Best Open Source Alternative To Skype
Since its advent in 2003, Skype has become an industry standard for video calling on Windows PC. Besides video calls, Skype is also a full-fledged messaging and voice calling application available for smartphones also.
Although Skype is very popular, it is still not the most feature-rich and secure video calling application.
In this context, we bring out some of the best Open Source Alternative To Skype that will certainly enhance your video calling experience.
WhatsApp (Open Source Alternative To Skype)
The first Skype alternative for PC is WhatsApp. This is an extremely popular messaging application as well as a reliable video-calling application. WhatsApp is available for both smartphones and computers.
The fact that the majority of your friends and family members may already be using WhatsApp, it eliminates the hassle of signing up for new services.
Group video calls are supported by WhatsApp, where you can communicate with up to four friends at once. On the whole, WhatsApp is a dependable Skype alternative.
Google Hangouts (Google alternative to skype)
Google Hangouts, another popular video calling service, is mostly used by various organizations to interact with co-workers. Like WhatsApp, Google Hangouts is available for smartphones and computers.
Google Hangouts allows you to hold a video call with up to 25 participants. In order to invite and connect with different users, only their email addresses or phone numbers are required.
Google Hangouts offers impressive audio and video quality and the connection is secure as well.
LINE
The next feature-rich Skype alternative is LINE. This has a very well developed UI and the cross-platform support offers a seamless messaging experience.
Similar to other Skype alternatives on the list, LINE can also be used for video calls, voice calls, and text messaging. What makes LINE stand out from the crowd are Nifty features like Keep, Animated Stickers, LINE Today, Face Play, Stories and Live help LINE.
Lastly, LINE facilitates sharing of all sorts of media and document files amongst the contacts.
Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger is the next best Skype alternative, that is possibly being used. Messenger allows you to communicate with any of your Facebook friends with an impressive video call quality.
Besides video calls, Messenger enables users to have voice calls with friends. Messenger is available as a full-fledged application for Windows, iOS, Android, and macOS.
Tox
One of the most secure Skype alternatives that have become popular in recent years is Tox. Tox is the best Skype alternative if security and privacy is your major concern. Being an open-source alternative to skype, Tox is completely advertisement free.
Tox also offers messaging, file sharing, and voice calling features, comparable to other Skype alternatives.
The Screen Sharing feature allows you to even share your desktop with your friends. Lastly, Tox is available for both Windows and macOS.
WeChat is another popular smartphone oriented Skype alternative. Similar to other Skype alternatives WeChat offers voice calls, text messaging, video calls and group chats.
Although WeChat is a smartphone-oriented application, it is available for Windows and macOS in their respective App Stores. However, it may be noted that a smartphone is required for logging in to WeChat Web version.
WeChat allows a maximum of four participants in a group video call. On the whole, WeChat is a reliable Skype alternative that simply gets the job done.
ooVoo
Next on the list is ooVoo, an effective Skype alternative. This instant messaging application offers a great messaging experience and supports emoji, stickers, and GIFs. ooVoo can support HD video calling with up to 8 people simultaneously.
Based on your internet speed, the SuperClear technology helps ooVoo to optimize the quality of video calls. ooVoo is available for Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS. ooVoo download is free for android.
This feature-rich Skype alternative can also be used as a reliable file transfer tool.
Viber
Viber is another impressive Skype alternative for secure video calling and messaging. Unlike other Skype alternatives, Viber allows users to play built-in games and interact with popular websites when no one is present at the moment.
For privacy and security, the end-to-end encryption on Viber is quite impressive. Viber even allows users to delete seen messages. In addition to Windows, Viber is also available for macOS and Linux.
Another important feature of this instant messaging application is that it allows users to customize the application’s theme and overall UI based on their preferences.
Wire
Wire is an ideal Skype alternative for business or organization based communication needs. Wire will impress you if security and privacy are on top of your priority list. This application offers end-to-end encrypted audio conference calls with up to 10 people.
Apart from enabling messaging and video calls, Wire is a secure file and screen sharing tool. Since Wire is an open-source alternative to skype, it is completely ad-free and there are no in-app purchases.
To sum it up, Wire is a professional alternative to Skype that is used by many big companies.
Riot
On the Skype alternative list, the last but not the least is Riot. Riot stands out from the crowd due to Nifty features like voice and video conferencing, file sharing, notifications, and project reminders.
Riot can be used on any web-browser and is available for both smartphones and computers. Chats and calls on Riot are also end-to-end encrypted.
On the whole, Riot is a reliable Skype alternative that simply gets the job done.
These were some of the best, more secure and feature-rich Skype alternatives. Do share your favourite Skype alternatives in the comments section below.
