The present invention provides a video-based call method and apparatuses. The method comprises the steps of after group chat-based first video-based calls with a plurality of second terminals are established, detecting whether it needs to switch to a second video-based call with one of the plurality of second terminals at present; if it needs to switch to the second video-based call at present, determining a target terminal needing the second video-based call in the plurality of second terminals; and establishing the second video-based call with the target terminal. The independent second video-based call between the first terminal and the target terminal is realized without affecting the group chat progress, so that the feasibility of the video-based call technology is improved, and the user experience is good.