Today, there are many alternatives to Skype that you can choose from, depending on your needs. If you want to know them, here is a small summary of the available applications.
Skype was one of the first success stories in terms of voice over IP calls. And it is not surprising, since its arrival caused the first breach in the monopoly of the large telephone companies, thanks to the possibility of making video calls over the internet, for free.
It is not surprising then that it was a success and that at the end of 2010 it already had almost 700 million users in the world. However, its purchase by Microsoft in 2012 brought changes that made many choose to look for alternatives to Skype for their video conferences.
The incorporation of Skype into the Office software had its followers and detractors and this allowed other technology companies to gain a foothold in the market for free online video calls and develop similar programs.
Alternatives to Skype – Make Free Calls and Video conferences
WhatsApp – one of the most popular alternatives to Skype, at least in some countries
Back in 2009, Jan Korum, a Ukrainian living in the US, created an application whose function was to know what your contacts were doing at that time and whether or not it was appropriate to send them an SMS or call them. That’s right, the main functionality of WhatsApp was that function that we hardly use today, the status. You know, ‘I can’t talk, just WhatsApp.’
The application has changed over the years and has become one of the most popular instant messaging systems in the world. But not only that. Since 2013, after its purchase by Facebook, WhatsApp has been incorporating different functionalities, one of them being online calls and video calls. In this way, apart from eliminating obsolete SMS almost forever, it has also become one of the main alternatives to Skype.
WhatsApp allows you to call the contacts you have stored in the application’s agenda, either one at a time, or in groups of a maximum of four. The operation is simple and free video calls, provided you have a good internet connection.
It is undoubtedly one of the Skype alternatives that you have more at hand since there are few people in your circle of friends who do not use WhatsApp. Unless you live in Asia, in which case you will have to go for something like Line.
If you are looking for an alternative to Skype for amateur use, this may be one of the best options. Unless, at most, you are starting to get a bit of a bad feeling that Facebook also has access to this information. You know, their security breaches, accusations of data and permission fraudulent use, and so on, keep Zuckerberg’s company in the spotlight.
Facebook Messenger – in case you didn’t know, it also offers online video calls
If you do not care what you have read in the previous paragraph and you are not paranoid about the security of your data in the hands of Facebook, its Messenger application is another of the alternatives to Skype.
Although Facebook Messenger started in 2008 as Facebook Chat, in 2011 it was renovated and launched its messaging application for iOS and Android. Its main function is to send instant messages to other Facebook users.
But, in addition to being used as a chat with friends, Messenger also offers the possibility of making video calls between users. And it is precisely this function, unknown by many, that makes it one of the alternatives to Skype.
To make calls or video calls, you just have to have a good internet connection, enter the application, and open a chat with the person you want to call. At the top right, you will see the icons that allow you to initiate the call.
Like other options similar to Skype, with Messenger, you can also make group calls. And, unlike WhatsApp, these are not limited to 4 users.
EzTalks – one of the alternatives to Skype for professional video conferencing
Among the most complete alternatives to Skype, we find ezTalks, a cloud-based video conferencing system that offers an interesting platform to communicate and collaborate online. Its characteristics make it ideal for both SMEs and large corporations.
Its use is similar to Skype and, like this one, it incorporates HD video and audio, a chat system, and even an interactive whiteboard that allows you to visualize ideas and bet on collaborative work through brainstorming sessions.
Like other alternatives to Skype, ezTalks incorporates different recording and playback functions that facilitate communication with other users and sending reminders about times or topics to be discussed in the meeting. Also, it has carefully designed and easy-to-use applications, both for iOS and Android
To be fair, we will say that ezTalks is one of the best alternatives to Skype Business, that is, for professional use. Its price is somewhat higher, but it also offers more functionalities.
However, if instead of video conferencing at a professional level you need to make video calls with your family and friends, you will have seen that there are other free alternatives to Skype that will work like a charm for you.
FaceTime – the alternative to Skype for Apple lovers
Although there are many alternatives to Skype available in the market, Apple users like everything that bears the brand’s seal, and most opt ​​for FaceTime for their video calls.
It is an internet calling application that was developed in 2010 to be used on iPhone, iPad, and Mac and which continues to be very popular among users of the Cupertino company.
Unlike other alternatives to Skype that work only with a Wi-Fi connection, FaceTime can also be used with your 4G phone connection. Also, FaceTime allows you to chat with one or more people at the same time and make calls to groups.
Its unconditional fans consider it one of the safest alternatives to Skype and it does what it promises, free online video calls. Another point in its favor is the minimalist design that accompanies all the products that bear the Apple seal.
Of course, if you also want to share images, videos, or screens, there are other applications similar to Skype that will be much more useful for you.
Hangouts – Google’s Skype alternative
The giant Google could not remain on the sidelines when it comes to the list of alternatives to Skype. Its history has indeed been a mess of service substitutions, disappearances, and various changes that have passed through Google Talk, Google + Messenger, and Google + Hangouts.
But, after the death of Google+ in 2018, the picture was simplified. And, fortunately for the confused users, of all these only Google Hangouts remained. It is an application similar to Skype, which allows you to chat, make audio, and video conference calls.
Hangouts are one of the alternatives to Skype that is most similar in its functionalities, although they have some differences. One of the main ones is that while the Google application allows you to videoconferences with a maximum of 10 people, Skype expands that number to 25. It may seem like an exaggeration, but for certain types of meetings it can come in handy.
For the rest, like other alternatives to Skype, it can be used both on Android and iOS and on the web and, although it allows you to share a screen, the only files you can send are images.
WebEx – one of the most professional business alternatives to Skype
If you work in a large company and what you need are alternatives to Skype at a very professional level, without a doubt one of the first options to consider should be WebEx. This company, which today belongs to Cisco, has been dedicated to the world of video conferencing (although today it offers much more services) since 1996. With so many years of experience, we assure you that they have learned something along the way and that they are a solid alternative to Skype Premium.
Video conferencing for 1000 people or more (WebEx can be expanded up to 3000), document and screen sharing, chat and tools that facilitate brainstorming between teams, the ability to record meetings, and real-time assistance are some of the features that both share platforms.
One big difference between the two platforms is that WebEx does not have a role-based instant messaging framework as Skype does. With the addition of WebEx Spark, Cisco has tried to stay in the competition against Skype, but by adding instant messaging and file storage. Traditionally, WebEx has been the platform for pre-planned calls or events.
Although there are several platforms for video conferencing at the large enterprise level, WebEx is one of the most powerful and widely used alternatives to Skype Business in large organizations. There must be a reason.
Tango – one of the alternatives to Skype that does not require registration
There are indeed better or worse applications, but generally, better or worse only depends on the user’s needs and the offers available to satisfy them. Thus, there will be those who say that Tango is one of the best alternatives to Skype for videoconferences or calls via the Internet and there will be those who have other preferences.
Tango is a mobile application that was born in the US in 2009. Its idea arose from the need of its developers to communicate with their family abroad, in a simple, inexpensive way that did not involve the use of a computer.
Despite being less well known than its competitor and, therefore, have a much lower number of users, Tango is one of the alternatives to Skype that is most successful among young users and video game lovers. Not in vain does it have an option that allows you to play online while making a video call. If you are not into video games, surely it will seem like bullshit, but being able to communicate by videoconference with your friends/opponents at the same time you play a game, has its point.
Like most alternatives to Skype, it is a free application that also requires no registration. In this sense, it works similarly to WhatsApp. You enter, you give permission to your contact book, it tells you which of them are using Tango, and then you can call them.
This alternative to Skype can boast of being one of the most fun and enjoyable to use. Hence its success among the youngest. Possibilities such as the incorporation of filters in real-time for the videos and the photos, animations, a complete photo editor, and the sending of unlimited video messages have made its number of users not stop growing.
ooVoo – one of the alternatives to Skype for teamwork
Let’s face it, one of the things that determine which of the Skype alternatives we’re going to use is the number of users. It is not the same to propose a videoconference in a place where almost everyone has an account than to do it in another less used and for which you have to necessarily create one.
Yes, we are that comfortable. And although there are alternatives to Skype that can offer even better results than this, the simple fact of having to register as a user throws us back.
But if we manage to get out of that comfort zone and decide to give ooVoo a try, we will discover that it is one of the best alternatives to Skype for teamwork. Especially if we take into account the fact that ooVoo allows free video conferences of up to 12 people.
If there is one thing ooVoo wins over other alternatives to Skype, it is in its absolute simplicity and its integration with Facebook. Something that allows you to bring your friends from the social network to this video conferencing platform. Although, on the other hand, for that, you can already use Facebook’s own Messenger.
Anyway, we put it on the list so you know that it exists and is one of the alternatives to Skype, but it depends on you if you want to try it or not. It’s certainly not one of our favorites.
Jami – one of the few open sources of Skype alternatives
While Jami is one of the few open-source Skype alternatives, it is not the only one. Although in this section, we are going to focus on it, a little later we will discover at least one more.
This free, adaptable, distributed, and secure software may sound like a Ring to you. And although under that name it was still an incipient product, the brand change has brought with it not only a change of image but also of functionalities, making Jami a powerful alternative to Skype for those who bet on the benefits of community development.
Like other alternatives to Skype, whether they are free software or not, it allows making both audio calls between users, such as video calls, and the sending of encrypted and secure text messaging. Of course, this is done without any type of central server through, using a distributed network.
Jitsi Meet – another open-source Skype alternative
If what you are looking for is an easy-to-use application for your video conferences, Jitsi Meet may be one of the best alternatives to Skype in this regard. Of course, as the headline says, it is also free software and an open-source tool.
One of the best things that Jitsi Meet has is that to use it you will not have to download anything at all and you can make videoconferences through the browser. An advantage over other alternatives to Skype available on the market.
So all you have to do is give Jitsi permission to have access to the camera and microphone. From there, the system generates a phone number for the video conference. People who have that number can use it to join the conversation, which can also be password protected.
As for the functionalities, like many other alternatives to Skype, it allows you to share screens, files, and even edit documents with Etherpad. Whether you are looking for something similar to Skype for private use or a business, we advise you to give Jitsi a try. You have nothing to lose and a lot to gain.
Viber – a mobile messaging application that serves as an alternative to Skype
Another of the alternatives to Skype that comes from the hand of a mobile messaging application is Viber. Operating very similar to WhatsApp, Viber has a high popularity rating especially in Eastern European countries, such as Iraq, Libya, or Sri Lanka.
Unlike other alternatives to Skype, Viber does not use a username and password but uses your mobile number to create an account. Also, being an application designed for mobile phones, it consumes less data than Skype when making calls.
To be honest, the quality of Skype calls is superior, but if you are looking to make video calls or video conferences through your mobile device, Viber is more comfortable and you spend less. Important information, especially if you are not connected to a Wi-Fi network.
In terms of design and operation, Viber is very similar to other messaging applications that we will mention in this list of alternatives to Spotify. Just choose the contact you want to communicate with and start the call or video call. Of course, remember that you will not be able to make group video calls, only individual ones.
This alternative to Spotify has an interesting function among its messaging options. Not only does it allow you to send audio messages to your friends, but you can also send video messages.
WeChat – one of the most popular Skype alternatives in China
As we have already been observing, the best alternatives to Skype or any other program are not always those that offer better functions, but those that more people in our environment use. There is no use in having a good product if none of your friends or contacts use it.
This is the case for WeChat outside of China. But, those who, for leisure or work reasons, divide their lives between East and West, have found in this application a lifeline that is unlike anything we know on this side of the planet.
Because WeChat is not just an alternative to Skype, WhatsApp, or any other messaging or video conferencing program. It is much but much more. It is a social network, a market place, a payment system, and a powerful machine to extract data.
But, a small part of WeChat is also one of the options in the list of alternatives to Skype, and, the truth, it has nothing to envy. What’s more, it offers different customization possibilities and allows connection through your Facebook account, something highly valued by some.
Whereby – another business-focused alternative to Skype
Whereby is a good alternative to Skype for Business given its professional approach to video conferencing? This program has three plans whose prices and functionalities vary depending on the needs of each user.
But, like other alternatives to Skype, also has a free plan that allows you to video conference with a maximum of 4 people. Also, it includes customization of the URL that is sent to the guests and the always useful possibility of screen sharing.
Having a URL for the videoconference implies that those who receive it will not have to have any software downloaded and installed on their computer or mobile. Simply click on the link to access the videoconference. In this way, unlike other alternatives to Skype, you will not have to worry about knowing who is using, or not, a certain program or app before deciding to bet on one option or another.
Talky – similar to Skype, but through your browser
If what you are looking for are alternatives to Skype that you can use without having to download any program or application, Talky is the answer. It is a tool that creates sessions just using a username and that distributes the link so that a group of people can communicate using only their webcam and microphone.
In this way, without the need for downloads or registration, Talky becomes one of the most accessible alternatives to Skype from the point of view of technology. At least, if you have Chrome or Firefox as your header browsers.
In addition to making video calls, Talky has a built-in chat system and also allows screen sharing. Something very useful for, for example, remote support.
Telegram – the alternative to Skype only for calls
Telegram is another one of those messaging applications that have been adding different functionalities over time. Its incorporation of the option to make free calls, in 2017, makes it worthy of a place in the list of alternatives to Skype.
Although to be fair, it is very far since, at the moment, it does not allow video calls or video conferences. However, and because of its evolution, we are sure that this possibility will not be long in coming.
So despite its wonders as a messaging app, we’ve decided that as an alternative to Skype, for obvious reasons, it deserves the last place.
Conclusion
If you have come this far it is because you are tired of using Skype for your calls, video calls, or video conferences and have decided to look for alternatives. And exist, there are and many, but the choice of one or the other will only depend on you and your needs.
If you are looking for alternatives to Skype for professional use, or rather, alternatives to Skype for Business, you can try ooVoo, WebEx, and ExTalks.
For one more use of walking around the house, WhatsApp, Tango or Viber will do the trick for you. You can also try Google Hangouts, a program similar to Skype, which is halfway between the amateur and professional level.
Finally, if you are one of those who prefer free software applications, in our list you can find two of the best alternatives to Skype that meet these characteristics: Jami and Jitsi Meet.
And you, do you know more alternatives to Skype? What program do you use for your video conferences? If you know of one that is not on the list or you just want to comment on your experience with one that is, leave us a comment. Together we will make this list more extensive and more useful for users.
