Applications like skype on pc. Programs that are analogues of Skype. What can replace Skype

A unique idea born in the head of a developer loses its former properties with practical implementation. A cohort of “like-minded people” is formed behind a person’s back, who create copies of the original source interspersed with individuality. Today we will talk about what is alternative Skype, consider the most worthy projects, their strengths and weaknesses.

Briefly about the main

Hangouts

A Google Minor that is linked to an account of the same name. The service went through the process of integration with mail and profile on PCs and phones, which simplified access to:

• Content on YouTube (text chats, streams, videos).
• Different platforms running specific operating systems.

A nice addition is that a file not sent by the messenger can be viewed using Google's cloud storage.

KakaoTalk

Developers from South Korea took care of creating another "clone" of Skype, adding some interesting features. Within the system, the user can:

• Order food and make purchases in online stores (in foreign countries).
• View the news feed, a list of promotions and discounts on popular products.

The main advantages of the project are an intuitive interface, the ability to transfer large files (up to 100 MB).

Among the shortcomings are: a dubious system for protecting user information, limited language support, unstable operation due to the remoteness of the server implementation.

Skype provides users with the opportunity to communicate for free and for an unlimited period of time. And this has been going on for quite a number of years. During all this time, the program received updates and additions with new features. Skype developers justified the hopes of their users this time as well. Recently, the company has updated the application, which is known all over the world. Now, for all users of the service, the possibility of exchanging messages in the form of short videos is available. This feature is available to all users of devices with most platforms that support Skype. This list includes Black Berry, Android, Mac, iOS, Windows 8. However, today there are numerous alternatives to Skype in the form of applications that are not inferior in capabilities, and perhaps even superior.

Development of Skype

The latest development is the ability to record video messages for a duration of three minutes. "Skype" is an excellent service that provides assistance in communication and the ability to see your relatives living far away. At the same time, Skype also makes it possible to be at least a little closer to these people. But none of the technological innovations, unfortunately, will help get rid of busy weekdays, missed calls and schedules overflowing with work. It is in these factors that the need for the introduction of a new function is expressed. Even if the user missed a call from someone close, he will still be able to see a familiar face and hear a close voice in the message. It will wait for the user for an arbitrarily long time.

However, there are also disadvantages that are in this innovation. For example:

• It is not possible to send a video message to multiple subscribers.
• There is no option to share audio messages.
• It is not possible to save the recorded audio clip to the device memory.
• There is no way to cancel sent video messages, unlike text messages.

Despite the large amount of negativity that was caused by the increase in the transfer of confidential information about Skype users to the authorities, this company, as before, occupies a leading position in the Internet telephony section. At the same time, the question of whether there is an alternative to Skype is starting to sound more and more often.

What can replace Skype?

Analysts from Analysis Mason conducted an independent study. As a result, it was found that 79% of all Internet users use Skype. But in our time, more and more updated versions of the program are becoming less popular, and at the same time they cause negative reviews. Many may think: “Is there an alternative to Skype for a computer that will replace its already outdated version?”.

Google services

So, the Internet giant Google recently merged all the services into one. Now, to use the full variety of advantages of the Google Hangouts search engine, you do not even need to install an additional program. This service can be started using a Chrome web browser extension. The new browser includes: Gtalk chat, Gmail mail service, and a video communication service similar to Skype, Google Voice. At the moment, this alternative to Skype is available in a limited number of countries, but its development does not stand still.

Will ooVoo become a real replacement for Skype?

ooVoo is another completely free app that can be a real replacement for Skype. Even if this program does not replace it completely, it will seriously move it. ooVoo has more options when using video calling. The quality of the picture that is transmitted, and the sound is significantly higher than that of Skype. Among other things, ooVoo users have the ability to expand the conversation window to the full diagonal. The application interface is also very user-friendly and easy to use.

The most convenient feature in the ooVoo program is the joint viewing of video content. This means that the user and the interlocutor can watch any movie or video at a distance from each other at the same time. At the same time, it is possible to discuss this video during the broadcast. The free version of ooVoo has a group communication limitation. The number of participants cannot exceed 12 people. The ooVoo program is available for download on the official website and can be considered as a good alternative to Skype for PC.

Popular "Viber"

In our time, there is already a program similar to Skype - this is "Viber". Viber is perhaps several times more convenient. What exactly is Viber better than Skype?

The most important difference and the greatest advantage of Viber is that you do not need to create any new accounts, you do not need to bind them to mailboxes and remember passwords. Simply put, there is no registration. You do not need to send a request to add to the list with contacts and wait for confirmation.

There is no need to come up with a unique name using the Latin alphabet, and then sequentially dictate it letter by letter to the interlocutor. The reason is that users already know each other's names in Viber. How this happens will be further explained.

An alternative to Skype, Viber independently integrates into the phone book and authorizes the user by phone number. It's simple and brilliant. If the user also has a phone number, there is no need to invent an additional identifier.

What is required for Viber to work?

Just the Internet and a smartphone! It can be Wi-FI Internet or 3G. The Internet on a mobile device should be from the very beginning, before installing Viber.

It is also possible to install Viber on a computer running Windows, OS X or Linux.

In this case, it is possible to use two gadgets. If the user works with a laptop, then he can send messages, photos, make calls and answer calls directly from the laptop or leave the room with his smartphone. The phone can be with Android OS, iOS, Black Berry OS, Symbian, Windows Phone, Bada. Thus, Viber can be presented as a good alternative to Skype for Windows and various mobile operating systems.

Is it possible to call regular phone numbers? Yes, it is possible to call any of the existing numbers, both fixed and mobile. But this will already require payment, which will be much cheaper compared to the prices of roaming or international calls. This will be very useful for those who often make calls to other cities or countries to friends without using the Internet. Viber calling rates are quite affordable.

How to download Viber?

To do this, you need to visit the official website of Viber, select your OS there and start the installation. You can also search through your Viber smartphone and click "Install". After that, the program will prompt you to enter a phone number, and an SMS will be sent, which will contain a code. This code will then need to be dialed. If the phone has two SIM cards, Viber can be installed on one or both numbers together.

Viber icons will immediately appear in the address book of the phone, along with the numbers of customers who already have it. Many users will be surprised to see that most users already have Viber installed. This means that a call to such a subscriber is possible, even if he is thousands of kilometers away.

It can be frankly admitted that Viber is used by and large for sending messages in the form of text and media. This is because it is more convenient to send messages to friends so that they can read them and then be able to answer or call back at any time that suits them. Thus, this alternative to Skype helps the user not be distracted by the call. Provided that the subscriber is online, he will receive the message immediately, and the sender will see the inscription “Delivered” next to the text and change to “Viewed”. This is provided that the message has already been read by the recipient.

Now, when traveling abroad, most users do not activate roaming and do not buy SIM cards of the visited country. Usually WI-FI is available in any hotel, and this alternative to Skype for Android is very convenient. Users have a further opportunity to communicate with such convenience, as if no one had left anywhere - the same number and the opportunity to communicate for free.

Convenient CommFort

It is no exception that in the near future not even the CommFort program itself will become an alternative to Skype, but vice versa, Skype will become an alternative to CommFort, and Skype developers will remain unclaimed.

CommFort has created an advanced software product, which is a server application for network communication. Such a client-server solution is used for information exchange and network communication. It also provides voice calling, video calls and video conferencing.

Opportunities provided by the alternative to "Skype" CommFort:

• Text link.
• Fast and easy image sharing.
• Transfer files at the fastest possible speed.
• Audio and video calls with high quality sound and image.
• Video conferencing with the ability to attract a large number of participants.
• Work both in a local network, and in Internet.
• Administration when separating user rights.

In addition to the usual modes, CommFort can offer an interface that is enhanced for individual correspondence. There are also tools for choosing a mechanism for encrypting traffic and the ability to connect servers even to each other. It should be noted that the CommFort program is used both for personal needs in a home network (for exchanging various information, messages, pictures, files), and for corporate purposes.

With the help of an improved system of personal correspondence, there is a guarantee of convenient communication between interlocutors. At the same time, for communication there is an opportunity for accelerated transfer of messages from correspondence to a private channel. The private channels themselves have exceptional functionality: when a new notification is received, the user will be able to see it on a special button located on the taskbar. The program also provides that the status channel and texts from recent correspondence (along with pictures and files) will be saved even after the application is restarted.

Skype has long been the main program for communication. Its main advantage was the ability to make video calls around the world for free. After Microsoft acquired Skype, the number of users began to decrease rapidly. And this is not surprising, because who wants to see annoying ads all the time? People began to think about a more convenient way to communicate.

Is there a replacement for Skype

Thanks to the rapid development of the IT industry, in a few years, quite a few applications have appeared that provide reliable and stable communications. Not all of them have the same capabilities as Skype. But every year the number of competitors is growing. Let's look at the most useful and convenient instant messengers.

Viber

Today, Viber is the best communication tool. It can send text messages, photos and videos, make video calls and join groups for communication (up to 200 people). And all this is completely free! You pay only for internet traffic. For an additional fee, you can use the "Viber Out" service, which allows you to make calls to home phones or smartphones without Viber and the Internet.
The application is cross-platform, it can be used on a computer and phone. In order to start using the program, you need to download it to your smartphone and link it to your mobile phone number.

Download Viber from the official website

This smartphone app boasts over a billion downloads. Not so long ago, the developers released a version of WhatsApp for computers. And although it is still damp, it is quite possible to use it. Contains all the same features as Viber. There is a significant advantage - the presence of chat encryption. So if you want to secure your correspondence, this messenger will suit you best. Like Viber, it requires a connection to a mobile phone.

Download whatsapp

line

Line, like other messengers, was originally developed for mobile devices. However, the success of the program made the developers think about the desktop version. The application has the same functionality as competitors. Of the advantages, it is worth noting a large number of emoticons and stickers. It is possible to subscribe to news feeds of famous people. The Android version has the ability to store photos in Keep online storage. In general, a fairly good program, but less common in the Russian-speaking environment.

Download program Line

Google Hangouts

The main functions of Hangouts: messaging, photo and video, group chats (up to 150 people) and video conferences (up to 10 people). The main advantage is cross-platform. Initially, the application was designed for smartphone users, later the developers released a special plug-in for Google Chrome. Not so long ago, the messenger became an independent online service, thereby providing an opportunity for communication on absolutely any operating system.

Download the plugin from the Google Chrome store

1. 1. Follow the link and click the button "Install".

1. 1. In the top right corner in Google Chrome, you will have a Hangouts app icon. Click on it.

1. The program window will open. If you are already logged into Chrome with your Google account, then there is no need for further authorization. You can start chatting right away.

An online version of the program is available.

You can work in the browser, but this is not for everybody.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are enough programs that are not inferior (and sometimes even superior) in their functionality to Skype. Therefore, boldly discover new opportunities for communication. They are quite similar to each other, so the choice depends on the popularity of a particular program among your friends and relatives.

Skype may or may not be loved, but it is impossible to deny the popularity of this application. It is pre-installed on smartphones and laptops, even grandmothers and preschoolers use it, and the Skype login is found in the contact details of online stores and on business cards almost as often as a mobile phone number. But while ordinary people are using the popular application with might and main, a more advanced audience that worked with it back in those days when no one knew what a “headset for Skype” was is already looking for an alternative. After the takeover of the popular messenger by Microsoft, advertising appeared in the program, and not so long ago it became known that support for outdated versions of Skype would be discontinued within the next couple of months.

In the official explanation, the developers explain this step by saying that older releases are incompatible with the new features of the messenger (for example, sending messages to contacts who are not online). In addition, if users work with older versions, it is impossible to implement the correct operation of the program when accessing the network from several devices. No one doubts that there are other reasons why Microsoft is uncomfortable with older versions of Skype, but we can only guess about them. However, the main thing is that very soon users of Skype 6.13 for Windows and earlier versions, as well as Skype 6.14 for Mac and older releases, simply will not be able to use the program. If you try to authorize from the old version of the application, you will be prompted to update the program, otherwise the connection will not be established.

When people are forced to do something, it invariably causes a desire to refuse the service, no matter how familiar and convenient it may be. But finding an alternative to Skype is not easy, if only because over the years of its development, the application has received a lot of functions that can be used on various devices: desktop computers and laptops, smartphones and tablets. And for most of us, giving up a familiar app on a Windows PC means finding an alternative on a mobile device as well. Although the problem is rather with the messenger for the desktop. There are a lot of mobile applications for text messaging, VoIP telephony and video calls, but not all of them have versions for Windows. Most developers are focused on developing their products for mobile platforms. Nevertheless, there are instant messengers that work simultaneously on mobile devices and computers, and we will talk about them today.

Jitsi - only for desktop so far

The developers of most modern instant messengers rely on the support of popular mobile platforms, and pay much less attention to desktop systems. In this regard, Jitsi is a unique program, since it works on all popular desktop platforms, but only Android is supported from mobile ones, and even then only in alpha mode. The almost complete lack of support for mobile devices is offset by a number of other advantages.

Firstly, in terms of basic functionality, Jitsi is not inferior to Skype - the same voice communication, video calls, including group calls, the presence of a chat, the ability to show your screen. Secondly, Jitsi is not just a free program, it is also open source. At the same time, it is quite safe, since all traffic is encrypted. Thirdly, the application has good compatibility with other open standards: for example, the sound is transmitted using the Opus codec, Google, Facebook and other popular networks are supported, voice and video calls in Jitsi can be made through SIP and XMPP accounts.

The SIP protocol is convenient for communication between users who are on the local network. This method of communication does not require registration - it is enough to indicate your IP address and an arbitrary login. And in order to make voice and video calls not only on the local network, you can use the free XMPP service from Jitsi developers. To do this, you need to go through a simple registration on the jit.si website, and then enter your XMPP account details (login is indicated in the format [email protected]).

Jitsi saves call history and allows you to keep track of missed calls. The application also allows you to transfer files - you just need to drag them into the application window. For voice calls, echo cancellation, noise reduction, temporary microphone mute, call hold, simultaneous voice chat with multiple interlocutors are supported.

Viber is useless without a smartphone

Viber is a project with partially Belarusian roots. One of the founders of the messenger is a Belarusian, and work on the application is being carried out, including in Brest, as well as in Israel. The first version of Viber was released for the iPhone, but today you can use the messenger on almost all platforms: iOS, Android, Windows Phone, forgotten BlackBerry OS, Series 40, Symbian and Bada. And since last year, Viber has also been running on Windows, Mac OS X and Linux desktop platforms, although with some caveats, which are discussed below.

Viber supports all the usual functions of Skype: you can chat with friends in a chat (up to a hundred people can be in one chat at the same time), as well as make calls - both in voice mode alone and with video. True, video calls work so far only in desktop versions of the application, and even then in beta mode.

If you want to use Viber as an alternative to Skype on the desktop, you should not forget that this application was originally developed as a mobile one. This is why registration from the desktop client is not possible. To become a Viber user, you must first install the application on your smartphone. A phone number is used for authorization, the same number must then be entered in the desktop client. After that, an activation code will be sent to mobile Viber, which must be entered in the desktop program. At the same time, if you log out of your Viber account in the mobile application, the work of the desktop version will be immediately stopped.

Desktop Viber picks up a list of contacts from a mobile phone and shows them in the main window. If you wish, you can also connect your Facebook and Twitter accounts - then the contact list will become even larger.

Those people who use Viber will be marked in the contact list with a special icon - you can call them for free or chat in a chat. You can also call other contacts, but using the paid Viber Out function. If you install Viber on two or more devices, the application will synchronize all messages between clients. If a message was deleted on one device, it will disappear on the other.

Viber offers a lot of ways to express yourself. When chatting from a mobile device, you can use not only words and familiar emoticons, but also stickers.

In addition, right in the application, you can record funny animated videos and send them to your interlocutors.

It is also available to record ordinary voice messages, send video files and photos stored on the device, send location information. You can also draw pictures and send them to the chat. For desktop clients, sending emoticons, stickers, and photos that are stored on the computer works.

Among the numerous settings of the application, one can note the ability to block numbers, automatically delete old multimedia files from the device, the ability to hide oneself from the Viber network, free reply to SMS via Viber (if the respondent has the client installed).

Google Hangouts- video in the browser

The communication service from Google is integrated into various web services of the company, and also exists as separate mobile applications for Android and iOS, and the client is preinstalled on Android devices by default. From a desktop PC, you can chat via Hangouts from Gmail and Google+. There is also an extension for Google Chrome that adds a widget directly to the Windows taskbar. Authorization on all devices, of course, occurs through a Google account. At the same time, all events are synchronized between devices: if you missed a video meeting, you will see a message about this on all your devices, as well as the history of negotiations in a text chat.

It's also interesting that Hangouts syncs notification settings across devices. If, for example, the blocking of notifications about incoming messages is enabled on the computer for three hours, then during this time the smartphone will also be silent.

Another feature that will be useful for those who use Hangouts on different devices is the display of information about which device is currently active. Also, the status can show information that the user is currently talking to someone.

With Hangouts, you can send text messages, location information, photos to your interlocutors (on mobile devices, you can take a photo from the application or select it from the gallery). Unfortunately, there is no convenient way to transfer files, as in Skype. Perhaps someday developers will also integrate their Google Drive service with Hangouts, but for now, you can only upload images and videos.

On any device, you can start a video meeting with up to 100 people at the same time. During a video call, the participant who is currently speaking is displayed in a large window, and the rest in a ribbon of small windows located at the bottom of the screen. On a slow Internet connection, Hangouts video calls work even better than Skype.

Mobile versions of Hangouts are integrated with SMS (if the user has enabled this feature), so that the application shows a general chat for text messages and those sent through the application.

Hangouts for Chrome has a spartan interface. The application is presented as a separate small window, and also adds its own icon to the notification area (it can be disabled). At the request of the user, it can be automatically launched along with the start of the browser.

Telegram - only chat, but safe

Telegram is the youngest of the messengers in our review, the oldest of its clients is not even a year old. Nevertheless, the number of its active users in the spring exceeded 35 million. Behind the promising project is the notorious Pavel Durov, who invests money in it. Thanks to such powerful support, the application does not have any paid features, as well as advertising (and, as the developers promise on the official website, it will not appear, since this project is not focused on making a profit).

Telegram is being developed by another Durov - Nikolai, who is Pavel's older brother. Especially for the service, Nikolai created a special messaging protocol called MTProto, which provides a high level of security. So high that for hacking the protocol they offered 200 thousand dollars in the virtual currency Bitcoin, but no one has yet earned them that way.

Like other mobile messengers, Telegram uses a mobile phone number as a login. It receives an SMS with an authorization code. If Telegram is used on multiple devices, you need to keep in mind that the first time you log in from new equipment, you will need to enter a verification code. Therefore, the phone on which the registration was performed must be kept at hand. Interestingly, when authorizing on a new device, a message is sent to already activated devices for security purposes. In addition, in the application settings it is possible to remotely terminate all application sessions, except for the current one.

Telegram will be interesting for those Skype users who prefer text chat to all methods of communication. There are no VoIP telephony functions, as well as video calls, in Telegram (and not planned yet). The application offers text messaging, as well as the ability to send location information as a Google map fragment, attach images, send voice messages and videos up to 1 GB in size. You can record a voice message, as well as take a photo or video for the interlocutor, right there without leaving the chat window.

All forwarded messages are stored on a remote server and are therefore available from any device that is logged in with a service account. And there can be a lot of such devices, because Telegram officially supports iOS and Android, and also has unofficial clients for Windows Phone, Windows Desktop, Linux and Mac, works as an application for Google Chrome and as a web application in the browser.

You can communicate in Telegram not only with one person - group chats are provided to discuss issues that require the presence of more people. Up to two hundred people can take part in such a chat, and not only the creator of the group, but also everyone who has already been invited to it can invite new members. When you open a group chat window, you can see the total number of participants, as well as how many of them are currently online.

In addition to regular chats, Telegram also offers private ones with an increased level of security. During communication in them, data is sent directly between the two devices, and the correspondence history does not remain on a remote server. Moreover, while communicating in a secret chat, you can set the time after which messages will be automatically deleted from the sender's and recipient's devices. However, secrecy has a downside: in the name of security, you will have to sacrifice the ability to access messages from other devices, the function of forwarding messages to other people, and the ability to send messages to subscribers who are not online at the moment.

ooVoo - video calling, but with ads

Another application that you can consider as an alternative to Skype is ooVoo. Its main advantages are support for both desktop and major mobile platforms (iOS, Android, Windows Phone), as well as the ability to make video calls on all supported devices. Moreover, making video calls is the main purpose of the service, and a lot of attention is paid to this function. The transmitted video can be supplied with various special effects that are applied on the fly.

Up to 12 people can communicate simultaneously in a video chat, and not all of them must be users of the service. If you want to chat with those who do not have the ooVoo application installed, you can generate a video chat link. Those who receive this link will be able to join the video conference directly in their browser by entering their Facebook or ooVoo account details.

The ooVoo Windows program is more functional than the mobile apps. So, in the desktop client, you can send any files (in the mobile version - only photos and videos), record calls and video messages, watch YouTube videos with friends, transfer a picture from the desktop.

Unfortunately, ooVoo has not only advantages, but also disadvantages. The main one is annoying ads that appear both on the computer and on mobile devices. You can remove it by switching to the paid version of the service, which also includes the function of storing up to 1000 minutes of video on the service's servers (recall that Telegram can send videos up to 1 GB in size for free).

⇡ Conclusion

Well, today it is hardly possible to find a messenger that would not be inferior to Skype in terms of functionality and convenience. Among the alternatives considered, the Google Hangouts service seemed to be the most worthy solution - there are no ads here, and video on mobile platforms works well, and you don’t even need to register specifically, and the contact list is loaded from Gmail. However, other programs may also be suitable - it all depends on which Skype features you use most often and on which devices you are used to chatting. For example, Telegram is perfect for chatting, Jitsi is perfect for voice and video calls from the desktop, and Viber is perfect for mobile voice communication.

Skype is one of the first computer programs that allowed users to make video calls on mobile devices. In recent years, competitive analogues of Skype have been developed. You can download the best of the applications from us. They will compete with the mobile and desktop versions of Skype.

Here are the participants of the review - full-fledged analogues of Skype:

Viber app: a cross-platform replacement for Skype

Already loved by many, the most popular Viber program has been downloaded by more than 7 million users worldwide. It is the most famous and worthy replacement for Skype. In addition to the huge community, the Viber application has the functions of an Internet messenger with the ability to attach audio and video files, as well as voice messages, location data of an object, contact information and a wide variety of emoticons. Among the additional features of the Viber messenger are group chats (up to 200 people).

This program has both regular and video calls, while in good quality, according to the developers - in HD. Thanks to Push notifications, you will not miss a Viber call even when the device is turned off. Among other things, the application has such elements of a social network as public chats of famous people and magazines, etc., has support for the Android Wear system.

Thus, Viber is a successful analogue of Skype for a computer and a mobile platform (iOS and Android). Thanks to new features and following trends, Viber manages to compete with Skype. Not surprisingly, Viber's audience growth has only accelerated in recent years (at the moment, the messenger's audience is about 600 million users).

Messenger Google Hangouts

Google Hangouts is a kind of alternative to FaceTime, present in the Android OS. For iOS, there is a corresponding mobile version of the program.

Admittedly, the alternative is not so bad. The application allows you to exchange messages and videos in real time. What is attractive about Hangouts is that it is cross-platform and tied to a Google account. Accordingly, Hangouts integrates perfectly not only on Android, but also on Mac. Essentially, Hangouts replaces the Google Talk chatting feature found in Gmail and Google+.

The Google Hangouts app for Android is more than simple. It establishes a direct connection between two interlocutors, similar to Skype. As with Skype, in Hangouts you can send text and voice messages to other users, which will be available to them later, if these users are offline. In addition, group chats are supported.

As for using Hangouts as a replacement for Skype, yes, that makes sense. In some situations, the Google program consumes less traffic and behaves more predictably, does not interrupt the connection (however, sometimes hangouts experience disconnections, but these are extreme cases). Voice calls via Google Hangouts are completely free, just like Skype.

If you have an Android phone, you need to connect a Google account - this is a bridge between many services, including Hangouts. The application imports contacts from the address book and allows you to export back. In principle, Skype offers the same during installation.

So Hangouts is a good Skype alternative with tight Google integration by default.

Google Voice - Skype replacement for landline calls and SMS

Google Voice is a client for VoIP-telephony with the functions of incoming/outgoing calls, SMS messages, voice mail.

In 2017, the developers of Google Voice remembered that the client had not been updated for a long time and was significantly behind Skype and other instant messengers. Therefore, the first major update has been released in the last 5 (!) years. This came as a surprise to many users of the program and service.

First of all, Google Voice has got a user-friendly interface. The web client and mobile application for Android and iOS received a modern design, light colors, a tabbed interface, convenient for working with messages, calls, and voice mail. The exchange of SMS messages is similar to other instant messengers, messages grouped by topics are available for each contact.

There are also new features in Google Voice. Supports photo sharing, MMS, quick response function available through the notification panel. Voice messages can only be transcribed for English and Spanish.

The Google Voice service provides users with a virtual number, similar to landline phones (and programs like Skype). You can call virtual and real numbers, make outgoing calls. Voice is still the only application with voicemail functionality and textual transcription of voicemail.

Thus, Google Voice is a curious alternative to Skype. With the latest update, there's something to think about, especially if you're using Skype to call landlines and send SMS.

By the way, the Voice application is integrated into, so both applications can be used in conjunction.

Line for Android is a free alternative to Skype

LINE is another super popular messenger and probably a good replacement for Skype for desktop and mobile platforms. The quality indicator is a broad community of > 6 million people.

Mobile analogue of Skype - LINE

By the way, LINE Corporation has developed an excellent camera for Android - B612. We recommend this application to replace the standard camera shell.

The Line program for Android includes a messenger with a large number of emoticons and stickers, audio and video calls, as well as a news feed for each user. With the help of the latter, you can share interesting moments from your life with friends using text messages, music, photos and videos, and even map locations. Users of the LINE program can subscribe to the news feeds of other people, including various celebrities, bloggers and others. There are no such functions even in Skype itself.

Thus, in the "face" of Line, we get an attractive analogue of Skype with a dozen unique features.

Line messenger is available for various devices: smartphones, tablets and desktop solutions (although the app was originally developed for Android and iOS). The Line Camera mobile application can be downloaded for Android for free from the link below.

WhatsApp (WhatsApp for Android)

The final contributor to the review is Facebook's own messenger called WhatsApp. This iconic and popular messaging app is one of the few apps in history to boast over one billion downloads. WhatsApp is one of the most popular services in the history of the Web.

Using whatsapp messenger you can chat as well as create group chats. This application uses all the features of Material Design. Over time, the developers of WhatsApp for Android have been slowly ramping up all sorts of communication features over the past few years, and the drive only seems to be growing.

Definitely, WhatsApp is one of the best messengers in general for Android. A kind of replacement for Skype (another one, on a par with Viber).

imo video calls and chat

The mobile application "imo Video calls and chat" has two main functions: text messaging with the ability to transfer multimedia files and voice messages, as well as audio and video calls. At the same time, there are many additional features, such as sending emoticons and stickers, creating group chats or joint video conferences. It is noteworthy that the entire history of correspondence is stored on the developers' server and can be accessed from any other device in your personal account.

Zello walkie-talkie - another program for communication like Skype

First of all, it should be noted that there is no possibility to make video calls in the Zello walkie-talkie application, which is why it is inferior to other analogues of Skype. However, the main advantage of this application is the function of audio conferences with up to 1000 subscribers. At the same time, you can create your own password-protected audio channel, track the online status of other users, use a Bluetooth headset, and view your message history.

Tango: video calls for free

An excellent video chatting app, Tango has a number of key features. Audio and video calls, correspondence using messages, including in group chats, as well as the ability to use emoticons and stickers, change the status of your profile. Like the LINE app, Tango for Android has a news feed for each user, the ability to comment on posts and photos, and share them.

Tango as an alternative to boring Skype

An interesting feature of the program "Tango: video calls for free" is the presence of mini-games that can be played directly during a conversation with an interlocutor. Therefore, the function of turning on / off video recording during a call will be relevant.

Summing up

We looked at six advanced programs like Skype. Of course, all analogues of Skype - each in one way or another - have their own advantages and disadvantages. Among the leaders are Viber and LINE, whose multi-million audience speaks for the quality of these applications. Most of the programs mentioned have some social networking features that are not available in Skype itself. The unusual Zello walkie-talkie is great for users who want to save on regular calls and allows you to create mass conferences. The creation of Google - Hangouts is widely cross-platform, that is, it is supported on almost any mobile device, laptop and home PC, which significantly expands the circle of users' communication. Depending on the listed properties, you can choose how to replace Skype, in accordance with your requirements.