Snapchat Enters Desktop Video Calling Arena—Is It a Match for Zoom?

Credit: Snap

Snapchat has remained a mobile-only application since its inception in 2011. This is about to change as the social media platform recently announced the release of a new desktop application. Now available to United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand Snapchat+ subscribers, Snapchat for Web brings all the major functionalities of the mobile app to desktops, including its popular video calling feature. Since video conferences are typically held using desktops, Snapchat is set to collide with a new rival: Zoom.

Snapchat stated that, of the platform’s 332 million users, over 100 million use its video calling feature. And a bigger percentage would likely jump on the wagon with the release of Snapchat for Web since desktops offer bigger screens, are freestanding, and are better oriented for video conferencing features. With this, 77% of people use desktops for video conferencing, 31% use smartphones, and 13% leverage tablets. Should a huge chunk of Snapchat’s user base opt to use the desktop app, Snapchat for Web will be in the same ballpark as the top video conferencing platforms in terms of the number of users.

Snapchat will also be bringing unique functionalities to the video conferencing vertical. The social media platform is porting over its mobile app’s most prominent feature, Lenses, to its desktop application. While video conferencing platforms typically have virtual backgrounds and fun 3D filters, these pale in comparison to the range, volume, and flexibility that Lenses brings to the table. In addition, Snapchat will be rolling out web versions of Chat Reply and Chat Reactions to increase the interactivity and fun factor of instant messaging, respectively.

The question now is if Snapchat has what it takes to take on the most prominent video conferencing application, Zoom.

A Long Road Ahead

It would not be a fair comparison if the current features of Snapchat for Web are set alongside those of a well-established video conferencing brand like Zoom. After all, Snapchat is more focused on feature migration than expanding its toolset for video conferencing. However, it’s unwise to ignore the potential of Snapchat as a video conferencing tool since it brings functionalities and AR competency that can enhance user experiences.

As it is, Zoom allows up to 1,000 meeting attendees in its enterprise plan and up to 100 attendees for its personal plans while Snapchat accommodates only up to 15. Zoom also enables users to schedule meetings, provides waiting rooms, transcribes conversations, records meetings, and offers modules for meetings, webinars, and decks/presentations, among many others. Snapchat does not have these for now but the company can develop them in the near future.

Interestingly, Snapchat for Web already has a few advantages early on besides the aforesaid AR Lenses. It only takes three steps to take, place calls, or communicate with friends on Snapchat, a snappier workflow than Zoom’s seven. Its interface also places instant messaging right beside the video space, allowing participants to quickly send links, photos, and other media—again, less painless than Zoom’s interface.

What’s more, Snapchat for Web’s biggest advantage is its seamless integration with its mobile counterpart. Conversations that started on mobile can be easily continued using the desktop app. Zoom doesn’t have a social media base to support this level of continuity, so note-taking or recording sessions is required in this regard.

In terms of their user base, the two apps are in the same league, with Snapchat having 332 million and Zoom reporting over 300 million in 2020. But it’s still unsure how much of Snapchat’s user base will leverage Snapchat for Web, much less use it as a video conferencing tool. So, Zoom is the clear winner in this aspect.

However, if Snapchat lends its innovative social media approach to the video conferencing realm, it can attract more users to both its mobile and desktop apps. Should it unveil more comprehensive social media integration features, Snapchat for Web can position itself as a Zoom alternative for youngsters.