8 Best Skype Alternatives in 2025

Remember the early 2010s? That was Skype’s heyday, when millions of users flocked to the platform for quick voice and video calls. 

However, due to the app’s declining popularity and the rise of more efficient Skype alternatives, Microsoft is shutting down Skype in May 2025.

So, now’s the perfect time to explore the best Skype alternatives on the market. Our roundup includes the top apps offering voice calling and video conferencing — features that once made Skype a communication giant.

Let’s dive in.

Pumble — Best for overall business communication

Pumble is a user-friendly business messaging app that caters to companies wishing to improve internal communication.

Its wide array of collaboration features, including unlimited messaging history, makes it one of the best alternatives to Skype.

Pros of using Pumble:

When I first started using Pumble to simplify remote work, I noticed the app’s versatility . 

I could get in touch with my coworkers through:

• Direct messages,
• Voice calls,
• Video calls,
• Voice messages, and more.

This saved me valuable time because I no longer had to juggle several apps to stay on top of my work.

Pumble supports both 1-on-1 and group calls, all of which you can organize from within the app. For example, I usually start a voice call or video meeting directly from the chat box for impromptu brainstorming meetings.

But, for meetings requiring more prep work, I like to generate a meeting link I share with my colleagues in our group chat or team channel. The in-call messages, screen sharing, and active noise cancellation are a nice touch — everyone can work together without getting sidetracked.

Most importantly, all data is encrypted, which I appreciate since I rely on Pumble on a daily basis.

Unlike more complex alternatives to Skype, Pumble has a fairly intuitive user interface. So, getting started is a breeze even if you’re not the most tech-savvy.

Cons of using Pumble:

Pumble currently doesn’t offer read receipts, so there’s no way to know when someone has opened your message.

What’s new in Pumble: 

The app now allows users to post polls and surveys inside a Pumble channel.

Plus, users transitioning to Pumble from a different team communication app can also import their data using a CSV file.

Available for: Web, Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS

Pricing: Free plan available; Pro plans start at $2.49 per user per month

Microsoft Teams — Best for avid Microsoft users

Our list of the best Skype alternatives wouldn’t be complete without Microsoft Teams, a widely-used virtual meeting platform. 

If you’re a Microsoft fan looking to integrate several of the company’s apps, Teams could be a dependable Skype alternative for business communication.

Pros of using Microsoft Teams:

On the whole, Microsoft Teams provides a smooth video conferencing experience. I could start a video call from any device with a video camera or use the app directly from my web browser without additional downloads.

I tested the no-cost plan and noticed why some users would find the app a good Skype alternative, since the plan included:

• Video meetings (with a maximum length of 60 minutes and 100 participants),
• 1-on-1 voice calls without a time cap, and
• Chatting with people who don’t use Teams via their phone number or email address.

I had no issues sharing my screen during a meeting, but what impressed me more was the whiteboard feature. Once the host shares a presentation, other attendees can add comments, post virtual sticky notes, and make other changes — quite handy if your team does a lot of collaborative work.

Of course, it only takes a few clicks to access the web versions of other Microsoft tools like Word, PowerPoint, or OneDrive. And, for current Microsoft 365 subscribers, using Teams comes at no extra cost.

Cons of using Microsoft Teams:

While the free plan covers Skype’s basic functionalities, the Microsoft Teams pricing plans make the app one of the more expensive Skype alternatives. Thus, it might not be the ideal solution for budget-conscious companies. 

Not to mention, advanced security measures, like malware and spam filtering, are only available in the paid plans.

What’s new in Microsoft Teams: 

You can now schedule messages to be sent to a team channel at a specific time during your work hours.

Available for: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS

Pricing: Free plan available; Paid plans from $4 per user per month

Viber — Best for personal use

Viber is a simple communication app that offers texting and voice and video calls. Due to its ease of use, it has become a popular free alternative to Skype.

Pros of using Viber:

To register for Viber, all you need is a working phone number. Once I allowed the app to access my contacts list, I could:

• Create group chats,
• Send text messages,
• Share photos, videos, and stickers, and
• Make audio and video calls.

At first glance, Skype and Viber have a lot of similarities. However, some potential users may hesitate to share their phone numbers with an instant messaging app. That’s why it’s great to know Viber uses end-to-end encryption for private and group conversations, ensuring that no one outside the chat knows what you’re saying.

Using the mobile app feels intuitive, and overall, I was satisfied with the voice and video call quality. While all the features worked well on my desktop, using the mobile app felt more natural.

Cons of using Viber: 

Viber Out, the communication platform’s paid service, lets you call non-Viber numbers and landlines at low rates. But it’s only useful if many of your contacts don’t already use the app.

Although Viber Business offers some helpful features, it lacks team collaboration tools. While the app is great for staying in touch with friends and family, other free Skype alternatives might be better suited for team communication.

What’s new in Viber: 

Users can leave emoji reactions on messages to express their thoughts and feelings.

Available for: Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android

Pricing: Free version available; Paid prepaid plans vary by country

Google Meet — Best for companies using Google Workspace

Google Meet is another popular video conferencing solution. It’s simple to set up and use, making it a great option for businesses already using Google Workspace.

Pros of using Google Meet:

If you already have a Google account, you can start a free video meeting from your browser.

I could invite up to 100 attendees to a free 60-minute meeting and use features like:

• Breakout rooms,
• Screen sharing, and
• Live captions.

I found the captions quite accurate and helpful in highlighting important information. The one downside is that there’s no way to preserve them after the meeting ends.

Because Google Workspace apps work seamlessly together, I could easily join a meeting from Google Slides, Docs, or Sheets — a big plus if you often use these apps during the workday!

The On-the-Go mode is a nice innovation, too. Designed to minimize distractions while you’re walking or commuting, it immediately switches off your video feed and reduces data usage for a smoother experience.

Cons of using Google Meet: 

While startups and small businesses may find Meet a solid alternative to Skype, hosting meetings with more than 100 participants requires at least the Business Starter Plan, which isn’t the most budget-friendly option. 

Similarly, features like meeting recordings, eSignature, and noise cancellation are only available in the paid tiers.

In contrast, some Google Meet alternatives offer more generous plans. 

What’s new in Google Meet: 

Google recently updated the mobile app interface to make voice and video calls more efficient.

Available for: Web, iOS, and Android

Pricing: Free plan available; Paid plans from $6 per user per month

Zoom — Best for fuss-free video calls

Zoom has established itself as a well-known video conferencing platform that provides users with dynamic and immersive meetings.

So, how does it hold up as an alternative to Skype, especially for remote and hybrid teams?

Pros of using Zoom:

To start using the Basic plan, I didn’t even need to input my credit card information. 

Once I had the setup out of the way, I could:

• Host an unlimited number of meetings (capped at the standard 40 minutes with 100 attendees tops),
• Share my screen, and
• Use the Zoom Team Chat.

Although your meeting will automatically cut off at 40 minutes, you can host a new one immediately.

Zoom has a lot of flexibility when it comes to screen sharing. Not only could I share my entire desktop, but also:

• A specific app,
• A portion of my screen,
• Whiteboards,
• Device audio (video or music), and
• Video feed from a second camera.

As far as free Skype alternatives go, Zoom does a good job of making meetings fun and engaging. I could write or draw on my shared screen, perfect for emphasizing key points during presentations.

The breakout rooms are another collaboration feature I liked since dividing a team into smaller groups often sparks productive discussions.

Cons of using Zoom: 

Many people are still wary of using Zoom due to past security issues, so they might choose more reliable Skype alternatives. Additionally, the desktop client delivers the best experience, while the mobile app isn’t as feature-rich.

What’s new in Zoom: 

Zoom recently redesigned its chat sidebar, giving users more customization options.

Available for: Web, Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android

Pricing: Free plan available; Paid plans start at $13.33 per host per month

Webex Meetings — Best for big conferencing events

Webex Meetings is primarily a video conferencing platform with many business-oriented features catering to hybrid teams.

Pros of using Webex Meetings: 

Getting started took no time at all since I could register using my Gmail account.

The web version has a clean, intuitive design, and I quickly figured out how to:

• Schedule and host meetings,
• Find my meeting calendar, and
• Send messages.

The maximum meeting length for 100 participants is 40 minutes, which is standard for similar Skype alternatives. The good news is that in-meeting messages are available — a feature that helps larger teams collaborate without disrupting the flow of their meeting.

I could also save meetings for future reference by recording and storing them locally on my device. Users can save meetings as cloud recordings once they choose a paid plan.  

Cons of using Webex Meetings: 

The app is on the pricier end of Skype alternatives, so enterprises hosting large conferencing events may get the best value for their money. And, if you pay for a non-enterprise tier, you only get 10 GB of storage for cloud recordings.

What’s new in Webex Meetings: 

The latest addition to the platform is meeting links.

Available for: Web, Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android

Pricing: Free plan available; Paid plans from $12 per month per license

Jami — Best for users looking for an open-source Skype alternative

Jami is a no-cost, open-source app with fundamental communication features, including:

• Instant messaging, 
• Video conferencing, and 
• File sharing.

Pros of Using Jami:

For a free Skype alternative, Jami offers plenty of basic but practical features. I didn’t need to enter any personal details — I just created a unique username, and the app was up and running. To connect with others, I could share my username or a QR code, which I found convenient.

I was curious about the quality of audio and video calls, as open-source software can sometimes fall short. Luckily, I had no major issues with calls. However, my screen froze when I attempted to flip the camera, which led to brief yet unexpected delays. 

Another great feature is that you can still communicate with users on the same network, even if the internet connection drops. Since the app is decentralized and uses local protocols, you can exchange messages, calls, or other data without internet access as long as everyone’s on the same Wi-Fi network.

Jami doesn’t just support text messages. I could also send video and voice messages and edit or delete DMs.

Cons of using Jami: 

Jami has a minimalistic user interface compared to its competitors. While a simple design can mean fewer distractions, in this case, the layout feels clunky, which may reduce the app’s usability.

What’s new in Jami: 

The software’s most recent update focused primarily on bug fixes.

Available for: Mac, Linux, Windows, iOS, and Android

Pricing: Free

TeamSpeak — Best for smooth VoIP communication

TeamSpeak is a VoIP platform that could be a worthy Skype alternative for users who appreciate flexible multimedia and voice communication.

Pros of using TeamSpeak:

Although VoIP software can sometimes be overly complex, I didn’t even have to sign up to access TeamSpeak’s basic features.

Without an account, I could:

• Join public servers,
• Hop on voice calls, and
• Participate in text chats.

This is a nice option for casual users who don’t want to leave personal information in the app. But, if, like me, you’d like to test the software’s full features, you’ll need to register an account.

I had no qualms about doing so since TeamSpeak uses encryption to protect user data as it travels over the Internet. Similarly, I could create a self-hosted server, so the software would have no way of harvesting text and voice data within my server — pretty neat if you’re a privacy-conscious user!

As far as communication features go, TeamSpeak gave a solid performance. 

I could easily:

• Initiate and join lag-free voice calls,
• Share and store files to create a more collaborative experience,
• Start private 1-on-1 text conversations to keep information discreet, and
• Create group chats in channels and servers to avoid interrupting ongoing voice calls.

Cons of using TeamSpeak: 

The software excels in voice communication but lacks video conferencing options. This is less than ideal if you’re looking for a comprehensive communication solution, and many other Skype alternatives combine voice calling and video conferencing capabilities. 

Also, the platform’s interface is more complicated than Skype’s, so I needed some time to get used to the layout.

What’s new in TeamSpeak: 

Users can now purchase servers directly through TeamSpeak without using a third-party app. Moreover, the app introduced screen sharing to its list of recently added features.

Available for: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS

Pricing: Free plan available; Paid plans from $30 per server per year

Choose a Skype alternative that makes a significant impact

Skype is shutting down, but many other communication platforms are stepping up to help teams stay productive and connected.

Some of these platforms, like Pumble, are part of a complete suite of apps designed to streamline collaboration, communication, and task management.

In addition to Pumble, the Productivity Bundle by CAKE.com includes Clockify, a time tracker built for sustainable growth, and Plaky, a task manager that keeps everyone on track. 

You should never get stuck in a rut because of inefficient software. Try Pumble today! 

And, check out the Productivity Bundle to bring out the best in your team!