Three different answers to the same gap
Since Omegle shut down, a handful of platforms have positioned themselves as the natural replacement, and OmeTV, Monkey, and Chatus are three of the names that come up most. They're solving the same basic problem - random conversation with a stranger - but the way each one approaches it is different enough to matter, depending on what you're actually looking for. For the fuller context on why this gap exists in the first place, see what happened to Omegle.
OmeTV: video-first, browser and app based
OmeTV leans heavily into video chat, similar to Chatroulette's original format, and is available both as a website and a mobile app. It's a straightforward continuation of the "random video call with a stranger" model, with basic filters like country selection.
Monkey: built for a younger, faster-swiping audience
Monkey markets itself toward a younger demographic and adds short video "snaps" between matches before a full conversation starts - closer to a hybrid between random chat and short-form social video. It's a more app-native, mobile-first experience than either OmeTV or Chatus.
Chatus: text-first, built inside Telegram
Chatus takes a different approach on two fronts. First, it defaults to text chat rather than video, with voice chat available for people who want it - lower pressure than jumping straight into a video call with a stranger. Second, it runs entirely inside Telegram instead of requiring its own app or website, which means no separate download and no new account.
Quick comparison
| OmeTV | Monkey | Chatus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary format | Video | Video / short clips | Text, with voice available |
| Platform | Website + app | Mobile app | Inside Telegram |
| Registration | None required | None required | None required |
| Target audience | General | Younger users | General, dating-friendly |
| Gender search | Limited filters | Limited filters | Yes, on Premium |
Which one actually fits you
If a live video call is specifically what you're after, OmeTV is the more direct continuation of that format. If you want something closer to a quick, casual social feed with strangers, Monkey's format is built for that. If you'd rather ease into a conversation through text first - and don't want another app taking up space on your phone - Random Chat on Chatus is the more comfortable entry point.
Curious how Chatus specifically stacks up against the original video-chat format? Chatus vs Chatroulette goes deeper into that comparison.
