OK Skype, you’ve been with us for years.
No matter how old you are, you’ve probably heard of Skype. For many of us, it was the first app we would open every morning when we got to work. But as you know, no app is used forever.
It seems like it’s finally time for Skype to be replaced with something else – something more reliable, robust and easier to use. But is there a good replacement?
When we started building Chanty, our easy-to-use and intuitive team chat app, we had to conduct quite a bit of research. We wanted to analyze our competitors and see what we’re up against, and one of the apps we tested was Skype.
For each app we tested, we considered its pros and cons from the perspective of a customer, because we wanted to build something better. Skype is just one of the many apps we’ve tried.
Why search for Skype alternatives?
If you’re looking for Skype for business alternatives, it’s likely because you’ve encountered one or more frustrating issues with the platform. While Skype has been a pioneering tool in video communication, many users likely face one of the following problems:
- You see too many ads on Skype
- The app is too slow for you
- Fake and hacked accounts keep spamming you
- Your Skype account is hacked
- You’re confused with the constant design updates
Considering these issues, it’s clear why many businesses and individuals are actively seeking the best alternatives to Skype. Switching to a more reliable platform can significantly improve communication, enhance productivity, and provide a more user-friendly experience.
Our Skype alternatives experiment
Despite Skype being a major player in the video communication market, there are quite a few new video conferencing apps in the market nowadays. With so many options out there, it can be tough for businesses and organizations to figure out the perfect solution for their unique communication needs.
At Chanty, we decided to take a look at available alternatives to Skype and see which app is worth your time. We wanted to give you a full overview of the different options out there so you can make the best decisions for your team’s communication strategy.
Here are the top features that Skype offers at the moment:
- One-on-one instant chat
- Group instant chat
- Audio and video calls
- Screen sharing
- The ability to call phone numbers (mobile and landline)
Since we have a basis for comparison, let’s take a look at some Skype alternatives that you can consider:
Chanty vs Skype
Lots of companies use Skype to communicate at work. If you work in a company like that, it’s time to consider a team chat app instead of Skype, because they’re that much better for communicating in the workplace.
Chanty is an easy-to-use, capable team chat app made for business applications. It’s a notification center too, which means you’ll be able to get notifications from all other apps you use in one place. This is something that Skype does not have.
How to bring all your notifications into one place?
Your team probably uses more than one app for work. This could be MailChimp, Xero, Salesforce, Zendesk or something else. Chanty lets you stay on top of things because you can get all your app notifications organized together on one platform.
Chanty is designed for team communication
At its core, Chanty is a communication app built for teams. On Skype, everyone can get in touch with you, from your aunt to your childhood friend who added you years ago. On the other hand, Chanty is a closed team chat app that is built for you and your colleagues. You won’t get distracted by anyone outside of work who wants to get in touch with you.
Company-wide, private or one-on-one discussions
You can communicate in a variety of ways with Chanty. From one-on-one chats to team messages, you can do it all. That way, you can share things publicly with your entire company, or if necessary, you can go to a private group conversation.
Let’s take a look at the current comparison of Chanty vs. Skype in this table.
Chanty vs Skype
| Features | Chanty | Skype |
|---|---|---|
| Interface and design | Simple and clean | More complicated and less intuitive |
| Instant chat | Yes | Yes |
| Audio and video calls with screen sharing | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations with third-party software | Yes | No |
| Search | Searchable messages, files and links | Searchable messages |
| Message history limit | No limit | No limit |
| One on one Public Private conversations | Yes | Yes |
| File sharing | – Files you share are stored in the Chanty cloud and can be easily forwarded to anyone- Each file receives a unique link- You can also view images in the chat feed | – All kinds of fileson the desktop version – Only photos on the mobile version |
| SMS, landline and mobile calls | No | Yes |
| Task management | Yes | No |
| Supported platforms | Android, iOS, web, Windows, macOS, Linux | Android, iOS, web, Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Price | Freemium | It’s free until you want to send SMS or call mobile/landline numbers. |
| In-app ads | No ads | Yes |
Chanty vs Skype summary
If you’re looking for a team chat app, choose Chanty. If you need an app for personal communication, choose Skype. The major takeaways from Chanty are:
– You can integrate it with your favorite apps and get notifications in your team chat window. Skype doesn’t allow this.
– You can use Chanty for the public (company-wide), private (one, two or more participants) conversations as well as one-on-one chats. With Skype, you can chat one-on-one or in group conversations.
– You can create closed team spaces in Chanty. In Skype, you can get in touch with anyone with an account.
– Chanty has audio and video calls, just like Skype.
– You can’t send SMS messages or make landline calls in Chanty.
– Chanty will never serve you a single ad.
Last but not least, Chanty is constantly evolving. Our goal is to make the best team chat app out there, with only the features that individuals and companies will find useful. We are constantly adding new cool features and we’re excited for what the future brings for us and our users. If you’d like to give Chanty a try, you can sign up today or book a free demo! 😉
Brosix IM vs. Skype
Brosix IM is a strong option among Skype for business alternatives. It offers many features similar to Skype, including audio and video calls, instant messaging, and screen sharing. What makes Brosix different is the focus on internal team communication through private team networks.
Brosix also pays particular attention to security, with fully encrypted security channels and a range of administrative features designed to keep team communication safe.
Private Team Networks for Enterprise Customers
Outside of its IM app, Brosix specializes in private team communication networks. These networks are fully administrable. Brosix allows administrators to control which features are accessible to users, which users can join the network, and who can communicate with whom.
Skype for Business also provides enterprise IM services, although this is set to be phased out in favor of Microsoft Teams in the coming months.
Security
Both Brosix and Skype use AES 256-bit encryption, one of the strongest algorithms on the market. Customers using Brosix private network have direct control over which users can access the network. On the other hand, Skype’s free public app allows strangers to reach out and contact users. There are privacy settings for this, but the standard setting allows unknown contacts to send messages and call users.
| Features | Brosix IM | Skype |
| Instant Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Chat Rooms | Yes, persistent chat rooms in private team networks | Available in Skype for business only |
| Screen Sharing | Yes, screen sharing and remote desktop features | Yes |
| File Transfers | Yes, unlimited in size P2P file transfer | Yes, up to 300 MB directly through Skype. Larger files via OneDrive |
| SMS | No | Yes, in paid versions |
| Landline and mobile calls | No | Yes, in paid versions |
| Supported Platforms | Android, iOS, web, mac, Windows, Linux | Android, iOS, web, mac, Windows, Linux |
| Price | Free IM app. Private networks free for teams up to 10. Starting at $3 per user per month after that. | Free IM app. Skype for business starting at $5 per user per month. |
| In-app ads | No | Yes |
Brosix IM vs. Skype summary
Brosix IM and Skype have many features in common, particularly when Brosix is compared with Skype for Business. The uncertain future of Skype’s enterprise services leaves an opening for other competitors however. Brosix IM could fill this role with its focus on private team networks that provide a relatively simple-to-use features package, much like Skype.
Google Chat vs Skype
When it comes to their communication features, these two tools are pretty similar. You can use both to chat, make audio and video calls and call mobile and landline numbers. If you’re interested, we have a detailed comparison of Hangouts vs. Skype for you to check out how the two fare against each other. When it comes to features, this is what the situation looks like:
Google Hangouts vs Skype
| Features | Google Chat | Skype |
|---|---|---|
| Instant chat | Up to 150 people | Doesn’t specify |
| Audio and video group calls | Up to 150 people for audio calls; Up to 100 for video calls. | Up to 100 people for audio and video calls |
| Screen sharing | Yes | Yes |
| Chat extras | Maps, emojis, stickers, and GIFs | Smileys, mojis;Send contacts, location, video messages |
| File sharing | Images only (or everything but only via Google Drive) | 300 MB (larger files could be sent via OneDrive, their cloud storage). Files are available for 30 days on all devices |
| Supported platforms | Android, iOS, and the web | Android, iOS, web, Windows, macOS, Linux |
| SMS | No | Yes, paid option |
| Landline and mobile calls | Yes, paid option | Yes, paid option |
| Price | It’s free on your gmail account and $6 with 30 GB storage and 100 video call participants; $18 with 5TB and 250 participants | It’s free until you want to send SMS or call mobile/landline numbers. |
| In-app ads | Hell no | Hell to the Yes |
Google Chat’s unfamiliar interface vs. Skype’s redesign
Google Chat looks and feels different – not like a standard chat application. Every chat that you open is a new window, which means that more than 10 open chats at once create mayhem on your screen. Overall, the Hangouts interface leaves much to be desired.
Although, the professional photos in the background of the app are very nice. However, you cannot change them on your own.
Skype has changed many design iterations throughout the years, with the biggest one happening in 2017. While it was initially met with a lot of negativity, its slightly altered version is alive and well today and we have all gotten used to it.
Notifications
Your can turn on/ off the notifications in Google Chat.
In Skype, video and audio call push notifications pop up right in front of you. On the other hand, Hangouts won’t notify you about an incoming call. However, you will receive an email in your Gmail inbox that someone’s calling you. Don’t want to miss any calls? Well, better check your emails regularly
The integration with Google is great
There is one thing that’s awesome about Google Chat – it plays well with the rest of Google’s products. Google Chat is integrated with everything in Google’s arsenal, including Gmail. The moment you open your inbox, a Google chat box will be waiting for you. If you spend a lot of time on Gmail, this is pretty convenient.
Video/audio calls and screen sharing work pretty well
The number one reason why people use Google is the video calling feature. We gave it a go and tested both apps to find the winner. Our team video call was just fine in both apps and there were no issues with screen sharing either. Therefore, if video calls are your primary requirement, you can choose either app, they’re equally good.
Google Chat vs. Skype – summary
– Video/ audio calls and screen sharing work equally well in both apps
– File sharing on Google Chat is limited – you can only send images
– You can easily miss calls because notifications are not great on Google Chat
– Combine Hangout with other Google apps and it’s a great tool
– There is no desktop app for Google Chat
– Skype lets you send a larger variety of files
– Landline and mobile calls are cheaper in Hangouts
FaceTime vs Skype
Launched in 2010, FaceTime is one of the most popular communication apps out there. It is primarily focused on Apple devices: MacBooks, iPhones, iPods, iPads and iWatches. Good news for Apple users but it also means that Android users won’t be able to use the app. Also, you cannot use FaceTime on Windows either. As of recently, FaceTime has the ability to have up to 32 people join a video call, which is a huge improvement from one-on-ones as it was before. FaceTime doesn’t support instant text chat either – you have to use iMessage for this feature, although this shouldn’t be an issue for Apple users.
Let’s take a closer look at FaceTime and Skype features in this table.
FaceTime vs Skype
| Features | FaceTime | Skype |
|---|---|---|
| Instant chat | No | Powerful chat |
| Audio and video group calls | Up to 32 people | Up to 100 people |
| Screen sharing | No | Yes |
| Chat extras | No (iMessage) | Smileys, emojis;Send contacts, location, video messages |
| File sharing | No (iMessage) | 300 MB (larger files could be sent via OneDrive, their cloud storage). Files are available for 30 days on all devices |
| Supported platforms | iOS, macOS | Android, iOS, web, macOS, Windows, Linux |
| SMS | No | Yes, paid option |
| Landline and mobile calls | No | Yes, paid option |
| Price | Free | It’s free until you want to send SMS or call mobile/landline numbers. |
| In-app ads | No | Yes |
FaceTime vs Skype summary
It would be a stretch to call FaceTime a competitor to Skype. The only feature that they have in common is video calls. Just like all other Apple apps, FaceTime requires iOS, and it’s only sufficiently good paired with iMessage. All of this doesn’t make it ideal for work.
Viber vs Skype
Out of all the other apps like Skype, Viber is likely the closest in terms of functionality. It offers similar features like voice and video calls, messaging, and group chats.
Difference: Viber needs your phone number
The major condition for using Viber is giving it your phone number and access to your smartphone. You cannot sign up for the app at all if you don’t have a working mobile phone number, both for registration and use.
Businesses that have your phone number will keep sending you spam
You can unsubscribe every time you get a message from a new company, but it will draw your attention away. I’ve received quite a few offers so far and every year, the number of companies using Viber for advertising is growing. The rest of the features are similar to Skype. Let’s take a look at the table.
Viber vs Skype
| Features | Viber | Skype |
|---|---|---|
| Group chat | 250 people | Doesn’t specify |
| Message actions | Copy, forward, delete for myself, delete for everyone. You can’t edit messages | Copy, quote, edit, remove |
| File sharing | All kinds of files | All kinds of files |
| Search | Basic search within messages, no files search. | More advanced and convenient search functionality |
| Audio / video calls | Up to 40 people | Up to 100 people |
| Screen sharing | Yes | Yes |
| In-chat extras | Stickers, emoticons, giphy, Send contacts, location, video messages | Smileys, emojis;Send contacts, location, video messages |
| Landline / mobile calls | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing | Free with paid options: – landline/mobile calls- extra stickers- paid services for businesses | Free with paid options: – landline/mobile calls- SMS |
| SMS to a mobile number | No | Yes |
| In-app ads | Yes | Yes |
Viber vs Skype summary
Skype is more convenient for desktop use than Viber due to several reasons. The search function is better, while the rest of the features are similar. The biggest downside to Viber is that you need a phone number to create an account. Here are our takeaways from the two apps:
– Both apps let you chat in groups and one-on-one
– Message actions are similar in Skype and Viber
– Notification settings are more advanced in Skype
– Viber’s interface is, in our opinion, more friendly
– You can call up to 100 people in Skype – up to 40 people in Viber
– You can add emoticons and text in Skype video calls – not in Viber
– Viber Out is cheaper for mobile and landline calls in the US and in the UK
– Viber sends you ads and special offers from businesses; Skype sends you in-app banner ads
Skype alternatives summary
We’ve taken a look at 5 Skype alternatives and actually tried using them for a while to communicate with our internal team. We are now ready to share our last words on these apps.
Skype is an excellent app. However, it seems like it’s fallen behind some of the apps on this list in terms of features. Despite some of its drawbacks, its ability to set up video conferencing with a large number of people is to be admired. You can use it on a variety of platforms and it has a great chat-functionality on top of audio and video calls.
So, what’s better than Skype?
Since it’s now more of an app for personal use, we strongly suggest using something other than Skype for work. You’re in luck because we have just what you need to take your team’s communication one step further – you can use Chanty! Text communication, audio and video calls, screen sharing, task management, sending voice messages – these are just some of the many great features that Chanty has in store for your team. Sign up today and see for yourself!
This article was originally posted in September 2018 and updated in October 2024.
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