WhatsApp appears to be following in Zoom's footsteps by supporting video calling for up to 50 people in its web app, effectively replacing Zoom, Google Meet, and Skype.

This new video calling feature is included in a beta version of the desktop app discovered by WABetaInfo. It works by transferring people to the new Facebook Messenger Rooms, a service within Facebook and its linked Messenger service that facilitates video calls with large groups of people.

A shortcut in the WhatsApp menu redirects users to Facebook Messenger Rooms, where they can create virtual meeting rooms within the Facebook service and invite participants. You can also create a meeting room directly from the WhatsApp web application. Facebook Messenger Rooms also allows participants to add their personal virtual backgrounds, another feature that has been well received by Zoom.

It is unclear when WhatsApp will integrate this beta feature into WhatsApp Web. However, it is likely that they will do so sooner rather than later if they want to capitalize on the current desire for video calling and conferencing.

WhatsApp recently doubled its previous call limit by allowing up to eight people to make video calls on its mobile app, and WhatsApp on iOS and Android will also add a 50-person video call option, but with that many people on a single video call, It would be better to use the web app on a laptop or desktop with a larger display.

Since acquiring WhatsApp in 2014 for $19 billion, Facebook has made few dramatic changes to WhatsApp. However, increased integration with Facebook and Messenger could expand WhatsApp beyond just a messaging service.

It will go a long way to unseating Zoom, which is surging in popularity as more people use video calling to conduct business and stay in touch during the Coronavirus lockdown. But with services like Google Meet, Google Duo, and Microsoft Teams constantly adding new features, there is no shortage of worthy alternatives.