Skype Alternatives
Skype is described as 'is the most popular free voice-over IP and instant messaging service globally. It allows users to text, video and voice call over the internet. Users can also call landlines and mobiles at competitive rates using Skype credit, premium accounts and subscriptions' and is a leading Group Chat app in the social & communications category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Skype for a variety of platforms, including iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac and Windows. The best alternative is Discord, which is free. Other great apps like Skype are Telegram, Signal, Tox and Element.
Skype alternatives are mainly Group Chat Apps but may also be Video Calling Apps or Instant Messengers. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Skype.- Freemium • Proprietary
- Group Chat App
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Blackberry
- Chrome OS
- Windows S
- Android Tablet
- BSD
- Windows Phone
- iPad
- Android Wear
- PortableApps.com
Discord
Is this a good alternative?YesNo- Freemium • Proprietary
- Group Chat App
- Video Calling App
- Encrypted Chat App
153 alternatives to Discord- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Chrome OS
- Android Tablet
- BSD
- iPad
- Epic Games Store
- Electron / Atom Shell
- FreeBSD
- Playstation
- Xbox
- Flathub
Whether you’re part of a school club, a gaming group, a worldwide art community, or just a handful of friends that want to spend time together, Discord makes it easy to talk every day and hang out more often.
Discord Features
Discord vs Skype
At least Discord allows us to choose our username.
Better call quality, better group management, better design.
Discord is more like a chat version of Reddit, it's intended for large crowds
TheEmperorArtBoth functions mediocrely, Discord is better with groups than Skype. Video calls are equivalent imo. Had no issue with either. In the future Discord will be treated and looked at similarly to how we currently view and treat Skype. Would rather use the open-source encrypted Discord and Skype alternative like Element.
Crashes everytime, full of errors and bugs, serious problems related to security and privacy, bad moderation, and many other reasons.
c4334544good but i've heard they are corrupted. not sure how true this info is
It's topical and server based, not individuals who can connect.
Telegram
Is this a good alternative?YesNo- Freemium • Proprietary
- Encrypted Chat App
- Instant Messenger
- Group Chat App
260 alternatives to Telegram- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- HUAWEI AppGallery
- Windows Phone
- iPad
- Apple Watch
- Linux Mobile
- Android Wear
- PortableApps.com
- FreeBSD
Telegram is a messaging app created by former VK creators with a focus on speed and security. It’s superfast, simple and free. It is like SMS, but more powerful.
Telegram Features
Telegram vs Skype
alternative1234Most communication on Telegram is not encrypted. Still a good platform, but it's not secure by default.
Allready telegram have video calls
Skype needs ID for login while all these need network numbers
joprime87Use it day by day. Stable, has good connection, high-quality chat features. And good enough to use for video calls.
Telegram does not provide video calling.
Is free software. Free as freedom
It doesn't have video chat.
Signal
Is this a good alternative?YesNo- Free • Open Source
- Encrypted Chat App
- Group Chat App
- Instant Messenger
200 alternatives to Signal- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- iPhone
- iPad
- Flathub
- Ubuntu
- Debian
Signal is a messaging app with an unexpected focus on privacy, combined with all the features expected from a modern IM app. Signal has received a lot of praise from all around the world for its security and privacy-respecting technologies.
Signal Features
Signal vs Skype
sedetithis is like skype without the data log
End-to-end encryption and servers do not log data.
Strong encryption, high quality sound. Uses both WiFi and Mobile Data to grant the best possible quality. Recommended by Edward Snowden. Enjoy!
Free as in free beer, and fully open source !
patrykmilhouseSecure, encrypted, not owned by Microsoft or Facebook, keeps your data safe.
Call people without being listened on!
Tox
Is this a good alternative?YesNo- Free • Open Source
- Encrypted Chat App
- Instant Messenger
- Group Chat App
180 alternatives to Tox- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- Android Tablet
- BSD
With the rise of widespread government monitoring programs, Tox is an easy to use application that allows you to connect with friends and loved ones without anyone else listening in.
Tox Features
Tox vs Skype
beatruppIt is completely decentralized, open source, you can freely choose your client (from terminal, over Windows, to iOS)
bumbaDecentralized, Secure, Open-source, fast to setup, no ads.
free for most of the feature. But no group chat yet, and difficult to sync between multiple devices.
You cannot setup your microphone properly on any of the major clients. Useless
you cannot down load this program
Element
Is this a good alternative?YesNo- Freemium • Open Source
- Group Chat App
- Encrypted Chat App
- Instant Messenger
261 alternatives to Element- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Self-Hosted
- Matrix.org
- Cloudron
- F-Droid
- FLATHUB
Element is a secure collaboration and messaging app based on the Matrix protocol. It’s decentralised to deliver digital sovereignty, and based on an open standard for easy connections and interoperability. It is end-to-end encrypted by default.
Element Features
Element vs Skype
MasteLrugariusIt's like Skype but has open groups like Teamspeak and it has unlimited fileupload. Thanks to a server to server structure, everyone can text everyone.
FOSS, free, open source, own nodes etc.
TheEmperorArtDiscord is like Skype but better. Element is like Discord but better.
Cross platform in terms of Apps and equally good using a browser.
It's arguably the premier Matrix client, which is free software that is decentralized. Riot.im gives you the option to host a Matrix server yourself and connect to it. It also offers end-to-end encryption and high quality video and audio chat. Not to mention the modern UI.
MurzFree, opensource and encrypted, with federation support and can be hosted on your servers.
Wire
Is this a good alternative?YesNo- Free Personal • Open Source
- Group Chat App
- Encrypted Chat App
- Instant Messenger
257 alternatives to Wire- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Self-Hosted
- F-Droid
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
Wire is the most secure collaboration platform featuring messenger, voice, video, conference calls, file-sharing, and external collaboration –all protected by the most secure end-to-end-encryption.
Wire Features
Wire vs Skype
svenjostGroup audio calls with screen sharing functionality, open source, nice UI.
Great security, open source, video calls, responsive developers.
Wire is free, open source and easy to use and, most importantly, PRIVATE. It transmits data only in an encrypted way that even the creators of Wire cannot see, so you can be sure your content is YOURS, and not something the likes of Microsoft (who own Skype) can read, analyze, hand on to authorities or lose to hackers.
Truly secure and feature reach
someonelastIt's open source, cross-platform, and free!
LuraOpen source, encrypted, stable
a better connection and more secure
Slack
Is this a good alternative?YesNo- Freemium • Proprietary
- Group Chat App
- Team Collaboration Tool
- Video Calling App
210 alternatives to Slack- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- iPhone
- Chrome OS
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Electron / Atom Shell
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
Slack is a unified communication platform built with an optimized workflow to keep modern teams focused and productive. A familiar chat interface facilitates discussions while advanced features are easily exposed based on context.
Slack Features
Slack vs Skype
OlaWith the new VOIP it has replaced Skype in our office.
TNovakPrefer it to Skype in a Commercial environment
georgecoemBoth great for separate purposes
Jami
Is this a good alternative?YesNo- Free • Open Source
- Encrypted Chat App
- Video Calling App
- Instant Messenger
139 alternatives to Jami- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
Jami (formerly GNU Ring, SFLphone) positions itself as a potential free Skype replacement
Jami Features
Jami vs Skype
Not only is it free and open, they also do not record all your private conversations and use it against you. As a trial in New Zealand has shown, it also does not spy on your computer like Skype does and does not insert itself into everything.
Fast, very secure and Open Source.
LucaFinizioVery fast and open source
Very good alternative to Skype, WhatsApp and other mainstream chat software. Decentralised, free and open source!
Jami seems to be really providing the service it declares and not interested in tracking its users in a confused way as other Skype alternatives do (ie Google Hangouts).
Open source, decentralized
jsonoctopusGreat p2p voice and text chat.
Mumble
Is this a good alternative?YesNo- Free • Open Source
- Group Chat App
- Encrypted Chat App
46 alternatives to Mumble- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- iPhone
- BSD
- iPad
- Self-Hosted
- PortableApps.com
Mumble was the first and is the most successful and wide spread free and open source software for VoIP. It was the first VoIP software to provide low-latency audio suitable for gaming, and at the same time was a pioneer in high audio quality at the same time.
Mumble Features
Mumble vs Skype
Completely open source, very high quality
Communication more lightweight due to new opus codec when communicating
Mumble requires a server to run
Lightweight high quality audio chat. Self-hosted and encrypted, so your communications are private.
Mumble requires a server. Skype is end-to-end
Jitsi Meet
Is this a good alternative?YesNo- Free • Open Source
- Video Calling App
- Group Chat App
- Encrypted Chat App
125 alternatives to Jitsi Meet- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Self-Hosted
- Apple Watch
- F-Droid
Go ahead, video chat with the whole team. In fact, invite everyone you know. Jitsi Meet is a fully encrypted, 100% open source video conferencing solution that you can use all day, every day, for free — with no account needed.
Jitsi Meet Features
Jitsi Meet vs Skype
This is an excellent Skype replacement. It's free, open source, encrypted and you don't need to install anything. You simply go to the website, choose a link and email it to the person you want to speak with. Everything happens in your browser. You can password protect your session, have group conversations, share screen, chat and collaborate on text documents. Easier even than Skype and much more private.
Fast, secure and Open Source.
Skype for free, with better quality and more secure.