Skype was one of the first successes in Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) with easy access. By the end of 2010, it had more than 600 million users worldwide. However, after Microsoft's purchase of Skype in 2012, Microsoft began making changes, adding some features, while removing others, while also integrating them into its Office software suite. Not all users were satisfied with the acquisition and the changes made, and with the growth of competing services, a number of Skype users began migrating to them. Since then, the technology has matured and the availability of easy access to VoIP is widespread, which means that users are more than ashamed to choose. Even better for users, communications are no longer just limited to phone calls, video calls have now become a feature of many services available for free. Below we will list some of the best alternatives to Skype, including features, support, ease of use, and accessibility.
(Image credit: Whatsapp)
1 Whatsapp
The best Skype alternative in 2019.
Operating system: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Chrome OS | Features: video calls, group chat, web and desktop clients, voice calls
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popular free Owned by facebook WhatsApp is our pick for the best Skype alternative of 2019. This messaging service has taken the world by storm, so there's a good chance you've already installed it on your smartphone or PC. WhatsApp offers many features to compete with Skype, including text, voice and video calls, and it also offers end-to-end encryption, giving you added privacy. For business users, you can easily share documents. There is also a professional WhatsApp API.
(Image credit: Google)
2.Google Hangouts
A great alternative to Skype for Gmail users.
Operating system: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Chrome OS | Features: video calls, group chat, web and desktop clients, voice calls
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Free HD video calls Limited number of participants Google Hangouts is another popular alternative to Skype that offers many of the same features, such as HD video calls, group chats, and instant messaging. If you use Gmail or if your business uses G Suite, Google Hangouts will be a great option for VoIP thanks to its integration. Google Hangouts is easy to use. There is a free version and the call quality is usually excellent. You can also easily share your screen, making it useful for collaboration and presentation viewing. Google Hangouts limits the number of people who can join a video call at the same time, which can be embarrassing if you have a large company.
(Image credit: Viber)
3. Viber
One of the best Skype alternatives for security.
Operating system: Windows, Android, iOS, Windows 10 Mobile, BlackBerry 10 | Features: video calls, instant messaging, group calls, audio calls, delete viewed messages
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Free end-to-end encryption Limited Features Viber offers free text, audio and video calls, and if you're ready to pay, you can use Viber Out to call any phone number in the world, even from the office. Group calling is a nice feature for groups of friends, and you have the usual choice of stickers to choose from. Viber prides itself on being "ad lite", which means that even if there are certain ads, such as at the end of video calls, they should not be intrusive. Viber also offers end-to-end encryption to ensure call protection, security, and privacy.
(Image credit: Webex)
4.WebEx
The best Skype alternative for business.
Operating system: Windows, macOS, iOS | Features: video conferencing, team collaboration, cloud call.
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Specific characteristics of the company. Integration with various platforms such as Microsoft Teams. expensive. Not suitable for home users. If you are looking for the best Skype alternative for business use, WebEx is the perfect service. Webex offers a number of video conferencing features that allow employees around the world to work together and collaborate on projects. It can be used for training, customer support, etc., and for an additional fee, it can also include international voice calls. Webex also integrates with your professional calendar, as well as platforms like Microsoft Teams, Slack, and Facebook Live.
(Image credit: Jami)
5. jamie
The best open source alternative for Skype.
Operating system: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, FreeBSD | Features: HD video calling, instant messaging, voicemail, file sharing
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Open source Direct calls between users Not as comprehensive as some Skype alternatives If you're looking for an open source Skype alternative that puts its users' privacy first, then Jami, who used to be called Ring, is the solution for you. Jami has a professional looking design and is available for a wide range of platforms. Unlike other Skype alternatives, calls using Jami are direct between users, so the servers are not managed by the servers. This gives you even more privacy, because the decentralized nature of Jami means your calls are only between you and the person you're calling, no one else can see (or hear). Jami has a good selection of features and is completely free to use.