Chatroulette: The Platform That Started It All
The original random video chat site is still around. Here's what it's like now, why it nearly died, and whether you should bother using it in 2025.
If you were on the internet around 2010, you probably remember Chatroulette. A Russian teenager built a website that connected random strangers via webcam, and within months it became a global phenomenon—and then a punchline about seeing things you can't unsee.
Fifteen years later, Chatroulette is surprisingly still around. But is it worth using? Let's look at what's changed, what hasn't, and whether there are better options.
A Brief History of Chatroulette
"I invented this thing because I wanted to talk to new people over the Internet, and this was the easiest way to do it." — Andrey Ternovskiy, creator of Chatroulette
Chatroulette was created in November 2009 by Andrey Ternovskiy, then a 17-year-old high school student in Moscow. The name combines "chat" with "roulette"—the randomness being the whole point.
Within months, it exploded. By February 2010, it had 1.5 million users. Celebrities started showing up. News outlets couldn't stop talking about it. For a brief moment, it felt like the future of social interaction.
Then came the problems. Studies found that roughly 1 in 8 sessions involved explicit content. Chatroulette became more famous for what you didn't want to see than for actual conversations. South Park mocked it. Media declared it dead. Usage crashed.
But here's the thing—it never actually died. The site kept running, slowly adding moderation and trying to rehabilitate its image.
Chatroulette in 2025
The modern Chatroulette looks different from its wild early days:
- Registration required — You now need to sign in with Apple, Google, or Facebook
- Photo verification — Users take a webcam photo that becomes their profile picture
- AI moderation — Automated systems detect inappropriate content
- Mobile app — Available on Android (iOS unclear)
- Quid system — A virtual currency for using the platform
- 18+ only — Officially for adults only
The core experience remains the same: click a button, get connected to a random stranger, click "Next" if you want someone else. But there's now a layer of structure around that chaos.
The Quid System Explained
Chatroulette introduced "Quids" as a way to gamify the experience (and monetize it):
- +15 Quids — Welcome bonus for new users
- +50 Quids max — Earn per chat session
- +3 Quids — When another user picks you as a match
- -1 Quid — Per search to find a new person
- Premium packages — Starting at $1.99 for more Quids
The system tries to encourage longer conversations (more Quids earned) while monetizing heavy users who burn through their free allocation quickly.
The catch: Users report the system feels more annoying than engaging. You're constantly aware of your Quid balance, and the pressure to earn/spend creates a transactional feel to what should be spontaneous conversations.
The Ongoing Problems
Despite the improvements, Chatroulette still struggles with its core issues:
Reputation
The platform's early reputation hasn't fully recovered. Many people still associate Chatroulette with inappropriate content, even if the moderation has improved. This affects who's willing to use it.
Content Issues
AI moderation helps, but it's not perfect. Users still report encountering content they'd rather not see. The "Next" button gets a workout.
User Interface
Reviews consistently complain about the app UI. Common complaints: confusing navigation, aggressive premium pushes, and connecting to undesired matches even when declining.
Smaller User Base
Chatroulette's peak was over a decade ago. While it still has users, the pool is smaller than newer competitors like OmeTV or Azar, which means less variety in matches.
Want random chat without the baggage?
Chatroulette pioneered this space, but it's 2025. XOXONEST offers the spontaneity of meeting strangers without the sketchy reputation—verified users, actual safety measures, and a community that's actively curated.
Try XOXONEST Free →How to Use Chatroulette
If you want to try it anyway:
- Go to chatroulette.com or download the mobile app
- Sign in with Apple, Google, or Facebook
- Take a profile photo with your webcam
- Add a bio and languages you speak (optional)
- Grant camera and microphone permissions
- Click to start and you'll be connected to a random person
- Use "Next" to skip to someone else
The platform uses your language and country preferences to influence (but not guarantee) who you're matched with. Premium features let you filter more specifically.
Is Chatroulette Safe?
Safer than it was in 2010? Yes. Actually safe? That's more complicated.
What they've added:
- AI content moderation
- Human moderators reviewing reports
- Account verification
- Reporting and blocking tools
- 18+ age requirement
What still happens:
- Inappropriate content slips through
- Scammers and bots exist
- Age verification is easily bypassed
- Privacy depends on anonymous randomness (which has limits)
Standard advice applies: don't share personal info, skip immediately if uncomfortable, report bad actors, and consider whether a platform with Chatroulette's history is where you want to spend time.
Chatroulette vs. Alternatives
| Feature | XOXONEST | Chatroulette | OmeTV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verified Users | ✓ | Photo only | Partial |
| Clean Reputation | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Active User Base | 8K+ | Smaller | 5M daily |
| AI Moderation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| No Gimmick Currency | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Privacy Focus | ✓ | Basic | Basic |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chatroulette still a thing?
Yes, Chatroulette still operates in 2025. It's smaller than its peak but has modernized with AI moderation, account requirements, and a mobile app. Whether it's "worth it" depends on what you're looking for.
Why did Chatroulette become so infamous?
Early Chatroulette had virtually no moderation, leading to widespread inappropriate content. Studies found explicit material in roughly 1 in 8 sessions. This reputation stuck even after improvements.
Do I need to pay to use Chatroulette?
Basic usage is free with the Quid system. You get starter Quids and earn more through chats. Heavy users may need to purchase additional Quids or premium features.
Is Chatroulette appropriate for teenagers?
No. Chatroulette officially requires users to be 18+, though verification is limited. Given its history and ongoing content concerns, it's not suitable for minors.
What's a better alternative to Chatroulette?
For random video chat with better safety and reputation, XOXONEST offers verified users and actual moderation. OmeTV has a larger user base if variety is your priority.
The Verdict
Chatroulette deserves credit for inventing a category. The idea of clicking a button and meeting a stranger via video was genuinely novel, and every platform in this space owes something to that original concept.
But being first doesn't mean being best. Chatroulette's early chaos created a reputation that's hard to shake. The modern version is better moderated but also more commercialized with the Quid system. And the smaller user base means fewer interesting conversations.
If you're curious about where random video chat started, Chatroulette is a piece of internet history worth experiencing once. If you want to actually meet interesting people consistently, XOXONEST or other modern platforms offer cleaner experiences without the baggage.