The best free Skype alternatives are video conferencing apps you can use on your Android, iOS and PC. If you’ve been on the search for the best apps like Skype, here’s an article that’ll interest you.
Skype has been one of the most popular apps when it comes to messaging, voice calls, video calls and file sharing. With Skype, you can make free calls to only Skype users but with certain limitations. While Skype comes by default on Windows 10 and Windows 11, you can still have it downloaded for free. Skype calls are limited and that’s why most people prefer going for better alternatives.
Well, since there are other apps like Skype, we intend to introduce you to them here at NaijaKnowHow. Whether you’re an Android, iOS, iPadOS, Windows or macOS user and you’re looking for free alternatives to Skype. In this article, you’ll discover the best free Skype alternatives you can use instead.
List of The Best Free Skype Alternatives for Android, iOS and PC
From the curated apps below, you’ll discover apps that offer better free features for video calls and messaging. Most of the apps are commonly used and you’ll find them on Google Play Store and Apple Store. Now let’s explore these best free Skype alternatives you can use on your smartphone and PC.
1. Zoom
When it comes to video conferencing across multiple devices, Zoom is one of the highly-rated apps you can use. With its user-friendly interface and robust features, Zoom offers a seamless experience for individuals and businesses alike. One of its standout features is the ability to host virtual meetings with up to hundreds of participants. In terms of audio and video quality, Zoom offers high-definition video and audio quality. This makes both end-to-end users enjoy clear communication during calls. Additionally, it offers screen-sharing capabilities, enabling users to share presentations, documents, or any other content with ease. Despite the large number of Zoom alternatives online, Zoom still happens to be a great choice.
Another reason to use Zoom is its extensive integration capabilities. While using it, you can integrate it with third-party applications. It works with the likes of Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook. Furthermore, Zoom offers a range of plans, including a free tier with limited features and paid plans. The free plans still offer better limited features compared to Skype. The interface and smooth performance of Zoom have made it a great alternative to Skype.
2. Google Meet
Google Meet is another great option to consider as an alternative to Skype. If you’re looking for an app with robust features and offers a smooth user experience. You should consider downloading Google Meet on your iOS device since it comes free on Android. With its seamless integration with other Google services, such as Google Calendar and Gmail, Google Meet offers a convenient solution for scheduling and joining meetings. Simplicity and reliability add to the reasons why you should use Google Meet on your smartphone. You can also access Google Meet on web browsers like Google Chrome, Firefox, UC Browser and other top browsers like Brave, Safari and Opera.
One of the key advantages of Google Meet is its simplicity. Users can initiate or join a meeting with just a few clicks. It also offers quality video and audio calling experience and other advanced features. While using Google Meet, users can also enjoy features like screen sharing. You can turn off your mic and camera while in a meeting and there’s also a chat room for users to join. Google Meet also offers end-to-end encryption, making sure your calls are secured.
3. Microsoft Teams
This is one of the best free Skype alternatives you can go for. Microsoft Teams is a go-to option for businesses and organizations looking for a communication and collaborative platform. Unlike other video conferencing apps that can be used for any purpose, Microsoft Teams is quite different from the rest. In fact, it is often regarded as one of the best project management software due to its capabilities. Microsoft Teams is part of the Microsoft Office Suite and you can integrate it with Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Visio. With Microsoft Teams, you can make calls with clients, partners and colleagues. There’s also a chat interface that’ll enable real-time messaging with connected members.
Microsoft Teams excel in facilitating teamwork and collaboration. Users can also access features like document sharing and co-authoring. In terms of collaboration, users can work on the same document simultaneously. This gives room for efficient and streamlined workflows among team members. In addition, Microsoft Teams also integrates with popular cloud storage apps like Microsoft OneDrive and so on.
4. WhatsApp
WhatsApp is a very popular instant messaging app that’ll let you enjoy free messaging and calling on mobile. Since WhatsApp is primarily known for its messaging capabilities. It also provides video and voice calling features and that makes it a better option compared to Skype. There are a lot of users on WhatsApp and that makes it a better option compared to Skype. One of the key advantages of WhatsApp is its simplicity and ease of use. It is available on multiple platforms. You can also use WhatsApp via the web on any browser on your PC.
When comparing the video and calling capabilities of WhatsApp, users can enjoy free video and voice calls. Over 32 participants can engage in a single video call on WhatsApp without any limitations on call duration. Another reason to use WhatsApp is its file-sharing capabilities. You can share documents, photos, videos and contacts easily on WhatsApp without any restrictions. With WhatsApp, you’ll enjoy a seamless video calling experience, making it one of the best free Skype alternatives.
5. Jitsi Meet
Jitsi Meet is a great option for video conferencing. It’s an open-source video conferencing platform that is available on different platforms. One of its standout features is its simplicity and accessibility. One of the reasons why Jitsi Meet is a better alternative to Skype is due to its unlimited features. Unlike other platforms, Jitsi Meet has no limits on the number of users who can join a meeting. You don’t need to create an account before you can start making calls on Jitsi Meet. Users can also access Jitsi Meet on web browsers without downloading the software on their PC.
Privacy and security are paramount for Jitsi Meet. The platform implements encryption for all communication. As an open-source solution, Jitsi Meet allows users to host their own instances. You can also share files with users while in a video conference on Jitsi Meet. There are no special processes for starting video conferencing on Jitsi Meet.
6. FaceTime
FaceTime is a video conferencing app that is exclusive to Apple users only. This app comes by default for iPhone and iPadOS users. One of the key advantages of FaceTime is its simplicity and ease of use. You can enjoy a seamless audio and video calling experience on FaceTime as an Apple user. You can make a FaceTime call easily and also share your screen with others. Using FaceTime makes everything easy and that’s why most Apple users consider it better than Skype.
Even though there are FaceTime alternatives on the internet, FaceTime still leads the way on Apple Devices. In addition to the features, FaceTime also offers spatial audio, you can integrate other apps as well. These are just a few of the best free Skype alternatives available and FaceTime is also one of them. You can enjoy everything that FaceTime has to offer as an Apple user.
7. Telegram
Telegram is one of the best WhatsApp alternatives you can use for instant messaging. It also ranks as one of the best VoIP apps on Android and iOS. Known for its security measures and extensive customization options, Telegram has gained a loyal user base worldwide. Telegram’s voice and video calling capabilities ensure high-quality communication, even in low-bandwidth situations. It supports group video calls, audio calls and other cool features. Basically, Telegram is known for its file-sharing capabilities which makes it a better choice compared to WhatsApp.
What Telegram, you can share large files with groups and individuals. The app allows users to share files with up to 2GB file size. In terms of customization, Telegram also allows users to customize the app interface. You can enjoy different stickers on Telegram, there’s also an option to transfer Telegram stickers to WhatsApp. Using Telegram offers a better way to enjoy video calls on Android and iOS. If you’re looking for one of the best free Skype alternatives, Telegram should be on your top list.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these are the best free Skype alternatives for video conferencing and messaging. With these apps, you’ll be able to enjoy a seamless video calling experience across multiple devices. There are better limited features on these alternatives to Skype and they work better.
