The Skype was one of the first apps to provide VoIP calls in 2012, and for many years, it was the app to beat. However, the service is no longer the same following Microsoft’s acquisition of Skype and subsequent integration to the Microsoft 365 package. It still works, and there is a sizable free tier, but the entire signup procedure has grown complicated. And, with the company concentrating its efforts on Microsoft Teams, Skype no longer receives the attention it deserves. If you, too, are dissatisfied with Skype and seeking Skype alternatives, you have arrived at the correct spot. We’re going to discuss the best Skype alternatives for VoIP, video calls, and video conferencing in this post.
12 Best Skype Alternatives – Apps like Skype
Some apps like Skype or Skype alternatives are ideal for personal usage and can help you stay connected with friends and family. At the same time, others are business-oriented and enable you to conduct video conferences and webinars.
1. Google Meet
Google Meet is Google’s attempt to compete with Skype, Zoom, and other online meeting options. Initially only available to G Suite clients, Google has now made the service open to all users. The app has gained traction in the past few days, surpassing 50 million downloads on the Google Play Store. The best thing about Google Meet is its integration with Gmail’s web app, which integrates you to initiate a meeting right from there. Google Meet is also quite simple to set up and manage. You establish a meeting and invite other users to join using the URL you share. You may host up to 250 individuals, which is far more than the majority of teams require.
Google is also working on additional features, like the much-requested background blur. Other Google Meet features include the ability to organize meetings, end-to-end encryption, and screen sharing. Additionally, there is a broadcast option that enables users to simultaneously broadcast meetings to 100,000 people. This is an excellent tool for businesses that want to ensure that all employees may view the meeting. Only one limitation applies: each participant must have a Google account. Additionally, free sessions are limited to 60 minutes. Finally, Google has developed a simple-to-use yet effective alternative to Skype that you should give a try.
2. Microsoft Teams
Microsoft is promoting its Teams app via Skype, so it makes sense to give it a try before considering other options. Additionally, it makes more sense if your company uses Microsoft Office apps, as the integration here is considerably more sophisticated. For example, Microsoft Teams enables you to make video calls, host online meetings, view Office 365 documents, and collaborate in real-time. Additionally, membership includes 1TB of OneDrive storage for storing and sharing files.
Additionally, it has collaboration features that enable real-time collaboration on Office documents. To add a bit of fun, you may use emojis, GIFs, and animated stickers. One of the features I love most about Teams is the thing to rapidly change a group chat to a conference call. Also, You can host up to 10,000 people in a conference depending on your package, so bandwidth is not an issue here. If your team works with Microsoft Office apps, this is the best Skype alternative to use.
3. Jitsi Meet
We’ve picked an open-source app as the next Skype alternative on this list since it’s completely free to use. The best thing about Jitsi Meet is that you do not need to install any app. Simply navigate to its website and click the “Go” button. The service has a chat function, the ability to record and upload sessions to Dropbox, and the ability to delete disruptive members. I love that Jitsi lets me set a password that restricts access to the meeting to those I invite.
Additionally, the service offers mobile apps for Android and iOS platforms, allowing you to join the meeting on the move. Additionally, it integrates well with Slack. Therefore, if your team communicates using Slack, Jitsi Meet is the ideal solution for you. It supports up to 75 people in a group call. However, for optimal effectiveness, maintain a member involvement rate of less than 40%. If you’re searching for a completely free and simple-to-use video conferencing service, check out Jitsi Meet.
4. Zoom
If there is one company that has benefited the most from Skype’s demise, it is Zoom. It has established itself as the go-to service for every professional team or business in need of video conferencing software. Zoom is one of the best real-time video conferencing apps like Skype available. Among the key features is support for up to 500 people on a single conference call, a virtual background, peaceful share, integration with third-party apps, and local recording. I particularly love the audio transcription tool, which generates a transcript of meetings automatically.
Why I love Zoom is because it is simple to set up and use and is available on all devices. You may access it via mobile, browser, or desktop apps. The free version is rather generous and sufficient for the majority of small enterprises. With the free version, you may make a conference call for up to 100 people, with a maximum call duration of 40 minutes. The Zoom should be your first port of call if you’re looking for a Skype alternative for conducting online meetings and conferences.
5. Google Duo
Google’s chat apps have always been a colossal failure. So Google attempted to overhaul its messaging platform in 2016 by introducing two distinct apps: Google Allo and Google Duo. The former was mostly used for text messaging, while the latter included video and voice calling features. And while Google Allo was discontinued in 2018, Google Duo quickly established itself as one of the best personal video calling services. Since its inception, I’ve been a fan of Google Duo and believe it to be one of the best apps like Skype for making VoIP and video calls.
Google Duo’s video calling quality is unmatched, and its connection is the most consistent of any app I’ve used. Unlike WhatsApp, Google Duo enables up to 12 people in a group call and even works as a fully functional online app. Additionally, the app is compatible with iOS devices, so you’re not out of luck if you’re sporting the newest iPhone 13 Pro Max. Additionally, Google Duo has a slew of unique features, like low-light calling, the Knock Knock function, video messaging capability, and end-to-end encryption.
6. WhatsApp
WhatsApp is the undisputed king of third-party messaging apps, with over 1.5 billion monthly active users. Since the service launched its group video calling function in 2018, it has grown to become one of the best apps like Skype for staying connected with friends and family. As a long-time WhatsApp user, I can attest that WhatsApp’s voice and video calling features are unmatched. WhatsApp enables up to four simultaneous connections for group video calls.
While this is not an awful score, it does feel a little low in some scenarios. Additionally, when all four slots are filled, the video call’s quality degrades significantly. Nonetheless, given the widespread usage of WhatsApp and the fact that its VoIP calling features operate even on poor networks, it is one of the best Skype alternatives for personal use.
7. FaceTime
If you and your friends and family are both Apple users, there is no better alternative to Skype than FaceTime. FaceTime is a fantastic app that works flawlessly on all three major Apple platforms, including iOS, iPad, and macOS. And when Apple introduced FaceTime group calling with iOS 12 and macOS Mojave, the sole issue users had with this voice and video calling service was immediately resolved.
Apple did not launch the group call function half-heartedly, in true Apple flair. It enables 32 concurrent calls and has a great feature that brings the speaker’s window to the front. This is a feature that works in the time of cases but is absent from the majority of video calling services. Additionally, Apple offers certain unique features, such as the ability to use Memojis and Animojis during FaceTime calls. If you use Apple products, FaceTime is one of the best Skype alternatives for you.
8. Discord
While Discord is mostly used by gamers, it is one of the best online chat platforms that may replace Skype. The thing about Discord that I enjoy the most is that it provides a fun environment. Multiple channels can be created for friends and family. Consider channels to be distinct groups. These channels enable you to chat rapidly and make voice calls. Utilize Discord bots to make some fun of the channels. These bots enable you to perform tasks such as listening to music via Spotify, adding extension support for Wikipedia, YouTube, and other websites, providing meme support, and creating an incentive system.
Additionally, Discord allows video conferencing and group video conferencing. You can call up to nine people in a group call. The ability to share your screen is one of Discord’s best features. You may instantly switch between screen sharing and video chat modes. In general, I find Discord to be a more fun and powerful chat platform than Skype.
9. Facebook Messenger
I understand that Facebook has taken a lot of heat for its privacy policies, yet it remains the world’s largest social networking platform. Your friends and family almost certainly use Facebook and its instant messaging app, Facebook Messenger. Facebook Messenger is one of the most popular messaging apps available. It offers text, voice, and video conversations and has some incredible features. Additionally, you may make group video calls (up to six people) with fairly high call quality.
Additionally, you may raise the group size to 50 people. Six speakers may participate in the call, while the remaining participants may join in to listen to calls. This is advantageous if you’re conducting an online seminar. Additionally, during the last several months, Facebook has removed all clutter, including the explore tab, and the app now features a new UI that is 2x quicker and lighter. When all of these enhancements are combined with Facebook’s reach, you may easily utilize it to replace Skype in your life.
10. Viber
Viber is free for text, voice, and video calls, and for a fee, you can use Viber Out to call any phone number in the globe — and this feature can also be used from the desktop. Group calling is an excellent tool for groups of friends, and the standard assortment of stickers is available. Viber takes itself in being ‘ad light,’ which means that while some advertisements will appear, such as at the conclusion of video calls, they should not be invasive. Additionally, Viber provides end-to-end encryption to help guarantee that calls are safe, secure, and private, but you may also erase messages once they have been viewed for extra privacy.
11. Jami
If you’re searching for an open-source Skype alternative that places a premium on user privacy, Jami – formerly known as Ring – is the way to go. Jami has a polished appearance and is compatible with a wide variety of platforms. Unlike other Skype alternatives, Jami calls are made directly between users, without the involvement of servers. This increases your privacy even more, as the decentralized structure of Jami ensures that your calls remain private between you and the person you’re calling – no one else can view them (or hear). Jami offers a robust feature set, including high-definition video calling, instant messaging, voice messaging, and file sharing. Additionally, it is completely free to use.
12. Talky
Talky is unique among messaging apps in that it is largely a web-based service. Although an iOS app is available, if you’re searching for a truly cross-platform messaging app, you’ll need to explore elsewhere. Talky’s group video chat feature supports up to 15 members, making it ideal for not only family and friends but also collaborative working. With this in mind, screen sharing may also be enabled, allowing all participants in a conversation to view what is happening on one person’s display.
Creating a chat room is really easy — simply visit the Talky website, enter in the URL you wish to use, and you’re ready to begin. All that remains is to share the URL with the people you wish to chat with; rooms can be password-protected to ensure privacy. There is no escaping the fact that Talky is a little lacking in features, but sometimes simplicity is all that is required.
Conclusion: Skype Alternatives
Well, I hope you found a suitable replacement for Skype in this article. We’ve given both personal and professional solutions. So, whether you’re conducting an online gathering with friends or hosting a video conference with your team, you’ll find an app for that here. Therefore, check a look at them and let us know which app met your quarantine requirements.