What Happened to Omegle?

In November 2023, Omegle shut down after 14 years. People who still want spontaneous video conversations now have to evaluate other services by their current rules, access model and visible controls.

The shutdown did not end interest in random chat. This overview compares the access model, visible controls and published pricing information described by several services. Check each official website for current details.

How We Ranked These Platforms

We judged each platform on five criteria:

  1. Safety information — Are current rules and reporting controls explained?
  2. Privacy — Is registration required? What data is collected?
  3. Ease of Use — Can you start chatting in seconds, or is there a complicated setup?
  4. Cost — Is it free? Paid? Does it offer a trial?
  5. User Experience — Video quality, matching speed, mobile support.

CallMeChat

CallMeChat at callmechat.live offers random video matching and profile-based one-on-one conversations in supported desktop and mobile browsers. No login is required. Users receive free matches and messages when they first enter, can return for check-in rewards and can choose optional top-ups for additional paid services.

Useful when: You want both random matching and the option to browse profiles before choosing someone.

Read our in-depth random video chat guide to see exactly how the matching works and how to get the best experience.

#2: Chatrandom — Feature-Rich but Cluttered

Chatrandom has been around for years and offers gender filters, group chat rooms, and even topic-based matching. The downside? The interface feels dated and ad-heavy. Free users face frequent interruptions, and moderation is basic at best.

Best for: Users who want lots of features and don't mind ads.

#3: Emerald Chat — Good Idea, Unreliable Execution

Emerald Chat gained popularity as an early Omegle alternative, but its reputation has suffered due to frequent downtime and inconsistent moderation. When it works, the experience is decent — interest matching and text chat are both available. But "is emerald chat down" remains a common Google search for a reason.

Best for: Users willing to deal with occasional outages for interest-based matching.

#4: CooMeet — Premium, But You Pay Before You Chat

CooMeet is a separate commercial service with its own profile-verification and payment model. Check its official website for current access rules, trial terms and pricing before subscribing.

Best for: Users willing to pay for verified matching.

#5: Monkey App — Fun, But Frustrating Limits

Monkey App offers a swipe-based video chat experience similar to dating apps. It's fun and casual, but the time limits and mandatory sign-up are dealbreakers for many. Users constantly search "how to add time on monkey" and "monkey app alternative" because the countdown timer interrupts conversations. See our full Monkey App comparison.

Best for: Quick, casual chats — if you don't mind time limits.

#6: Chatroulette — The Pioneer That Lost Its Way

The original random video chat is still around in 2026, but its best days are behind it. While it once defined an entire category, weak moderation and a diminished user base make it a shadow of its former self. "Is chatroulette safe" and "is chatroulette still around" are frequently asked for good reason.

Best for: Nostalgia, but not much else.

#7: Thundr / Thundra — New but Unproven

A newer entry in the random chat space with mixed reviews. Limited safety information and a small user base make it hard to recommend over more established platforms. The frequent search "is thundra safe" reflects the uncertainty around newer, unvetted alternatives.

Best for: Early adopters willing to try something new.

The Verdict

Choose a service by the interaction you want, its current access rules, visible safety controls and the price shown before a paid action. CallMeChat combines random matching with profile browsing and does not require login to start.