Marco Polo review
Video messages your people can answer when it suits them
- Joya Communications
- Free + paid plans
- iPhone & iPad, Android
Does it deserve #6?
Is Marco Polo worth it?
For most people, yes. Marco Polo scores 8.5/10 and ranks #6 in Messaging & Calls. It's best for families and long-distance friends who want face-to-face moments without calls. Skip it if you prefer quick texts or need live video meetings. Price: Free; Marco Polo Plus is $79.99 a year, or $159.99 for a six-person family plan.
The verdict
Marco Polo is a video walkie-talkie for the people you love. Record a quick video and they watch live if they're free or reply later if they're not, so grandparents, far-flung friends and busy families stay close without scheduling calls. There are no likes, feeds or ads. The free app covers unlimited chats, while Plus adds HD, playback speed controls and unlimited storage. In September 2026 it launched Circles, which matches women into small friendship groups.
- Asynchronous video messages
- One-on-one and group chats
- No ads or likes
- HD and speed controls with Plus
- Circles friendship groups
Score breakdown
Overall = features 30% · design 20% · speed 20% · value 15% · privacy 15%. Why these weights?
What's new
- Oct 2026Weekly app releases continue with fixes and reliability updates
- Sep 2026Launched Circles, a four-week program that matches women into small video groups
Privacy 8.2/10
Marco Polo says it shows no ads and never sells your data. App Store label: contact info, identifiers, usage and diagnostics may be linked to you. No tracking.
What we like
- Feels more personal than texting
- Free, ad-free and unlimited chats
- Works across time zones and busy schedules
What could be better
- Unlimited storage and HD need Plus
- Video replies take longer than a text
Families and long-distance friends who want face-to-face moments without calls
you prefer quick texts or need live video meetings
Questions about Marco Polo
Is Marco Polo worth it in 2026?
For most people, yes. Marco Polo scores 8.5/10 and ranks #6 in Messaging & Calls. It's best for families and long-distance friends who want face-to-face moments without calls. Skip it if you prefer quick texts or need live video meetings. Price: Free; Marco Polo Plus is $79.99 a year, or $159.99 for a six-person family plan.
Is Marco Polo free?
Yes, unlimited groups and chats are free with no ads. Marco Polo Plus is $79.99 a year, or $159.99 a year for a family plan covering six accounts.
What is Marco Polo Circles?
Circles is a four-week program that hand-matches women into groups of five to eight who get to know each other through Marco Polo videos.
What are the best alternatives to Marco Polo?
The closest alternatives are WhatsApp, Signal and Beeper. See all of them ranked on our Marco Polo alternatives page.
Where does Marco Polo rank?
Marco Polo ranks #6 of 10 in our Messaging & Calls ranking, with an overall score of 8.5 out of 10.