Alternatives to Skype: Which are the best of 2021?

Skype has been the benchmark for video calling platforms for years. However, it is not a perfect platform. There are a large number of platforms and apps that offer extra features and better quality. If you want to know some of these, here we show you several alternatives to Skype and what they offer.

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Video calls? There are many alternatives to Skype

When we watched movies, several years ago, it was great to see those talks on the screen. We believed that it was something futuristic, very distant and that it required a high technological development. However, we always underestimate the technology we have; even if we don't see it, there is always some impressive innovation that is not shown.

Skype, since its launch, was a solution when it comes to communication. We know that writing is not always the most convenient, especially on complicated subjects. We can resort to voice notes, but sometimes it is necessary to go a little further, avoid a large number of steps to show something. In addition, in the business field, it is good to have a solution in case of not being able to attend a meeting. Here video calls take on importance, an issue that Skype has always offered.

Every time someone has had a corporate meeting or traveled to some other country in the world, they have always thought of communicating via Skype. However, whenever a platform, program or app is positioned in the market and gradually gains users, the demands also begin to grow. For a platform to survive, it must adapt to the needs of the user.

Skype, although it has been the benchmark for years in video calls, has lagged somewhat behind other options. In fact, there are many other platforms that offer us the option of making video calls to talk with our acquaintances. Not only that, but they also surpass Skype in quality and functions, but, above all, in quality. Nobody likes that the audio gets worse in the middle of a call, right?

Let's see some of the best alternatives to Skype What can we find. Surely you end up liking one too much and it becomes your favorite.

Hangouts

Google Hangouts, launched by Google in an attempt to compete with WhatsApp Messenger. It has all the basic functions that all instant messaging platforms have. It has the advantage of being integrated into the Google ecosystem, so it had some integration with the other programs of that company. This made it somewhat easier to use.

In addition to these functions, it has the option of making video calls and allows up to 10 people to participate. It is easy to obtain, as it is an app for mobile phones. Something else, which is also advantageous, is that those people who do not want to have to download the app can use the app via the web in their browser. In fact, when you enter Gmail you can see a small Hangouts menu. If you want a good alternative to skypeYou will definitely like Hangouts.

Line

It is an instant messaging app of Japanese origin. Line had a leading role at the time, also because it was another option in addition to WhatsApp. It had from the beginning with the funny stickers, it allows you to share your location and other things you want. In addition, the app has always functioned as if it were an entire ecosystem, with a lot of downloadable content that integrates with the app.

When it comes to video calls, it allows you to create groups, but the amount is tremendous. You can make group video calls and include up to 200 friends! Without a doubt something that surprises anyone, even the most skeptical. Something to highlight is also that the video calls are of very good quality.

All chats have end-to-end encryption and it even allows you to take surveys quickly. An excellent option if you are concerned about privacy and can find the tool you need for your online meetings. In fact, you can sync your mobile device and your PC, so you don't miss a thing when you're not using one.

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Google Duo

Another app developed by Google. It has been in operation since 2016 and was launched together with another app called Google Allo, destined to also compete with WhatsApp.

Given the problem of user acceptance with Hangouts, Google decided to use another app as a way to try again to get users' attention. Hangouts, although it has many useful functions, has not been a success for Google, quite the opposite. For this reason, and also to compete with Apple's Facetime, they launch Google Duo.

How to Live Aligned with alternative to skype, the truth is quite decent, although not revolutionary. Google Duo allows you to make high-quality voice and video calls. In addition to this, it also allows you to send video messages, very useful when our receiver is not available at the moment. The downside is that, at least so far, it doesn't support group video calling, which has been heavily criticized by users.

Due to its simplicity when using it, its simple and intuitive interface and the good quality in video calls, it is another option to consider. It is only available on Android and iOS.

ViberMessenger

It is a free app that has certain similarities with Skype. Only available on Android and iOS, it is recognized as a small social network that allows you to send messages and make calls for free.

It has a great variety of emojis and stickers; calls, both voice and video, have excellent quality on both 3G and 4G networks; ensures encrypted communications and allows you to delete messages even if they have already been sent. It also allows you to play games and has a hidden chat function.

Facebook Messenger

Another alternative to Skype that only works on mobile phones. It is a mobile application of the famous social network Facebook. This has had many updates over the years that have added a variety of functions.

Facebook Messenger was, at first, an app limited to chatting with our Facebook friends. Little by little, with the constant updates, it has expanded to much more than just that. Now it allows you to synchronize your contacts, so that you can send text messages through the app. It also includes voice calls and video calls, with a good quality and with the possibility of having fun in your video calls by adding stickers and filters.

Another curious feature is that Facebook Messenger, if you have your credit or debit card affiliated, allows you to send money to other people, even through PayPal. Of course, this is only allowed for users based in the United Kingdom, the United States and France. If you want something that looks a bit like Skype in terms of functionality, Facebook Messenger isn't bad at all. It might interest you too, how to update the Play Store.

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Wechat

We also add to the list an option of Chinese origin. It has always been said that the Chinese like to copy themselves, but this is not always the case, they also add interesting and original options. With Wechat we get not just an app, but a whole system.

Wechat can be used on most operating systems, with the exception of Linux for the moment (hopefully Linux will become more relevant on these issues in the future). It offers messages with text, images, videos, your location in real time, audios and allows you to establish group conversations with up to 500 people. In addition, it has a function called a "time capsule" which is like a story that lasts only 24 hours.

With regard to calls, the subject we are dealing with here is another option with great quality in this regard. Up to 9 people can connect to a video call.

It offers a series of microprograms as well, which are part of the app. In fact, in China Wechat is widely used as an alternative to WhatsApp and, also, as the main means of payment. Yes, it also has the payment function for those devices with a built-in NFC chip. It also allows you to easily add contacts via QR code.

ICQ

You probably haven't read or heard of this Skype alternative before, but it had a lot of relevance before. ICQ had its moments of glory in the 90's, but little by little it lost popularity to this day. In fact, even today he is not very famous. The number of users is quite limited, but this does not mean that it is a bad option far from it.

ICQ, among all the alternatives we mentioned, is probably one of the most original. They all offer, to a large extent, the same functions and some of their own functions, but what if there is something else for a change? Thank you ICQ for being different.

This program is available for Windows, Android and iOS. Among the functions that we find we have the following:

  • It has end-to-end encryption by default, both for messages and calls, whether voice or video (other options also offer it, in this they do not differ much).
  • Allows the transfer of voice messages with speech-to-text function.
  • It has built-in tools so you can easily create your own stickers.
  • It has animated 3D skins for all tastes.
  • You can broadcast live chats with channels and participants without any limit.

As we can see, it has certain functions that defectively make it different from the other alternatives. In addition, we have synchronization between the devices, so we will not have problems if, for example, our mobile runs out of battery.

Yahoo Messenger

Although it no longer dominates the market as it once did, Yahoo has an instant messaging platform as well. In fact, like Google, it allows synchronization between devices just by using an account, in this case, Yahoo! This platform also bears a certain resemblance to Skype, as it pretends to be another alternative but one that competes more directly.

In video calls it has a good quality. In fact, video calls are its main function. Unfortunately, it only allows video calls between two profiles, which represents a huge disadvantage and a great limitation, compared to the other alternatives that we have seen here.

The good thing is that it allows you to delete messages once they are sent. And, in addition, it does not require you to download the app, you just have to have your web browser to access it. This is very useful for those with little or no storage space.

Something that should be considered about this, compared to other alternatives to Skype, is that, unfortunately, it does not have data protection. If you are concerned about privacy, it may not be a good fit for you. Although it is not something required to install the app, if you want to do it, it is available for Android, iOS, Windows and MacOS.

FaceTime

Not all alternatives to Skype are accessible to all users. We also have some that are limited to only certain specific users. This is the case with FaceTime, especially aimed at users of Apple devices.

It is an app whose main function is video calls. These are of great quality, they can even be transmitted in HD with a resolution of 720p, but this only in case you have an Intel compatible Mac.

Its disadvantage is that, in video calls, you can only make them to talk to a single user. In the case of voice chats, this extends to at least 10 users.

However, it has other advantages. The most notable is the ease of use, since it has a very minimalist interface, we could even call it user-friendly, which is also well optimized. Every transition in the app has a wonderful fluidity. If you are an Apple user, this is a very good alternative to Skype, despite its limitations.

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Discord

We present it as another alternative to Skype, but not for video calls. In fact, Discord does not have video calls, only voice calls.

However, we consider Discord a good option for everything it offers. It allows making voice calls with a huge number of users. You can create a thread in Discord and that all those who enter can participate without problems. In addition, in real time, during voice chat, you can send gifs, images, videos, links and chat with anyone else who is there.

Something that stands out about Discord is that it keeps IP addresses safe. If you are concerned about security when using this platform, then no problem.

Although it is known mainly as a platform for video game lovers, it is also one of the main alternatives to Skype, even if it does not have video calls. The only disadvantage is that its interface is somewhat chaotic, so it takes some getting used to.

Signal

An app for those who fear for their privacy when communicating with their acquaintances. It is another of the great alternatives to Skype, as it allows you to communicate anytime and anywhere at no cost. You can make a video call with good quality and also end-to-end encrypted.

Signal already had some popularity, but it acquired even more after the latest WhatsApp scandal with its terms and conditions. It enjoys end-to-end encryption with open source encryption protocols. The app, in general, is open source. If privacy is something you care about, Signal will be something of a treasure for you.

The security of your personal data is essential in this app, so much so that it does not store any of these. If you want to create groups, everything in them will also be encrypted.

It is not only one of the great alternatives to Skype, but also to many other platforms, including WhatsApp. In addition, its interface is quite simple and allows you to adapt quickly.

HipChat

It is focused on group messaging. It is also more aimed at the business field, an issue that stands out compared to Skype.

In addition, it is also a fairly safe app, since its focus is mostly on work groups, so that they can stay in contact and carry out planning, campaigns and more.

A great advantage of this app is its interface. It is a fairly simple and easy-to-use interface, which is greatly appreciated.

Whatsapp

Who does not know WhatsApp by now? That it is last, does not make it less important than the others. WhatsApp Messenger is one of the main alternatives to Skype, not only because it has group chats and video calls, but because of its widespread use throughout the world.

The quality of your video calls is generally good, although it doesn't stand out much when it comes to audio. However, this is overshadowed by its myriad of advantages.

You can archive chats, silence groups, send documents, images, videos, voice notes, in short ... almost anything you can think of. In addition, it has had end-to-end encryption for a long time.

If you want to communicate with your friends, family or work team, the easiest way is with WhatsApp Messenger, one of the greatest alternatives to Skype. It has a certain approach to business and, let's face it, who doesn't have it on some device today?

If you want to learn more, we invite you to read about the privacity in social networks, something that is increasingly relevant among users.


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