Best Skype Alternatives
The top-ranked Skype alternative is Zoom (Freemium). The best free option is WhatsApp.
Microsoft retired Skype on May 5, 2025 and moved its users to Microsoft Teams (free). If you would rather not use Teams, these are the best apps for voice calls, video calls and messaging today, with group calls, screen sharing and business features compared.
1Widely used video conferencing platform for meetings, webinars, and chat.
2Collaboration platform with video meetings, chat, and file sharing.
3Browser-based video meetings integrated with Google Workspace.
Discord
FreemiumA voice, video, and text chat platform popular for communities and groups.
Widely used messaging app with end-to-end encrypted chats and calls.
Cloud-based messaging app known for speed, bots, and large groups.
Privacy-focused messenger with encrypted voice and video calls.
FaceTime
FreeApple's video and audio calling service for its devices.
Cross-platform messaging and VoIP app for calls and texts.
Jitsi Meet
Open SourceFree, open-source video conferencing with no account required.
Cisco Webex
FreemiumAn enterprise video conferencing and collaboration platform.
Element
FreemiumDecentralized, secure messenger built on the open Matrix protocol.
Compare head-to-head
Side-by-side comparisons of apps on this list.
Skype alternatives: FAQ
What is the best alternative to Skype?
Zoom is ranked first on this list (Freemium). The ranking combines our base score with readers' votes, so it can change.
What is the best free alternative to Skype?
The highest-ranked free or open-source options here are WhatsApp, Telegram and Signal.
Which Skype alternatives work on Mac?
Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Discord and WhatsApp run on macOS.
Which Skype alternatives work on Linux?
Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Discord and Telegram run on Linux.
Are there Skype alternatives for Android?
Yes: Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet and Discord have Android apps.
Know a Skype alternative we missed? Suggest it — we review submissions before they go live.