Skype is one of the most recognizable VOIPs (Voice Over Internet Protocol) or — in laymen’s speak — phone services that happens over the internet. People are familiar with and use Skype for several reasons, the most prominent (most likely) being that it is free. Or at least it appears to be free to its users. No VOIP, of course, is really free; the fees are included somewhere in your internet plan, you just don’t see them. But VOIP are extremely cheap and have higher functionality than regular old land lines. Think about it: you can receive and make calls from ANYWHERE you can connect to internet. Because of this, any device can become a VOIP device, even your personal computer.
1. Google Hangout leads the pack on our list and is just plain awesome. Not only can you message and make VoIP calls for free, you can have a group chat with up to 10 members…for FREE! And you don’t need to install a third party app or any other mumbo-jumbo (that’s our new phrase for software) to use it. All you need is a Google account. And most of us have that already. And if you don’t, why not? It’s free and you get access to all this cool stuff. Of course, if you’re getting off the Skype bandwagon because Skype was bought out by Microsoft a few years ago (or if you’re one of those people who compulsively spells it Mi¢ro$oft — which was really edgy in the 90s), then maybe you’re equally reluctant to get on board with Google, a company which has lately drawn a lot of Microsoft comparisons and has generated some anti-trust talk. Or maybe that’s not a problem for you at all, and I’m just psyching you out by mentioning it now.
1. Google Hangout leads the pack on our list and is just plain awesome. Not only can you message and make VoIP calls for free, you can have a group chat with up to 10 members…for FREE! And you don’t need to install a third party app or any other mumbo-jumbo (that’s our new phrase for software) to use it. All you need is a Google account. And most of us have that already. And if you don’t, why not? It’s free and you get access to all this cool stuff. Of course, if you’re getting off the Skype bandwagon because Skype was bought out by Microsoft a few years ago (or if you’re one of those people who compulsively spells it Mi¢ro$oft — which was really edgy in the 90s), then maybe you’re equally reluctant to get on board with Google, a company which has lately drawn a lot of Microsoft comparisons and has generated some anti-trust talk. Or maybe that’s not a problem for you at all, and I’m just psyching you out by mentioning it now.
2. Viber began as a mobile app and has expanded to the worlds of Mac and Windows PC. Both users must to have Viber installed on their device, but voice and video calls are free this way. You also have the ability to call landlines and mobile numbers and the rates are competitive. What’s more, Viber is ad-free! Drawback: You must first become a Viber member via cellphone; the cellphone number becomes your Viber ID. So if you like the self-chosen handles that you have in a lot of these service, you’re out of luck here. However, if you’re staying away from this great app because it’s phone-only (and you prefer to do your screen-talking on a tablet), there are workarounds to using this on a tablet.
3. Jitsi is a no-nonsense, open-source software, great for those concerned with privacy. (So, if you are the sort of reader who started to tune out when I led off my discussion with Google Hangout, you can start tuning in right about now.) It doesn’t boast a lot of bells and whistles but the features it does offer are rock solid: In addition to audio and video calling (aka, the central feature of all these apps), you can also share screens, encrypt text, and (here’s my favorite part) record calls, something you can’t do natively with most non-Premium VOIP clients. Jitsi also has great echo cancellation and noise suppression features to ensure clear calls. While this is currently iOS only, fear not: a Jitsi app for Android is on the horizon.
4. OoVoo, another straightforward, simple messaging and video chat tool, has a really fun social media aspect to it. With the options to have up to 12 members in a single video chat, it doesn’t stop there. You can utilize Facebook to invite friends to a call and they don’t even have to have OoVoo. Plus, you can upload videos and files directly to Youtube from OoVoo. OoVoo is ad-supported, but they have lots of cool add-ons. There’s OoVoo for those on a budget and a premium upgrade for those interested and capable. And although this has nothing to do with its functionality, I like this one because the name reminds me of Ooo, the fantastic setting of Adventure Time.
5. Voxox looks like it’s hitting on you (Get it? “X’s” and “O’s”? Shorthand for kisses and hugs, respectively? No? Oh, I’m so old), but it’s really a professional app & site, a great option for businesses. With 37 languages supported to boot, Voxox offers a cloud-based phone system with special rates for small business. You can even send faxes over chat and there is a translating feature for messages. Free calls among Voxox users and internationals calls are extremely affordable.
6. VSee is the only one on the list that can claim the prize of NASA USES THIS APP!!! How cool is that? Like, on the International Space Station. And VSee is ploughing the way for innovations in how medicine is practiced. VSee recently became “the first HIPAA-compliant telehealth app.” VSee is winning. It started a telehealth app, but you can totally use it for free for video chat, instant messaging, file sharing, and one screen share a day. PLUS, students with a .edu email can get the VSee Plus account for free, which is regularly 9 bucks a month. Another perk? VSee uses a whole lot less (50%) bandwidth than Skype.
7. Webex is another great option for businesses, so if you’re not just thinking about making guilt-ridden calls to your grandma (who misses you), then listen up. There is a free version and a paid version, which starts from $24 a month. Webex has good quality (HD 720P video), loads of great features such as an online whiteboard where you can make notes right there in the meeting, and a option where the app will call you when it’s go time.
8. LINE‘s website is ADORABLE! This is another one of those that’s a bit of an also-ran, but we’ve always been keeping an eye on it. So, standard free calls between Line users, instant messaging and stickers (who doesn’t love stickers?) but what’s great about Line is its social aspect with games and chat rooms. Because let’s face it, sometimes it’s hard to get the conversation going, so a little diversion can really help get things rolling along. Like others on our list, Line offers affordable calls to landlines and is available for mobile and PC.
9. Tox is simple to use and free, but where it really prides itself is in security with encryption. Tox users can only talk to other Tox users (which may be a step backward, considering it’s this same sort of proprietary nonsense that may be pushing you away from Skype in the first place), but you probably use it because it’s so secure and you don’t have to worry about someone else stumbling into your conversation, so that might not bother you. And it’s ad-free.
10. ICQ is one of the oldest messaging apps out there. The website def says copyright 1998! So, it’s had a few years to stay up with technology and get lots of feedback from users. It’s free and does the standard messaging and audio and video calls.
Honestly, the list goes on. Trillian, Yallo, WhatsApp, Voca, Toky, Slack, Tinychat, Glip, Adium, Telegram, Mumble, LetsBrik, PeerPlot, Mikogo…it just goes on and on. We encourage you and your cohorts to explore the options because there is something that will be right for everyone. There are so many to choose from, so Skype really does need to step up its game. We did want to give an extra nod to WeChat. We really believe they are on the up and up with pretty much everything. And they now support everything but the kitchen sink (and we’re sure they’re working on that, too). Voice chat, video chat, messaging, WALKIE TALKIE, stickers, group chat, photo sharing, QR Codes; WeChat pioneers.
IF there are any similar services that you feel we’ve overlooked (or that everybody has overlooked), and which you would like to get a little additional attention onto, feel free to mention it in the comments. Enjoy Best Skype Alternatives For Free video calling 2016.
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