Monkey app review

Monkey took the Omegle idea and rebuilt it for phones. Instead of an open-ended call, you get a short timed video match and both people decide whether to extend it.

What it does well

• The timer is a smart piece of design. Nobody is stuck in an awkward call, and skipping does not feel rude.
• The app is genuinely built for mobile rather than being a shrunken website.
• Adding friends after a good match gives conversations somewhere to go.

Where it falls short

• You need to install an app and sign up, which is a big step up from clicking a link.
• The user base skews very young, and the platform has drawn repeated criticism over minors and moderation.
• Fifteen seconds is not long enough for a real conversation, and extensions need both sides to agree.

Worth trying?

Fine if you like fast, playful, phone-shaped chat and you are comfortable with an account. If you would rather not install anything, video chat here runs in the browser.