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Skype Alternatives for Linux

Looking for Skype alternatives? We've curated 23 top alternatives that offer similar functionality. Whether you need Linux options, free plans, or open source solutions, explore our comprehensive list to find the perfect fit for your needs.

Telegram

Telegram

Free

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.

Key Features

  • Strong focus on privacy and security features.
  • Fast and reliable message delivery, even on weak networks.
  • Generous file size limit and cloud storage.

vs Skype

Strong focus on privacy and security features. compared to Skype
Slack

Slack

Freemium

Slack is a leading cloud-based platform designed for team communication and collaboration. It offers a central location for conversations, file sharing, and app integrations, enabling teams to work more efficiently and stay connected regardless of location.

Key Features

  • Excellent channel-based organization for clear and focused communication.
  • Extensive integrations with a wide variety of third-party applications.
  • Powerful search functionality for easy retrieval of information.

vs Skype

Excellent channel-based organization for clear and focused communication. compared to Skype
Mumble

Mumble

Open Source

Mumble is a free and open-source voice communication application designed with low latency and high audio quality in mind, primarily for gamers. It offers features like positional audio, an in-game overlay, and strong privacy through encryption.

Key Features

  • Extremely low latency for real-time communication.
  • High-quality audio output.
  • Strong encryption for privacy and security.

vs Skype

Extremely low latency for real-time communication. compared to Skype
Tox

Tox

Open Source

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.

Key Features

  • Decentralized architecture enhances privacy and censorship resistance.
  • End-to-end encryption for all communication types by default.
  • No central servers mean no central point of failure or data collection.

vs Skype

Decentralized architecture enhances privacy and censorship resistance. compared to Skype
Trillian

Trillian

Freemium

Trillian is a versatile, multi-protocol instant messaging client that unifies various communication platforms like IRC, XMPP, and more into a single, user-friendly interface. It's designed for both personal and team collaboration, offering features like encrypted chats, group collaboration tools, and extensive customization options.

Key Features

  • Unifies multiple chat services into one application.
  • Supports a wide range of messaging protocols.
  • Includes features for team collaboration.

vs Skype

Unifies multiple chat services into one application. compared to Skype
Viber

Viber

Freemium

Viber is a comprehensive messaging and VoIP application enabling free and secure calls and messages to users worldwide. It offers robust features for both individual and group communication across various devices.

Key Features

  • Strong focus on end-to-end encryption for privacy.
  • Free high-quality voice and video calls between users.
  • Comprehensive set of messaging features including stickers and file sharing.

vs Skype

Strong focus on end-to-end encryption for privacy. compared to Skype
Discord

Discord

Free

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.

Key Features

  • Excellent voice quality and low latency.
  • Highly customizable servers with detailed permissions.
  • Wide availability across multiple platforms.

vs Skype

Excellent voice quality and low latency. compared to Skype
Signal

Signal

Open Source

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.

Key Features

  • Strongest end-to-end encryption by default for all communication types.
  • Open source and regularly audited by security experts.
  • Minimal data collection and transparent privacy policy.

vs Skype

Strongest end-to-end encryption by default for all communication types. compared to Skype
Empathy

Empathy

Open Source

Empathy is a versatile multi-protocol messaging client designed for text, voice, and video communication across numerous IM networks. It offers features like file transfers, location sharing, and integration with various services, providing a unified communication experience.

Key Features

  • Supports a vast range of messaging protocols in one application.
  • Includes voice and video calling capabilities.
  • Provides file transfer and screen sharing features.

vs Skype

Supports a vast range of messaging protocols in one application. compared to Skype
TeamSpeak

TeamSpeak

Freemium

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.

Key Features

  • Excellent voice quality and low latency
  • High level of privacy and security through self-hosting
  • Robust permission system and customization options

vs Skype

Excellent voice quality and low latency compared to Skype
Linphone

Linphone

Open Source

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.

Key Features

  • Free and open-source with strong privacy features
  • Supports end-to-end encryption for calls and chat
  • SIP standard compliant, allowing connection to various VoIP providers

vs Skype

Free and open-source with strong privacy features compared to Skype
Wire

Wire

Free

Wire is a secure, cross-platform messaging and collaboration client offering end-to-end encryption by default for all communication types including messaging, voice and video calls, and file sharing across desktop and mobile devices.

Key Features

  • Strong, always-on end-to-end encryption for all communication.
  • Available on multiple platforms including desktop and mobile.
  • Open source code for transparency and security auditing.

vs Skype

Strong, always-on end-to-end encryption for all communication. compared to Skype
Franz

Franz

Free

Franz is a free, open-source application that consolidates multiple messaging and chat services into a single, convenient interface. It allows users to manage conversations across platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, and more without switching between different apps.

Key Features

  • Centralizes multiple messaging services into one application.
  • Supports a wide variety of popular and niche chat platforms.
  • Allows adding multiple accounts for the same service.

vs Skype

Centralizes multiple messaging services into one application. compared to Skype
Ring

Ring

Open Source

Ring (SFLphone) is a free and open-source communication platform offering secure messaging, voice, and video calls. It leverages decentralization and end-to-end encryption for enhanced privacy across multiple operating systems including Linux, Windows, macOS, and Android.

Key Features

  • Strong emphasis on privacy and security with end-to-end encryption.
  • Decentralized architecture increases resilience and prevents central control.
  • Open-source and free to use.

vs Skype

Strong emphasis on privacy and security with end-to-end encryption. compared to Skype
ICQ

ICQ

Free

ICQ is a veteran instant messaging platform offering a wide range of communication features, including text chat, voice and video calls, screen sharing, and group chats. It aims to provide a reliable and feature-rich messaging experience with a focus on privacy and security.

Key Features

  • Offers end-to-end encryption for enhanced privacy.
  • Provides voice and video calling features.
  • Supports group chats with threaded conversations.

vs Skype

Offers end-to-end encryption for enhanced privacy. compared to Skype
Rocket.Chat

Rocket.Chat

Open Source

Rocket.Chat is a comprehensive free and open-source team communication platform, offering real-time chat, audio/video conferencing, screen sharing, and file sharing. Designed for flexibility, it can be self-hosted on-premises for maximum control and customization, making it ideal for organizations prioritizing data privacy and security.

Key Features

  • Open source and free to use.
  • Excellent control over data and privacy with self-hosting.
  • Wide range of features including chat, audio/video, screen sharing.

vs Skype

Open source and free to use. compared to Skype
Matrix.org

Matrix.org

Open Source

Matrix is an open network for secure, decentralized real-time communication. It provides a flexible protocol for developers to build collaborative applications like instant messaging, VoIP, and video conferencing, enabling seamless communication across different service providers.

Key Features

  • Decentralized architecture increases resilience and prevents single points of failure.
  • Strong emphasis on end-to-end encryption for enhanced privacy and security.
  • Open standard and protocol fosters innovation and avoids vendor lock-in.

vs Skype

Decentralized architecture increases resilience and prevents single points of failure. compared to Skype
Psi+

Psi+

Open Source

Psi+ is a robust, cross-platform XMPP/Jabber client tailored for users who prioritize control, privacy, and extensibility. As a development branch of the classic Psi client, it offers advanced features for secure and customizable instant messaging.

Key Features

  • Strong focus on privacy and security with OTR support.
  • Decentralized communication using the open XMPP protocol.
  • Highly extensible through a comprehensive plugin system.

vs Skype

Strong focus on privacy and security with OTR support. compared to Skype
QuteCom

QuteCom

Open Source

QuteCom, formerly WengoPhone, was a free and open-source VoIP client supporting the SIP protocol. It enabled users to make voice and video calls, send instant messages, and connect with contacts across various networks, including Google Talk.

Key Features

  • Free and Open Source
  • SIP Protocol Support
  • Integrated Voice and Video Calls

vs Skype

Free and Open Source compared to Skype
Zulip

Zulip

Open Source

Zulip is a powerful open-source group chat application designed for team collaboration. It uniquely structures conversations around topics, enabling users to easily catch up on important discussions and manage information overload. Zulip facilitates secure communication with integrated file sharing and various integrations.

Key Features

  • Excellent at organizing complex conversations with its unique topic-based structure.
  • Helps in managing information overload compared to flat chat systems.
  • Open-source and offers a self-hosting option for greater data control and privacy.

vs Skype

Excellent at organizing complex conversations with its unique topic-based structure. compared to Skype
Sneek

Sneek

Freemium

Sneek revolutionizes remote team collaboration by providing a constant visual presence, making distributed teams feel more connected and spontaneous. It's a video-first platform designed to replicate the informal interactions of a physical office environment.

Key Features

  • Fosters spontaneous communication and informal interactions.
  • Provides a strong sense of team presence and connection.
  • Easy to initiate video calls with a single click.

vs Skype

Fosters spontaneous communication and informal interactions. compared to Skype
Dialog Messenger

Dialog Messenger

Free Personal

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.

Key Features

  • Strong focus on security and privacy with encryption and self-hosting options.
  • Provides complete control over data for compliance and sovereignty.
  • Includes essential communication features like text, voice, and video chat.

vs Skype

Strong focus on security and privacy with encryption and self-hosting options. compared to Skype
Toky

Toky

Freemium

Toky is a comprehensive cloud-based phone system designed for businesses, offering voice calls, SMS, call recording, and integrations with various CRM and business tools. It provides teams with a flexible and powerful communication platform for customer support and internal collaboration.

Key Features

  • Cloud-based and easy to deploy
  • Integration with major CRM platforms
  • Includes essential features like call recording and SMS

vs Skype

Cloud-based and easy to deploy compared to Skype

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