Paltalk 5.1

• Quick specs
• Price: Free
• Operating system: Windows 95, Windows NT, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows 98
• Date added: March 28, 2002
• Total Downloads: 7,162,168
• Downloads last week: 4,224
• See full specifications

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A newer version of Paltalk is available.

Download the latest version | Learn more about PaltalkScene 9.8

(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)

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. Version 9 includes 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; 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 is an Internet Audio/Video chat client offering a wide range of features that allow users to communicate with other users anywhere in the world, at any time, in any mode--all for free. Paltalk 5.0 now interoperates with AOL, MSN, ICQ, and Yahoo so that you can see all your buddies using a single program. With Paltalk you can make free long-distance calls anywhere in the world to anyone with a PC and a connection to the Internet. Users can join thousands of existing audio chat rooms or create and administer their own group to bring together other Paltalk users with similar interests. Use Paltalk to see up to 6 friends simultaneously with the group video conferencing feature. If you want to chat without the video or voice features, you can use the Paltalk instant message feature for real-time text chat. Paltalk also lets you share files with other Paltalk users with the included file transfer feature. Finally, Paltalk now includes 24 hour online help.

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