Best Alternatives to Skype in 2025 for VoIP, Video Calls, and Conferencing

Skype served as the primary communication platform for both personal and business usage for many years — but all good things must come to an end. The upcoming May 5, 2025 is Skype’s official retirement date, and millions of users are now on the hunt for the next best solution. Skype pioneered Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and video calls, and modern communication tools give users much more flexibility in communication.

Whether you’re managing remote teams or hosting virtual meetings as part of your work, now is the time to consider a switch. In this article, Yep Ads will walk you through a selection of alternatives for various needs — from personal chats to enterprise-level collaboration — so you can make a smooth transition before Skype is gone for good.

Why Skype Is Discontinued

Skype established the foundations of modern digital communication, which later became the standard we use today. However, as technology advanced, so did the demands of users. The modern market favors platforms that provide video calls alongside strong security protocols, user-friendly interfaces and vast integration capabilities.

Microsoft is now pushing users toward Teams because it combines Skype’s core features with new collaboration and productivity tools, especially after Skype lost the popularity race to WhatsApp and Zoom. Users who are already using Skype can export their data or switch to Teams before the shutdown in May.

Modern professionals require solutions which combine AI transcription capabilities with improved security measures and support for large-scale conference meetings. It’s not just about replacing Skype, because users need a tool that provides modern communication capabilities for business needs, remote work, and casual interactions.

Best Skype Alternatives

Best for Business Communication: Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is more than video calling — it’s a complete collaboration suite. The platform integrates perfectly with Office 365 to provide real-time collaboration features on top of advanced video conferencing. Teams provides 300 participants on its free plan and extends to 1,000 participants through paid subscriptions (plus 10,000 people in view-only mode for calls and 20,000 for Teams Live Events) which makes it suitable for bigger teams.

Key Features:

• Video calls
• Real-time collaboration
• Office 365 integration

Pricing: There is a free plan; paid plans start at $4 per user per month.

Best for Large Video Conferences: Zoom

Since the pandemic and it’s rise to global fame, Zoom is still the top choice for large video conferences. Zoom shows dependable performance and user-friendly features which make it suitable for webinars, online events, and large meetings. Users can access up to 100 participants on the free plan, while paid plans can fit up to 1,000 participants (300 for Business, 500 for Enterprise, 10,000 for some Webinar licenses).

Key Features:

• HD video
• Breakout rooms
• Live transcription
• Virtual backgrounds

Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start at $14.99 per user per month.

Best for Google Workspace Users: Google Meet

Google Meet serves as the best solution for organizations that already work within the Google Workspace environment. The platform provides an easy-to-use interface which integrates smoothly with Google Drive tools and Google Calendar. Google Meet can fit 100 participants for free and extends this limit from 150 to 1,000 participants depending on the subscription. The platform cannot boast any impressive advanced features, but it’s a reliable go-to tool that covers most teams’ needs.

Key Features:

• Screen sharing
• Live captions
• Google Drive integration

Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start at $7.20/user/month.

Best for Versatile Communication: Telegram

Telegram started as a basic messaging app but has transformed into a powerful communication system which has also been competing with Skype over the past years. During a single video call, Telegram enables 30 users to share their screen or camera roll and supports up to 1,000 viewers who can’t contribute to the call. The platform’s advanced encryption features together with its dedication to user privacy make it an attractive option. Telegram also has customizable bots and API integrations which means that it can be tailored for a wide range of collaborative workflows.

Key Features:

• Group video calls with up to 30 active broadcasters and 1,000 viewers
• Screen sharing
• Bots and API integrations
• Advanced encryption

Pricing: Free; Premium subscription with additional features from $4/month.

Best for Personal Use: WhatsApp

WhatsApp is also a strong contender for the Skype throne, but mainly in the realm of personal communication, since it has no integrations with other business-worthy systems like Teams. The user-friendly design together with dependable functionality is fit for support chats, simple straight sales, or warm-up routines to prep before the sale.

Key Features:

• End-to-end encryption
• Group video calls (up to 32 participants)
• File sharing

Pricing: Free; WhatsApp Business premium subscription — cost varies.

Best for Enterprise-Level Collaboration: WebEx

WebEx from Cisco Systems provides an enterprise-grade platform. The platform includes AI-based improvements alongside recording capabilities and advanced security standards. WebEx can host up to 100 users (free plan) and up to 500 participants on its webinars and unlimited view-only guests, which makes it ideal for organizations that need dependable, secure and advanced conferencing tools.

Key Features:

• Screen sharing
• Meeting recording
• AI-powered features

Pricing: Starts at $11/user/month.

Best Open-Source Alternative: Jami

Jami provides users with an innovative solution — it is a decentralized open-source platform. The system operates without central servers to provide users with complete control and privacy of their data. Jami gives free access to HD video calls, messaging, and file sharing. The platform provides reliable service despite lacking commercial polish, since it prioritizes security and transparency for users. For the time being, the tool has been tested with a limited number of participants — up to 16 people, but the idea of a decentralized platform is very promising.

Key Features:

• HD video
• Messaging
• File sharing

Pricing: Free.

Best for Social Networking: WeChat

WeChat is more than just a messaging app — it’s a full-fledged social platform. Combining chat, VoIP calls, and social media functions, WeChat is especially popular in Asia. Although its versatility is a big plus, keep in mind that registration requires a mobile phone, which might be a minor inconvenience for some users. Group calls allow up to 9 people, which is suitable for day-to-day management of a small team.

Key Features:

• Group chats
• Video calls
• Social media elements

Pricing: Free.

Best for Gamers and Small Teams: Discord

Discord is a versatile platform popular among gamers and smaller teams. It supports voice, video, and text chat, along with screen sharing and customizable bots. Although its laid-back vibe makes it perfect for casual use, Discord is also a viable option for smaller professional meetings, supporting up to 25 participants.

Key Features:

• Group calls
• Screen sharing
• Bots

Pricing: Free; premium plans start at $9.99/month.

Feature Comparison for Marketers

For digital marketers and businesses, choosing the right tool can make a big difference in productivity and collaboration. Here’s a quick look at how the top platforms compare:

Feature	Zoom	Microsoft Teams	Google Meet	Telegram	Jami	Discord
Max Participants	100 (free) / 1,000–10,000 (paid)	300 (free) / 1,000 + 10,000 view-only (paid)	100 (free) / 1,000 (paid)	30 active/1000 total	no limit (not tested)	25
Screen Sharing	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Recording	✅ (paid)	✅	✅ (paid)	❌	❌	✅
Integrations	Slack, Zapier	Office 365, SharePoint	Google Workspace	Bots, API integrations	Potentially unlimited due to the decentralized nature	Twitch, YouTube
Security	256-bit encryption	Enterprise-grade	End-to-end encryption	Advanced encryption	End-to-end encryption	Standard encryption
Pricing	Free – $14.99	Free – $4+	Free – $7.20+	Free – $2+	Free	Free – $9.99

How to Choose the Best Skype Alternative

When choosing a new communication tool, start by asking yourself a few questions:

• What are my needs? Whether it’s personal chats, team meetings, or large-scale webinars, your choice should match your usage.
• Which features matter most? Think about participant limits, screen sharing, recording options, and security.
• What’s my budget? Many platforms offer robust free versions, but sometimes investing in a paid plan can unlock features that boost productivity.
• Is it compatible with my devices and workflow? Check that the tool integrates smoothly with the apps you already use.
• Can I try it first? Take advantage of free trials or freemium versions to get a feel for the platform.

Conclusion

As Skype prepares to close its doors on May 5, 2025, now is the perfect time to explore other options that suit your communication needs. Whether you’re looking for a tool that’s perfect for personal use, one that scales for large business meetings, or a solution that prioritizes security, there’s an alternative out there for you. Start exploring these alternatives and make your transition smooth and stress-free — your future self (and your team) will thank you.