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.

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Skype alternatives page was last updated May 5, 2025
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  1. Discord icon
     1079 likes
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    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.

    188 Discord alternatives

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Epic Games Store
    • Flathub
    • Electron
    • Playstation
    • Xbox

    Properties

    1.  Gaming-focused

    Features

    1.  Screen Sharing
    2.  VoiP Calls
    3.  Video Calling
    4.  Multi Channel
    5.  Text chat
    6.  Bots
    7.  Voice Chat
    8.  Multiple Servers
    9.  Push to talk
    10.  Public groups chat
    11.  Custom Smileys
    12.  Text to Speech

    Discord VS Skype

     
    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 Comment
    Guest
    Aug 23, 2017
    17

    At least Discord allows us to choose our username.

    Top Negative Comment
    SodBom
    Jul 16, 2023
    -1

    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.

    Most Recent Comment
    TheEmperorArt
    Oct 12, 2022
    0

    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.

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    3 of 32 comments
    Skype Icon
    Discord icon
    • Almost everyone thinks Discord is a great Skype alternative.

    • Discord is the most popular Web-based, Windows, Android & Mac alternative to Skype.

    • Discord is the most popular free alternative to Skype.

    • Discord is Freemium and ProprietarySkype is also Freemium and Proprietary
  2. Signal icon
     1287 likes
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    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.

    222 Signal alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Flathub
    • Ubuntu
    • Debian

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Security-focused
    3.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  End-to-End Encryption
    2.  Encrypted Chat
    3.  Ad-free
    4.  Video Calling
    5.  Self Destructing Messages
    6.  Private messaging
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  Encrypted Connection
    9.  Mobile friendly
    10.  Dark Mode
    11.  Desktop Application
    12.  Secure Chat

    Signal VS Skype

     
    Comments about Signal as an Alternative to Skype
    Top Positive Comment
    patrykmilhouse
    Oct 27, 2017
    10

    Secure, encrypted, not owned by Microsoft or Facebook, keeps your data safe.

    Top Negative Comment
    bchpls
    Jun 8, 2024
    -1

    Signal 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 Comment
    matmarspace
    Positive Mar 2, 2025
    0

    Great private end to end encrypted messenger!

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    3 of 8 comments
    Skype Icon
    Signal icon
    • Most users think Signal is a great Skype alternative.

    • Signal is the most popular Open Source alternative to Skype.

    • Signal is Free and Open SourceSkype is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Signal is Privacy focused and Security-focusedSkype is not according to our users
  3. Tox icon
     550 likes
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    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.

    214 Tox alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • F-Droid

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Security-focused
    3.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Encrypted Chat
    2.  Decentralized
    3.  Peer-To-Peer
    4.  End-to-End Encryption
    5.  Multiplatform
    6.  No registration required
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  AES-256 Encryption
    9.  Screen Sharing
    10.  P2P Network
    11.  Secure Chat
    12.  Anonymous Secure Filesharing

    Tox VS Skype

     
    Comments about Tox as an Alternative to Skype
    Top Positive Comment
    beatrupp
    Mar 17, 2017
    12

    It is completely decentralized, open source, you can freely choose your client (from terminal, over Windows, to iOS)

    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Positive Jun 13, 2018
    5

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

    Guest
    Negative Aug 17, 2017
    -21

    You cannot setup your microphone properly on any of the major clients. Useless

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    3 of 5 comments
    Skype Icon
    Tox icon
    • Most users think Tox is a great Skype alternative.

    • Tox is Free and Open SourceSkype is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Tox is Decentralized, Privacy focused, Security-focused and LightweightSkype is not according to our users
  4. Telegram icon
     2053 likes
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    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.

    297 Telegram alternatives

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    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

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused
    3.  Security-focused

    Features

    1.  Encrypted Chat
    2.  Stickers
    3.  Chat Bot
    4.  Large File Transfer
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  End-to-End Encryption
    7.  Video Calling
    8.  Multi Device Support
    9.  Channels
    10.  Dark Mode
    11.  Bots
    12.  Secret chats

    Telegram VS 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.
    Top Positive Comment
    liqube
    Aug 9, 2017
    4

    Super fast, stable, lightweight. Everything Skype is not.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    Sep 19, 2017
    18

    Skype needs ID for login while all these need network numbers

    Most Recent Comment
    matmarspace
    Negative Mar 2, 2025
    1

    It's encryption is an unfunny joke

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    3 of 16 comments
    Skype Icon
    Telegram icon
    • Most users think Telegram is a great Skype alternative.

    • Telegram is Freemium and ProprietarySkype is also Freemium and Proprietary
    • Telegram is Lightweight and Privacy focusedSkype is not according to our users
  5. Element icon
     726 likes
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    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.

    302 Element alternatives

    License model

    • Free PersonalOpen Source

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Matrix.org
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Cloudron

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Clean design

    Features

    1.  End-to-End Encryption
    2.  Decentralized
    3.  Federated
    4.  Team Collaboration
    5.  Encrypted Chat
    6.  Video Calling
    7.  Matrix Protocol
    8.  Voice Chat
    9.  Direct Messaging
    10.  Federation
    11.  Cross-Platform
    12.  Dark Mode

    Element VS Skype

     
    Comments about Element as an Alternative to Skype
    Top Positive Comment
    TheEmperorArt
    Oct 12, 2022
    4

    Discord is like Skype but better. Element is like Discord but better.

    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Positive Jul 19, 2020
    5

    FOSS, free, open source, own nodes etc.

    Guest
    Positive Mar 26, 2020
    3

    Cross platform in terms of Apps and equally good using a browser.

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    3 of 6 comments
    Skype Icon
    Element icon
    • Almost everyone thinks Element is a great Skype alternative.

    • Element is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to Skype.

    • Element is Free Personal and Open SourceSkype is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Element is Decentralized and Privacy focusedSkype is not according to our users
  6. Wire icon
     309 likes
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    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.

    281 Wire alternatives

    License model

    • Free PersonalOpen Source

    Country of Origin

    • CH flagSwitzerland

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)

    Properties

    1.  Security-focused
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  End-to-End Encryption
    2.  Video Calling
    3.  Encrypted Chat
    4.  VoiP Calls
    5.  Encrypted calls
    6.  Screen Sharing
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Secure File Sharing
    9.  Multiple Account support
    10.  WebRTC
    11.  Private Chat
    12.  File Sending

    Wire VS Skype

     
    Comments about Wire as an Alternative to Skype
    Top Positive Comment
    svenjost
    Oct 11, 2016
    12

    Group audio calls with screen sharing functionality, open source, nice UI.

    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Positive Sep 26, 2019
    1

    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.

    Guest
    Positive Apr 25, 2019
    0

    Truly secure and feature reach

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    3 of 9 comments
    Skype Icon
    Wire icon
    • Almost everyone thinks Wire is a great Skype alternative.

    • Wire is the most popular SaaS alternative to Skype.

    • Wire is Free Personal and Open SourceSkype is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Wire is Security-focused and Privacy focusedSkype is not according to our users
  7. Slack icon
     854 likes
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    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.

    222 Slack alternatives

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Electron
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)

    Top Slack Features

    1.  Team Collaboration
    2.  Multi Channel
    3.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    4.  Support for @mentions
    5.  Channels
    6.  Threaded Conversations
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  HIPAA Compliant
    9.  Reactions
    10.  Real time collaboration
    11. IFTTT icon  IFTTT Integration
    12.  VoiP Calls

    Slack VS Skype

     
    Comments about Slack as an Alternative to Skype
    Most Recent Comment
    Ola Johansson
    Positive Sep 28, 2016
    6

    With the new VOIP it has replaced Skype in our office.

    TNovak
    Positive Jan 24, 2017
    2

    Prefer it to Skype in a Commercial environment

    georgecoem
    Positive Aug 3, 2016
    0

    Both great for separate purposes

    Skype Icon
    Slack icon
    • Most users think Slack is a great Skype alternative.

    • Slack is Freemium and ProprietarySkype is also Freemium and Proprietary
7 of 130 Skype alternatives