The Best Open Source Skype AlternativesTop Group Chat Apps & Instant Messengers like Skype

The best open source alternative to Skype is Signal. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Skype and loads of them is open source so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to Skype are Element, Tox, Jami and Matrix.org.

Skype alternatives are mainly Video Calling Apps but may also be Group Chat Apps or Instant Messengers. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Skype.

Skype

2574

Freemium • Proprietary
Group Chat App

Skype is the most popular free voice-over IP and instant messaging service globally. It allows users to text, video and...

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Signal
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Group Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
iPad
Flathub
Ubuntu
Debian
209 Signal alternatives
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 is the most popular Windows, Android, Mac & iPhone alternative to Skype.
- - Signal is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Skype.
Suggest and vote on features
Signal Features
1. End-to-End EncryptionSignal has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
2. Privacy focusedSignal is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. Ad-freeSignal doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. Self Destructing MessagesSignal supports the use of private messages that will be auto deleted according to a specified time or action.
5. No TrackingSignal will not track you or use your personal data.
6. Dark ModeSignal supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
7. VoiP CallsSignal allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
8. LightweightSignal consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
9. Works OfflineSignal can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
Security focused
Private messaging
Encrypted Connection
Mobile friendly
GPLv3
Secure Chat
Stickers
Desktop Application
Based on phone number
Protected by Password
Comments about Signal as a Alternative to Skype
Most users think Signal is a great Skype alternative.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
sedeti
this is like skype without the data log
Top positive comment •
2

Guest
Free as in free beer, and fully open source !
Top positive comment •
9

Guest
Strong encryption, high quality sound. Uses both WiFi and Mobile Data to grant the best possible quality. Recommended by Edward Snowden. Enjoy!
Positive comment •
2

patrykmilhouse
Secure, encrypted, not owned by Microsoft or Facebook, keeps your data safe.
Positive comment •
9

Guest
End-to-end encryption and servers do not log data.
Positive comment •
11

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5 of 6 comments
Element
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
Group Chat App
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Self-Hosted
Matrix.org
Flathub
F-Droid
Cloudron
275 Element alternatives
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 is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to Skype.
Suggest and vote on features
Element Features
1. DecentralizedElement is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
2. End-to-End EncryptionElement has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
3. Privacy focusedElement is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
4. VoiP CallsElement allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
5. Dark ModeElement supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
6. Support for MarkDownElement supports MarkDown for document formatting.
7. File VersioningElement has a version system that lets you view and go back to older versions of the project/file/document.
8. No TrackingElement will not track you or use your personal data.
9. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Element simultaneously.
Federated
Matrix Protocol
Voice Chat
Federation
Direct Messaging
Custom widgets
Simple installation
Clean design
Multiple languages
Per-room avatars
Comments about Element as a Alternative to Skype
Almost everyone thinks Element is a great Skype alternative.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
Guest
It'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.
Top positive comment •
5

Guest
FOSS, free, open source, own nodes etc.
Top positive comment •
1

TheEmperorArt
Discord is like Skype but better. Element is like Discord but better.
Positive comment •
0

Guest
Cross platform in terms of Apps and equally good using a browser.
Positive comment •
1

Alexey Korepov
Free, opensource and encrypted, with federation support and can be hosted on your servers.
Positive comment •
3

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5 of 6 comments
Tox
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Group Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
Android Tablet
BSD
F-Droid
193 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.
Suggest and vote on features
Tox Features
1. DecentralizedTox is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
2. Privacy focusedTox is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. End-to-End EncryptionTox has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
4. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Tox without registration.
5. No TrackingTox will not track you or use your personal data.
6. AES-256 EncryptionTox has AES-256 Encryption, i.e. very strong security.
7. Screen SharingYou can use Tox to share your screen with your colleages or friends.
8. LightweightTox consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
9. Dark ModeTox supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
Peer-To-Peer
Security focused
Multiplatform
P2P Network
Built-in player
GPLv3
Client side encryption
White-labeled
Point-to-point encryption
VoiP Calls
Comments about Tox as a Alternative to Skype
Most users think Tox is a great Skype alternative.
beatrupp
It is completely decentralized, open source, you can freely choose your client (from terminal, over Windows, to iOS)
Top positive comment •
12

bumba
Decentralized, Secure, Open-source, fast to setup, no ads.
Top positive comment •
12

Guest
free for most of the feature. But no group chat yet, and difficult to sync between multiple devices.
Positive comment •
5

Guest
You cannot setup your microphone properly on any of the major clients. Useless
Negative comment •
-21

Guest
you cannot down load this program
Negative comment •
-14
Jami
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Video Calling App
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
147 Jami alternatives
Jami (formerly GNU Ring, SFLphone) positions itself as a potential free Skype replacement
Suggest and vote on features
Jami Features
1. DecentralizedJami is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
2. Privacy focusedJami is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. Ad-freeJami doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. End-to-End EncryptionJami has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
5. Screen SharingYou can use Jami to share your screen with your colleages or friends.
6. No TrackingJami will not track you or use your personal data.
Video Conferencing
Peer-To-Peer
Multi Platform
Distributed
SIP client
Multiple languages
Team Messaging
SIP
Voice Chat
Intercom Support
Comments about Jami as a Alternative to Skype
Almost everyone thinks Jami is a great Skype alternative.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
Guest
Very good alternative to Skype, WhatsApp and other mainstream chat software. Decentralised, free and open source!
Top positive comment •
1

Guest
Jami 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).
Top positive comment •
3

LucaFinizio
Very fast and open source
Positive comment •
0

Guest
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.
Positive comment •
4

Guest
Fast, very secure and Open Source.
Positive comment •
5

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5 of 7 comments
Matrix.org
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Group Chat App
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Self-Hosted
WebRTC
Python
JavaScript
Go (Programming Language)
Cloudron
Java
Perl
138 Matrix.org alternatives
Matrix defines a set of open APIs for decentralised communication, suitable for securely publishing, persisting and subscribing to data over a global open federation of servers with no single point of control.
Suggest and vote on features
Matrix.org Features
1. DecentralizedMatrix.org is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
2. End-to-End EncryptionMatrix.org has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
3. Privacy focusedMatrix.org is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
4. VoiP CallsMatrix.org allows you to make voice calls over Internet using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
5. Multiple Account supportMatrix.org support multiple accounts without the need to logout and login
6. Ad-freeMatrix.org doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
7. No TrackingMatrix.org will not track you or use your personal data.
8. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Matrix.org simultaneously.
Federation
Distributed
Security focused
Spaces
Chat Bot
Voice Chat
Support for Multiple protocols
Server side history
WebRTC
Comments about Matrix.org as a Alternative to Skype
Most users think Matrix.org is a great Skype alternative.
Alexey Korepov
Feature-full modern free opensource instant messaging server with federation.
Positive comment •
3
Mumble
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Group Chat App
Encrypted Chat App
Mac
Windows
Linux
iPhone
BSD
iPad
Self-Hosted
PortableApps.com
47 Mumble alternatives
Mumble was the first and is the most successful and wide spread free and open source software for VoIP. It was the first VoIP software to provide low-latency audio suitable for gaming, and at the same time was a pioneer in high audio quality.
Suggest and vote on features
Mumble Features
1. LightweightMumble consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Ad-freeMumble doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. PortableMumble can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Voice Chat
Group Voice Chat
In-Game Overlay
Self-Hostable decentralized P2P network
FOSS
Cross-Platform
3D voice
Dedicated Server Hosting
Positional audio
Low Latency
Comments about Mumble as a Alternative to Skype
Most users think Mumble is a great Skype alternative.
Guest
Completely open source, very high quality
Top positive comment •
4

Guest
Communication more lightweight due to new opus codec when communicating
Top positive comment •
4

Guest
Mumble requires a server to run
Top negative comment •
3

Guest
Lightweight high quality audio chat. Self-hosted and encrypted, so your communications are private.
Positive comment •
1

Guest
Mumble requires a server. Skype is end-to-end
Negative comment •
-22
Jitsi Meet
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Video Calling App
Group Chat App
Instant Messenger
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Self-Hosted
Apple Watch
F-Droid
129 Jitsi Meet alternatives
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.
Suggest and vote on features
Jitsi Meet Features
1. End-to-End EncryptionJitsi Meet has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
2. Screen SharingYou can use Jitsi Meet to share your screen with your colleages or friends.
3. Ad-freeJitsi Meet doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. No TrackingJitsi Meet will not track you or use your personal data.
5. Privacy focusedJitsi Meet is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
6. LightweightJitsi Meet consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Browser-based
Video Conferencing
Stream audio
Security focused
Remote Work
Unlimited users
WebRTC
Live Broadcasting
Audio Calling
Voice Chat
Comments about Jitsi Meet as a Alternative to Skype
Almost everyone thinks Jitsi Meet is a great Skype alternative.
Guest
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.
Positive comment •
6

Guest
Skype for free, with better quality and more secure.
Positive comment •
1

Guest
Fast, secure and Open Source.
Positive comment •
0