Last updated: October 14, 2026

La scimmia è una video chat casuale app that drops you into a short, timed videochiamata con un sconosciuto — you either extend the chat or skip to the next person. This review covers how Monkey works in 2026, what Monkey Plus costs, how safe and private it really is, and which chat casuale alternatives are a better fit depending on what you want.

Monkey quick facts

Dettaglio	Scimmia
Tipo	Random 1-on-1 video chat with social features (Cards, DMs, group calls)
Lanciato	2016, by teen founders Ben Pasternak and Isaiah Turner
Owner	Acquired by Ciao in February 2018; Android app now published as “Monkey Group” (developer: Oviedo Interactives Limited, Hong Kong)
Platforms	Android app (Google Play) and web browser; removed from Apple’s App Store
Registrazione	Required — 1-tap social login
Prezzo	Free with ads; Monkey Plus subscription and in-app coins
Portata segnalata	30M+ users (Monkey’s figure); 10M+ Google Play downloads
Google Play rating	3.6 / 5 from roughly 73,000 reviews (October 2026)
Età	18+ under Monkey’s rules — though Google Play lists it as “Rated for 12+”
Chat format	15-second opening timer, extendable

Cos'è Monkey?

La scimmia è una video chat sociale app that matches you with random strangers for quick, face-to-face conversations. It started in 2016 as a teen-built app from Los Angeles, was bought by its rival Holla in 2018, and now markets itself as an Alternativa a Omegle for meeting people worldwide.

What separates Monkey from classic webcam roulette is the social layer bolted onto it. Beyond random video chat, you get a profile with a mood and a song, swipeable Cards for adding friends, direct messages, and Squad Chat for group videochiamate with people you already know. It sits somewhere between Chatroulette and a social app — faster and more casuale than a app di incontri, but more persistent than an anonimo sito di chat.

Is Monkey still available in 2026?

Yes. Monkey is still running in 2026, despite articles claiming it shut down. Here is where it stands:

• Android: available on Google Play as “Monkey – make new friends,” last updated in September 2026.
• Sito web: Monkey’s official site, monkey.app, offers a browser version for desktop and iPhone users.
• iPhone: the original Monkey app was removed from Apple’s App Store over safety concerns. An iPhone app called “MonkeyCool” exists, but it is listed under a different developer, so check carefully before downloading anything that claims to be Monkey.

How does Monkey work?

Getting into a Monkey video chat takes under a minute:

1. Download the Android app or open monkey.app in a browser.
2. Sign in with a 1-tap social login and set up a basic profile.
3. Allow camera and microphone access, then tap to start a video chat.
4. You get 15 seconds with each incontro — tap the timer to extend the chat, or skip to the next person.
5. If you click, add them as a friend or DM them to keep talking later.

Corrispondenza is not purely random. Monkey’s algorithm leans toward people of a similar age, with similar interests, and who live closer to you. Free users get limited chat time; when it runs out, you either wait, watch ads for more time, or pay.

Why the 15-second timer matters

• Low commitment: you are never stuck in an awkward chiamata.
• Swipe culture: fast skipping means fewer real conversations.
• No safety buffer: a short timer does not stop someone showing something inappropriate in the first second.

Monkey features

Caratteristica	Cosa fa	Perché è importante
Video chat casuale	Pairs you with a stranger in a 15-second, extendable call.	Fast “vibe checks” without committing to a long conversation.
Cards	Swipe through profiles to add new friends; send a Super Like.	Lets you incontrare persone outside of live calls.
Squad Chat	Group video calls with friends.	Useful if you prefer chatting with a friend present.
Testo chat and DMs	Message people after a video chat.	Connections don’t vanish when the call ends.
Personalized profiles	Set a mood and a song that plays when people view your card.	Adds personality — but also more about you on display.
Coins and gifts	Pagato in-app currency for gifts and extras.	One of several ways Monkey monetizes.
AI moderation and reporting	Automated moderation plus in-app reports.	Helps, but users still report inappropriate content.

Monkey Plus pricing: what’s free and what’s paid?

Monkey is free to download and use, but it leans heavily on ads, subscriptions, and coins.

• Free: random video chat with limited time, Cards, DMs, and ad-supported extra time.
• Monkey Plus: unlocks match preferences such as gender and country choice, removes ads, and adds bonus coins.
• Coins: bought separately for gifts and some unlocks.

Monkey Plus pricing varies by country and is shown in-app before you pay. Google Play reviewers in India reported paying ₹504 for Monkey Plus in 2026. Several recent reviews also describe paid preferences being locked after an “account violation” and pressure to buy extra coins, so check reviews in your region before subscribing.

Is Monkey safe to use?

Monkey is risky, even for adults. It has AI moderation and reporting tools, but its track record is the weakest part of the product:

• App Store removal: Apple pulled Monkey from the App Store over safety concerns and reports of inappropriate content.
• Age mismatch: Monkey’s rules say 18+, yet Google Play lists it as “Rated for 12+,” and age checks rely largely on self-reported information.
• Explicit content: sexual content is banned, but safety groups report users still encounter it.
• Scams and off-platform pressure: strangers may push you to switch apps, click links, or share contact details.

Child-safety organizations including Internet Matters advise that children and teens should not use Monkey.

Safer-use checklist for adults

• Mantieni riservati i dettagli personali — no full name, phone number, address, workplace, or socials.
• Don’t move off-platform just because someone asks.
• Non inviare mai denaro or gift cards, whatever the story.
• Mantieni lo sfondo neutro — no mail, logos, or street views.
• Block and report invece di discutere.
• Supponiamo che tu possa essere registrato e agire di conseguenza.

Monkey privacy and data handling

Monkey is not anonymous. You sign in with a social account, and the app collects a fair amount of data. According to its Google Play Data safety listing:

• It may collect location, personal info, and six other data types.
• It may share app performance data and device IDs with third parties.
• It states that data isn’t encrypted.
• Voi can request that your data be deleted.

Monkey’s website describes its environment as encrypted, which conflicts with the Play Store disclosure. Either way, Monkey is not an end-to-end encrypted messenger — treat anything you say or show on camera as something the other person could save.

Monkey vs other random video chat apps

Monkey’s niche is speed plus social features. If safety, anonymity, or no-signup access matters more, these alternatives fit better:

Piattaforma	Registrazione	Costo	Eccezionale
Scimmia	Necessario	Free + Monkey Plus + coins	15-second timed chats, Cards, Squad Chat
Thundr	Opzionale	Free + optional Boost	Modern 1-on-1 chat with a stronger safety posture
Azar	Necessario	Free + paid gems/VIP	Large global user base with built-in translation
Ciao	Necessario	Free + in-app purchases	Monkey’s parent company’s own swipe-style video chat
Bazoocam	Nessuno	Gratuito	Classic roulette with mini-games and location matching
Chatroulette	Nessuno	Gratuito	The original webcam roulette, AI-moderated
CooMeet	Necessario	Abbonamento a pagamento	Gender-verified video dating matches
StrangerCam	Nessuno	Gratuito + extra opzionali	No-frills, Omegle-style start-now chat

Which should you pick?

• You want speed and social features: Monkey (accepting the risks).
• You want a safer modern roulette: Thundr.
• You want free, no-signup chat: Bazoocam, Chatroulette, O StrangerCam.
• You want video dating intent: CooMeet.

For a head-to-head with another big name, see our OmeTV contro Monkey comparison, or skip the app entirely with AnonCam’s video chat casuale basata sul browser (18+).

Monkey pros and cons

Professionisti

• Fast, fun 15-second format that removes awkward goodbyes.
• Social extras — Cards, DMs, Squad Chat — let connections continue.
• Free core video chat on Android and the web.
• Matching leans toward similar age, interests, and location.

Contro

• Removed from Apple’s App Store over safety concerns.
• Weak age verification and an 18+ rule that clashes with Google Play’s 12+ rating.
• Google Play disclosure says data isn’t encrypted; account login means no anonymity.
• Gender and country filters sit behind Monkey Plus, and free time is ad-gated.
• Recent reviews report billing and locked-feature complaints.

Who is Monkey best for?

Monkey suits adults who enjoy quick, low-commitment video chats and like the idea of swiping and messaging after a call. It is not a good fit if you are under 18, want genuine anonymity, need strong privacy guarantees, or want a calm, curated experience — a no-signup roulette site or a verified dating platform will serve you better.

Monkey review verdict

Monkey nails the fun part of random video chat: the 15-second timer keeps things moving, and Cards, DMs, and Squad Chat give it more staying power than bare-bones roulette. But it was pulled from Apple’s App Store over safety concerns, its Play Store listing says data isn’t encrypted, age checks are weak, and the most useful filters are paywalled. We rate Monkey 3.2 out of 5 — worth a look for adults who want speed, but not our first recommendation. If safety matters most, start with Thundr; if you want free, no-signup chat, try Bazoocam or Chatroulette.

Monkey app FAQ

Is the Monkey app still available in 2026?

Yes. Monkey is available on Google Play for Android and as a web version at monkey.app. The original app was removed from Apple’s App Store, so iPhone users are directed to the browser version.

Is Monkey 18+?

Yes. Monkey’s rules require users to be 18 or older, although Google Play lists the app as “Rated for 12+.” Safety organizations advise that children and teens should not use it.

Quanto durano le video chat di Monkey?

Each Monkey video chat starts with a 15-second timer. You can tap to extend the chat or skip to the next person. Free users have limited chat time that can be topped up by watching ads or paying.

Is Monkey free?

Monkey is free to download and use with ads. Monkey Plus is an optional subscription that unlocks gender and country preferences, removes ads, and adds bonus coins. Pricing varies by country.

Who owns the Monkey app?

Monkey was founded in 2016 by Ben Pasternak and Isaiah Turner and acquired by rival video chat company Holla in February 2018. The Android app is published as Monkey Group by Oviedo Interactives Limited, based in Hong Kong.

Why was Monkey removed from the App Store?

Apple removed Monkey from the App Store over safety concerns and reports of inappropriate content on the platform.

Is Monkey encrypted?

Monkey’s Google Play Data safety listing states that data isn’t encrypted, and Monkey is not an end-to-end encrypted messenger. Assume anything you show or say could be recorded.

What is a safer alternative to Monkey?

Thundr is a common choice for adults who want a safer modern random chat. For free, no-signup roulette, Bazoocam, Chatroulette, and StrangerCam are popular options.