Top Alternatives to Ring

Skype is a versatile communication platform offering free voice and video calls to other Skype users, as well as affordable calls to landlines and mobile phones worldwide. It provides instant messaging, file sharing, and screen sharing features, making it a comprehensive tool for personal and professional connectivity across various devices.

Pidgin is a free and open-source multi-protocol instant messaging client designed to connect users across various chat networks with a single application. It's highly extensible through plugins and supports a wide range of protocols including XMPP, ICQ, and IRC.

Google Hangouts was a versatile communication platform offering instant messaging, voice and video calls, and SMS capabilities directly from web browsers and mobile devices. Integrated deeply with Gmail and other Google services, it provided a convenient way to connect and collaborate across various platforms.

Telegram is a fast and secure cloud-based instant messaging platform offering robust privacy features, large group support, file sharing, and cross-platform synchronization, making it a versatile communication tool.

WhatsApp Messenger is a widely used free messaging and calling app, available globally. It enables communication through text, voice messages, and video calls, facilitating connections between individuals and groups across various devices and platforms.

Tox is a free, open-source, and secure peer-to-peer instant messaging and video calling protocol designed for strong privacy and censorship resistance. It provides end-to-end encrypted communications without reliance on central servers.

Discord is a versatile free communication platform designed initially for gamers but now widely used for communities of all types. It offers voice and text chat, video calls, and robust server customization for groups of any size, providing a centralized hub for real-time interaction and community building.

Signal is a secure, open-source messaging application that uses end-to-end encryption to protect user communications. It offers text messaging, voice and video calls, group chats, and file sharing, all with a strong focus on privacy and security. Available on multiple platforms, Signal is a leading choice for individuals prioritizing confidential conversations.

Jitsi is a free and open-source suite of secure, flexible communication tools. It offers multi-platform support for voice (VoIP), video conferencing, and instant messaging, emphasizing privacy and ease of use with no account required to start a meeting.

TeamSpeak is a leading voice communication software designed for crystal-clear audio, minimal latency, and high security. Perfect for online gaming, team collaboration, and large community interactions, it offers unparalleled control over your communication server and prioritizes user privacy.

IM+ is a versatile instant messaging application designed to unify communication across multiple platforms. It supports a wide array of popular services, including Google Talk, Twitter DMs, Yahoo!, AIM/iChat, ICQ, Jabber, and even Slack. IM+ simplifies staying connected with friends, family, and colleagues, offering a centralized hub for all your chat needs.

Linphone is a free and open-source Voice over IP (VoIP) application and SIP client available on multiple platforms. It enables encrypted voice and video calls, instant messaging, and file sharing, offering a privacy-focused communication solution.

LINE is a versatile communication platform offering free voice and video calls, messaging, and a wide array of interactive features to connect with friends and family globally. It goes beyond basic chat with unique stickers, timeline posts, and integration with various services, providing a comprehensive social and communication experience in one app.

RetroShare is a secure, decentralized, and open-source communication platform built on a friend-to-friend network, offering encrypted file sharing, serverless email, instant messaging, and forums.

FaceTime is Apple's integrated video and audio calling service, providing a seamless communication experience across Apple devices. It allows users to connect with friends and family through high-quality video and audio calls, including group conversations.

ChatSecure is a privacy-focused messaging application for iOS that leverages the robust and decentralized XMPP protocol. It offers strong end-to-end encryption using OTR and OMEMO, ensuring confidential communication.

Off-the-Record Messaging (OTR) is a cryptographic protocol designed to provide secure, end-to-end encrypted instant messaging conversations for enhanced privacy and security.

Bitmessage is an open-source peer-to-peer encrypted messaging system designed to provide robust privacy and security. It operates without central servers, ensuring decentralized communication and offering anonymity by design. Ideal for those prioritizing secure and private digital interactions, it leverages strong encryption to protect messages from eavesdropping.

CSipSimple is a powerful and highly configurable open-source VoIP application for Android devices, enabling high-quality voice and video calls, messaging, and integration with various SIP providers. It prioritizes security and offers advanced features for both individual users and businesses.

Zoiper is a versatile and easy-to-use SIP softphone designed for clear voice and video communications. It offers excellent audio quality, robust security features, and seamless integration with various communication protocols, making it ideal for personal and business use.

Otr.to is a secure, privacy-centric, browser-based chat client leveraging Off-the-Record (OTR) encryption. It offers peer-to-peer communication for enhanced anonymity and decentralization, making it a strong choice for private and secure instant messaging without requiring installations.

Blink is a robust, real-time communications client leveraging the SIP protocol for secure and private instant messaging, voice, and video calls. It emphasizes features like end-to-end encryption, file sharing, and screen sharing across various platforms.

Jitsi Meet is a free, open-source video conferencing platform enabling secure and scalable group calls directly in your browser. It prioritizes privacy and offers features like screen sharing, chat, and collaborative editing without requiring account creation or software downloads.

Bit Chat is a secure, open-source, peer-to-peer instant messenger platform that prioritizes user privacy and security through robust end-to-end encryption and a decentralized network architecture. It empowers users with direct, encrypted communication, bypassing central servers and enhancing resistance to surveillance and censorship.

Silence.im is an encrypted text messaging application for Android that prioritizes user privacy and security. It allows for secure communication via SMS/MMS, offering end-to-end encryption when communicating with other Silence users. The app is open-source and ad-free, providing a simple yet powerful platform for private mobile messaging.

Disa is a unified messaging hub that consolidates conversations from various services like SMS, Facebook, and WhatsApp into a single interface, simplifying communication management.

Dialog Messenger is a robust, feature-rich enterprise messaging solution designed for businesses prioritizing security, privacy, and control. Available for both private server deployment and cloud hosting, it facilitates secure text, voice, and video communication across multiple devices, enabling seamless collaboration and real-time interaction within organizations.

Wickr is a secure and private instant messaging platform designed for individuals and teams who prioritize confidentiality. It offers end-to-end encryption, self-destructing messages, and a focus on anonymity to ensure that conversations and shared data remain protected.

Ricochet is a peer-to-peer instant messaging application designed for maximum privacy and anonymity. It leverages the Tor network to connect users directly, eliminating the need for central servers and reducing metadata leakage.

Pidgin-Encryption is a plugin for the popular Pidgin instant messaging client that provides transparent, end-to-end encryption for your conversations using RSA.

YakYak is an unofficial desktop client for Google Hangouts, providing a dedicated application experience outside of a web browser with features focused on convenience and improved usability.