What can replace Skype: 8 applications for video

Layfhaker gathered programs that allow you to call up and arrange a video conference is not worse than their main competitor.

Everyone who calls to loved ones or colleagues via the Internet, for certain uses it is Skype. Skype remains the pioneer and undisputed leader in VoIP-applications.

But if you are unhappy with the quality of communication, a Skype security or just want to try something new, your choice has a large number of other customers.

1. Hangouts

• supports: chats, group chats, audiozvonki, video calling, video conferencing, file sharing.
• platforms: web, Android, iOS.

A web service from Google, which allows to organize video call right in the browser window. Just open the Hangouts page, enter the email addresses of people with whom you want to talk, and they will be sent an invitation. When launching Hangouts will automatically import your contacts on Google+, it e-mail and phone book.

Hangouts →

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Hangouts

Developer: google LLC

Price: Free

2. WhatsApp

• supports: chats, group chats, audiozvonki, video, file sharing.
• platforms: Windows, macOS, web, Android, iOS.

The popular instant messenger, needs no introduction. One can hardly find a person without WhatsApp installed on the phone. With it, you can not only communicate, but also to make video calls. However, video conferencing there are not yet available.

WhatsApp →

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WhatsApp Messenger

Developer: WhatsApp Inc.

Price: Free

DownloadQR-Code

WhatsApp Messenger

Developer: WhatsApp Inc.

Price: Free

3. WeChat

• supports: chats, group chats, audiozvonki, video calling, video conferencing, file sharing.
• platforms: Windows, macOS, web, Android, iOS.

Messenger, created by Chinese developers. In China, it is extremely widespread: they are more than a billion people. In addition to chat and video in WeChat, you can order food and taxis, buy movie tickets, pay for purchases and utilities, read the news... but only in China. But the messenger functions can be used and Chinese users.

WeChat →

4. Linphone

• supports: chats, group chats (Beta), audiozvonki, video, audio conference calls to fixed-line numbers, file sharing.
• platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Windows 10 Mobile.

App open source code that uses the SIP protocol. This client has a spartan interface and modest cost of system resources. To use Linphone, you can register a free account on the site Linphone or connect your account from any SIP provider.

linphone →

5. Tox

• supports: chats, group chats, audiozvonki, video calling, video conferencing, file sharing.
• platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS.

Strictly speaking, Tox - this is not the messenger, and communication protocol. For it created several messengers with open source: Venom, Toxic and uTox.

The ideal solution for paranoids and those whose work involves transferring confidential information. It can operate as a proxy, or through TOR. In Tox no servers, and communication is organized by peers (like in a torrent). Each user Tox is a feast.

Users of Tox no names, as in the usual messengers, instead they are assigned randomly generated numeric identifiers. You can share them via QR-codes. However, you can up and choose a nick to read.

tox →

6. Discord

• supports: chats, group chats, audiozvonki, video calling, video conferencing, file sharing.
• platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, web, Android, iOS.

Discord has positioned itself as a messenger for gamers. First of all, the functionality of Discord is aimed at providing comfortable communication in team games. Messenger is quite light, and will not spend a lot of system resources, so you can easily run it with the voracious games.

Discord →

7. Appear.in

• supports: audiozvonki, video calling, video conferencing.
• platforms: web, Android, iOS.

This service provides the ability to quickly and easily connect with the people you want. You do not need to register any or download applications. Just open the website, create a link to your conference and send to everyone with whom you want to talk (up to eight people). It works both on computers and on mobile devices.

If you care about privacy, you can lock your conference after all the participants to join. Links to conference created randomly, and you will not be able to call those whom you have not been invited.

Appear.in →

8. Talky

• supports: group chats, audiozvonki, video calling, video conferencing.
• platforms: Web.

Another service for audio-only group directly in the browser window. As in Appear.in, is enough to create a conference and send the link to all with whom to contact (up to 15 people). Again, gathering all those who want to, you can lock the conference to privacy.

talky →

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see also

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• 5 messengers that can replace Telegram →