New here? Read how ChatDuo works and our safety tips first.
Looking for a Chatroulette Alternative?
ChatDuo is a free Chatroulette alternative that runs in your browser: random one-on-one video or text chat with strangers, no account, no app and no in-app currency. Press Start above and you are talking to someone in seconds.
Last reviewed: 12 November 2026
What Chatroulette does well
Chatroulette has run random video chat since 2009; it is what most people picture when they type "chat roulette". Below is what its homepage stated on 12 November 2026; we have not tested its apps or currency.
Country filters
You can match with people from specific countries, and the site shows which countries have users online.
Apps for iOS and Android
The homepage links to its App Store and Google Play apps and says the app can switch to text chat.
A detailed moderation description
Automated screening of video samples, automatic bans and human review. Its homepage FAQ says every report is reviewed by a human moderator.
18+ with zero tolerance
An "I am 18 or older" box must be ticked before entry, and sexually suggestive content is listed as prohibited.
Free, with a currency called Quids
Free with no sign-up, it says. Quids are its free in-app currency, earned per chat and spent on a "top users" filter.
Matching by photo
You are shown photos of potential partners, a good selfie is recommended, and the chat starts when both agree.
Where ChatDuo differs as a Chatroulette alternative
ChatDuo is built around a simpler idea: press Start, meet one stranger, skip or stop whenever you like.
Text or Video, your choice
The start panel has a Text button next to Video, so you can chat without a camera at all. The free text chat with strangers has its own page.
Random matching, no accept step
No selfie, no gallery, no waiting for the other person to accept. Add interests and the search first looks for someone who shares one, then falls back to anyone if nobody does; or leave them empty.
No currency, no tiers
No Quids, coins or "top users". Nobody is ranked above anyone else; there is no premium version, no time limit and nothing to buy.
Browser only, phone and desktop
No app: ChatDuo works in current browsers on iPhone, Android and desktop, with nothing to download.
Report and Block in every chat
Report picks a reason and ends the chat; Block means the two of you never meet again. When several different people report the same person within 24 hours, that person is banned automatically.
What ChatDuo is not
ChatDuo does not run automated video screening today: moderation is in-chat reports, automatic bans and review of flagged sessions by the ChatDuo team. There are no country or gender filters today, no face effects and no group rooms.
ChatDuo and Chatroulette side by side
| Feature | ChatDuo | Chatroulette |
|---|---|---|
| Modes | Text or Video, both in the browser | Video; text chat mentioned for the mobile app |
| Works in the browser | Yes, phone and desktop | Yes, plus iOS and Android apps |
| Account needed | No | No ("no sign-up required") |
| Age policy | 18+, tick box before the first chat | 18+, tick box before entry; zero tolerance stated |
| How you are matched | Randomly, no photos and no accept step; optional interests and chat language | From photos of potential partners; both must agree |
| Country filter | No | Yes |
| Moderation | Report and Block, automatic bans for repeat offenders, team review of flagged sessions; no automated video screening today | Automated screening of video samples, automatic bans and human review (its description) |
| In-app currency | None | Quids, free; earned and spent, used for the "top users" filter |
| Cost | Free, nothing to buy | Free ("completely free"); paid options not shown |
Switch in ten seconds
Pick Text or Video
Use the start panel at the top of this page. Interests and chat language are optional.
Press Start
The first time, tick the "Before you start" box (18 or older, agree to the rules). For video, the browser asks for camera and microphone permission before your first match.
Next, Stop, Report or Block
Next brings the next stranger, Stop (or Esc) ends the chat, and Report or Block are one tap away. On phones, swipe to skip.
The how ChatDuo works page covers what you need, permissions, troubleshooting and what is stored.
Is Chatroulette safe?
We report only what Chatroulette itself says. On 12 November 2026 its homepage had a safety section describing automated screening of video samples, automatic bans with human review and an adults-only rule, and its homepage FAQ said every report is reviewed by a human moderator. We have not audited those systems.
What ChatDuo stores is short to list: messages are relayed live and not kept after the chat, video and audio go directly between the two browsers and are not recorded by ChatDuo, and IP addresses are kept only as hashes for bans. The Privacy Policy has the full list.
What is true of every random video chat, ChatDuo included: the person on the other side can see and hear you and could record their own screen. Keep identifying details out of the conversation, use Next early if something feels off, and report rather than argue. See our safety tips for random chat and the Community Guidelines, which list what gets someone banned.
Comparing other Chatroulette alternatives? The random chat alternatives hub covers OmeTV, Monkey and Emerald Chat on the same criteria, and the Omegle alternative page covers what changed after Omegle closed.
Frequently asked questions
Why do people look for Chatroulette alternatives?
Reasons someone might want an alternative: wanting to type instead of being on camera, not wanting to pick from photos or wait for a mutual match, and preferring no currency or ranking of users. ChatDuo answers those with a Text mode, random matching with no accept step and nothing to earn or spend.
Are there sites like Chatroulette with text chat?
ChatDuo is one. The start panel offers Text or Video, and a text chat needs no camera or microphone; Next, Stop, Report and Block work the same way. Open the random video and text chat on the homepage and choose Text.
Does ChatDuo have country filters like Chatroulette?
No. ChatDuo has no country or gender filters today. You can set a chat language on the start panel so you are more likely to meet someone who speaks it, and add interests so the search first looks for someone who shares one. Beyond that, matching is random.
Is ChatDuo free, or does it have a currency like Quids?
ChatDuo is free and has no currency of any kind. There are no Quids, coins, tokens or credits to earn or spend, no "top users" to pay for, no premium tier and no time limit. Every feature is available to everyone from the first chat.
Is Chatroulette still running in 2026?
Yes. On 12 November 2026 chatroulette.com was online, described itself as running since 2009, and linked to iOS and Android apps. It asks you to confirm you are 18 or older and accept its terms before you enter. This page compares ChatDuo with that live site.