Freedom251 › Game Voice Chat Software
Ventrilo
What Ventrilo is
Ventrilo is group communications software for gamers, with multi-user voice, private voice conversations and text chat by server or channel. Users can add comments or hyperlinks and create channels or subchannels with limits, filters, passwords and transmission permissions. Voice controls include activation, push-to-talk, sound ducking, stream recording and playback, and configurable audio devices. A built-in server browser and remote administration tools cover server features, users and persistent server properties. Version 4 adds file transfers to selected users and themes for changing the client window’s appearance. Ventrilo says its client-server connection is always encrypted and that it does not collect or store user data; text chats and recordings are stored locally on the client computer. Version 4 clients are listed for Windows and macOS. Users can choose hosted servers through Ventrilo4.com or run a server themselves; the self-hosting setup documentation covers Windows and Unix but applies to version 2.x systems. Hosted server sizes range from 15 to 400 simultaneous users. A 15-slot server costs $9 a month when billed monthly; longer terms are also listed.
Who it suits
Ventrilo suits gaming groups that need voice and text conversations organized by server or channel. It may also suit administrators who want remote server controls or hosted-server options.
What it does well
- Supports multi-user voice and private text conversations.
- Channels can use passwords, limits and transmission permissions.
- Includes push-to-talk, voice activation and sound ducking.
- Version 4 supports file transfers to selected users.
- Hosted servers offer snapshots and restore.
What to know first
- No mobile apps are listed.
- Self-hosting instructions apply to version 2.x systems.
- The 15-slot monthly plan costs $9 a month.
- Client requirements list Windows XP or higher with DirectX 9.0c, or macOS X 10.7 or higher.
Limits
The listed hosted 15-slot plans allow a maximum of 15 simultaneous users. The self-hosting instructions describe version 2.x systems.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 15-slot Ventrilo server — 3 months | 3 Months · 15 slots (max users) | $24.30, paid once |
| 15-slot Ventrilo server — 6 months | 6 Months · 15 slots (max users) | $43.20, paid once |
| 15-slot Ventrilo server — 12 months | 12 Months · 15 slots (max users) | $64.80, paid once |
| 15-slot Ventrilo server — 24 months | 24 Months · 15 slots (max users) | $86.40, paid once |
| 15-slot Ventrilo server — 1 month | 1 month · 15 slots (max users) | $9 a month |
As ventrilo.com lists them, read 8 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit https://www.ventrilo.com/.
- Download the Version 4 client for Windows or macOS.
- Choose whether to use hosted service or run a server yourself.
- For hosted service, select a server size and billing term; 15-slot plans are available from $9 a month.
Verdict
Ventrilo offers configurable voice and chat features with both hosted and self-hosted server approaches. Check the client requirements and version limits in the self-hosting documentation before choosing a setup.
Questions
Is Ventrilo free?
Ventrilo has a free plan. Hosted 15-slot server plans are separately listed from $9 a month.
Which desktop platforms are supported?
Version 4 clients are available for Windows and macOS. Listed client requirements are Windows XP 32/64-bit or higher with DirectX 9.0c or higher, or macOS X 10.7 or higher.
Can I host a Ventrilo server myself?
The setup documentation describes running a server on Windows or Unix platforms, but says its instructions are for version 2.x systems.
What does a hosted server cost?
A 15-slot server is $9 a month when billed monthly. Other listed 15-slot terms cost $24.30, paid once for 3 months, $43.20, paid once for 6 months, $64.80, paid once for 12 months, and $86.40, paid once for 24 months.
What does Ventrilo say about privacy?
Ventrilo says its client-server connection is always encrypted and that it does not collect or store user data. Text chats and audio recordings are stored locally on the client computer.
Which media players can display song information?
The About page says Ventrilo can display song information from Windows Media Player, Winamp, iTunes, and Spotify on Macintosh.
Facts from Ventrilo's own pages
- Administration
- Features include a built-in server browser and remote administration of server features, users, and persistent server properties. · ventrilo.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Channel controls
- Users can create channels dynamically and configure subchannels, channel limits, filters, passwords, and transmission permissions. · ventrilo.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Desktop platforms
- The current download page lists Version 4 clients for Windows and macOS, with Windows 32-bit and 64-bit downloads and universal 64-bit macOS downloads. · ventrilo.com, 8 Oct 2026
- File transfer and themes
- Version 4 includes file transfers to selected users and themes that change the client window’s look and feel. · ventrilo.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Hosting
- Ventrilo4.com offers hosted servers with instant setup after payment, worldwide server locations, snapshots and restore, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. · ventrilo4.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The About page says Ventrilo can display song information from Windows Media Player, Winamp, iTunes, and Spotify on Macintosh. · ventrilo.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Product
- Ventrilo is group communications software for gamers, known for sound quality, low CPU use, and a simple interface. · ventrilo.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Security and privacy
- Ventrilo says its client-server connection is always encrypted, it does not collect or store user data, and text chats and audio recordings are stored locally on the client computer. · ventrilo.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Self-hosting
- The setup documentation describes running a Ventrilo server on Windows or Unix platforms, but states that the instructions are for version 2.x systems. · ventrilo.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Server capacities
- The hosted server size selector lists options from 15 to 400 users, and the pricing page defines slots as the maximum users who can connect simultaneously. · ventrilo4.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- The hosting page advertises live customer support, and the Ventrilo4.com support page provides client and server administration guides and troubleshooting topics. · ventrilo4.com, 8 Oct 2026
- System requirements
- The About page lists Windows XP 32/64-bit or higher with DirectX 9.0c or higher and macOS X 10.7 or higher as client requirements. · ventrilo.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Voice and chat
- Features include multi-user voice, private voice and text conversations, per-server or per-channel chat, and user comments or hyperlinks. · ventrilo.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Voice controls
- The client supports voice activation, push-to-talk, sound ducking, recording and playback of voice streams, and configurable audio devices. · ventrilo.com, 8 Oct 2026
Where Ventrilo stands on Freedom251
- Game Voice Chat Software#21 of 22