When suddenly a conversation begins about software for voice or text communication, Skype immediately comes to mind. Few people are interested in the alternative now, but relatively recently QIP played this role, and before that, ISQ. Functions, of course, are different, but over the years one program leaves, and another takes its “chair”. More details in the article.
About Skype
Many people are used to using this system because of its useful feature set. Once they preferred to communicate at a distance exclusively in text format. With the advent of the new system, it became possible to communicate in video conferencing mode.
Nowadays, the program is widely used both by individuals and in large companies for employee interaction. But sometimes server crashes and crashes on the developer side. For this reason, I had to think about finding an alternative to Skype.
There are a lot of software with similar capabilities, but everyone has its pros and cons.
VSee
Designed for communication between two people in video mode, and for organizing conferences.
The project is completely free, does not cause any difficulties when registering and installing on a PC, but, unfortunately, there is no Russian version. If there is no problem with knowledge of English, then VSee can be safely considered as an alternative to Skype for Windows.
The software is ideal for presenting the desktop, and the system requirements for Internet speed for voice communication are much lower - only 80-120 kb / s.
A significant minus is that the utility is adapted only for Windows and does not work on any other operating systems, and therefore is not in demand among Russian-speaking users.
Oovoo
Different from VSee. It includes both Russian and many other languages. The registration and installation process is no different from those in any similar program.
If Skype is considered an alternative for Windows XP, 7, Vista or Android, iPhone and Mac, then this is OoVoo. All the same set of functions for voice and text communication, as well as the integration of messages on Facebook, where you can also call and write to friends.
There are both paid and free services, with the latter quite a lot. A conference between 12 contacts, the ability to interact through OoVoo with users of Skype, Jabber, ICQ and other popular instant messengers.
Paid services apply to recording video calls. In the free version there are restrictions that are removed only after the "donation".
Tox
If the above software was intended for Windows, then this program is an alternative to Skype for Linux.
Text chat, video call and voice chat are supported. All actions in the utility are encrypted, and information is not transferred to third parties. In addition, the program has an intuitive interface and is available for both Linux, Windows and Android.
Linphone
Another answer to the question whether there is an alternative to Skype is Lynfon. The utility is easy to configure and does not cause any difficulties even for beginners. Supports voice and video call mode. Again, everything is hidden by the encryption protocol. The only downside is the fact that text chat has appeared relatively recently - in the latest versions.
Therefore, if for some reason Tox is not to your liking, you can stop at Linphone.
Jitsi
On "Line" the search options for an alternative to "Skype" do not end there. Skype in general, many companies decided to move to second place due to the lack of confidence in the confidentiality of the interaction of units. In other words, there is a high risk of hacking. Therefore, in order to avoid the leakage of trade secrets, employers resort to more secure software options.
Jitsi is not a good candidate for the alternative to Skype, but there is a lot of emphasis on data encryption: OTR and ZRTP protocols are involved. It also has the ability to interact with Jabber, Facebook or XMPP.
The disadvantage is the lack of an Android version. But also softinka is rarely used as Skype. Most often, this is used by all kinds of call centers as a tool for incoming and outgoing calls to the client base, having previously linked the functionality to the bug tracking system.
Telegram
Many have already heard about the new brainchild of Pavel Durov. In the context of using “cart” encryption protocols, there are no equal. But voice calls are not implemented, although the developers promised them. When they appear, it is unknown, but it’s too early to consider this messenger as a replacement for “Skype”.
Hangouts
It is not the kind of interaction program that everyone is used to. This is a small plugin with which you can send messages to friends and organize conferences with several people (we are talking about voice calls and video).
Hangouts is available on many platforms - both Windows and Linux, as well as Androis and iOs. According to the assurances of the creators, group video chats are made using analogous technology with YouTube broadcasts and are reliably protected from hacker attacks.
Viber
Initially, the utility was conceived as a messenger on Android and iOs. Due to the growing popularity, a version for desktop operating systems was released.
Voice messages, video calls and chat are all you need to compete with Skype. The alternative in the form of Viber is also preferred because of the ability to extract the history of correspondence in two clicks.
Kakaotalk
It was developed in South Korea and was conceived as a utility only for citizens of the country. However, the program gained popularity around the world.
It has the necessary set of functions: voice call, video communication, chat, as well as the ability to transfer files.
But if it comes to replace Skype, it’s not very soon, because the Russian-language version does not exist.
Wechat
A multifunctional Chinese service that allows you to combine Skype, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. The program allows you to like pictures, exchange messages, write posts and more.
As an alternative to Skype, the utility may well be considered. The set of functions is still the same: chat, calls, video conferencing and file transfer. However, WeChat is not so famous, because few people use it.
Perhaps, with a proper PR campaign, there will be an opportunity to compete with Skype.
Bleep
Functionality and appearance are very similar to the Tox program. Chats, sending files, calls - all the gentlemen's set available. The application is cross-platform, so anyone can use it.
Not very popular among owners of mobile devices, because, according to reviews, it sometimes freezes and very quickly puts a battery in, if you are constantly online. You should think again, if at the thought of how to replace Skype, the choice was made in favor of this software.
Facetime
Stable and high-speed application with a beautiful appearance. The ability to send messages to chat, call and communicate via video is available.
However, there are significant disadvantages that make it impossible to talk about the utility as an alternative to Skype:
- The program is available only to owners of Apple products;
- the mass of additional features provided in another messenger is simply not available, but the utility is loved for its excellent communication quality.
Whatsapp
So fate decreed that it was this application that became the very first messenger designed to make the “father” of the conference call nervous.
The popularity of WhatsApp has led the application to be installed on new mobile phone models by default. That is, the buyer receives the device with the application already installed.
The advantages include binding to the phone number, which eliminates the annoying registration and confirmation of the account. In addition to chat, you can make calls, transfer files and send voice messages. The developers have provided end-to-end encryption to the maximum level of data security. And there is also a function for interacting with the camera on the phone: that is, one click of a button, and the photo from the camera immediately flies to WhatsApp. Similarly with videos.
The disadvantages include a limited number of people in the conference - up to 10. The possibility of video calling is also provided. But unfortunately, only on the iOs platform. That is, only iPhone owners can enjoy it.
Smart tv
The so-called smart television, in its essence, is also an operating system adapted for operation on a regular home TV. Thus, an Internet connection is made. Accordingly, software installation is implied on the specified OS.
In particular, the alternative to Skype for “Smart TV” was sought by those users who are more comfortable communicating with relatives in the video conferencing mode using the wide screen. Of course, you should take care of purchasing a video camera and installing one with all the attendant difficulties, such as installing drivers.
The convenience of the system was the ability to hold conferences. At the same time, an impressive number of participants were displayed on the screen, and the owner of the Smart TV could easily switch from Skype to watching the movie and back using just the remote control.
Is an alternative to Skype in Smart TV possible
LG, Samsung, Sony, Tishiba, Phillips - all these manufacturers produced TVs with this option. But after June 2016, when Microsoft announced the termination of Skype support for Smart TV, many people thought about how to replace the program now, because it no longer works.
Unfortunately, there is no alternative. You can try to find old versions in the back streets of the Internet and install at your own risk, but this is not recommended.
Officially, the developer announced the termination of support for this product due to its low demand. Therefore, the company focused its efforts on versions for mobile and desktop operating systems.
Users who prefer communication on a wide screen are advised to switch to tablets or purchase the appropriate size of PC monitors. In our time, after all, there are many opportunities to use a personal computer as a TV.
Conclusion
It should be noted that of all the above options, Tox and Linphone are a worthy alternative to Skype.
These utilities are in no way inferior to the "father" of video conferencing. In fact, they use Skype and reluctantly refuse because they are just used to it. The program has worked well for a long time, as a result of which it is difficult to switch to other software.
But everyone has their own reasons. They don’t argue about tastes, as they say. In addition, many users who are ready to refuse video calls increasingly prefer Telegram when they think about how to replace Skype. An alternative to someone is also seen in WhatsApp, since the application is installed by default on the phone when purchased.
They choose software not only because of encryption protocols, but also for reasons of comfort. No one will install a program that very quickly discharges the battery of a mobile device, even if such an enormous number of additional functions are provided that greatly simplify a person’s life.
On the other hand, in some enterprises the use of software has become a kind of internal etiquette. Therefore, employees have to fork out for a more expensive phone so that the battery lasts longer. Through messengers, employees are informed about the news of the company. And a person who did not read the message on time may find himself in an awkward situation at the workplace. Consequently, awareness is paramount.
Whether Skype is waiting for the same fate as “ICQ” with QIP, time will tell. It is too early to draw any conclusions.