Table of Contents
Google Duo is a video and audio calling app that is designed for one-on-one or group video calls. It has an easy-to-use design that makes it simple to connect with friends, family, or coworkers. With its focus on high-quality video and audio, Google Duo aims to make video calls that are smooth and effective even when there isn’t much bandwidth. It has privacy features like end-to-end encryption and a Knock Knock tool that lets you see a live video preview of the caller before you answer. It also works on both Android and iOS devices. Google Duo is great for relaxed video calls with friends and family.
Hangouts is a way to talk to people through text messages, voice calls, and video calls. It can be used for both one-on-one and group chats. Users can send text messages, make voice calls, and join video calls with more than one person. Hangouts works with other Google services like Gmail and Google Calendar. This makes it easy for people who already use these services to use Hangouts. It also has tools like screen sharing, emoji reactions, and the ability to send images and files during conversations.
Google Duo vs Hangouts Comparison Table
Feature | Google Duo | Hangouts |
---|---|---|
Video Calls | Yes | Yes |
Audio Calls | No | Yes |
Instant Messaging | No | Yes |
Group Conversations | Yes | Yes |
Cross-platform | Yes (Android and iOS) | Yes (Android, iOS, and Web) |
Integration with Gmail | No | Yes |
What is Google Duo ?

Google Duo is an app for video and voice calls made by Google. It lets people make video calls to friends, family, or coworkers one-on-one or in groups. Google Duo focuses on high-quality video and audio, even when the bandwidth is low. This makes conversation smooth and reliable. It has an easy-to-use interface, privacy-protecting encryption from end to end, and works on both Android and iOS devices. Some of the best features are Knock Knock, which lets you see live video previews of calls before you answer, and the ability to use it on multiple platforms. Google Duo is a popular choice for relaxed and personal video calling because it makes it easy to stay in touch with friends and family. You can visist its official website
What is Hangouts ?

Google made Hangouts, which is a way to talk to people. It lets people connect with each other in different ways, such as through instant messages, voice calls, and video calls. Hangouts lets you talk to one person or a group, and it also lets you send text messages, make voice calls, and video calls. It works with other Google services like Gmail and Google Calendar, which makes it easy for people who already use those services. Hangouts also lets you share your screen, react with emojis, and send images and files during a chat. It is a flexible tool for communication that can be used for both personal and business purposes. It can be used for both casual chats and serious meetings.
Which is better ?
Both Google Duo and Hangouts are ways to communicate, but they are used for different things and have different strengths. Google Duo is great for high-quality video and voice calls, and it works on multiple platforms and is easy to use. It focuses on one-on-one and group video calls, and it has tools like Knock Knock that let you see a live preview of a video call. But it doesn’t have text messages or other ways to talk.
Hangouts has more ways to talk to people, such as instant chat, phone calls, and video calls. It works with other Google services and lets people talk in groups. Hangouts can be used both for personal and business purposes. Which one you choose depends on your needs. Google Duo is better if you want to make high-quality video calls, but Hangouts is better for general contact needs.
Google Duo: The good and The bad
The Good
- User-friendly interface
- End-to-end encryption for privacy
The Bad
- No text-based instant messaging
Hangouts: The good and The bad
The Good
- Group conversation support
- Integration with other Google services like Gmail
The Bad
- May have a steeper learning curve for new users
FAQS
Google Duo let you call people by phone number or email address to talk or see them. It was different from Hangouts and Meets because you could leave video notes for people who couldn’t answer your calls.
Google Duo can be used to make text or video calls. All calls are made using the data plan on your phone or a WiFi link. Calls don’t use your cell minutes. If you use your phone’s internet, you may have to pay.