Skype AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Instant Messengers for Linux
There are many alternatives to Skype for Linux if you are looking for a replacement. The best Linux Instant Messenger alternative is Discord, which is free. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Skype and many of them are Instant Messengers available for Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Linux Instant Messenger alternatives to Skype are Signal, Tox, Telegram and Element.
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Skype alternatives are mainly Instant Messengers but may also be Video Calling Apps or Group Chat Apps. Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Skype.- Video Calling App
- Freemium • Proprietary
1049 likes180 Discord alternativesAn integrated platform for text and voice communications. Offers tailored channels for different topics, customizable moderation tools, low latency for fluency, and managed user roles for optimal community facilitation.
License model
- Freemium • Proprietary
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Snapcraft
- Epic Games Store
- Flathub
- Electron
- Playstation
- Xbox
Top Discord Features
Discord VS Skype
Is Discord a good alternative to Skype?
1213 likes220 Signal alternativesSignal 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.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- iPhone
- iPad
- Flathub
- Ubuntu
- Debian
Signal VS Skype
Is Signal a good alternative to Skype?Comments about Signal as an Alternative to Skype
sedetithis is like skype without the data log
3bchplsSignal is so privacy friendly that requires your phone number to register. A phone number which in many countries has to be registered with providing your ID. Private messenger my arse!
-1Strong encryption, high quality sound. Uses both WiFi and Mobile Data to grant the best possible quality. Recommended by Edward Snowden. Enjoy!
3
546 likes210 Tox alternativesWith 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.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- Android Tablet
- BSD
- F-Droid
Tox VS Skype
Is Tox a good alternative to Skype?Comments about Tox as an Alternative to Skype
beatruppIt is completely decentralized, open source, you can freely choose your client (from terminal, over Windows, to iOS)
12free for most of the feature. But no group chat yet, and difficult to sync between multiple devices.
5You cannot setup your microphone properly on any of the major clients. Useless
-21
2027 likes288 Telegram alternativesTelegram is a messaging app with a focus on speed and security. It’s superfast, simple, and free. It is like SMS, but more powerful.
License model
- Freemium • Proprietary
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- HUAWEI AppGallery
- Windows Phone
- iPad
- Apple Watch
- Linux Mobile
- Android Wear
- PortableApps.com
- FreeBSD
Telegram VS Skype
Is Telegram a good alternative to Skype?Comments about Telegram as an Alternative to Skype
Comment summary: Telegram offers many features like file sharing and instant messaging, and is appreciated for its speed and platform availability. However, users express concerns over its lack of default encryption and absence of a consistent video and voice calling capability, which makes it fundamentally different from Skype. Some positive feedback highlights its lightweight nature and freedom, but comparison with Skype often points out missing video call functions.liqubeSuper fast, stable, lightweight. Everything Skype is not.
4Skype needs ID for login while all these need network numbers
17alternative1234Most communication on Telegram is not encrypted. Still a good platform, but it's not secure by default.
0
692 likes293 Element alternativesElement 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.
License model
- Freemium • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Self-Hosted
- Matrix.org
- Flathub
- F-Droid
- Cloudron
Element VS Skype
Is Element a good alternative to Skype?Comments about Element as an Alternative to Skype
TheEmperorArtDiscord is like Skype but better. Element is like Discord but better.
3FOSS, free, open source, own nodes etc.
3Cross platform in terms of Apps and equally good using a browser.
2
303 likes282 Wire alternativesWire 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.
+2
License model
- Free Personal • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Self-Hosted
- F-Droid
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
Wire VS Skype
Is Wire a good alternative to Skype?Comments about Wire as an Alternative to Skype
svenjostGroup audio calls with screen sharing functionality, open source, nice UI.
12Wire 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.
1Truly secure and feature reach
0
851 likes213 Slack alternativesOffers unified communication for teams with advanced real-time messaging, contextual features, versatile chat tools, and organized conversations in dedicated channels with integrated file sharing on Mac, Windows, Linux, and mobile platforms for enhanced productivity.
License model
- Freemium • Proprietary
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- iPhone
- Chrome OS
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Electron
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
Top Slack Features
Slack VS Skype
Is Slack a good alternative to Skype?Comments about Slack as an Alternative to Skype
Ola JohanssonWith the new VOIP it has replaced Skype in our office.
6TNovakPrefer it to Skype in a Commercial environment
2georgecoemBoth great for separate purposes
0
Comments about Discord as an Alternative to Skype
At least Discord allows us to choose our username.
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.
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.