What are the best communication apps for digital nomads?
Are you a digital nomad and looking for ways to stay connected with your friends and family while on the move? You’re not alone. The lifestyle of traveling, working remotely, and living abroad is becoming increasingly popular, but it can also be isolating. Luckily there are plenty of modern tools and resources available that make keeping up with loved ones easier than ever before! In this blog post we will discuss top communication apps every digital nomad must have as well as tips for staying connected from afar.
With these resources at your disposal, you won’t miss out on life’s important events no matter where in the world you find yourself.
So let’s get started!
Best Communication Apps for Digital Nomads
1. WhatsApp
WhatsApp is one of the most popular communication apps out there.
It’s a popular messaging app that allows you to communicate with friends and family across the globe in a convenient way.
WhatsApp allows users to send text messages, voice messages, and make voice and video calls. The app allows you to create large group chats. This makes it easy for groups of friends or family members to stay in touch and share updates with each other. With over 1 billion users worldwide, it’s one of the most widely used communication apps available today.
WhatsApp is my favorite messaging app because it’s consistently fast, entertainingly interactive with its stickers and wallpapers, and has an overall great user experience. For me, it’s the best app for private messaging.
Available for: web, Macbook, iOS, Android
2. Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger is another great tool for keeping in touch with those back home, especially if they are already on Facebook. Just like WhatsApp, Messenger is one of the most popular instant messaging apps in the world.
Facebook Messenger is a messaging app that allows users to send text messages, voice and video calls, and share files. It also supports group chats and offers a range of fun features, such as GIFs and stickers.
Messenger lets you have video calls with 8 people all at once, making it perfect for group conversations between your family and friends from across the globe. For larger gatherings, consider setting up a virtual chat room — accommodating as many as 50 attendants! Messenger app probably is the best app for group communication.
Even though Facebook Messenger is a great tool, I still prefer WhatsApp over Messenger.
Available for: web, desktop, iOS, Android
3. Skype
Skype is a communication app that allows users to make voice and video calls, send instant messages, and share files. It is widely used and provides a reliable service. Apart from that – you can make phone calls to regular phone numbers with Skype, and that is awesome!
While Skype is still a widely used communication tool, its popularity has declined in recent years due to increased competition from other communication platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams. However, Skype still has a strong user base and continues to be a popular tool for business communication and international calls, especially in regions where other communication tools are not as popular.
While Skype may not be as popular as it once was, I still use it for my Spanish classes and communicating with my family. Add to that the fact, that you can use Skype to call any phone number, and there are no doubts it must be here, on this list of the best communication apps for digital nomads.
Available for: desktop, iPhone or Android
4. Facebook & Instagram
How to stay in touch with your family?
Post photos, stories and short videos to your Facebook and Instagram pages.
If you don’t want to make these posts public, share snippets of your journey with only those you care about most. Create a private Facebook group or add people to an Instagram “Close Friends” list and post pictures, stories, and other intimate details without broadcasting them for the world to see. Staying connected is important but don’t forget that there are some aspects of life best kept between close friends!
Facebook & Instagram apps are available for iOS and Android.
5. YouTube
While YouTube is not a communication app, I still want to include it on the list.
Because YouTube is an excellent platform to share your travel experiences with others.
You can create videos of your travels, edit them, and upload them to your channel for your loved ones to see. This way, they can feel like they’re experiencing the trip alongside you.
You don’t have to make those video public though. How? Create an unlisted video. When you upload a video to YouTube, you have the option to make it public, private, or unlisted. By selecting the unlisted option, your video will not appear in search results or on your channel page, but anyone with the link can view it. You can then share the link with only those people whom you wish to see the video.
Available for: web, iOS, Android
Keeping Your Loved Ones Updated: Tips for Digital Nomads
Keeping connected with friends and family while traveling can be a bit challenging, but with the right tools and strategies it’s possible to stay in touch no matter where you are. Here are some tips for digital nomads looking for ways to stay connected from afar:
- Schedule regular video calls: One of the best ways to stay connected while traveling is to make time for regular video calls. Scheduling a weekly or monthly call with your friends and family will give you something to look forward to and help maintain relationships even when you’re far away.
- Use communication apps: There are plenty of communication apps available that make it easy to keep in touch with your loved ones from anywhere. Some of the best communication apps for digital nomads are Skype, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Viber, Zoom and Facetime.
- Social media: Keep in touch with the ones you love by utilizing social media to its fullest extent. Post pictures and stories of your travels, or simply share more personal details without broadcasting them to all of your followers — just create a private Facebook group or add people to an Instagram “Close Friends” list! This way you can stay connected with those close to you, whilst keeping certain aspects of life as intimate as possible.
- Send postcards: Sending postcards is a fun way to make your friends and family feel special, especially if you’re in an exotic location! Sending a postcard shows that you are thinking of your loved ones while you are away, and can be a thoughtful and personal way to share your travel experiences with them. Postcards can be a unique and affordable souvenir from your travels, as they often feature beautiful images and landmarks from the places you have visited. Receiving a postcard in the mail can be a fun and exciting surprise for your family, especially if they are not expecting it.
- Keep in touch through letters: Writing letters is a great way to stay connected with people and make them feel special. Writing a letter can feel more personal and intimate than an email, as it requires more effort and time to write, and can include personal touches like handwriting, doodles, and decorative elements. Receiving a physical letter in the mail can be a special and emotional experience that can be cherished and kept as a memento for years to come.
By following these simple tips and using the communication apps and resources mentioned in this post, you can stay connected with your loved ones no matter where life takes you. Happy travels!
Featured photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels