Skype was once one of the most popular video conferencing app. If you wanted to video call someone or have an international call, then Skype used to be your best option. But due to the advancement in technology now we can easily video call someone and take international calls for free.
Microsoft really ditched Skype and that made a lot of Skype users find out for apps like Skype. Which is exactly what we have done. Below-listed is some of the best Skype Alternatives you can use today for various purposes such as business meets, online classes or just hanging out online.
Contents
What are the best Skype alternatives?
| Name | Best For | Price | Our Rating | Website |
| Zoom | Regular Video calls | Free | 3.5/5 | https://www.zoom.com/ |
| Google Meet | Free calls | Free but also has a paid version | 3.5/5 | https://meet.google.com/ |
| Microsoft Teams | Business meets and Online classes | Free but also has a paid version | 4/5 | https://www.microsoft.com/en-in/microsoft-teams/group-chat-software |
| Discord | Hanging out | Free but also has a paid version | 4.5/5 | https://discord.com/ |
| Webex | Webinars | $13.50 onwards | 3.5/5 | https://www.webex.com/ |
| Messenger Call | Regular Video calls | Free | 3/5 | https://www.messenger.com/ |
| ooVoo | Regular video calls | Free | 3.5/5 | https://www.oovoo.com/ |
1. Zoom
Zoom is obviously the number one Skype alternative right now. Literally, almost all video calls in 2020 happened on Zoom. Zoom became popular for its many features like inviting over 100 guests, 40 minutes of free video calls, many audio and video settings, and a whole lot more.
Zoom became an instant hit and is fairly easy to use as well. It had a security issue when it was being mass-used at the beginning of 2020, but Zoom’s team was quick enough to seal that problem and make it the number 1 most used video conferring app.
Price of Zoom
Skype is free to use for the first 40 minutes then it has a paid plan:
Pro Plan: $14.99/month/host
Business Plan: $19.99/month/host
Enterprise Plan: $19.99/month/host
Features of Zoom
- Many settings for audio and video
- Automatic settings for lower net bandwidth
- Cloud servers for all plans
- Centre-focus option available
Pro and Cons of Skype
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅Good video and audio quality | ❌Can be a bit complicated at first |
| ✅Powerful software | ❌Security breach in the early models |
| ✅Easy to use | ❌40 minutes free video call |
Review on Skype
Zoom is definitely one of the best video apps like Skype available right now. Almost everyone is on it, which makes it simple to have video calls as everyone can join in the video calls. Many users have already tried or used Zoom hence we have listed the best zoom alternatives.
Rating on Skype
Skype gets a rating of 4/5 stars
2. Google Meets
When Zoom took off, Google was also quick enough to respond for a video calling service. Google’s Meets is another great video conferencing app. It has some good features and has an app for mobile devices as well.
Google Meets is fairly simple to use as well because all you have to do is click on the link and you’re in the meeting. You can also add as many people as you want for free. This makes it a great Skype alternative for everyone.
Price of Google Meet
Google Meet is free to use. But for workspace it has 2 plans:
Workspace Individual: $7.99/month
Workspace Enterprise: Customizable
Features of Google Meet
- Fairly easy to use
- 24hrs video call limit for 1v1 calls
- No application to be downloaded for PC
Pro and Cons of Google Meet
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅Easy to use application | ❌No specific app for PC or Laptop |
| ✅No user ID or password | ❌No audio enhancement features |
| ✅Free to invite 100 people for 60 mins call | ❌Fairly simple settings |
Review on Google Meet
Google Meets is a great option. A lot of people also prefers Meets because it fits perfectly in the Google family hub and so you can integrate your calendars as well with the video call.
Rating on Google Meet
Google Meet gets a rating of 3.5/5 stars
3. Microsoft Teams
Microsoft knew what many colleges and schools needed when the schools shut down in 2020 and they were quick enough to promote their Microsoft Teams. Microsoft Teams or MS Teams is a great alternative for many people who are looking to use video calls for business meets and online classes.
It’s got loads of features both for the user and the admin and also has a great UI that is easy to use and understand. It’s quite a powerful software and can act as a great Skype alternative for people.
Price of Microsoft Teams
Teams is available for free for Businesses. But to get their Office pack you would need to pay.
Office 365 Business Essentials Plan: $5.00/user/month
Office 365 Business Premium Plan: $12.50/user/month
Office 365 E3 Plan: $20.00/user/month
Features of Microsoft Teams
- The chatting feature can be enabled or disabled
- In-built video background changer
- Record videos
- 30hrs time limit!
Pro and Cons of Microsoft Teams
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅Free for Businesses usage | ❌Has Network issues |
| ✅Powerful application | ❌No data on the activity of the attendees |
| ✅30hrs meet limit |
Review on Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is also a great option for you if you are looking for Skype replacements. It’s got some really great features that have been appreciated by a lot many people and is a great resource tool for colleges and schools.
Rating on Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams gets a rating of 4/5 stars.
4. Discord (Editor’s recommendation)
If you are looking to just have a good time with your friends and families on video-conferencing then Discord should be your pick. Discord has a really slick UI and is quite a fast software to run.
Video calling is just one of the features that Discord does. It has very powerful software that enables it to have the best-in-class video and audio quality which you probably won’t see on any video apps like Skype.
Discord can also host streaming and is actually used by many gamers to go live with their fans when they are streaming or want to talk to their fans. It’s a really powerful software that does a lot for free.
Price of Discord
Discord is free to use but it has a Nitro pack:
Monthly Cost: $9.99
Yearly Cost: $99.99
Features of Discord
- Stream music from YouTube
- Create your own server channels
- Powerful engine
- Can be accessed through the browser as well
Pro and Cons of Discord
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅Powerful engine | ❌Can be difficult to use for some people at first |
| ✅Stream music from YouTube | ❌Only 25 people are allowed in one video call |
| ✅Create your own server | |
| ✅Invite others to your server and chat |
Review on Discord
I would personally recommend Discord, it can be tricky at first but once you get used to it, you don’t want to try any other video conferencing app. It can act as a Skype alternative if you are not looking for business meets or online classes.
Rating on Discord
Discord gets a rating of 4.5/5 stars
5. Cisco Webex
Cisco Webex is also popular by many if you are into hosting webinars or important business meets. Cisco Webex also aims itself at Businesses and Enterprises and is not looking to please a common audience who just want to have a regular video call.
Cisco Webex has a fairly good system and its features are also good but, then again, it’s not for everyone and should be used for specific purposes only.
Price of Cisco Webex
Cisco Webex has three price plans:
Starter Plan: $13.50/host/month
Business Plan: $26.95/host/month
Enterprise Plan: Customizable
Features of Cisco Webex
- Great video and audio quality
- Up to 24hrs time limit
- 10GB worth of cloud storage
Pro and Cons of Cisco Webex
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅24hrs meeting time limit | ❌Mostly for businesses |
| ✅Good for webinars and business meets | ❌Expensive price plans |
Review on Cisco Webex
Cisco Webex could be a good Skype alternative but it’s not for casual meets or even online classes. It’s got some great features but sadly can’t be accessed for some casual video meets or meets. But it’s a great alternative to Skype and is used by a specific target audience.
Rating on Cisco Webex
Cisco Webex gets a rating of 3.5/5 stars
6. Messenger Call
Messenger Call from Facebook Messenger is also pretty decent for what it’s worth. You can easily create or schedule a meet on it using your Facebook ID. The video quality is also pretty good on messenger calls.
The great thing about Messenger Calls is that, since it is linked with Facebook you can easily send invites of the link through Whatsapp, Instagram and Facebook. The call durations are also fairly long and fun.
Price of Messenger Call
Messenger Call is free to use.
Features of Messenger Call
- Integrated with Facebook
- Easy to host video calls
- Good call quality
Pro and Cons of Messenger Call
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅Good audio and video quality | ❌Simple settings option |
| ✅No app to download on PC or laptop | ❌Another product by Facebook |
Review on Messenger Calls
Messenger Calls is also a good option for you if you are looking for Skype alternatives. It can easily be accessed through your Facebook app, but the only thing I feel should be kept in the notice is that it is yet another Facebook product. The company is already known for its data leaks, when you use this then you are sending in more data to them.
So, choose wisely when you host a video call on Messenger Calls.
Rating on Messenger Calls
Messenger Calls gets a rating of 3/5 stars
7. ooVoo
ooVoo was considered as a Skype replacement once upon a time. It was a really powerful software and had features that apps like Instagram and Snapchat have these days. But at the core of it, ooVoo was a great video calling app which had quite a unique name as well.
ooVoo was shut down in 2018 because of profit margins and since then its service has been discontinued. It was a great app and definitely deserves to be on this list.
Price of Oovoo
Oovoo was also free to use.
Features of Oovoo
- Good video quality calls
- Easy and user-friendly
- Good app
Pro and Cons of Oovoo
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅Easy to use | ❌No longer in service |
| ✅Good application | |
| ✅Unique UI |
Review on OoVoo
ooVoo could have very easily been a great app, especially in these trying times that we are in. Sadly they had to discontinue its service and people can no longer use the app.
Rating on OoVoo
Oovoo gets a rating of 3.5/5 stars
Final note
Everyone was genuinely surprised to see when Skype was not the number video calling app in 2020, in fact, it wasn’t even in the top 10 video calling apps. It still is going on but the real villain over here is Microsoft.
Microsoft, instead of promoting Skype, promoted MS Teams to everyone and naturally, people graduated towards it rather than Skype. Even in Windows 11, it’s not Skype that is the default video conferencing app, it’s MS Teams.
This really shows how much value does Microsoft really have left for Skype and since its parent company doesn’t think much of it, why should the common people? That’s why these above-listed video conferencing apps come in place.
The video conferring apps listed above are aimed at specific target audiences and are valued very much by their parent company. These video apps like Skype or “Skype replacements” have a specific role to play and they are all playing them to perfection.
It’s sad to see Skype’s position but the world has moved on from it.
