Skype Alternatives

Skype is described as 'Free global communication through video, voice, and instant messaging, plus competitive rates for mobile and landline calls. Available on multiple devices' and is a leading Video Calling app in the social & communications category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Skype for a variety of platforms, including Android, iPhone, Windows, iPad and Mac apps. The best Skype alternative is Discord, which is free. Other great apps like Skype are Signal, Tox, Telegram and Element.

filter to find the best alternatives

Skype alternatives are mainly Video Calling Apps, but if you're looking for Group Chat Apps or Instant Messengers you can filter on that. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Skype.
Skype iconSkype
  2578
  • ...

Free global communication through video, voice, and instant messaging, plus competitive rates for mobile and landline calls. Available on multiple devices.

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Skype alternatives page was last updated May 14, 2025
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  1. Jami icon

    Jami

     230 likes
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    Jami (formerly GNU Ring, SFLphone) positions itself as a potential free Skype replacement

    160 Jami alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • CA flagCanada

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Jami video conference OS X

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Decentralized
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  Video Conferencing
    4.  Peer-To-Peer
    5.  Video Calling
    6.  Multi Platform
    7.  Encrypted Chat
    8.  Distributed
    9.  End-to-End Encryption
    10.  SIP client
    11.  Screen Sharing
    12.  No Tracking

    Jami VS Skype

     
    Comments about Jami as an Alternative to Skype
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    Mar 23, 2025
    1

    Jami is feature-rich and works peer-to-peer (without a server) and is safe as the code is open-source.

    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Positive •Dec 8, 2024
    0

    Peer-to-peer, end-to-end encrypted, free and open-source, distributed architecture which is better than both centralized and decentralized, works on the widest variety of operating system (macOS, Linux, Windows, Android, Android TV, iPhone, iPad)

    Guest
    Positive •Jul 6, 2020
    1

    Very good alternative to Skype, WhatsApp and other mainstream chat software. Decentralised, free and open source!

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    3 of 8 comments
    Skype Icon
    Jami icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Jami is a great Skype alternative.

    • Jami is Free and Open SourceSkype is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Jami is Decentralized and Privacy focusedSkype is not according to our users
  2. Mumble icon

    Mumble

     470 likes
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    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.

    51 Mumble alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • iPhone
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • PortableApps.com
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    Mumble 1.2.3 Release Candidate – some users in different channels

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Voice Chat
    2.  Group Voice Chat
    3.  In-Game Overlay
    4.  Self-Hostable decentralized P2P network
    5.  Positional audio
    6.  Low Latency
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Portable
    9.  Dedicated Server Hosting
    10.  Cross-Platform
    11.  3D voice
    12.  Channel manager

    Mumble VS Skype

     
    Comments about Mumble as an Alternative to Skype
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    Nov 13, 2016
    4

    Completely open source, very high quality

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    Nov 19, 2015
    4

    Mumble requires a server to run

    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Positive •Feb 21, 2018
    1

    Lightweight high quality audio chat. Self-hosted and encrypted, so your communications are private.

    Show more comments
    3 of 5 comments
    Skype Icon
    Mumble icon

    • Most users think Mumble is a great Skype alternative.

    • Mumble is Free and Open SourceSkype is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Mumble is LightweightSkype is not according to our users
  4. Matrix icon

    Matrix

     359 likes
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    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.

    162 Matrix alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • WebRTC
    • Python
    • JavaScript
    • Go (Programming Language)
    • Cloudron
    • Java
    • Perl
    Main Page

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Security-focused
    3.  Lightweight
    4.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  Decentralized
    2.  End-to-End Encryption
    3.  Federation
    4.  Team Collaboration
    5.  Random Video Chat
    6.  Encrypted Chat
    7.  Voice Chat
    8.  No Tracking
    9.  Spaces
    10.  Ad-free
    11.  Dark Mode
    12.  Support for @mentions

    Matrix VS Skype

     
    Comments about Matrix as an Alternative to Skype
    Alexey Korepov
    Positive •Aug 21, 2017
    4

    Feature-full modern free opensource instant messaging server with federation.

    Skype Icon
    Matrix icon

    • Most users think Matrix is a great Skype alternative.

    • Matrix is Free and Open SourceSkype is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Matrix is Decentralized, Privacy focused and LightweightSkype is not according to our users
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Zoho Meeting icon
    Zoho Meeting

    A one-stop solution for online meeting and webinar needs which work on the browser without any downloads. Host audio/video conferencing and screen/application sharing across devices. Suitable for small, medium and large enterpris...

    https://www.zoho.com
    Learn More
  6. Jitsi Meet icon

    Jitsi Meet

     258 likes
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    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.

    148 Jitsi Meet alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Apple Watch
    • F-Droid
    Jitsi Meet screenshot 1

    Properties

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

    Features

    1.  Browser-based
    2.  Video Conferencing
    3.  End-to-End Encryption
    4.  Video Calling
    5.  Screen Sharing
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  Encrypted Chat
    8.  Remote Work
    9.  No Tracking
    10.  Stream audio
    11.  Unlimited users
    12.  WebRTC

    Jitsi Meet VS Skype

     
    Comments about Jitsi Meet as an Alternative to Skype
    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Positive •Nov 25, 2016
    6

    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.

    Guest
    Positive •Mar 12, 2020
    1

    Skype for free, with better quality and more secure.

    Guest
    Positive •Dec 20, 2017
    0

    Fast, secure and Open Source.

    Skype Icon
    Jitsi Meet icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Jitsi Meet is a great Skype alternative.

    • Jitsi Meet is Free and Open SourceSkype is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Jitsi Meet is Privacy focused and LightweightSkype is not according to our users
  7. Linphone icon

    Linphone

     140 likes
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    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.

    84 Linphone alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • FR flagFrance
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    iOS Assistant

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  SIP client
    2.  SIP
    3.  Softphone
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  VoiP Calls
    6.  Voice Chat
    7.  End-to-End Encryption
    8.  Multiple Account support
    9.  No Tracking
    10.  Audio Conferencing
    11.  Live Push Notifications
    12.  Support ZRTP

    Linphone VS Skype

     
    Comments about Linphone as an Alternative to Skype
    vladmihaisima
    Positive •May 14, 2025
    0

    It is able to do voip calls without headaches. Sound quality seems better than skype.

    Guest
    Positive •Jan 4, 2016
    4

    Allows voice, video and text converstaions

    Skype Icon
    Linphone icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Linphone is a great Skype alternative.

    • Linphone is Free and Open SourceSkype is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Linphone is Privacy focusedSkype is not according to our users
  8. Rakuten Viber icon

    Rakuten Viber

     335 likes
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    Free and secure calls and messages to anyone, anywhere.

    166 Rakuten Viber alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • JP flagJapan

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • Android Wear
    • Samsung Galaxy Store
    • Linux
    Rakuten Viber screenshot 1
    Rakuten Viber screenshot 2
    Rakuten Viber screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Desktop Sharing
    2.  Phone calls
    3.  VoiP Calls
    4.  Animated stickers
    5.  End-to-End Encryption
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  Support for @mentions
    8.  Cloud Sync
    9.  Voice Chat
    10.  Call Transfer
    11.  Secret chats
    12.  Hidden chat

    Rakuten Viber VS Skype

     
    Comments about Rakuten Viber as an Alternative to Skype
    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Positive •Feb 12, 2018
    3

    Nearly all features that Skype offers plus CALL TRANSFERS from one device to another.

    Robin Walker
    Positive •Jul 16, 2018
    0

    had no problems until now and really high security standards

    edlee
    Negative •Dec 20, 2016
    -2

    Viber is a poor clone of WhatsApp

    Skype Icon
    Rakuten Viber icon

    • Some users think Rakuten Viber is a great Skype alternative, some don't.

    • Rakuten Viber is Freemium and ProprietarySkype is also Freemium and Proprietary
    • Rakuten Viber is Privacy focusedSkype is not according to our users
  10. Mattermost icon

    Mattermost

     249 likes
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    Mattermost is a secure, open source platform for communication, collaboration, and workflow orchestration across tools and teams.

    127 Mattermost alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • JavaScript
    • Go (Programming Language)
    • Cloudron
    Mattermost screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Team Collaboration
    2.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    3.  Chat Bot
    4.  On-premises software
    5.  Multi Channel
    6.  Full-Text Search
    7.  Built-in viewer
    8.  Dark Mode
    9.  Real time collaboration
    10.  Support for @mentions
    11.  Support for MarkDown
    12.  End-to-End Encryption

    Mattermost VS Skype

     
    Comments about Mattermost as an Alternative to Skype
    MasteLrugarius
    Negative •Nov 7, 2016
    0

    Its oriented on enterprize

    Skype Icon
    Mattermost icon

    • Most users think Mattermost is a great Skype alternative.

    • Mattermost is Freemium and Open SourceSkype is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Mattermost is LightweightSkype is not according to our users
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