Despite the fact that today you cannot name a single provider that is able to replace all the features of Skype, there are many companies offering a wide range of VoIP and video services, which may be even better than Skype. The following is a brief overview of such programs that can replace the communicator familiar to everyone and become as familiar as listening to Skype and communicating on it.
Google Voice is Google’s voice telephone service, which was launched with great fanfare in March 2009. It offers users free PC-PC voice and video calls, free phone calls from a computer within the United States and cheap calls to other regions (unfortunately, they are available only for users from the United States). One of the most useful features of Google Voice (again, available only to U.S. residents) is that it allows users to have one number that they can use anywhere. Due to its chosen availability, it is difficult to say that this is an adequate analogue of Skype. The service also provides a number of useful additional features - voicemail, SMS, conference calling, call filtering and transcription of voicemail messages.
Vbuzzer is a VoIP and IM service that, unlike Skype, is based on open protocols - SIP and XMPP. It offers free calls from computer to computer, as well as paid from computer to phone, with lower rates than Skype. It also has voicemail, call forwarding, caller ID, web conferencing and fax. Speaking about this application, we can say that this is a good analogue of Skype.
VoxOx is trying to be an all-in-one application designed for desktops and mobile devices. It combines phone calls, IM, SMS, video chat, conference calling and even fax. The program also provides a function similar to “One number anywhere”, and outgoing calls can be made at very competitive rates, so it can also be considered an analogue of Skype.
Viber is an application designed for iPhone users who are looking for a way to make free VoIP calls. This service allows you to make calls from iPhone to iPhone via 3G and Wi-Fi connections. The application is free, runs in the background and calls in it can be made completely free. Currently, versions of this application are being developed, which will be an analogue of Skype for Android and Blackberry.
Grasshopper provides many of the features of expensive office PBXs, including multi-user support, personalized greeting, voicemail, web access and email notifications, and the ability to have a local or toll-free number that a user can always call.
The 8 × 8 Virtual Pro Office / Solo application provides a VoIP connection based on a virtual telephone system. It is available in two versions - for companies that require multiple accounts, and for individuals. The system includes business numbers, voice mail, call waiting, music on hold, Caller ID, connecting three subscribers and the ability to record calls, storing digital audio files. The program is paid and costs $ 49.99 per month for the business version, $ 7.99 per month for Solo Edition. For the reason that it is paid, it does not find its distribution as a good analogue of Skype.
Oovoo also provides a free multi-player (up to six people at a time) video chat, which is available for Mac, PC and a wide range of mobile devices. The application allows for high-quality video communication via 3G networks, therefore it can also be used as an analogue of Skype.