Skype, known for its free international video, voice calls, and messaging services, has been a major player in the telecommunications industry for nearly 21 years and 8 months. However, Microsoft has announced that it will discontinue Skype in May 2025. With this service shutting down, people are now looking for Free Skype Alternatives to fill the gap.
In this article, we will help you by suggesting some of the best free alternatives to Skype. You can choose the one that offers free local and international video calls, voice calls, messaging, photo sharing, and file transfers.
List of the Top 7 Best Free Skype Alternatives
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is the best free Skype alternative that provides you with many features for free. With Microsoft Teams’ free plan, you can easily make video and voice calls, chat, share files, and host team meetings.
It is an excellent choice for remote teams and businesses. The best part is that you can easily integrate it with Microsoft 365 apps like Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and others.
Key Features of Microsoft Teams Free Plan
- Up to 100 people can join a meeting at once
- Join unlimited group meetings for 60 minutes
- Make unlimited one-on-one calls for up to 30 hours
- 5GB of free cloud storage. Share documents, images, and files
- Share your screen during meetings for presentations and discussions
Zoom
Zoom is a popular internet-based video conferencing platform. Through this app, you can make video calls, audio calls, and chat for free with Zoom-to-Zoom users. Through the Zoom app, you can easily make international calls, which serve as an alternative to Skype for international calls.
It also provides toll-free numbers for countries like the USA, Australia, the UK, and others. With its user-friendly interface, Zoom has become a go-to tool for remote work, education, and social interaction.
Key Features of Zoom Free Plan
- Hosts meetings with up to 100 people
- Integrates with various third-party apps
- Unlimited one-on-one meetings with no time limit
- Allows meetings of up to 40 minutes for local and international calls
WhatsApp is a popular app that is present on almost everyone’s phone today. It allows you to share documents, photos, messages, voice notes, and make video calls for free via the internet.
Using WhatsApp, you can make both local and international calls, which are free of cost, as long as you have an internet connection or mobile data. WhatsApp is the best free Skype alternative.
Key Features of WhatApp Free Plan
- You can create a group with up to 1024 people
- Through WhatsApp, you can send money all over India
- Share photos, videos, documents, and other media easily
- Send text messages to anyone, anywhere in the world, for free
- Supports multiple devices like iOS, Android, and also works on desktop
Also Read: Best Skype Alternatives for Business
Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger is a free messaging app created by Meta Platforms. It allows users to make video and voice calls, and send messages, photos, videos, stickers, and other documents. It works only between Facebook Messenger users.
Whether for personal or professional use, Facebook Messenger provides a fast, easy, and reliable way to stay connected with friends, family, and colleagues globally. Facebook Messenger is an excellent free Skype alternative.
Key Features of Facebook Messenger Free Plan
- Share photos, videos, and documents instantly
- Make unlimited one-on-one video or voice calls
- Host video calls with up to 50 people, no time limit
- Create group chats for easy collaboration and conversation with multiple people
FaceTime
FaceTime is a very popular video and audio calling app that is completely free of cost. This app works only on Apple devices like MacBooks, iWatches, iPhones, iPods, iPads, and other Apple products. It does not support Android or Windows desktops.
With this app, you can make free international calls, but both users must have an Apple device and a stable internet connection. With this app, you cannot make calls to landlines or mobile numbers.
Key Features of FaceTime Free Plan
- Free Video and Audio Calls with high-quality
- Animoji & Memoji Support during video calls
- Supports group video calls with up to 32 participants
- Watch movies, listen to music, and share screens during a FaceTime call
Telegram
Are you looking for a free Skype alternative? No need to search anymore—Telegram is the best option!
Telegram is a cloud-based messaging service that allows you to make free voice and video calls over the internet. It supports groups with up to 200,000 members and broadcast channels for unlimited subscribers.
Telegram works internationally, letting you make voice and video calls from Telegram to Telegram. It also allows users to send messages, photos, videos, documents, and files anywhere in the world.
Key Features of Telegram Free Plan
- Support mobile, desktop, and web
- Unlimited storage with cloud access
- Telegram is completely free with no ads or hidden costs
- Send files up to 2GB each, including documents, videos, and images
Linphone
Linphone is an open-source VoIP service application that provides users with VoIP calling, video calls, audio calls, real-time messaging, and video conferencing on a single platform.
With Linphone, you can also make international calls. It is a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)-based softphone that can connect with both VoIP service providers and traditional phone lines.
For both business and personal use, Linphone is a great free alternative to Skype.
Key Features of Linphone Free Plan
- Supports group messaging for collaboration
- Available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS
- API and SDK available for integration with other services
- Connect with any SIP provider to make calls to mobile and landline numbers
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed various free tools and apps that allow you to make local and international video and audio calls, send messages, and host meetings at no cost. These are all free alternatives to Skype, providing you with a reliable communication platform.
Whether you need a VoIP service for personal use or business meetings, these alternatives offer secure, high-quality voice and video calls, group chats, and collaboration features. Some apps, like Telegram and facetime, focus on privacy, while others, like Zoom and Microsoft Teams, are great for professional use.
You can choose the best option based on your needs, whether it’s for one-on-one conversations, group video calls, or large-scale webinars. With so many choices available, choose one that fits you best.
FAQ's
Which Skype Alternative is Best for Business Meetings?
Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet are top choices for business meetings due to their professional features and integrations.
What is the Best Alternative for International Calls?
WhatsApp, Viber, and Telegram are the best Skype alternatives for international calls. They offer free voice and video calls over the internet, making them cost-effective. Viber also supports low-cost international calling to landlines and mobiles via Viber Out.
What the Best Skype Alternative for Personal use?
WhatsApp and Telegram are the best Skype alternatives for personal use. They offer free voice and video calls, messaging, and cloud storage. WhatsApp is widely used for its simplicity, while Telegram provides more features like large group chats and file sharing.