7 video calling services available in Russia
Video calls on ‘WhatsApp’ and ‘Telegram’ messengers are restricted in Russia. How can you call relatives and friends from abroad or communicate within Russia?
1. ‘MAX’
‘MAX’ is a new Russian messenger that appeared in Spring 2025 and has already amassed 30 million users. It was developed by the Russian social network ‘VK’. You can not only chat, read channels, and send each other disappearing videos, but also make video calls, including group calls, with no time limits. It also allows for screen sharing during video conferences.
However, you can only register in this app with a Russian or Belarusian phone number. Registration with a foreign or virtual number is not possible.
Download the app: App Store, Google Play, RuStore, AppGallery.
2. ‘VK Calls’ (‘VK Zvonki’)
This app is also by ‘VK’: You can host video conferences or call each other with no time limits. To create a video call, you will need a ‘VK ID’ (which is either a ‘VK’ profile or an account in any other company system), but other participants don't need one; they can simply join via specially generated link. The service is available on both smart phones and on the PC.
Here, by the way, is our ‘VK’ page in English. There's a lot of interesting stuff there!
Download the app: App Store, Google Play, RuStore, AppGallery
3.‘OK Calls’ (‘OK Zvonki’)
‘Odnoklassniki’ (‘OK’) is another popular Russian social network app in which you can make audio and video calls. It works on the same principle: only the call creator needs a profile on the social network, while other participants simply join via a link. It also allows for screen sharing and call recording.
Download the app: App Store, Google Play, RuStore, AppGallery.
4. ‘Yandex Telemost’
This is a Russian service for video meetings via a link. It works both on a smart phone and a PC. You can call, host video conferences or stream for viewers.
Creating a link requires a Yandex account, but other participants can join without even registering.
You can also schedule a video meeting in your calendar and save the details in your email. There are also no time limits.
Download the app: App Store, Google Play, RuStore, AppGallery.
5. ‘Zoom’
Video calls, video conferences, screen sharing, group chat, inviting participants via link. A service with a convenient interface and good connection quality.
Zoom does, however, have a time limit in its free version – 40 minutes.
Download the app: App Store, Google Play, RuStore, AppGallery.
6. ‘FaceTime’
This is an app for audio and video calls from Apple, built into the iPhone and other company devices. It allows for both regular and group calls for free, as well as screen sharing.
However, you can invite not only iPhone users to a video conference: using a specially generated link, you can join via Microsoft ‘Edge’ or Google ‘Chrome’ browsers.
Download the app: App Store
7. ‘Google Meet’
This is a popular video calling app, as it’s simple and straightforward. To create a video call, you only need a Google email (Gmail) and to join via a link, no registration with the service is required. Calls can also be scheduled in your calendar.
Download the app: App Store, Google Play, AppGallery.
