Everything you need for better online chat
Chat Buddy combines public chat rooms, private conversations, profiles, webcam features and practical safety controls in one friendly community. Join quickly as a guest or create an account to unlock more ways to connect.
Chat Buddy is intended for users aged 16 and over. Please review our Terms before using the service.
Meet, talk and belong
Different ways to join the conversation
Whether you prefer a busy public room, a quieter private conversation or a community built around a place or interest, Chat Buddy gives you several ways to connect.
Live public chat rooms
Join active rooms, follow the conversation in real time and meet people without waiting for posts or replies.
- UK, USA and location-based rooms
- General and interest-led conversations
- Fast, real-time room updates
Guest and registered access
Guests can get started quickly, while registered members can build a more permanent identity and use additional community features.
- Quick guest entry where available
- Registered profiles and settings
- More control over your account
Private conversations
Move from a public room into a one-to-one conversation when you want a quieter place to talk.
- Private messaging between users
- Unread-message indicators and notifications
- Controls for unwanted contact
Private messages are not public room posts, but you should still avoid sharing passwords, verification codes, banking details or information that could identify your home, workplace or school.
Make it yours
Profiles and community features
Registered accounts make it easier to be recognised, reconnect with people and personalise how you use Chat Buddy.
Personal profiles
Add a profile image, status and information you choose to share. Your profile can help other members understand who they are talking to.
- Profile image and display details
- Personal status and introduction
- Profile gallery features where enabled
Friends and favourites
Keep track of the people and rooms you enjoy so it is easier to return to familiar conversations.
- Friend connections
- Favourite or pinned rooms
- Faster access to regular communities
Create and manage groups
Registered users can create their own group spaces where available and shape the topic, access and atmosphere of the room.
- Public or private group options
- Room roles and management controls
- Communities built around shared interests
More than text chat
Webcam and live conversation features
Where enabled, Chat Buddy lets users move beyond text by broadcasting or viewing live webcam streams within the chat community. Users can decide when to start, stop or leave a broadcast.
More control, less disruption
Safety, privacy and account protection
Chat Buddy combines user controls, moderation and automated security systems to help reduce unwanted contact, spam and repeat abuse.
Ignore, Block and Complete Block
Choose the level of separation that fits the situation. Complete Block is designed to help reduce contact from other accounts or guest identities confidently linked to the same person.
Read about user safety controlsReporting and moderation
Users can report harassment, spam, scams, inappropriate content and disruptive behaviour. Moderation tools support room management and wider community protection.
Two-factor authentication
Registered users can protect their account with authenticator-app verification, recovery codes and trusted-device controls where enabled.
Learn about account securityContent and spam controls
Automated checks and moderation settings help reduce repeated messages, suspicious activity, abusive content and low-quality automated behaviour.
Live presence and notifications
Real-time updates help users see new messages, activity and online changes without repeatedly refreshing the page.
Responsive across devices
The chat is designed for desktop computers, tablets and smartphones, so users can join from the device that suits them.
Simple from the start
How Chat Buddy works
You do not need to learn a complicated system before joining a conversation.
Choose how to join
Enter as a guest where available or sign in to your registered Chat Buddy account.
Pick a room
Browse the available communities and choose a room based on location, topic or the people already chatting.
Start a conversation
Join the public room, open a private conversation or use live features while respecting other users and the community rules.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about Chat Buddy features
Open a question below for a straightforward explanation.
Is Chat Buddy free to use?
Chat Buddy provides free online chat rooms. Some optional account or membership features may vary, but users can access the core chat experience without paying to send ordinary chat messages.
Can I join without creating an account?
Guest access is available where enabled, allowing users to join quickly with a temporary identity. Registering gives you a more permanent profile and additional account features.
What do I gain by registering?
A registered account can provide a persistent profile, personal settings, friend and favourite features, stronger account protection and access to other member-only controls.
Are private messages encrypted end to end?
Chat Buddy does not describe private messages as end-to-end encrypted. Private messages are separate from public room posts, but users should still avoid sharing passwords, security codes, banking details, private documents or information that could put them at risk.
Can I create my own chat room?
Registered users can create and manage their own groups where this feature is enabled. Group settings may include access, roles and moderation options.
Can I use Chat Buddy on my phone?
Yes. Chat Buddy is designed to work in modern mobile browsers as well as on tablets and desktop computers. Android access is also available.
What should I do if someone keeps bothering me?
Stop engaging, use Ignore, Block or Complete Block as appropriate, and report behaviour that involves harassment, threats, spam, scams, impersonation or other rule-breaking.
How can I protect my registered account?
Use a strong unique password, protect your email account and enable authenticator-app two-factor authentication where available. Store recovery codes safely and never share a six-digit verification code with another person.
What age do I need to be to use Chat Buddy?
Chat Buddy is intended for users aged 16 and over. Users should review the current Terms of Service and follow all room and community rules.
Ready to see Chat Buddy for yourself?
Join a live room, meet new people and explore the features that make Chat Buddy a flexible place for public, private and webcam conversations.