Skype is a little buggier, but honestly it’s not so terrible. I use it to give lessons and prefer it to other platforms as the chat can be edited which is great if there are typos. Most of the time when people have an issue with it, it’s due to not remembering which email they used opening their account. Often the easiest solution is to open a new account with a new email.
Oh, I haven’t heard of Line. Thanks for mentioning it
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WhatsApp has ton of positives and definitely seems to be the easiest solution for housesits. The one thing I don’t like about them is they require you to connect to your contact list to initiate a chat. Professionally, I’m in the tech industry and super conscious about security and WhatsApp has had security issues in the past and I would hate for my contact list to be impacted by them because I choose to use the app. However, it is the best solution for keeping in touch during houesits, especially internationally. So I risk it 
Do you know that you can use WhatsApp on your computer? I don’t think I’d enjoy holding my phone up for very long calls either.
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I have but I’ve never tried it. Might give it a go next time I have a video call, thank you 
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@Kbco Thank you for mentioning this. WhatsApp is owned by Meta, which owns Facebook, too, and there continues to be security issues with it. Which is why Zoom is clean and simple, no need for an app owned by Meta, which demands access to everyone in your contact list. When we Zoom, we simply send a link/invite and voila, there we go. No need to expose your personal contacts to the known security issues with WhatsApp.
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My initial email to home owners suggests, FaceTime, zoom, whatsapp. Most home owners in the US, opt for FaceTime, those from anywhere else typically want to use whatsapp. I have used zoom, but, I recently tried using Skype and didn’t like it at all. I just don’t think that most in the US have even heard of whatsapp.
Many Americans with ties abroad use WhatsApp — we’re a country of immigrants.
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Most of my sits are international so I use WhatsApp for video chat and sending updates. And I use WeChat in China as WhatsApp is banned there (with the exception of HK). I include in my application I’m available for a chat on WhatsApp and include my number. My international hosts are fine using WhatsApp. A few of my hosts in the States have never used WhatsApp and ask if we could use Zoom or Google Meet which I’m ok using.
I respect what your saying. However, if you don’t have a paid plan Zoom has limits and even if you do have a paid plan it’s cumbersome with the need to set up a meeting. Other simple possibilities are Skype or Google Meet.
Absolutely works on laptaps.
In US sit and host. Hasn’t been much of an issue.
@Marion Hi Marion, we have a free Zoom plan and it’s always worked great for video chats! No need for a paid plan. 
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Zoom is super easy to use — that’s how they broke into the market so strongly years back. That was their product differentiation.
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I use everything that isn’t Facetime. I think Skype is super easy to use on the phone or a device. I prefer it for lessons because you don’t need any kind of appointment and can change notes. A lot of language learning apps use it for that reason. WhatsApp is a close second since you can now use it on devices other than phones and it’s super popular in Europe. I take yoga classes on zoom and can see it working well for large meetings, but I don’t see the advantages for a one to one call.
I wonder what the stats would be if it was based on percentage of users against total population of the country? Obviously these countries have far greater populations than many others so their active users are going to be far greater too.
Yup. U.S. wise, that means something like roughly 1 out of 3 people use WhatsApp, which is a healthy market share when you consider kids, people without phones, folks who don’t use such apps.
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I get that, and I don’t like that Meta bought WhatsApp, but regardless of what platform is used for the initial video call, any sitter I choose must have and use WhatsApp for communications during the sit because all of my trips using THS have been international. It has never been an issue so far, but this is a good reminder to make sure this is covered in the video call.
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When I apply I give options: FaceTime or Zoom (I use Zoom for my job) and let them know I will send them a Zoom link and they don’t need the app. I am US based and have only applied for US sits. So before they request a platform of me, I offer what I have. I do not use What’s App but if they became back and requested it, I would be willing to download it.