Skype alternatives: 9 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Skype: retired in May 2025, and paid calling features withdrawn. We ranked 9 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Skype, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Zoom Workplace currently ranks first.

Skype has been discontinued. Retired by Microsoft on 5 May 2025; users were moved to Microsoft Teams Free.

Quick comparison

#	App	Pricing	Open source	Platforms	Verified facts	Score
1	Signal	Free	Yes	Windows, macOS, Linux +2	5 of 5	38.6

1. SignalTop pick
Best for: Anyone who wants the strongest mainstream privacy without giving up a familiar chat app
FreeOpen sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
38.6
score / 100
Why switch from Skype
Encrypted voice and video calls on desktop and mobile without ads or tracking.
Pros
Everything end-to-end encrypted by default, including groups
Collects almost no metadata
No ads, tracking or paid tier; open source
Cons
Needs a phone number to register
Desktop app only works linked to a phone
Smaller network than WhatsApp in most countries
Visit Signal Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.37
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.1585
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is Signal a good Skype alternative?
Verified facts
5 of 5 verified
License
AGPL-3.0
Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
Organisation
Independent nonprofit
Checked Oct 25, 2026signal.org(opens source in a new tab)
Ads and tracking
None
Checked Oct 25, 2026signal.org(opens source in a new tab)
End-to-end encryption
Always on
Checked Oct 25, 2026signal.org(opens source in a new tab)
Desktop app
Requires Signal on your phone
Checked Oct 25, 2026signal.org(opens source in a new tab)

The best Skype alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Best Skype alternative for most people

Zoom Workplace

Familiar video calls with a free plan for short group meetings.

Best Skype alternative for a free option

Jitsi Meet

Free, open-source calls with no account needed.

Best Skype alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Google Meet

Free browser-based calls for anyone with a Google account.

Best Skype alternative for open source

Signal

Encrypted voice and video calls on desktop and mobile without ads or tracking.

Best Skype alternative for self-hosting

Jitsi Meet

Free, open-source calls with no account needed.

Best Skype alternative for Mac

Discord

Free voice and video calls for friends and communities.

Best Skype alternative for Windows

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft's official successor; Skype accounts sign straight into Teams Free.

Best Skype alternative for Linux

Free calls and chats synced to desktop and web, much like Skype's multi-device setup.

Best Skype alternative for iPhone and Android

Free voice and video calls with encryption, on the messenger most former Skype contacts already use.

Best Skype alternative for working in the browser

Zoom Workplace

Familiar video calls with a free plan for short group meetings.

Skype alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Skype?

Zoom Workplace ranks first right now. Familiar video calls with a free plan for short group meetings. Google Meet and Jitsi Meet follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Skype?

Yes. Zoom Workplace (free plan + paid), Google Meet (free plan + paid), Jitsi Meet (open source) and Discord (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Skype?

Yes: Jitsi Meet and Signal. Jitsi Meet can also be self-hosted.

Which Skype alternatives work on Linux?

Zoom Workplace, Discord, Telegram, Signal and Viber run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Skype?

The complaints we hear most: retired in May 2025; paid calling features withdrawn; Skype Number subscriptions ended in May 2026.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Skype, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.