Facebook Messenger challenges Skype with support for group video chat

Facebook Messenger has become a more and more popular way for people who want to chat online. Today, the Android, iOS and web versions are rolling out updates that add one of the most requested features from users: video chatting in groups.

In a press announcement, Facebook stated that 245 million people are already making video calls with Messenger every month. This new update will allow up to six people to chat online with video at one time, and up to 50 people can join in with audio-only chat. Users can enter an existing group conversation, or create a new one, by tapping on the video icon on the upper right of the screen to enter the video chat. Everyone else in the group will be notified when you join the video chat.

This new addition is sure to make Facebook Messenger more competitive to Microsoft’s Skype client when it comes to group video chats. The company also announced that Messenger will soon add support for putting in fun 3D masks on video chat users for Android users. That feature is already present in the iOS client.

Will you be using the new Group Video chat in Facebook Messenger on a regular basis?