The Best Monkey Alternative for Random Video Chat

A blonde woman laying on her couch and smiling during a random video chat

Monkey is one of the most popular random video chat platforms post Omegle, however many users now want a platform with more ways to connect, better matching, creative customization, and active moderation. Thundr combines fast random video chat with text chat, interest matching, online events, and real-time safety systems to help you shock new people.

The internet loves Thundr because it is free to start, offers random video & text chat, and features active moderation.

What is Monkey?

Monkey was started in 2016 and operates as a social discovery app that connects users through random video chat.

Popular with Gen Z, it combines quick matching with user profiles, friend requests, and features designed to help people meet new friends online. Monkey also includes premium subscriptions that unlock additional matching tools and profile visibility.

Why People Look for a Monkey Alternative

Random video chat should be about making meaningful connections, having fun, and staying safe while you do it. If there is a breakdown in one of these areas, it sucks the fun out of the session and can sour random chats with strangers. Some users look for alternatives because they want:

  • Better quality conversations
  • Fewer spam accounts
  • More control over who they meet
  • Creative ways to personalize chats
  • A fresh community
  • More consistent moderation

Thundr was designed with these priorities in mind, allowing our community to personalize and stay in control of their experience.

Meet Thundr: A Modern Alternative to Monkey

Thundr was built for people who want the excitement of random video chat without sacrificing control. Whether you're looking to meet new friends, practice a language, or simply have interesting conversations, Thundr combines fast matching with modern safety features and creative customization.

Omegle started the trend of meeting strangers online through video. Monkey piggybacked off its success. Meanwhile, Thundr flips the random video chat world on its head due to its customization, interest-based or mood matching and flexible ways to connect.

Random Video or Text Chat

On Thundr, you can choose between random video or text chat depending on your preference. If your internet connection is shaky or you are shy, then a low-pressure text chat may be more your speed. Once you are comfortable with meeting strangers, then video chat allows for personal and energetic conversations. There is nothing else like it.

Interest Matching

When meeting someone new one-on-one, it helps to have a conversation starter to go off of. Instead of starting with a blank slate, Thundr’s interest matching feature allows you to find people that share your priorities. This allows you to start your chat about a shared passion instead of an awkward “hello.”

Set the Mood

Match your way. Thundr offers three exciting options to help you match with likeminded strangers.

  • Entertainment: For light conversations, belly-shaking conversations, and finding new friends.
  • Romance: For the possibility of meeting someone special and feeling butterflies in your stomach.
  • Spicy: For those feeling cheeky and ready to turn up the temperature.

When you select a Mood, Thundr helps connect you with other users looking for the same type of experience.

Online Events

Around holidays and special occasions, Thundr runs fun limited time events to make the random chat experience unique. For Halloween, Thundr gave users the ability to add a spooky overlay or background to the camera view. This allows you to add some personality and to make a shocking first impression. Thundr’s development team works hard to add new filters for special events to make each chat fresh.

Safety & Moderation

One of the biggest challenges on some random video chat apps is illegal content; when left unchecked, it can take down a platform. Just look to Omegle for how devastating a lack of moderation can be. Thundr works hard to keep the community safe. Help do your part too for a better random chat space with our built-in tools.

Reporting & Blocking

While our team and AI-safety system help keep you safe, no random video call service can anticipate every action before it happens. Thundr helps give you more control with our easy reporting and blocking system. If a conversation turns inappropriate, then simply skip the person, report and block them. Reporting bad behavior helps us weed out behavior that has no place on Thundr. Blocking ensures you never have to chat with that user again.

Anonymous profiles

Random video chat is unlike traditional social media platforms that require you to fill out a lot of identifying information. On Thundr, you are able to jump into chats quickly without giving away everything about yourself.

Google/Apple sign-in

One way to jump into a chat quickly is to connect your Google or Apple account to Thundr. Creating a quick account allows you to start earning rewards.

Rewards for creating an account

Once you have joined Thundr, you have the opportunity to earn free daily coins on the homepage. Use coins to purchase a boost, which gives you preferred matching for the gender you seek.

A screenshot of how many coins can be collected from daily rewards, ranging from 5 to 250.

Why Choose Thundr Over Monkey?

Interact With the Best Community

Thundr is built around real conversations with people around the world. Whether you're looking for new friends, language partners, or someone who shares your interests, every new chat is another chance to make an unexpected connection.

Make Every Chat Unique

A woman showing peace signs on her hands and laughing. Half the photo is in color and the other is black and white, demonstrating Thundr’s “Featured Filters.”

Featured Filter limited time events let you customize your camera view before every conversation. Swap backgrounds, apply stylish overlays, and let your personality shine.

Built With Safety in Mind

Meeting strangers online should be exciting; if you are stressed about who you may meet, then you need to try Thundr. We combine automated detection, user reporting, user blocking, and active moderation to identify behavior that violates community guidelines. You can also use our instant reporting to remain in control over every conversation.

How to Handle Inappropriate Users on Thundr

Random video chat is all about the unexpected. One minute you're laughing with someone halfway across the world, and the next you're meeting someone who completely kills the vibe.

Unfortunately, not everyone online has good intentions. Whether it's offensive language, inappropriate content, harassment, or someone behaving disrespectfully, there's always a chance you'll encounter something you don't want to see.

Thundr takes moderation seriously. We combine AI-powered safety systems with dedicated human moderators to detect inappropriate activity and help keep bad actors off the platform. However, even the best moderation systems can't catch everything before it happens.

That's why we give you the tools to take control of your experience.

Don't Like What You See? Skip It!

A man and woman chatting on Thundr with a cat and unicorn emoji head; an arrow points at the “Next” button.

Sitting through an uncomfortable conversation is never required on Thundr.

If someone is acting inappropriately, making you uncomfortable, or simply isn't matching your energy, hit the Skip button.

There is no need to explain. Just click “next” and you're on your way to meeting someone new.

Report Users Who Break the Rules

A screenshot of Thundr’s chat screen. An arrow points to the report button.

While skipping helps you move on, reporting helps us clean up the platform.

Thundr's built-in reporting system allows you to flag users who engage in harassment, display inappropriate content, or violate our community guidelines.

Our moderation team reviews all reports and takes action against offenders, including banning users who break the rules.

Do your part. Every report helps us keep the Thundr community safe.

Help Us Keep the Good Vibes Rolling

Thundr is built around genuine connections, exciting conversations, and meeting beautiful people from around the world.

Our AI detection and human moderation teams work to reduce inappropriate behavior, but you play an important role in keeping the community welcoming.

If the vibes are off, skip. If someone crosses the line, report them.

Who Is Thundr For?

Meet New Friends

Looking for someone to add to your inner circle? Introducing yourself to someone in-person can be stressful and create an awkward situation if the vibes aren’t right. Random video chat on Thundr allows you to be connected with someone who is likely looking for the same thing.

Random Conversations

One of the most exhilarating parts of meeting strangers is the spontaneity. You never know who you might meet. Humor and ice-breakers are very popular in the Thundr community. You will encounter many different people and share a laugh around the world.

Language Exchange

A woman with a Nigerian flag chats with a woman with an Indian flag. Thundr offers opportunities for language and cultural exchange.

If you are trying to learn a new language, then there is no better way than using Thundr. Change your country preferences to a place that speaks the language, and then start matching. You will be able to exchange language endlessly with thousands of random strangers.

Gaming Friends

In the modern age, little is more accessible than online gaming. With the ability to play with friends around the world if you have a good internet connection, Thundr makes it easier to meet people to game with. Just set your interest to “gaming” and find strangers who want to beat the final boss with you.

Practice Social Skills

Not everyone is great at introductions and holding a conversation. Random video chat is a great way to practice! Thundr allows you to meet new people without the pressure of having to stick to a conversation. If the atmosphere goes south, start a new conversation. Click next and try again.

Just Kill Time

Random video calls on Thundr are a great way to kill time in a fun way. Need to fill a 2-hour gap before seeing this summer’s biggest blockbuster? Hop on Thundr and you’ll lose track of time.

Monkey Alternative FAQ