Marco Polo review
A mobile-first alternative for groups that prefer asynchronous video over chat.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Marco Polo centers personal conversations on asynchronous video messages, called Polos, rather than text-first messaging. People can send a Polo to an individual or group, and recipients can watch and respond when convenient. Groups support up to 200 people, making the format suited to friends and family who want richer updates without coordinating a live call. It is a narrower WhatsApp alternative for groups comfortable with video as the main medium, not a fit for people who need a desktop app or primarily want conventional text chat.
Its group features help with access and participation: users can share invite links and restrict group membership, while saved messages, reactions, camera filters, voice effects, and Sharecast support different ways to share and respond. Plus adds playback speed controls and HD Polos. Transcripts and summaries are available on paid plans, with limited free access. These features make Marco Polo more compelling for video-first catch-ups than for groups seeking a broad messaging toolkit; the key distinction is the ability to leave and answer video messages later.
Marco Polo has a free plan with unlimited chats and groups, plus a 7-day free trial. The published plans show Marco Polo Plus Individual at $9.99 monthly or $79.99 annually, and Plus Family at $19.99 monthly or $159.99 annually, with Plus features for up to six people. Unlimited Storage is a separate plan at $7.99 monthly or $47.99 annually. Pricing is in USD, and regional prices and taxes may vary. Choose it if asynchronous video is central to how a group keeps in touch; choose another messenger if desktop access or a text-first experience matters more.
Marco Polo pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Supports one-to-one and group video messages for groups up to 200
- Recipients can watch and reply later, on their own schedule
- Invite links and group membership restrictions help manage access
- Where it doesn't
- Available on iOS and Android, with no native desktop app
- Transcripts and summaries have limited access on the free plan
- Paid subscriptions add cost for features such as HD Polos and playback controls
Marco Polo fact sheet, pricing and score →
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