings

Anyone can use a simple screenshot function or a specifically designed application to record you while involved in a chat. This requires extra caution since most websites like Omegle don’t offer measures to prevent users from capturing their video conversations.

How to avoid it?

Avoid turning on your camera when chatting with strangers on Omegle-like websites and never share your sensitive information with people you don’t know.

With these potential risks in mind, let’s consider the main protection measures to use video chatting websites and apps safely.

How to protect yourself on online chatting sites

Here are the most effective ways to protect yourself when using websites similar to Omegle chat.

1. Use a VPN and Antivirus

A trustworthy virtual private network (VPN) service like VeePN will help you strengthen your cybersecurity and maintain your digital privacy on insecure chatting websites. Here’s what this tool has to offer in terms of your Internet safety:

• Get an anonymous IP address. A VPN hides your IP address and protects all your Internet traffic, keeping your sensitive info away from prying eyes.
• Encrypt your connection. Once you connect to a VPN, it moves your data through an encrypted tunnel. It means that hackers, snoopers, and other third parties won’t be able to compromise your online activities. For example, even if someone strives to access your private details like messages or search requests, they will only see unreadable text.
• Prevent unwanted monitoring. Thanks to a powerful online security feature like VeePN’s NetGuard, you can stop snoopers attempting to spy on you online. Also, it lets you avoid phishing links, malware-infected websites, and other cyber threats.
• Avoid data leaks. Nothing is perfect – and your connection is no exception. When your VPN suddenly stops working, your data on online chatting platforms might be compromised. Luckily, you can avoid this outcome with Kill Switch – an essential feature that blocks your Internet connection when your VPN is down to prevent your data from being leaked.

Another important tool that helps avoid malware, spyware, viruses, and other threats associated with vulnerable websites and apps is powerful antivirus software. With VeePN’s Antivirus feature for Windows and Android, you can run regular system checkups and spot suspicious activity on your device.
Get an all-in-one security solution today – check out VeePN’s pricing plans and try it out risk-free with a money-back guarantee. Chat safely!

2. Stay away from spoofed links

When chatting with other users on ChatRandom, Shagle, CamSurf, or any other similar platform, avoid any suspicious links sent by strangers. They potentially lead to phishing websites, striving to steal your credentials and other personal details.

3. Avoid oversharing

Providing a link to your Facebook page, sharing your Instagram account, or revealing your phone number to a stranger may lead to grooming and extortion. So, it’s a good idea to avoid exposing any personal information when chatting with a random person online.

4. Establish parental controls

We already mentioned that Omegle and other video chatting sites aren’t safe for kids. To make sure your child doesn’t get in trouble when talking to strangers online, consider using parental control software. With its help, you can block access to potentially dangerous and harmful websites and apps. Note that not only online chats, but also social media applications like Likee and TikTok could be somewhat risky for minors.

Written by VeePN Research Lab VeePN Research Lab is dedicated to provide you latest posts about internet security and privacy.