Skype AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Video Calling Apps for Linux

There are many alternatives to Skype for Linux if you are looking for a replacement. The best Linux Video Calling App 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 Video Calling Apps available for Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Linux Video Calling App 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.
Skype iconSkype
  2577
  • ...

Skype is the most popular free voice-over IP and instant messaging service globally. It allows users to text, video and voice call over the internet. Users can also call landlines and mobiles at competitive rates using...

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Skype alternatives page was last updated Jun 8, 2024
  1. Discord icon
     1049 likes

    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.

    180 Discord alternatives
    Discord screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Platforms

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

    Top Discord Features

    1.  Screen Sharing
    2.  VoiP Calls
    3.  Video Calling
    4.  Multi Channel
    5.  Text chat
    6.  Bots
    7.  Voice Chat
    8.  Instant Messaging
    9.  Multiple Servers
    10.  Push to talk
    11.  Text to Speech
    12.  Custom Smileys
    13.  Public groups chat
    14.  Stickers
    15.  Dark Mode
    16.  Graphical User Interface
    17.  Camera capturing
    18.  Noise Reduction
    19.  Reactions
    20.  Group Voice Chat
    21.  Direct Messaging
    22.  Share content
    Discord iconSkype Icon

    Discord VS Skype

    Is Discord a good alternative to 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.
    Guest

    At least Discord allows us to choose our username.

    Top positive commentAug 23, 2017
    18
    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 commentJul 16, 2023
    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.

    CommentOct 12, 2022
    0
    Show more comments
    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
     1213 likes

    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.

    220 Signal alternatives
    Signal screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

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

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Security-focused
    3.  Ad-free
    4.  No Tracking

    Features

    1.  End-to-End Encryption
    2.  Encrypted Chat
    3.  Video Calling
    4.  Instant Messaging
    5.  Self Destructing Messages
    6.  Private messaging
    7.  Encrypted Connection
    8.  Mobile friendly
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  Desktop Application
    11.  Secure Chat
    12.  Stickers
    13.  GPLv3
    14.  Based on phone number
    15.  Protected by Password
    16.  VoiP Calls
    17.  Client side encryption
    Signal iconSkype Icon

    Signal VS Skype

    Is Signal a good alternative to Skype?
     
    Comments about Signal as an Alternative to Skype
     
       
    sedeti

    this is like skype without the data log

    Top positive commentFeb 21, 2021
    3
    bchpls

    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!

    Top negative commentJun 8, 2024
    -1
    Guest

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

    Positive commentMar 25, 2020
    3
    Show more comments
    3 of 7 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
     546 likes

    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.

    210 Tox alternatives
    The Universal Tox Client. A Tox client that runs on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac OSX, Linux, FreeBSD & the web. Written in JS using React & React Native / electron.

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

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

    Properties

    1.  Decentralized
    2.  Privacy focused
    3.  Security-focused
    4.  No registration required
    5.  Lightweight
    6.  No Tracking

    Features

    1.  Encrypted Chat
    2.  Peer-To-Peer
    3.  End-to-End Encryption
    4.  Multiplatform
    5.  Screen Sharing
    6.  AES-256 Encryption
    7.  P2P Network
    8.  Client side encryption
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  White-labeled
    11.  Built-in player
    12.  GPLv3
    13.  VoiP Calls
    Tox iconSkype Icon

    Tox VS Skype

    Is Tox a good alternative to Skype?
     
    Comments about Tox as an Alternative to Skype
     
       
    beatrupp

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

    Top positive commentMar 17, 2017
    12
    Guest

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

    Positive commentJun 13, 2018
    5
    Guest

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

    Negative commentAug 17, 2017
    -21
    Show more comments
    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
     2027 likes

    Telegram is a messaging app with a focus on speed and security. It’s superfast, simple, and free. It is like SMS, but more powerful.

    288 Telegram alternatives
    Telegram Desktop

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • Windows Phone
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Linux Mobile
    • Android Wear
    • PortableApps.com
    • FreeBSD

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Encrypted Chat
    2.  Stickers
    3.  Chat Bot
    4.  Large File Transfer
    5.  Instant Messaging
    6.  End-to-End Encryption
    7.  Video Calling
    8.  Multi Device Support
    9.  Channels
    10.  Dark Mode
    11.  Bots
    12.  Secret chats
    13.  Animated stickers
    14.  Integrated File Sharing
    15.  Folders
    16.  Private Chat
    17.  Video Conferencing
    Telegram iconSkype Icon

    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.
    liqube

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

    Top positive commentAug 9, 2017
    4
    Guest

    Skype needs ID for login while all these need network numbers

    Top negative commentSep 19, 2017
    17
    alternative1234

    Most communication on Telegram is not encrypted. Still a good platform, but it's not secure by default.

    Positive commentJun 9, 2022
    0
    Show more comments
    3 of 15 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
     692 likes

    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.

    293 Element alternatives
    Video calls for desktop and mobile

    License model

    • FreemiumOpen Source

    Platforms

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

    Properties

    1.  Decentralized
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  End-to-End Encryption
    2.  Federated
    3.  Team Collaboration
    4.  Encrypted Chat
    5.  Video Calling
    6.  Instant Messaging
    7.  Matrix Protocol
    8.  Voice Chat
    9.  Direct Messaging
    10.  Federation
    11.  Simple installation
    12.  Cross-Platform
    13.  Dark Mode
    14.  Custom widgets
    15.  VoiP Calls
    Element iconSkype Icon

    Element VS Skype

    Is Element a good alternative to Skype?
     
    Comments about Element as an Alternative to Skype
     
       
    TheEmperorArt

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

    Top positive commentOct 12, 2022
    3
    Guest

    FOSS, free, open source, own nodes etc.

    Positive commentJul 19, 2020
    3
    Guest

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

    Positive commentMar 26, 2020
    2
    Show more comments
    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 Freemium and Open SourceSkype is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Element is Decentralized and Privacy focusedSkype is not according to our users
  6. Wire icon
     303 likes

    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.

    282 Wire alternatives
    Wire screenshot 1
    Wire screenshot 2
    +2
    Wire screenshot 3

    License model

    • Free PersonalOpen Source

    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.  Multiple Account support
    8.  WebRTC
    9.  Secure File Sharing
    10.  Voice Chat
    11.  Voice messages
    Wire iconSkype Icon

    Wire VS Skype

    Is Wire a good alternative to Skype?
     
    Comments about Wire as an Alternative to Skype
     
       
    svenjost

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

    Top positive commentOct 11, 2016
    12
    Guest

    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.

    Positive commentSep 26, 2019
    1
    Guest

    Truly secure and feature reach

    Positive commentApr 25, 2019
    0
    Show more comments
    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
     851 likes

    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.

    213 Slack alternatives
    Slack screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Platforms

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

    Properties

    1.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    2.  Ad-free

    Features

    1.  Team Collaboration
    2.  Multi Channel
    3.  Support for @mentions
    4.  Channels
    5.  Threaded Conversations
    6.  HIPAA compliant
    7.  Reactions
    8.  Real time collaboration
    9.  IFTTT Integration
    10.  VoiP Calls
    11.  Multiple teams
    12.  Direct file uploading
    13.  Channel manager
    14.  Multiple channels
    15.  Out Of The Box
    Slack iconSkype Icon

    Slack VS Skype

    Is Slack a good alternative to Skype?
     
    Comments about Slack as an Alternative to Skype
     
    Ola Johansson

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

    Positive commentSep 28, 2016
    6
    TNovak

    Prefer it to Skype in a Commercial environment

    Positive commentJan 24, 2017
    2
    georgecoem

    Both great for separate purposes

    Positive commentAug 3, 2016
    0
    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 40 Skype alternatives