Alternatives
An Omegle Text Chat Alternative Where the Camera Is Optional
If you're looking for an Omegle text chat alternative, Omlet lets you talk to a random stranger by text with your camera off, or with no camera at all, and turn video on whenever you feel like it. It's free, one-on-one and needs no account.
One honest difference up front: Omlet is video-first, so there's no separate text-only queue. The person you meet may be on camera even when you aren't. Here's how to make text chat work well on Omlet, and how to stay safe while you type.
What Omegle's text mode was
Omegle launched in 2009 as a text-only chat and added video later. Text mode paired you with one random stranger, showed their messages under "Stranger", and let either of you disconnect at any moment. Omegle shut down on 8 November 2023, and its text mode went with it.
Omlet isn't affiliated with Omegle, and Omegle is a trademark of its owner. If you're after video sites instead, our main Omegle alternatives guide covers them; this page is for people who liked typing.
Text chatting on Omlet, step by step
- Open omlet.site in your browser and confirm you're 18 or older. No sign-up, and we don't ask for your name, email address or phone number.
- Pick an egg avatar under I am. With your camera off, it's what your partner sees in place of your video, along with your country flag.
- When the browser asks for camera access, you can allow it and switch the camera off in Omlet, or chat with no camera at all.
- Mute your microphone if you only want to type. Partners can still hear you otherwise.
- Press Start (or the right arrow key) and say hi in the text box. Messages can include emoji and run up to 1,000 characters.
- Press Next to meet someone else, or Stop (Esc) to end.
You can also mute your partner if you'd rather read than listen. For more on typing-first chats, see our page on text chat with strangers.
Camera off, camera on: switching mid-chat
The nice thing about having video available is that you don't have to decide up front. Plenty of conversations start in text and move to camera once both people are comfortable.
- Ask first. "Mind if I turn my camera on?" keeps things relaxed.
- Check your frame. Before switching on, glance at what's behind you, such as mail, photos or anything with your address.
- Expect a short blur. Each new partner's video stays blurred for up to about 4 seconds while an on-device safety check runs.
- Switch back anytime. Turning your camera off again doesn't end the chat.
If your partner's camera shows something you didn't sign up for, you don't need to explain. Press Next, or use the flag on their video to report it.
How Omlet checks text messages
Text chat with strangers needs guardrails too. Omlet checks messages on your device as you chat. Ones that may say someone is under 18, threaten someone, sexualize children or use hate speech get a second review by an AI service.
- If your own message is flagged, it can be blocked before it's sent.
- If a partner's message is flagged, it can be hidden from you.
- In-chat tips warn you about scams, threats and links.
- Messages are only stored when they're part of a report or safety review, and AI reviews aren't used to train AI models.
To report someone, use the flag on their video and pick a reason: Nudity or sexual content, Looks under 18, Harassment or hate, Spam, ads or scams, or Something else. You can add a note and the chat messages, then Report and skip to move on right away.
Links from strangers: five rules
Text chat is where most scams start, usually with a link. These rules cover nearly all of them:
- Don't click links from someone you've just met, especially shortened ones.
- Never sign in to anything on a page a stranger sent you.
- Never share a verification code. Anyone asking for one is trying to take over an account; read why to refuse verification code requests.
- Be wary of "check out my profile" or "add me on this other app" within the first few messages.
- If someone keeps pushing a link, report them for spam, ads or scams and press Next.
Our guide on clicking links from strangers explains what can go wrong and how to check a link safely.
Openers that beat "hi"
In text, a plain "hi" often gets skipped. A specific, easy question works better. Omlet shows your partner's country flag, so you can skip "where are you from?" and ask about the place instead:
- "What time is it where you are, and what are you up to?"
- "Quick one: what's a food from your country I have to try?"
- "I'm on text tonight, camera off. What's one thing that made you laugh this week?"
- "Settle a debate for me: is cereal a soup?"
Want more? Our guide to starting a text conversation with a stranger has openers for every mood.
Omlet next to other text chat sites
| Feature | Omlet | What to check on other text chat sites |
|---|---|---|
| Text chat | With emoji, up to 1,000 characters per message, beside the video | Message limits and features |
| Camera | Optional; keep it off or chat with no camera | Whether video is required or offered |
| Text-only matching | No; the person you meet may be on camera | Whether there's a text-only mode |
| Account | None; confirm you're 18+ | Whether sign-up is required |
| Message safety | On-device checks, AI second review, scam and link tips | How messages are moderated |
| Cost | Free; optional country filter, first day free then $3 one time | Which features are paid |
Comparing text-first sites? See our TalkWithStranger alternative and iMeetzu alternative pages.