CNET editors’ review

Reviewed by: CNET Staff

Paltalk’s integration of video, audio and text chatting unified into one window makes for a strong chatware program that includes a wealth of features.

Parental controls employ a password to change settings or block groups; adult content is hidden by default and all rooms are moderated. Add in the room ratings of G, R and A, and safe chatting is a cinch. Right-clicking a person’s name gives a user-defined amount of personal information, with private room invite and file sending options. Sessions can be printed and saved, and buddy lists from other chat accounts can be automatically imported. Latest updates include screening rooms to share online vids, music feeds from Rhapsody and multiplayer games in case you get bored talking.

However, the abundance of pop-up ads, which strike even while you’re in the middle of joining a room, might motivate users to pay for a subscription or look elsewhere. Free accounts only can open Webcams for a few seconds, while paid users can open multiple video windows. The app crashed for us when closing, and the system slowdowns were disappointing. Uninstalling Paltalk left an icon on the desktop.

Still, the thousands of rooms for politics, karaoke, tech advice, and porn mean that anybody can find a connection on Paltalk.

Publisher’s description

Paltalk allows you to video chat, send IMs and join chat rooms with anyone in the world for free. Browse or search thousands of free chat rooms, or create your own. Paltalk works with AIM, Yahoo!, ICQ and MSN so you can chat with all your buddies using a single program. And with SuperIM from Paltalk, you can webcam chat – up to 10 people at once with rich video, audio and text. Now any PC or Mac user with internet access and a web browser can join Paltalk — even if they have never downloaded video chat software of any kind before. Paltalk’s rich feature set includes: *Free SuperIM – voice and video chat for up to 10 people simultaneously. *Free chat room – Every member within Paltalk is able to create their own chat room and invite anyone to join them. Top room categories include politics, karaoke, sports and religion. *A Bot-Free and Friendly Environment – Paltalk is a place for real people to connect in a friendly, trusted environment. Utilizing proprietary technology, Paltalk has created a “no-bot zone,” free of chatterbots or virtual chat partners. *PC-To-Phone – Call phones and cell phones for low rates via Paltalk.

Version 9.8 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.