Skype AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Instant Messengers

The best Instant Messenger alternative to Skype is Signal, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Skype and loads of them are Instant Messengers so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Instant Messenger alternatives to Skype are Telegram, Discord, Element and Tox.

Skype alternatives are mainly Group Chat Apps but may also be Instant Messengers or Video Calling Apps. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Skype.

Skype

2574

Freemium • Proprietary
Group Chat App

Skype is the most popular free voice-over IP and instant messaging service globally. It allows users to text, video and...

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Signal
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Group Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
iPad
Flathub
Ubuntu
Debian
209 Signal alternatives
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 is the most popular Windows, Android, Mac & iPhone alternative to Skype.
- - Signal is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Skype.
Suggest and vote on features
Signal Features
1. End-to-End EncryptionSignal has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
2. Privacy focusedSignal is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. Ad-freeSignal doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. Self Destructing MessagesSignal supports the use of private messages that will be auto deleted according to a specified time or action.
5. No TrackingSignal will not track you or use your personal data.
6. Dark ModeSignal supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
7. VoiP CallsSignal allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
8. LightweightSignal consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
9. Works OfflineSignal can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
Security focused
Private messaging
Encrypted Connection
Mobile friendly
GPLv3
Secure Chat
Stickers
Desktop Application
Based on phone number
Protected by Password
Comments about Signal as a Alternative to Skype
Most users think Signal is a great Skype alternative.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
sedeti
this is like skype without the data log
Top positive comment •
2

Guest
Free as in free beer, and fully open source !
Top positive comment •
9

Guest
Strong encryption, high quality sound. Uses both WiFi and Mobile Data to grant the best possible quality. Recommended by Edward Snowden. Enjoy!
Positive comment •
2

patrykmilhouse
Secure, encrypted, not owned by Microsoft or Facebook, keeps your data safe.
Positive comment •
9

Guest
End-to-end encryption and servers do not log data.
Positive comment •
11

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Telegram
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Instant Messenger
Group Chat App
Encrypted Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
HUAWEI AppGallery
Windows Phone
iPad
Apple Watch
Linux Mobile
Android Wear
PortableApps.com
FreeBSD
272 Telegram alternatives
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 is the most popular Web-based & Android Tablet alternative to Skype.
Suggest and vote on features
Telegram Features
1. LightweightTelegram consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Ad-freeTelegram doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. End-to-End EncryptionTelegram has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
4. Privacy focusedTelegram is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
5. Dark ModeTelegram supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
6. VoiP CallsTelegram allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
7. Multiple Account supportTelegram support multiple accounts without the need to logout and login
8. IFTTT IntegrationYou can connect different services to automatically trigger actions within Telegram using IFTTT.
9. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
Stickers
Chat Bot
Multi Device Support
Channels
Bots
Secret chats
Cloud based
Animated stickers
Integrated File Sharing
Persistent History
Comments about Telegram as a Alternative to Skype
Most users think Telegram is a great Skype alternative.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
alternative1234
Most communication on Telegram is not encrypted. Still a good platform, but it's not secure by default.
Top positive comment •
0

Guest
Allready telegram have video calls
Top positive comment •
6

Guest
Skype needs ID for login while all these need network numbers
Top negative comment •
16

joprime87
Use it day by day. Stable, has good connection, high-quality chat features. And good enough to use for video calls.
Positive comment •
1

Guest
Telegram does not provide video calling.
Negative comment •
-8

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Discord
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Group Chat App
Video Calling App
Instant Messenger
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Chrome OS
Android Tablet
BSD
iPad
Epic Games Store
Flathub
Electron / Atom Shell
FreeBSD
Playstation
Xbox
159 Discord alternatives
Discord is a versatile communication platform that supports text, voice, and video interactions, offering organized servers for topic-focused discussions, customizable moderation tools, and low latency technology for smooth conversation and content sharing.
Suggest and vote on features
Discord Features
1. VoiP CallsDiscord allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
2. Ad-freeDiscord doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. Screen SharingYou can use Discord to share your screen with your colleages or friends.
4. Text to SpeechDiscord allows you to transform written text into spoken text.
5. Dark ModeDiscord supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
6. Two-factor AuthenticationDiscord supports two-factor authentication (2FA).
7. Multiple Account supportDiscord support multiple accounts without the need to logout and login
8. No Coding RequiredDiscord can be used without an coding or programming skills.
9. Desktop SharingDiscord enables you to share your screen with other people in the same office or working remotely.
Multi Channel
Text chat
Bots
Chat Bot
Voice Chat
Multiple Servers
Push to talk
Public groups chat
Stickers
Custom Smileys
Comments about Discord as a Alternative to Skype
Almost everyone thinks Discord is a great Skype alternative.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
Guest
Better design, better quality, not by Microsoft
Top positive comment •
7

Guest
At least Discord allows us to choose our username.
Top positive comment •
17

SodBom
Worse design, worse quality, unstable, developers are lazy. Despite not being owned by Microsoft, they sure want to be. Discord is a bigger privacy nightmare than Skype.
Top negative comment •
0

TheEmperorArt
Both 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.
Comment •
0

Guest
Crashes everytime, full of errors and bugs, serious problems related to security and privacy, bad moderation, and many other reasons.
Negative comment •
-5

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Element
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
Group Chat App
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Self-Hosted
Matrix.org
Flathub
F-Droid
Cloudron
276 Element alternatives
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 is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to Skype.
Suggest and vote on features
Element Features
1. DecentralizedElement is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
2. End-to-End EncryptionElement has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
3. Privacy focusedElement is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
4. VoiP CallsElement allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
5. Dark ModeElement supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
6. Support for MarkDownElement supports MarkDown for document formatting.
7. File VersioningElement has a version system that lets you view and go back to older versions of the project/file/document.
8. No TrackingElement will not track you or use your personal data.
9. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Element simultaneously.
Federated
Matrix Protocol
Voice Chat
Federation
Direct Messaging
Custom widgets
Simple installation
Clean design
Multiple languages
Per-room avatars
Comments about Element as a Alternative to Skype
Almost everyone thinks Element is a great Skype alternative.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
Guest
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.
Top positive comment •
5

Guest
FOSS, free, open source, own nodes etc.
Top positive comment •
1

TheEmperorArt
Discord is like Skype but better. Element is like Discord but better.
Positive comment •
0

Guest
Cross platform in terms of Apps and equally good using a browser.
Positive comment •
1

Alexey Korepov
Free, opensource and encrypted, with federation support and can be hosted on your servers.
Positive comment •
3

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Tox
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Group Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
Android Tablet
BSD
F-Droid
193 Tox alternatives
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.
Suggest and vote on features
Tox Features
1. DecentralizedTox is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
2. Privacy focusedTox is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. End-to-End EncryptionTox has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
4. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Tox without registration.
5. No TrackingTox will not track you or use your personal data.
6. AES-256 EncryptionTox has AES-256 Encryption, i.e. very strong security.
7. Screen SharingYou can use Tox to share your screen with your colleages or friends.
8. LightweightTox consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
9. Dark ModeTox supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
Peer-To-Peer
Security focused
Multiplatform
P2P Network
Built-in player
GPLv3
Client side encryption
White-labeled
Point-to-point encryption
VoiP Calls
Comments about Tox as a Alternative to Skype
Most users think Tox is a great Skype alternative.
beatrupp
It is completely decentralized, open source, you can freely choose your client (from terminal, over Windows, to iOS)
Top positive comment •
12

bumba
Decentralized, Secure, Open-source, fast to setup, no ads.
Top positive comment •
12

Guest
free for most of the feature. But no group chat yet, and difficult to sync between multiple devices.
Positive comment •
5

Guest
You cannot setup your microphone properly on any of the major clients. Useless
Negative comment •
-21

Guest
you cannot down load this program
Negative comment •
-14
Slack
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Group Chat App
Instant Messenger
Team Collaboration Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
Chrome OS
Android Tablet
iPad
Electron / Atom Shell
Software as a Service (SaaS)
213 Slack alternatives
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 is the most popular SaaS alternative to Skype.
Suggest and vote on features
Slack Features
1. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsSlack can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
2. Support for @mentionsSlack supports the use of mentions through @ to a particular user, who will be notified personally.
3. IFTTT IntegrationYou can connect different services to automatically trigger actions within Slack using IFTTT.
4. VoiP CallsSlack allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
5. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Slack simultaneously.
Multi Channel
Threaded Conversations
HIPAA compliant
Channels
Out Of The Box
Team work
Electron based
App integration
Live Push Notifications
Onboarding
Comments about Slack as a Alternative to Skype
Most users think Slack is a great Skype alternative.
Ola Johansson
With the new VOIP it has replaced Skype in our office.
Positive comment •
6

TNovak
Prefer it to Skype in a Commercial environment
Positive comment •
2

georgecoem
Both great for separate purposes
Positive comment •
0
Jami
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Video Calling App
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
148 Jami alternatives
Jami (formerly GNU Ring, SFLphone) positions itself as a potential free Skype replacement
Suggest and vote on features
Jami Features
1. DecentralizedJami is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
2. Privacy focusedJami is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. Ad-freeJami doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. End-to-End EncryptionJami has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
5. Screen SharingYou can use Jami to share your screen with your colleages or friends.
6. No TrackingJami will not track you or use your personal data.
Video Conferencing
Peer-To-Peer
Multi Platform
Distributed
SIP client
Multiple languages
Team Messaging
SIP
Voice Chat
Intercom Support
Comments about Jami as a Alternative to Skype
Almost everyone thinks Jami is a great Skype alternative.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
Guest
Very good alternative to Skype, WhatsApp and other mainstream chat software. Decentralised, free and open source!
Top positive comment •
1

Guest
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).
Top positive comment •
3

LucaFinizio
Very fast and open source
Positive comment •
0

Guest
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.
Positive comment •
4

Guest
Fast, very secure and Open Source.
Positive comment •
5

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