Emerald Chat Review 2026: Is It Safe? Features and Alternatives

Emerald Chat is an online chat service that pairs two random users for a text or video conversation, with a group chat option. According to the Australian eSafety Commissioner, it is free to use. It is an independent service and has no connection to the original Omegle, which closed in November 2023 (see what replaced Omegle).

Interest matching

You can choose interests and be matched with people who picked the same ones, which gives the first minute of a conversation something to build on.

Three chat modes

According to its App Store listing, there are three modes: one-to-one text, one-to-one video and group text rooms.

The karma system

Users can give each other positive or negative karma points. The idea is to reward good behaviour: according to the eSafety guide, a low score can lead to a temporary "karma ban".

Free and paid

The service is free, but the App Store listing states that some filters (gender, karma, country and language) and sending pictures are limited to paid tiers.

Emerald Chat states a minimum age of 18 and gives you several ways to shape your experience: the karma system rewards friendly behaviour, you can skip anyone at any time and you can report a conversation that goes wrong. As on any random video chat, your own habits matter most:

• keep personal details and anything identifying out of your camera frame;
• keep your address, your other accounts and your money to yourself;
• skip and report as soon as a conversation does not feel right;
• remember that any call can be recorded.

See our full guide to video chat safety.

Pros

• Interest matching gives conversations a starting point.
• Text, video and group modes in one place.
• A karma system that rewards good behaviour.
• Free to start.

Things to know

• Several filters, such as country and language, sit behind paid plans.
• Interest matching works best when plenty of people share your topic.
• Karma helps, but it cannot prevent every unwelcome encounter, so skipping and reporting stay useful.

SpikNir

SpikNir is built on the idea that a good random chat needs a starting point. Before you start, you choose your interests, your languages and your search area, close to you or worldwide, so the person who appears already has something in common with you. You can start without registering; with an account you keep favourites and a history and can carry on by message. It is for adults aged 18 and over, with reporting, blocking and moderation tools.

OmeTV

OmeTV offers random video conversations with a country choice, a couple mode and built-in translation for text chat, plus a social space where members can browse profiles. It highlights its community rules and moderation. It suits people who chat from their phone and like to talk across languages.

Hay

Hay combines random video chat, text messages and real-time translation, with filters for region and interests and AI-assisted moderation. Its interest-based approach is close to SpikNir's, which makes first conversations easier to start. It suits people who talk across languages and like choosing topics.

Chatroulette

Chatroulette is the pioneer of the format. Launched in 2009, it popularised random video conversations between strangers, and today it offers country and language filters and presents itself as reserved for adults and moderated. It suits people who want the original, fast and no-frills experience, full of spontaneity.

For more options, read our OmeTV alternatives or the full comparison of Omegle and Chatroulette alternatives.

Is Emerald Chat free?

It is free to use, according to the eSafety guide, although some filters are part of paid plans.

Is Emerald Chat 18+?

Yes, it states a minimum age of 18.

Is Emerald Chat the same as Omegle?

No. It is an independent service. Omegle closed in November 2023.

Is there an Emerald Chat app?

Yes, there is an app listing on the App Store, and the service also works in a browser.

What is a good Emerald Chat alternative?

If you like interest matching, SpikNir and Hay are the closest. For a classic random chat, try Chatroulette.