Skype Alternatives: 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 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
- Chrome OS
- Android Tablet
- BSD
- Windows Phone
- iPad
- Android Wear
- PortableApps.com
Discord
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Freemium • Proprietary
- Group Chat App
- Video Calling App
- Instant Messenger
155 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 opinions
At least Discord allows us to choose our username.
17Better call quality, better group management, better design.
12Discord is more like a chat version of Reddit, it's intended for large crowds
-3TheEmperorArtBoth 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.
0Crashes everytime, full of errors and bugs, serious problems related to security and privacy, bad moderation, and many other reasons.
-5Telegram
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Freemium • Proprietary
- Encrypted Chat App
- Instant Messenger
- Group Chat App
261 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 opinions
alternative1234Most communication on Telegram is not encrypted. Still a good platform, but it's not secure by default.
0Allready telegram have video calls
5Skype needs ID for login while all these need network numbers
16joprime87Use it day by day. Stable, has good connection, high-quality chat features. And good enough to use for video calls.
0Telegram does not provide video calling.
-8Signal
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Free • Open Source
- Encrypted Chat App
- Instant Messenger
- Group Chat App
204 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 opinions
sedetithis is like skype without the data log
2End-to-end encryption and servers do not log data.
11Strong encryption, high quality sound. Uses both WiFi and Mobile Data to grant the best possible quality. Recommended by Edward Snowden. Enjoy!
2Free as in free beer, and fully open source !
9patrykmilhouseSecure, encrypted, not owned by Microsoft or Facebook, keeps your data safe.
9Tox
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Free • Open Source
- Encrypted Chat App
- Instant Messenger
- Group Chat App
181 alternatives to Tox- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- Android Tablet
- BSD
- F-Droid
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 opinions
beatruppIt is completely decentralized, open source, you can freely choose your client (from terminal, over Windows, to iOS)
12bumbaDecentralized, Secure, Open-source, fast to setup, no ads.
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
-21you cannot down load this program
-13Element
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Freemium • Open Source
- Group Chat App
- Instant Messenger
- Encrypted Chat App
266 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 opinions
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.
7FOSS, free, open source, own nodes etc.
1TheEmperorArtDiscord is like Skype but better. Element is like Discord but better.
0Cross platform in terms of Apps and equally good using a browser.
1It'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.
5Wire
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Free Personal • Open Source
- Group Chat App
- Video Calling App
- Instant Messenger
258 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 opinions
svenjostGroup audio calls with screen sharing functionality, open source, nice UI.
10Great security, open source, video calls, responsive developers.
9Wire 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
0someonelastIt's open source, cross-platform, and free!
-3Slack
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Freemium • Proprietary
- Group Chat App
- Team Collaboration Tool
- Video Calling App
207 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 opinions
OlaWith the new VOIP it has replaced Skype in our office.
6TNovakPrefer it to Skype in a Commercial environment
2georgecoemBoth great for separate purposes
0Jami
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Free • Open Source
- Video Calling App
- Instant Messenger
- Encrypted Chat App
143 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 opinions
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.
4Fast, very secure and Open Source.
5LucaFinizioVery fast and open source
0Very good alternative to Skype, WhatsApp and other mainstream chat software. Decentralised, free and open source!
1Jami 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).
3Jitsi Meet
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Free • Open Source
- Video Calling App
- Group Chat App
- Encrypted Chat App
127 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 opinions
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.
6Fast, secure and Open Source.
0Skype for free, with better quality and more secure.
1Linphone
Do you think this is a good alternative?YesNo- Free • Open Source
- Instant Messenger
- Encrypted Chat App
- Group Chat App
79 alternatives to Linphone- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Xfce
Linphone is one of the most famous open source softphones in the world. It is fully SIP-based, for all calling, presence and IM features.
Linphone Features
Linphone vs Skype opinions
Allows voice, video and text converstaions
4