Best for Ease of Use: WhatsApp
Huge user base.
Group chats of over 1,000.
Very easy to use.
10'000 Hours / Getty Images
32 people can be on a call at once.
Some privacy concerns due to being owned by Facebook.
WhatsApp is one of the biggest instant messaging services in the world.
It connects billions of users together, and it offers far more than just instant messaging.
Download For:
Best for Apple Users: FaceTime
Built into all Apple products.
Very simple to use.
Windows and Android users can only join calls in progress.
App is only available for Apple devices.
It’s as easy as making any other call and still offers end-to-end encryption.
Most Popular Alternative: Zoom
Simple to use.
Perfect for many scenarios.
Advanced features aren’t free.
Zoom is one of the fastest-growing Skype alternatives out there.
That’s because it’s very flexible.
Simple to use, it works via every platform possible, including your desktop.
Just be a little wary about how easy it is to be Zoom-bombed and other security concerns.
Best for a Quick Call: Slack
Screen annotation features.
Works in a web online window.
Ideal for business team collaborations.
Limited features for free users.
Less likely to already be installed on your friends' devices.
It’s also ideal for quick screen collaborations and annotations, which are super useful in a business context.
Best for Chatting With Friends: Facebook Messenger
Nearly everyone has an account.
Extra featuresplay games, share location, and send money.
Facebook related security issues.
Just want to chat with a friend via audio or video call?
Facebook Messenger is a great way to do this within seconds.
Nearly everyone has an account, so you won’t have to worry about complex setups.
The service works through the user’s web app.
you’re able to easily arrange an audio call with up to 50 accounts via the service.
Best for One-On-One Calls: Viber
End-to-end encryption.
Very similar to Skype.
Crucially here, there’s group audio calling which is quick to set up.
There are some banner ads, but they’re not intrusive.
The added benefit of being able to delete text messages once seen is great for added privacy.
Expect to pay if you want more than a one-on-one video call, though.
Best for Open Source Fans: Jami
Completely peer-to-peer.
Not very well known.
Keen to embrace a Skype alternative that isn’t owned by a massive company?
Jami is an open-source solution that works on a peer-to-peer basis.
That means there’s no risk of any company spying on your activities or keeping logs.
The only issue is getting other people on board, as Jami is a far from well-known brand.
That can be to its benefit, though, as it should be more secure from hacks.
