Skype is shutting down after 23 years — here’s the 7 best alternatives
After 23 years of service the video calling app Skype is being switched off by Microsoft.
Leaked code already pointed toward the Microsoft-acquired app being shifted to the company’s own Teams video calling platform.
There are plenty of good Skype alternatives and we’ve compiled a list of seven that should help you either in business or for personal calls.
To make this list the apps needed to have three key things: ease of use, compatibility with as many platforms as possible and strong security.
In a post-lockdown world, the necessity of video calling services aren’t as ubiquitous but many more people work remotely now and still rely on them to interact with coworkers, and outside of work with friends and family who live elsewhere.
Skype was one of the best video chat apps, especially since it was available on multiple platforms, from Windows and Macs to your Xbox or via a web browser.
However, other video calling services like Google Meet, Microsoft Teams and Zoom have been regularly updating with new features and functionality that make them as good as or better than Skype. As you search the right Skype alternatives, here are our top choices.
The best Skype alternatives you can download and use today
The best Skype alternative for most people
Zoom (paid and free)
At this point, Zoom has become the Kleenex of video calling services. When you ask someone to Zoom, no matter what platform you use, people know what you’re talking about.
If comes with a number of features including hosting up to 100 participants and chat in both public and private group. Other helpful tools, especially in business settings, include notes, a whiteboard and screen-sharing capabilities. You can also record meetings and access transcripts of meetings.
On the free version, there is a 40-minute time limit per meeting. To avoid being cut off you can pay for one of two subscriptions $13 a month Pro tier or a $18 a month Business tier which ups the meeting participants to 300. Both offer access to Zoom’s AI Companion, which can summarize meetings and ask questions about transcriptions.
There are desktop, browser and mobile versions of Zoom, meaning you can connect just about anywhere.
The best Skype alternative for business
Microsoft Teams (paid and free)
While Microsoft purchased Skype in 2011, it also built and released its own video calling service, Teams, in 2017 and is where Microsoft is likely to push you if you or your business uses the Windows platform.
Microsoft Teams allows paid users to host meetings for up to 300 people. And unlike Skype, Teams does offer standard video video conferencing tools like screen sharing and meeting recording. Teams comes with in three tiers, two of which include Office 365 plans, which provide the Office suite of apps like Windows and Excel, and 1TB of OneDrive storage. The Essential plan starts $4.00 per user a month but only offers calling and less storage.
The Business Basic plan offers web and mobile versions of Office 365 apps for $6.00 a month while the Business Standard gets desktop version, webinars and some editing tools for $12.50.
There is a free version of Teams, though it has far fewer features than the paid plans. Currently, Microsoft offers a six-month free trial of paid plans.
Though it might not be the perfect replacement, especially for personal calls.
Microsoft Teams is free for six months and paid plans start at $4 per user per month.
Best Skype alternative for Google users
Google Meet (free and paid)
Google Meet is probably the most well-known, non-Zoom Skype alternative. Previously, Meet was only available to G-suite subscribers, but a free tier launched in 2021. You can hold video calls with up to 250 people, give presentations and record meetings that can be saved to Google Drive. Nicely, meeting links can be sent to people outside of your company or group.
Since 2021, Google has added more Zoom-like features to Meet, including grid view, custom backgrounds and fun filters. And now Meet is integrated with Gmail, so you can start a video call right from the left column of your email browser window.
The best social media Skype alternative
Facebook Messenger Rooms (free)
If it exists, Meta has attempted to shoehorn the feature into Facebook at one point or another. Thus, beefed up video chat options in Messenger Rooms.
The feature allows Facebook users to create public or private video chatrooms for up to 50 people, though only for a limited amount of time. In comparison, free Zoom calls can hold up to 100 participants for 40 minutes.
Similar to Google Meet, Facebook is allowing people without accounts to join a Messenger Room via a link.
Akin to Snapchat, Facebook offers augmented reality filters that can be used in Messenger Rooms. It also includes tools to brighten dark rooms and touch up your appearance.
Room calls are not end-to-end encrypted, but Facebook says it will not listen in on any calls. And room creators can remove participants at any time.
The best Skype alternative for gaming
Discord (free)
Discord has grown far beyond its initial gaming roots, and can be used by anyone looking for encrypted chat, messaging and video calls.
You can set up a dedicated “server,” which can be organized into channels or rooms (a la Slack) that can host video and text-based chats. It can also be used for streaming, if needed for more of a presentation.
Discord has also raised the limit for Go Live video calls from 10 users to 50. And the app is available on most web browsers, as well as Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android.
Discord does have a paid subscription or you can donate to servers to give them upgrades, but the free version offers plenty of features without needing to pay.
The best Skype alternative for big business
GoTo Meeting (paid)
One of the first video conferencing services out there, GoToMeeting is a feature-packed Skype alternative. The entry-level plan allows for 150 participants, while the enterprise plan can include up to 3,000.
GoToMeeting offers all the standard tools, like the ability to record meetings and share your screen. You can also have multiple meeting facilitators. And the service is accessible on web browsers, Mac, PC, Linux, iOS and Android.
GoToMeeting pricing starts at $12 per month.
The best Skype alternative for mobile calling
Signal (free)
Signal is an encrypted messaging app, which is mostly known for text-based messaging. However, it has offered group video-calling features since 2020 and can accommodate up to 50 people in a meeting.
It’s not a direct competitor to Skype, but Signal allows you to share links for calls Unlike the other apps on this list, Signal is completely free to use and does not have a paid tier. However, you do need to provide a phone number to use the app.
Other similar apps for mobile users include WhatsApp and Apple’s FaceTime.
