Duo vs Hangouts, there’s Google Duo and Google Hangouts, coexisting out there when it comes to social media platforms, video calling, and messaging apps.
Google is taking over, even though you are not an Android device user, you depend on Google for one thing or the other. In any case, a Google account is an opening to many other services.
The question is: Do you use just one or both apps? And how do the two apps compare?
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Duo vs Hangouts
As with all of its products, Google’s Duo and Hangouts apps are all made for different purposes.
Erik Kay, Google’s engineering director for communication software said that the company made it that way to keep the light of the apps and finely tuned.
While some would argue that it would have been better if Google had combined all the apps into one huge communications platform, but Google seemingly thinks otherwise.
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According to Google, combining all the apps into one might burden it with too many features, and will encumber the engineering team with so many decisions coming from former products.
- Duo vs Hangouts: Google Hangouts
Google Hangouts is Google’s longest-running messaging and video calling app.
It’s still available, but it’s been split into two separate services (Meet and Chat) and is now geared more toward enterprise users.
As of June 2020, this service will only be accessible to consumer accounts, which is anyone with a gmail.com or googlemail.com email address.
Hangouts can be found in the Gmail sidebar and at hangouts.google.com.
Google Hangouts Chat
This is Google’s paid team chat service, delivered as part of G Suite.
This app comprises of direct messaging, just like the consumer Hangouts, but also offers threaded team channels similar to Slack.
Hangouts Chat can be found at chat.google.com.
Google Hangouts Meet
This is Google’s paid video conferencing software, delivered as part of G Suite.
It’s comparable to the video chat service provided in the consumer Hangouts but ropes far more participants.
Google Hangouts Meet can be found at meet.google.com
- Duo vs Hangouts: Google Duo
Duo conversely, is Google’s video calling app, which now comes pre-installed on many of the newest Android devices.
It is aimed at having casual one-on-one or small group calls.
It’s also an entirely free service, making it a great substitute for competing paid services like Skype.
To use it you need an active phone number and access to a device that can receive SMS text messages
Google Duo aims to simplify the video chat experience. The Duo is similar to the Apple Face Time app.
However, while FaceTime can only be used on Apple devices, Duo is available for iOS, on your Chromebook, on the web, and even on smart display devices like the Google Nest Hub Max
How to Set up Google Duo on Your Mobile Device
The instructions below focus precisely on using Duo via the mobile app, even though Duo can be used on a wide range of devices, including computers and smart displays.
The instructions apply to both Android and iOS.
- Firstly, download and open the Duo app for Android or iOS.
- Secondly, click on Agree (Android) or I agree (iOS) to agree to the Terms of Services and Privacy Policy,
- Then click Give access to allow Google Duo to access your device’s microphone, camera, and contacts.
- After that, enter your phone number into the given field for verification and click next. A verification code will be sent to you by text.
- Enter the verification code into the given field to finish setting up your account.
- Lastly, to customize your settings which is an option, click on the three dots in the top right corner, and then click Settings from the drop-down list
Duo is Google’s solution to FaceTime, offering one-on-one video chats on mobile and computers.
Duo can be found at duo.google.com.
Duo vs Hangouts: How Are They Similar?
They both enable video calls that are trending now. Hangouts came out before Duo and the video calling selection was a normal extension of its many features.
Duo vs Hangouts: How Are They Different?
A Google Hangout is more oriented towards messaging features while Google Duo is designed exclusively for video calling.
A lot of apps have a video calling feature now, but none of them makes it an exclusive feature like Duo.
Then again, Hangouts can be used for more than one function.
You can send SMS and build group chats,
You can make phone calls that do not include video, which can be very real sometimes.
You can also use Hangouts to send your present location and other related features.
Duo vs. Hangouts: Is There A Competition?
After the thorough comparison of both apps, there is really no conflict between these two apps.
For people who prefer a simple and specific function from an app, Duo might be just what they’re looking for (why not go for an app that provides the best service especially if video calling is a big part of your life).
However, if what you need is the ability to do more than one thing within an app, you are better off with Hangouts
In summary, the Google communications app you use depends on what you want to use the app for.
