Did you know that there are more than 281 million people living in a country other than the one they were born in, according to a 2020 UN study? That number is only going to continue to grow, as families become increasingly spread out across the globe.
While it’s always been important to stay connected with loved ones no matter the distance, it’s becoming more and more critical to find innovative ways to stay in touch with them. This is why there are always new platforms in development and new apps to try.
Luckily, I have used many of these apps and can provide an objective opinion on what makes them great.
Whatever option you use to keep in touch with loved ones and family members, today’s technology provides a vast array of choices. From video conferencing to sharing pictures or planning out monthly appointments, the apps listed here will not disappoint.
These are some of my favorite long distance family apps for grandparents, parents, and grandchildren!
💖 Table of Contents
1. WhatsApp
WhatsApp is a great app for long-distance families. With WhatsApp, you can keep in touch with your loved ones no matter where they are. You can send text messages, make voice and video calls, and even share photos and videos.
I love the flexibility of using this app on a variety of devices, such as laptops, tablets and smartphones. So, get it to stay connected to your family no matter where you are.
In addition, WhatsApp is free to download and use, so you can keep in touch with your family without spending a lot of money. It’s a great app for long-distance families and is definitely worth downloading.
Key features:
- Free to download and use.
- Allows you to send text messages, make voice and video calls, and share photos and videos.
- Available on laptops and tablets.
- Works across devices and countries.
Possible downsides:
- Currently requires a mobile telephone number to be used, though can be linked to function on devices that don’t take SIM cards.
2. Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger allows you to send text messages, photos, and even video chat with up to 50 people at once. You can also create group chats, so you can easily stay in touch with multiple family members at the same time.
Using Facebook Messenger opens up more channels of communication such as chat, phone, video, and text messaging. I like using it because I’m already familiar with the platform, making it a bit easier to master a new app.
Plus, there’s no need to worry about international calling charges – Messenger is completely free to use. And if you’re worried about privacy, you can rest assured that all of your conversations are protected with end-to-end encryption.
This enhanced security benefits everyone in your circle and, in my opinion, is one of the app’s best features.
Key features:
- Free to use.
- End-to-end encryption.
- Group chat support.
- Ability to video chat with up to 50 people at once.
Possible downsides:
- Currently requires that Messenger be installed in addition to Facebook, unless you use Facebook Lite, which limits some features.
3. Sproutly
Sproutly is a private social media network that’s available for both iOS and Android devices. The app has a rolodex that makes it easy for families to coordinate daily activities.
Parents can easily share special moments with loved ones, including pictures of sporting events, proms, and graduations.
Not (quite) a parent yet? No worries, you can document your pregnancy to make it easy for loved ones to keep track of your progress.
Additionally, the app allows you to create a registry for baby shower gift giving. I can even create a family profile that only my family members can access.
Key features:
- Each of my kids (sprout) gets their own pages.
- Pets can also have their own page.
- It’s easy to share your profile via test, email, and social media.
- Add custom milestones.
- Allow quick comments.
Possible downsides:
- Data is not encrypted, according to Google’s Play Store data safety listing of the app.
- May be a superfluous installation if WhatsApp and Facebook are already installed (for older children).
4. Kin
Kin is another private social media app ideal for families separated across great distances. The family-centered app even has memorial accounts to create a place for family members to remember and honor those who pass.
Key features:
- Memorial account to share photos and memories.
- Young person accounts for children.
- Private, personal and uncluttered.
- Also has spaces designed for adults.
Possible downsides:
- Initial subscription is pricey, though all invites sent are for free accounts.
- Some image formats not natively supported (like the HEIC image format).
- Data is encrypted in transit only (while creating, editing, and sending).
5. Apple FaceTime
FaceTime is one of the most popular video-calling apps and for good reason in my opinion. It’s easy to use and available on all Apple devices including the iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
One of the best things about FaceTime is that it lets you make video calls over Wi-Fi so you don’t have to worry about using up all your data.
Plus, there’s no need to sign up for an account or give out any personal information. Just open the app and start calling.
And if you have an Apple Watch (as I do!), you can even make FaceTime calls without using your phone at all!
Whether your catching up with grandkids or checking in with far-away friends, FaceTime is a great way to stay connected with the people you love.
Key features:
- Easy to use and available on all Apple devices.
- Lets you make video calls over Wi-Fi so that you don’t have to worry about data usage.
- No need to sign up for an account or give out any personal information.
- Can be used with an Apple Watch.
Possible downsides:
- FaceTime is only available on Android devices if someone with an Apple device creates an invite link to a FaceTime call.
6. Zoom
Here is why Zoom is on my list. It’s a great app for long-distance families because it offers high-quality video and audio conferencing, group chat, and ScreenShare features.
With Zoom, you can stay in touch with your loved ones no matter where you are. The app is available for free on the App Store and Google Play. Zoom offers HD video and audio conferencing for up to 300 participants by default.
You can also use the ScreenShare feature to share your screen with other participants. Zoom also offers a group chat feature so you can stay in touch with your long-distance family members.
The app is available in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Russian.
Key features:
- High-quality video and audio conferencing for up to 300 participants.
- ScreenShare feature lets you share your screen with other participants.
- Group chat feature lets you stay in touch with your long-distance family members.
- Available in multiple languages.
Possible downsides:
- App language versions may be limiting for some countries like Greece or the United Arab Emirates.
- Zoom’s free version only allows 40-minute video calls, though multiple connections can be scheduled to run concurrently.
7. Cozi
Cozi is another app designed to help families stay connected whether they live in the same house or spread out across the globe. Effortlessly keep family members in the loop and coordinate schedules online with this app.
Cozi also features color coding to navigate assignments, appointments, and tasks. Plus, you can share your plans and to-do lists with loved ones near and far.
Key features:
- Coordinate and edit at the same time.
- Color coding for better organization.
- Create online task lists.
Possible downsides:
- User reviews report that most recent app updates make the app slow and unreliable with frequent crashes and long delays to view calendars, if they open at all.
8. Slack
Long-distance families can stay in touch with Slack. As the world gets smaller, people are traveling farther away from home to work, study, and live.
That means that families are also spread out all over the globe. Slack is a messaging app that lets you create channels for different topics and conversations.
You can also share photos, videos, and files. Plus, you can set up reminders, so you don’t forget important events like birthdays and anniversaries.
Whether you’re planning a reunion or just want to stay in touch, Slack is a great option for long-distance families.
See the key features that make this one of my go-to apps for keeping in touch with long distance family members and friends.
Key features:
- Create channels for different topics and conversations.
- Share photos, videos, and files.
- Set up reminders for important events.
- Doubles as a work productivity tool.
Possible downsides:
- User reviews report that most recent app updates make the app slow and unreliable with frequent crashes, messages not saving, and long delays to send or receive messages, if they even send at all.
9. Trello
Whether you are a busy parent juggling work commitments and family time, or a college student making the long-distance move to start fresh in a new city, maintaining strong communication with loved ones can often be a challenge.
In today’s digital age, one of the best tools for long-distance families is the Trello app.
With Trello, I can easily create and share customized to-do lists with my family to coordinate reunions and visits.
Simply add tasks and due dates along with notes and attachments to ensure that everyone is always on the same page when it comes to organizing schedules and completing important projects together. Drag and drop the cards into whichever order your prefer.
Plus, the intuitive interface allows you to easily track progress on each task, so there’s no need to constantly call or email one another for updates.
And if there are any questions or concerns about specific tasks or overall timelines, Trello offers powerful collaboration features that allow you to communicate directly within the platform, reducing stress and streamlining workflow for the whole family.
Key features:
- Create and share customized to-do lists with your family members in real-time.
- Add tasks and due dates along with notes and attachments.
- Easily drag and drop cards into categories.
- Track progress on each task.
- Communicate directly within the platform.
- Doubles as a work productivity tool.
Possible downsides:
- Free version is somewhat limited, though flexible enough for basic users.
10. Tinybeans
Tinybeans is a great photo-sharing app that makes it easy to show photos only to friends and family. If you’re looking for an app that focuses on amazing picture display, look no further.
Share milestones, photos and special moments in your private space or let the world know. Having a private photo album app allows you and your family to capture moments anytime and watch them on demand.
Key features:
- Give parents place to share kid pics.
- Private network to keep kids safe.
- Amazing picture display.
Possible downsides:
- Negative user reviews on the Google App Store are one-and-a-half times as many as the positive reviews!
- Data is encrypted in transit only (while creating, editing, and sending) – not ideal for an app that shares children’s data.
11. Marco Polo
With Marco Polo, I can shoot and send quick videos with just a few clicks. The app also features a multitude of customizable filters, allowing me to easily enhance my video messages.
Plus, Marco Polo offers integrated chat functionality, so you can easily send text messages within the app and engage in real-time conversations even when your schedules don’t allow for phone calls or video conferencing.
Key features:
- Shoot and send quick videos with just a few clicks.
- Enhance or enhance your video messages using customizable filters.
- Engage in real-time chat functionality.
Possible downsides:
- User reviews report that most recent app updates make the app unreliable with frequent crashes, messages not loading, and an inability to comment or respond on received videos.
- Need to upgrade to a paid version to save older messages and archives.
12. Google Photos
Google Photos provides a simple place to share pictures from a trusted provider. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of social media sites such as Facebook.
However, we like it because it’s easy to sync contacts from devices and other apps. It’s also simple to learn.
I save all my pictures on Google Photos since it’s a trusted source for family members who know the brand. It’s reliable and always available when I want to remember special occasions or everyday images.
Key features:
- Edit and share pictures quickly.
- Known brand so others will trust it too.
- Integrates with other Google products.
Possible downsides:
- You need a Google account to use Google Photos, but you can still access photos shared with a direct link.
FAQs
How do families connect over long distances?
The best way for families to connect over long distances is through apps and online platforms that make it easy to share schedules, communicate in real-time, and stay in touch no matter where life takes them.
Popular options include Trello, Slack, WhatsApp, Zoom, and Marco Polo, all of which offer intuitive interfaces and a variety of features designed specifically for families.
Families can connect with quick notes or have long video chats to stay in touch over long distances.
What are the best ways to make long-distance family communication easier?
There are a few different things you can do to make long-distance family communication easier. First, try to set regular times when everyone will be available to talk. This way, you can touch base with everyone regularly.
Another helpful tip is to use video chat whenever possible. Seeing your loved ones’ faces while you talk can help bridge the physical distance between you and make conversations feel more personal.
You can also use photos and videos to keep each other updated on what’s going on in your day-to-day lives.
Finally, try to make the most of the time you do have together. When you are able to get together in person, make sure to focus on quality time and really savor the moments you have together.
What is the best app for long distance video calling?
While there are many great apps for long distance video calls, one of my favorites is Skype. This app allows you to chat, video call, and share photos with your partner or loved ones in real-time, no matter how far apart you are.
Other top options include video chat apps like Zoom, which let you connect with loved ones quickly and easily. Whichever app you choose, video calling can be a great way to feel closer to your loved ones, no matter the distance between you.
