Are you tired of your same-old Skype calls? Do you want to try some new Skype alternatives that can be fun for video chatting with your favourite people? Want to switch to other platforms after the Skype shutdown? Then you have come to the right place.
Skype has officially shut down on the 5th of May, 2025, and that is why you need to look at some of the other apps for video calls and your meetings. Video calling and conferencing have become one of the most popular and effective ways of communicating with each other. These have become an integral part of our routine. And hence, we have curated a list of some of the top apps for video calls that could act as the best Skype alternatives.
Skype Shut Down: Here’s What You Need to Know
The worldwide news on the Skype shutdown is spreading like a wildfire, and has kept people guessing. But to make things clear and give you the latest update on Skype shutdown, here are some points:
- Skype has officially shut down on the 5th of May, 2025
- This announcement was made by Microsoft.
- Although the main reasons are not specified, Microsoft has shifted its priorities to Microsoft Teams. Hence, is shutting down Skype.
- All the prepaid subscriptions of Skype will be cancelled, and the amounts will be refunded to the users.
- The users who have already downloaded Skype will be advised to shift their workload to the Teams platform.
Also Read: Skype Is Going To Shut Down: Read the News Here
Well, who knows, the news of Skype’s shutdown could act as good news for you? Yes. You’ve heard it right. It’s time to try your hand at the best Skype alternatives and give your video call sessions a much-needed upgrade. But before we look at a few top apps for video calling, let us see what made this shutdown possible and what made people switch to other options.
Disadvantages of Skype: Why Do You Need Skype Alternatives?
Skype has been known to have one of the highest user bases when it comes to social media, video conferencing, etc. It was one of the initial applications and platforms to introduce the video conferencing feature for laptops and PCs. Microsoft and Windows had this application, making it most suitable choice for laptop users.
But with time, the Skype platform has witnessed a dip in usage, and is not one of the popular apps today when it comes to video calls and meetings. This happened due to some of the disadvantages of Skype, and some great competition outside, which made it look outdated.
Here are some of the major disadvantages of Skype that led to it becoming a stale choice:
Outdated UI
Skype has had a similar UI for ages. There has not been a significant update in the UI of Skype for a long time. This platform’s last major UI overhaul update was probably in 2022 or 2023.
Limited Professional Tools
Skype has limited professional tools and features, like polls, collaborative actions while screen presenting, whiteboard features, and more. Platforms like Zoom and Slack have these features, making them stand out.
Not Suitable for Large Meetings
Skype can be a great option for your one-on-one video calls and online meetups. But when it comes to conducting meetings with large number of participants, Skype often lags in this.
Limited Filters
People these days often prefer a face filter or a background filler while they are on a video call. Skype doesn’t have a wide number of filter options, making it a secondary choice.
Large File size
Another one of the disadvantages of Skype is that it occupies a large amount of your memory. There are applications that have a smaller file size, or a ‘lite’ version, making them better alternatives.
Network Requirement
Skype requires higher network speeds. With increased usage and hundreds of connections on a single network portal, this has become one of the disadvantages of Skype.
These disadvantages of Skype have made it stand among the least preferred choices. There are many other platforms that can act as a better alternative. But which are those platforms? Let us have a look.
Also Read: How To Use Google Duo For Video Calls?
Choices as Skype Alternatives: Top Apps for Video Calls and Meetings
Coming to the alternatives, what are the best video calling apps that you can choose? Well, choosing an alternative can be a tough call, especially when you do not know the key specifications that decide which is better and which is not. So, let us take a brief look at the best Skype alternatives that you can have on your device in 2025.
1. Zoom
Zoom is a video conferencing and messaging platform. This is an American platform which was launched in 2013. It became a worldwide sensation during the pandemic. This platform gained a user base of more than 300 million in the year 2021. Here’s what makes Zoom a standout among the top apps for video calls:
- Zoom has an easy-to-use interface
- Zoom is the most suitable platform for large conferences as it can handle a large number of participants.
- This platform has advanced screen recording features and more, suitable for corporate meetings and presentations.
- This app does not require sign-up for guest participants, making it easy to join.
- Zoom operates even on a lesser network bandwidth.
- It gives premium video call features like better resolution, better audio quality, etc.
- It is compatible with all devices.
2. Google Meet
Google has its own platform for video conferencing and online presentations, known as Google Meet. It is suitable for all kinds of corporate meetings, presentations, interview calls, and more. Google Meet has also had over 300-400 million users active in recent years. Here are some of the key factors that make Google Meet one of the top apps for video calls and corporate meetings:
- Google Meet has easy joining and presentation procedures.
- Compared to Zoom and Skype, Google Meet can operate on the least network requirements.
- Google Meet has an easy interface.
- Suitable for interviews and office presentations, due to its live response, screen presentation, and other features.
- Requires no extra storage and mostly comes pre-installed in devices.
3. Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is a platform developed by Microsoft. This is similar to Google Meet, an in-built app by the platform, but has more features. Microsoft is one of the prime choices for corporate communication and conferencing. When it comes to video calls, or calling it one of the best Skype alternatives, Teams surely has some great perks. Let’s see what these perks are:
- Microsoft Teams is more suitable for creating organised channels and groups, making it a great choice for office meetings.
- It has new-age tools, bots, and many other features.
- It has high-end video resolutions.
- Compared to Skype, Microsoft Teams allows more participants, file sharing, and threaded conversations.
- Teams allows for the integration of business tools, Microsoft 365 tools, and more. This feature doesn’t come with Skype.
Also Read: News About Telegram Free Encrypted Video Calls For 200 People
4. IMO
Popular among teenage users and known for its stickers and funky user interface, IMO has recently become one of the best Skype alternatives. Another key reason for this platform to excel has been that it is not banned in Middle Eastern countries, whereas platforms like WhatsApp and Skype have been restricted in many such countries. Here are some of the perks of IMO that make it one of the best Skype alternatives:
- IMO isn’t banned in the Middle Eastern countries like Oman and others.
- It uses a more funky interface, suitable for casual video calls.
- IMO has more filters and features, ideal for teenage group calls.
- This app has better video resolution even on low networks.
- It has faster and secure chatting features.
- You can also get translation chatbots in this app.
5. WhatsApp
The whole sole of messaging globally, WhatsApp is not just for messaging, but can also act as a great video calling app. For friends and families, this app can be your go-to choice among the top apps for video calls. Here’s why:
- WhatsApp uses a direct video calling feature, no link, no invite.
- It allows the group calls feature with all functions.
- This is the most suitable Skype alternative for casual or family communication.
- It has more privacy while video calling, making it suitable for personal use.
- It requires less network bandwidth.
Also Read: How To Make WhatsApp Video Calls Using a Laptop
6. Discord
Popular among the gaming and content creation community, Discord is also one of the most trending platforms for chats, conferences, online meet-ups and video calls. This app has been one of the most used platforms by gamers and web3 industry users worldwide. It saw a 16-18 % increase in its user base from 2023 to 2024, and had reached around 250 million users. Let’s look at some perks of this platform:
- Suitable for Gamers and Content creators, as pre-built groups and communities are available, making it easy to connect and communicate.
- Comes with many loaded features like simultaneous voice chat, multiple screen presentations, chatbots, group calls, etc.
- One of the most lag-free platforms for video conferencing.
- Easy file sharing options.
- You can make unlimited free calls all over the world.
7. Slack
Another famous conversation choice among officegoers is Slack. Launched in 2013, this app has become one of the first choices for office chats, data sharing, presentations, and more. Here are some perks of Slack that make it an excellent choice for office convos, and one of the best Skype alternatives:
- Slack is one of the quickest options for file storage and file sharing
- It uses advanced privacy features, ensuring your data is safe.
- Slack has an easy-to-use interface.
- This app has a more funky UI compared to Skype or Microsoft Teams, suitable for new-age corporate meetings.
- It is more suitable for chats and file sharing, but is also used for video conferencing.
Also Read: Best Free Internet Calling Apps For You
Verdict on the Best Skype Alternatives
Based on these references and all the various choices, you can choose your best Skype alternatives. It is important to diversify your needs. For casual communication and family convos, WhatsApp or IMO can be the best Skype alternatives. Talking about corporate meetings, or communicating in a formal tone, Zoom or Google Meet can be one of the top apps for video calls. Anyway, all the mentioned seven alternatives are great and stand tall as top apps for video calls and online meetings. So, choose what you want, and enjoy your time!
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