How to replace Skype: 8 video calling apps

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Lifehacker has collected programs that allow you to make calls and arrange video conferences no worse than their main competitor.

Anyone who calls relatives or colleagues via the Internet probably uses Skype. Skype remains the pioneer and undisputed leader in VoIP applications.

But if you are dissatisfied with the quality of the connection, the security of Skype, or just want to try something new, there are many other clients for you to choose from.

1. Hangouts

• Supports: chats, group chats, audio calls, video calls, video conferencing, file sharing.
• Platforms: web, Android, iOS.

A web service from Google that allows you to organize video meetings right in your browser window. All you need to do is open the Hangouts page, enter the email addresses of those you want to talk to, and invitations will be sent to them. Hangouts will automatically import your Google+ contacts, email, and phonebook when it starts.

Hangouts →

2. WhatsApp

• Supports: chats, group chats, audio calls, video calls, file sharing.
• Platforms: Windows, macOS, web, Android, iOS.

A popular messenger that needs no introduction. It is hardly possible to find a person without WhatsApp installed on the phone. With its help, you can not only exchange messages, but also make video calls. True, video conferencing is not yet available here.

WhatsApp →

3. WeChat

• Supports: chats, group chats, audio calls, video calls, video conferencing, file sharing.
• Platforms: Windows, macOS, web, Android, iOS.

Messenger created by Chinese developers. It is incredibly common in China, with over a billion people using it. In addition to chats and video calls, in WeChat you can order food and taxis, buy movie tickets, pay for purchases and utilities, read news … but only in China. But the functions of the messenger can also be used by non-Chinese users.

WeChat →

4. Linphone

• Supports: chats, group chats (beta), audio calls, video calls, audio conferencing, calls to landline numbers, file sharing.
• Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Windows 10 Mobile.

Open source application using SIP protocol. This client has a spartan interface and is modestly resource intensive. To use Linphone, you can register a free account on the Linphone website or connect your account from any SIP provider.

Linphone →

Linphone Belledonne communications

Linphone Belledonne Communications SARL

Linphone Developer

5. Tox

• Supports: chats, group chats, audio calls, video calls, video conferencing, file sharing.
• Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS.

Strictly speaking, Tox is not a messenger, but a communication protocol. Several open source messengers have been created for it: Venom, Toxic and uTox.

Ideal solution for paranoid and those whose work is related to the transfer of confidential information. It can work both through a proxy and through TOR. There are no servers in Tox, and communication is organized through peers (similar to torrents). Every Tox user is a peer.

Tox users do not have names, as in the usual instant messengers, instead they are assigned randomly generated digital IDs. You can exchange them using QR codes. However, you can register and choose a readable nickname.

Tox →

Antox the tox project

6. Discord

• Supports: chats, group chats, audio calls, video calls, video conferencing, file sharing.
• Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, web, Android, iOS.

Discord positions itself as a messenger for gamers. First of all, Discord's functionality is aimed at providing a comfortable communication in team games. The messenger is quite lightweight and will not consume a lot of system resources, so you can easily run it along with gluttonous games.

Discord →

Discord - chat and relax Discord Inc.

Discord: Chat and Relax Discord, Inc.

7. Appear.in

• Supports: audio calls, video calls, video conferencing.
• Platforms: web, Android, iOS.

This service provides the ability to quickly and easily contact whoever you need. No need to register or download applications. Just open the site, create a link to your conference and send it to everyone you want to talk to (up to eight people). This works on both computers and mobile devices.

If you care about privacy, you can block your conference after all participants have joined. Links to conferences are randomly generated and you won't be able to receive calls from those you didn't invite.

Appear.in →

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8. Talky

• Supports: group chats, audio calls, video calls, video conferencing.
• Platforms: web.

Another service for group audio chat right in the browser window. As in Appear.in, here you just need to create a conference and send a link to everyone you need to contact (up to 15 people). And again, having gathered everyone you want, you can block the conference for privacy.

Talky →