Skype AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Video Calling Apps
The best Video Calling alternative to Skype is Discord, which is free. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Skype and loads of them are Video Calling Apps so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Video Calling App alternatives to Skype are Signal, Tox, Telegram and Element.
- Video Calling App
- Freemium • Proprietary
- 188 Discord alternatives
An 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
Country of Origin
United States
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Snapcraft
- Epic Games Store
- Flathub
- Electron
- Playstation
- Xbox
Comments about Discord as an Alternative to Skype
Comment summary: Discord is often praised for being more stable, offering better design, voice quality, and fewer bugs than Skype. Users appreciate its lack of ads, better group management, and gaming features. However, some comment on its privacy issues and compare its capabilities to Reddit more than a direct replacement for Skype. Negative remarks about Skype highlight its instability and ad presence. Yet, some users express concerns about Discord's privacy and design.Top Positive CommentTop Negative CommentSodBomWorse 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.
Most Recent CommentTheEmperorArtBoth 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.
- 222 Signal alternatives
An open-source messaging app emphasizing privacy with encrypted communication. Share texts, calls, photos, and videos without ads or trackers, available across major platforms. Developed by Signal Technology Foundation and praised globally for security measures.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Country of Origin
United States
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- iPhone
- iPad
- Flathub
- Ubuntu
- Debian
Comments about Signal as an Alternative to Skype
Top Positive CommentpatrykmilhouseSecure, encrypted, not owned by Microsoft or Facebook, keeps your data safe.
Top Negative CommentbchplsSignal 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!
Most Recent CommentmatmarspaceGreat private end to end encrypted messenger!
- 214 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.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Country of Origin
United States
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- Android Tablet
- BSD
- F-Droid
Comments about Tox as an Alternative to Skype
Top Positive CommentbeatruppIt is completely decentralized, open source, you can freely choose your client (from terminal, over Windows, to iOS)
Most Recent Commentfree 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
- 297 Telegram alternatives
Maximize your messaging experience with efficient communication, speedy delivery, and optional end-to-end encrypted Secret Chats. Engage in unlimited channels and groups up to 200,000 members. Enhance chat management and media sharing with Telegram Premium and its exclusive benefits. All core features remain free.
License model
- Freemium • Proprietary
Application types
Country of Origin
- International
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- HUAWEI AppGallery
- iPad
- Apple Watch
- Android Auto
- Linux Mobile
- Android Wear
- PortableApps.com
- FreeBSD
- Apple Car Play
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.Top Positive CommentliqubeSuper fast, stable, lightweight. Everything Skype is not.
Top Negative CommentSkype needs ID for login while all these need network numbers
Most Recent CommentmatmarspaceIt's encryption is an unfunny joke
- 302 Element alternatives
Provides secure collaboration with end-to-end encryption, supporting chat, voice, and video calls. Available on all major platforms, it enables digital sovereignty with a decentralized design and interoperability through bridges to systems like Slack and Teams. Includes enterprise-grade SaaS.
License model
- Free Personal • Open Source
Application types
Country of Origin
United Kingdom
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Self-Hosted
- Matrix.org
- Flathub
- F-Droid
- Cloudron
Comments about Element as an Alternative to Skype
Top Positive CommentTheEmperorArtDiscord is like Skype but better. Element is like Discord but better.
Most Recent CommentFOSS, free, open source, own nodes etc.
Cross platform in terms of Apps and equally good using a browser.
- 281 Wire alternatives
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.
License model
- Free Personal • Open Source
Application types
Country of Origin
Switzerland
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Self-Hosted
- F-Droid
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
Comments about Wire as an Alternative to Skype
Top Positive CommentsvenjostGroup audio calls with screen sharing functionality, open source, nice UI.
Most Recent CommentWire 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
- 222 Slack alternatives
Offers 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
Country of Origin
United States
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- iPhone
- Chrome OS
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Electron
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
Top Slack Features
Comments about Slack as an Alternative to Skype
Most Recent CommentOla JohanssonWith the new VOIP it has replaced Skype in our office.
TNovakPrefer it to Skype in a Commercial environment
georgecoemBoth great for separate purposes
At least Discord allows us to choose our username.