Facebook's new video chat Zoom competitor is coming soon — here's how the new feature works (FB)

Facebook just announced 50-person video chatrooms called Messenger Rooms.The new Messenger Rooms have some features in common with other video calling apps, like Zoom and Houseparty.The company says Messenger Rooms will be coming to the US in the coming weeks. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced on Friday the company is introducing 50-person video chatrooms.

This would likely compete with other videochatting apps, notably Zoom, which has seen huge gains since the coronavirus pandemic forced schools and workplaces to close. Facebook says the feature will be out in the US in the coming weeks.

The chatrooms will be based around Facebook Messenger and Facebook Groups, and can be public or private. Guests can also join by link, without a Facebook account. As a competitor to Zoom, Facebook seems to be a budget option, hosting up to 50 people with no mention of a time limit. In comparison, Zoom calls with more than two people time-out after 40 minutes with the free version of the service.

Video conference calls have suddenly become key to corporate and educational life since the pandemic has forced many closures and stay at home orders around the US and the world. So far, Zoom has come out on top, going from 10 million daily users to 300 million in only a few months.

Here's what Facebook's Messenger Rooms will look like, and how they'll work.

Original author: Mary Meisenzahl