WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. One of the key features of WhatsApp is the ability to make voice and video calls easily with groups of people.
WhatsApp supports calls with up to 8 participants at a time. So if you create a call link and send it to people, up to 8 of them can join the call by clicking on that link.
WhatsApp Group Call Capacity
Here is a quick overview of how many users can join a WhatsApp call:
- WhatsApp voice calls: Up to 8 participants
- WhatsApp video calls: Up to 8 participants
So no matter if it’s a regular voice call or video call, WhatsApp allows up to 8 people to join a call via an invite link.
Steps to Create a WhatsApp Call Link
If you want to create a call link to invite people to a WhatsApp call, here are the steps:
- Open the WhatsApp app on your phone
- Go to the ‘Calls’ tab
- Tap on the ‘Create call link’ option
- Choose if you want a voice or video call
- Tap on ‘Create link’ – this will generate a call link for you
- Share this link with whoever you want to invite to the call
The process is quick and easy. The link looks something like “https://wa.me/phonenumber?text=Join%20call” – when people click on it, it will take them directly to the call.
Joining a WhatsApp Call Link
If you receive a WhatsApp call link from someone, here is how you can join the call:
- Click on the link they sent you
- It will open WhatsApp (if you don’t have WhatsApp installed, it will prompt you to download it)
- The call screen will open up directly
- Tap on ‘Join’ to enter the call
That’s it! You have now joined the WhatsApp call via the invite link.
Tips for WhatsApp Group Calls
Here are some tips to ensure your WhatsApp group calls go smoothly:
- Make sure everyone has the latest version of WhatsApp installed
- Use a stable internet connection for clarity of audio/video
- If there are more than 4 participants, enable ‘Speaker’ view for easier tracking
- mute your mic when not speaking to reduce background noise
- For long calls, use a headset for comfort
Advantages of WhatsApp Call Links
Here are some benefits of using WhatsApp call links rather than manually calling people:
- Easy to create and share call links
- No need to coordinate dialing-in times
- Can pre-schedule calls by sending link in advance
- Link simplifies joining the call for participants
- Ability to have up to 8 participants in a call
Limitations of WhatsApp Call Links
While WhatsApp call links provide an easy way to connect multiple people, there are some limitations to be aware of:
- Eight participants max per call
- Requires a smartphone and WhatsApp app
- Can’t access invite link from PC/laptop – mobile only
- No ability to password protect or moderate the call
- No dial-in options for landline or computer access
Comparison With Other Group Calling Options
Here’s how WhatsApp group calling capacity compares to some other popular apps and platforms:
| App | Max Call Participants |
|---|---|
| 8 | |
| Zoom | 100 (free version) |
| Google Meet | 100 (free version) |
| Microsoft Teams | 300 |
| Skype | 50 |
As you can see from the table, while WhatsApp allows up to 8 people on a call, other apps like Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and Skype support much higher capacities of 100-300 participants.
Using Third-Party Apps to Increase Capacity
While WhatsApp itself limits calls to 8 people, there are some third-party apps you can use along with WhatsApp to expand capacity:
- WhatsApp Conference Call: Allows calls with up to 10 participants
- Group Call: Creates a virtual room allowing up to 100 participants to join a WhatsApp call
- WhatsApp Conference Call Helper: Merge multiple WhatsApp calls together to increase capacity
However, these third-party apps often have limitations of their own and may not work reliably. The quality of calls may be lower as well. So they provide options but aren’t perfect solutions.
Using WhatsApp for Small Group Calls
Given its 8 participant limit per call, WhatsApp is likely most suitable for:
- One-on-one calls
- Small group conversations
- Connecting with family and friends
For larger webinars, company town halls, or video conferences with higher capacity needs, a dedicated platform like Zoom or Microsoft Teams may be more appropriate.
Conclusion
To summarize, WhatsApp allows up to 8 participants to join a group voice or video call when using their invite links. This provides an easy way to connect small groups of family, friends, and colleagues together over a mobile-based call.
While the 8 person limit is reasonable for personal uses, those needing higher capacities for business conferences, events, or webinars may want to explore other options like Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, etc. But for small gatherings, WhatsApp can provide free, convenient group calling.
Utilizing call links avoids the hassle of trying to coordinate a group call and makes it simple for participants to join. Overall, WhatsApp’s group calling feature remains popular worldwide, especially in countries where mobile phone usage is high.