At a Glance
Omegle was launched in 2009 and it quickly became popular with people around the globe who were in search of an online chat. Omegle randomly connected users around the globe for video chats. The service became hugely popular during the Covid pandemic lockdown, thanks to lonely users in need of a conversation with another human. Any human.
Unfortunately, Omegle shut down suddenly in November 2023. This has left Omegle users in search of an alternative. Happily, there are several Omegle alternatives out there, each with its own set of pros and cons, and each offering its own unique experience.
Why Did Omegle Shut Down?
Omegle founder Leif K-Brooks shut the platform down due to user safety issues and platform misuse. He said the platform was being increasingly used to commit crimes and the company was having issues in properly dealing with the problem. While the Omegle team had taken steps to improve moderation on the platform, going so far as to work with law enforcement, continued safety concerns led to Omegle being shut down for good.
What Concerns Should I Keep in Mind When Weighing Omegle Alternatives?
In this guide, I’ll take a look at several popular Omegle alternatives, share their features with you, as well as their good and bad points, and tell you about ways you can protect your privacy while on these chat platforms.
When considering an Omegle alternative, you’ll want to keep in mind several factors, including privacy, user-friendliness, moderation, and more. Omegle had several issues when it came to the concerns below, which were somewhat responsible for the service shutting down.
When putting together this list of Omegle alternatives, I considered the following factors:
- Privacy: Due to Omegle’s peer-to-peer connection method, user’s IP addresses were exposed. Unless they used a VPN, users were left open to cyberattacks. Plus, since IP addresses can be used to determine a user’s physical location, users were also at risk of swatting, doxxing, and stalking.
- Cybersecurity: Omegle and platforms like it attract cybercriminals and other unsavory types like a moth to a flame. This leaves users open to being scammed, being exposed to malicious links, and other criminal threats.
- Inappropriate content: Sadly, when Omegle was at its peak, it was almost a sure bet that you would encounter offensive or inappropriate content. This was due to Omegle’s lack of proper moderation. This issue is also a consideration with other chat platforms.
- User control: Omegle users had little control over who they connected with. This put users at risk of encountering people they had little desire to chat with. If a service has controls to fix this issue they receive bonus points.
- No verification process: The lack of a verification process meant Omegle users were put at increased risk of encountering other users with fake profiles, trolls, and users that like to be, um, inappropriate while using the service. Chat services with a verification process are a plus.
- Features: Omegle lacked features that are almost a given on several other chat services, like interest matching, filters, and other features that make for an enjoyable chat experience.
- Proper moderation: Omegle offered only extremely limited moderation features, so inappropriate behavior ran rampant on the service. Services with efficient moderation make for a better and more secure chat experience.
- Age verification: There was no true age verification on Omegle, which put younger users at risk. Age verification is a must these days.
5 Best Omegle Alternatives
In this section, I’ll provide a look at the best Omegle alternatives. Remember, no matter which chat platform you choose to use, you should always stay alert for potential scammers and other dangers while using the platform.
Here are the best Omegle alternatives in 2025:
1. ChatSpin: Modern, User-Friendly
This video chat platform is a fairly recent addition to the chat ranks. The platform has benefited by noting some of its competitors’ problems, allowing it to provide solutions to those issues. The ChatSpin interface is also a bit slicker than those of its predecessors, and the service even offers fun AI facemasks for users, which if used properly, help provide added anonymity while using the chat platform.
ChatSpin offers additional user customization features that Omegle and many other chat platforms don’t offer, such as:
- User interface: ChatSpin boasts a modern, user-friendly interface, making it easy to use and more aesthetically pleasing than other chat platforms.
- Conversation filters: ChatSpin conversations can be filtered by location and gender, giving users more control over their conversations. However, users should stay alert for other users accessing gender filters and using ChatSpin as a pseudo-dating app.
- AI facemasks: ChatSpin’s AI facemask feature is designed to make chatting more enjoyable, while also acting as an additional privacy measure by hiding the user’s real face. Users should keep in mind that the facemasks could also be used to hide a user’s identity allowing them to behave in inappropriate ways.
- Moderation: ChatSpin’s moderation systems are designed to ensure user safety. These measures include algorithm and AI-based monitoring and content filtering, human-based moderation, community guidelines, and flagging and blocking controls for users.
- Privacy and security: ChatSpin does have measures in place to protect its users’ privacy and security. However, the platform’s privacy policy has some troubling information in it (more about that below).
ChatSpin’s Privacy Policy
I took a look at ChatSpin’s privacy policy to determine how it compares with those of its competitors. The platform appears to be upfront about the data it collects, including identity, contact, financial, technical, device, profile, usage, and location data.
Unfortunately, that is quite a bit of data and ChatSpin shares parts of that data with advertisers, meaning your conversations (usage data) could be used to profile you and target you with ads.
ChatSpin’s privacy policy also mentions the platform collects screenshots, which are used to train its AI. While the platform claims the images are anonymized to remove personally identifiable information before being stored, it doesn’t make clear whether that also includes obscuring users’ faces. Plus, it stores the faces and nothing is mentioned as to how long the images are kept or whether they are ever deleted.
Unfortunately, the policy does not go into detail as to how the images are used to train the platform’s AI. If the facial data is used only to improve the security of users and guard against abuse, I would say “Bravo!” and leave it there. However, if it is used to train the platform’s facial recognition algorithms to track your use or for other possibly invasive reasons, this is not so good.
Before creating an account on ChatSpin or any other chat platform, carefully investigate and consider the platform’s privacy policy and any potential privacy implications you may be leaving yourself open to.
2. ChatRandom: Matching by Interests
ChatRandom launched in 2011 and over the next decade or so it has improved the service, adding several features. The service is a good choice for users who are looking to exert more control over their chats.
ChatRoom offers an enticing feature that allows users to narrow down the pool of users they wish to chat with by selecting preferences like interests or location. The feature is designed to increase the chances of finding an interesting and appealing user to converse with.
This platform’s interface is quite intuitive, offering a much better thought-out interface than many of its competitors.
The following is a list of features that might make ChatRandom an appealing replacement for Omegle:
- Interest- and location-based matchmaking: ChatRandom allows users to match up with other users by specifying their location and personal interests. This feature is designed to provide better match-ups, hopefully providing more interesting conversations. Specifying your location also makes it easier to match up with people from your culture.
- Group chat: ChatRandom allows users to start group video chats to communicate with several people from around the globe at once.
- Text as well as webcam: ChatRandom also offers text conversations, for those days when you don’t feel like being on camera.
- Safety and moderation features: ChatRandom has strict moderation measures in place, with both automated and human monitoring of chats, providing improved safety for users, while also encouraging more respectful conversations. The system also provides flagging and blocking features for users.
- Transparent privacy policy: ChatRandom offers a full privacy policy, explaining how user data is handled.
ChatRandom’s Privacy Policy
Upon examination, the ChatRandom privacy policy was far from perfect (you’ll see a trend here, as we discuss other chat platforms). ChatRandom states that while it does not sell your personal information to third parties, it does share it with them for business purposes. The privacy policy doesn’t specifically state the data that is shared and the “business purposes” are also not specified. This could lead to privacy issues.
It should be noted that the privacy policy also mentions that the company leverages user data for the purpose of “analytics” and “personalization” meaning you’re being profiled for ad targeting.
The platform also admits that it captures screenshots of conversations to train the platform’s AI. The privacy policy doesn’t go into detail about how the screenshots are used for AI training. It could be used to better prevent chat abuse, or it could simply be used to better identify you and other users.
What does all of this mean? It means that when it comes to ChatRandom as an Omegle alternative you’ll need to weigh the platform’s additional filtering features against the possible privacy issues.
3. Chatroulette
While Chatroulette has a somewhat colorful history (particularly in its early days), it has evolved over the years, as it has added features that enhance the safety of online users. The platform is now a popular alternative for Omegle fans.
While the platform is safer than it was in the past, some of the new features may cause privacy-conscious users to look elsewhere for their chat fix.
Chatroulette features and user controls include:
- Improved interface: Chatroulette has modernized its user interface in an effort to make it easier to navigate the site and to make your chat experience user-friendly and enjoyable.
- AI monitoring: This recently added security feature uses artificial intelligence to perform real-time monitoring, reducing the threat of conversations where other users might send you inappropriate content.
- User interest tags: By setting up user interest tags, you make it much easier to connect with people who share similar hobbies and interests.
- Facial recognition and tracking: This feature helps ensure that a real person is always present in front of the camera during a conversation. Meanwhile, facial tracking helps to discourage inappropriate behavior.
- Location settings: Users can specify which geographical regions or countries they’d like to connect to people in.
- Reporting and blocking options: Users can report inappropriate behavior and can also block users that tick them off. This makes it easy to ignore users who insist on being jerks or communicate in one of several inappropriate ways.
- Random pairings control: This feature allows users to continue enjoying the randomized Chatroulette experience while limiting the experience to users who share similar interests.
Does Chatroulette’s Facial Recognition Feature Present Privacy Concerns?
Facial scans are made up of a mathematical representation of your facial features. As these are unique to everyone, they could be used to track you, not only on Chatroulette but also elsewhere. So yes, Chatroulette’s facial recognition feature is a privacy concern.
It’s true that facial recognition helps reduce the occurrences of inappropriate behavior, but it is a threat to online privacy.
Chatroulette’s Privacy Policy
The Chatroulette privacy policy fails to mention how it handles user biometric information, including the facial recognition data mentioned above. Any failure to cover how they handle such data is a red flag, as users do not have any way of knowing how the service handles the collection, usage, and storage of sensitive data.
The privacy policy also fails to mention how the platform handles user personal data for the purpose of profiling or tracking. Unfortunately, this is another privacy red flag.
The company claims only to employ “proper technical and physical measures” for data protection. However, it does not provide specific details.
If you’re considering giving Chatroulette a try, you’ll need to consider whether the use of facial recognition is worth the benefits when compared to preserving your privacy.
4. Bazoocam
Bazoocam has been around since 2010 and has become known as a good alternative for former Omegle users who are looking to exert a bit of geographical control over their online chats.
While Bazoocam doesn’t offer matching based on your personal interests, it does offer several other beneficial features.
Bazoocam features include:
- Location settings: Users can specify which geographical regions or countries they’d like to connect to people in.
- Gender filters: Users can select the gender of the folks they would like to communicate with. While this can come in handy for folks simply looking for a nice chat, it can also be used by those in search of a date or an online relationship.
- Games and activities: Bazoocam is unique in that it offers built-in games and activities, which can serve as an icebreaker for users who may be a bit awkward in starting up conversations.
- Automated and human chat moderation: Bazoocam protects against unwanted communication or inappropriate content with both human and automated moderation. The platform does not use facial recognition to provide facial moderation.
Bazoocam Privacy Policy
Bazoocam says it may electronically process “any personal information, such as e-mail addresses” for promotional and commercial purposes. This reads as an unlimited license for the platform to commercialize your personal data.
Beware of Bazoocam Mirrors
If you decide to try Bazoocam, it is wise to stick to the official “Bazoomcam.org” website. There are several mirrors of the service, (bazoocam.io, bazo-cam.com, bazoocam.tech, bazoocam.pro, etc.) although it isn’t clear whether these are official mirrors of the platform.
5. MeetMe: Best Omegle Alternative for Making Real-World Friends
MeetMe is a bit different from the other chat platforms on this list as it has a “Local” feature that allows you to connect with folks in your local area. The platform also offers online games to play with other users, making the bonding process a bit easier.
Of course, every feature offered by chat platforms has the potential to put your privacy at risk, and MeetMe’s Local feature is no exception. MeetMe uses your name, ZIP code, IP address, and GPS location to match you with nearby users. This could put you at risk of being doxxed, swatted, or stalked, unless you use a VPN (more about that later).
The service also offers a Match feature that pairs you with other users based on your likes, and the Blind Date feature takes a shot at leading you to a special someone. The MeetMe Live feature allows users to livestream to all of the other users who are online.
A moderation team keeps things safe, and the sign-in with Facebook option means you’ll be chatting with verified profiles. Keep in mind that MeetMe allows under-18 users, so there is a chance you might encounter youngsters.
MeetMe features include:
- “Local” feature: Allows users to connect with other users in their geographic area. While this is an excellent way to meet people in real life, it also presents a privacy threat, as it puts users at risk of stalking, doxxing, swatting, and other dangers.
- Online games: MeetMe offers built-in games, which can make it easier for users who may be a bit awkward breaking the ice.
- Chat moderation: MeetMe protects its users with human moderation. The platform does not use facial recognition to provide facial moderation.
- Blind dates and livestream: The Blind Date feature matches you with another user with the aim of sparking a relationship. MeetMe’s live stream feature allows users to stream to other users.
MeetMe’s Privacy Policy
MeetMe collects your location information when you sign up or any time you connect to the service on a mobile device. The platform says it will use your location information for advertising, even if you choose not to share your location with other users. Third-party advertising companies may collect information using cookies, AdID, IDFA and other sources. The platform collects your email address and phone number, location info, mobile device identification (AdID (Google), IDFA (Apple), device ID, etc.), IP address, cookie and beacon information, and geographic location.
Posting information in the public areas of the service could result in that information appearing in search engine (Google) results, even if the searcher doesn’t belong to MeetMe. The service collects your activity and usage information. MeetMe and “certain third-party partners” may access your private chats and postings. The platform claims this is to improve your experience on the service, for content moderation, and for safety and legal process purposes.
Should I Use a VPN on a Chat Platform?
You can protect yourself and your privacy on chat platforms by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN encrypts your internet connection, hiding your online activity from nosy types like your Internet Service Provider. It also hides your chat activity if your school or employer blocks chat platforms.
A VPN also temporarily assigns a fresh IP address to your device, hiding your real IP address. This prevents other users (and the chat service) from tracking your true geography location via your real IP address. For chat platforms that pair users via their location, by getting an IP address in another country you can connect with users in that country.
In Closing
If you are a former Omegle user looking for a chat fix, there are several excellent Omegle alternatives out there. As we’ve seen, each chat platform has its own set of pros and cons when it comes to safety and privacy. When you find a chat platform that looks enticing, be sure to investigate the privacy and safety protections they have in place, what types of information they collect, and how they use it.
Omegle Alternatives – FAQs
Do Omegle Alternatives Offer Video Chat?
Yes. The Omegle alternatives in this article do offer video chat. Many of them also offer text chat if you’re not quite ready to show your face. While video chat can be entertaining, you will also likely see things on the screen that you may not be comfortable seeing.
Are Omegle Alternatives Kid-Friendly?
No! Omegle wasn’t kid-friendly and neither are any of the Omegle alternatives that I’ve discovered. Even if a platform has age restrictions, they are usually fairly easy to get around. Chat platforms put children at risk, as some users are less than savory types looking for victims. Also, kids may not be as careful in revealing personal information as adults might be.
How Do I Choose an Omegle Alternative?
When you’re considering which Omegle alternative is right for you, always consider each feature offered by a platform. Find out if there is moderation of chats, how much information the platform collects about you and your activities, and who the platform shares that information with.
