Skype: the best alternatives

Skype doesn't always do what it should and not everyone wants to go with the flow. For this reason, we present some alternatives to Skype.

Alternative to Skype: Discord

If you are looking for a full-fledged alternative to Skype, Discord will probably best meet your needs. Compared to Skype, the software is still quite young.

• At Discord you will find almost all functions that you can also get with Skype. Chats, calls, video calls and group conferences can be set up quickly and easily. The design is clear and modern, so that even beginners can find their way around quickly.
• The easiest way to use Discord is on the PC using the software, or on the smartphone using the Discord app for iOS and Android. But you can also quickly log in to other computers using the web app and use all functions.

Skype alternatives: ICQ and Yahoo Messenger

The two most popular alternatives to Skype are the two services ICQ and Yahoo Messenger. In the meantime, however, the services are getting a bit old.

• Offer: The offer compared to Skype is pretty much the same. You can chat with your friends, share pictures, make phone calls and make video calls. As with Skype, calls can be made to landlines or mobile networks for a fee.
• Facebook: You can also integrate your Facebook profile into Messenger and thus also communicate via Facebook via instant messenger.
• Disadvantage: The only disadvantage of these programs is the sometimes very annoying advertising that is always integrated in the messenger. With Skype, this is only shown once on the start screen, but is then no longer visible with a click.
• Web access: Unlike Skype, however, both have browser access. This means that you can use Messenger on a foreign computer without installing it. This is not possible with Skype.
• Conclusion: ICQ and Yahoo Messenger are full alternatives to Skype that are in no way inferior to the service. Only advertising is a disadvantage.

Apple's Skype competitor: Facetime

Facetime is an ideal solution for video telephony among Apple devices.

• Facetime is already preinstalled on all mobile Apple devices from iOS 5. This is the case with Mac OS X from version 10.6.4. The service cannot be used under Windows.
• For example, if you open the "Facetime" app on your iPhone, you can then call your contacts whose Apple ID you have. You are recorded via the front camera of the device and can simultaneously see and talk to your conversation partner on the display.
• Unfortunately, the service is only intended for video telephony. You cannot chat or exchange data via this.
• Conclusion: For Apple users, Facetime is an ideal solution for fast and convenient video telephony. Particularly practical: the app is already installed on your device and no additional login or registration is required.

• On the right in the chat bar, you can select any contact that is currently online. If you click on the small camera symbol, you will need to install a small browser tool the first time you use it. You can then conduct a video call with the contact.
• The video function is now also available on the smartphone. Simply download the Facebook Messenger for iOS or Android.
• Conclusion: To reach your Facebook friends quickly, this is a suitable solution. However, Google's offer is currently far ahead of Facebook's.

ooVoo: Skype competitor

• The instant messenger ooVoo offers almost every function that Skype also has: sending messages, video calls, exchanging pictures - everything is no problem with the messenger.
• Advantages: You can record video messages directly in the program and send them to your contacts. Another useful tool that many users like: With ooVoo you can record video calls and save them on your computer.
• Conclusion: ooVoo has some useful tools that Skype users can still dream of. However, the program is only very weakly distributed in Germany, which is why you would have to convince your friends to use it properly.

Multi-Messenger: Miranda

• If you cannot choose a messenger and therefore have several accounts, you can bundle all of them in one program. Via Miranda you can import your contacts from ICQ, MSN, Facebook, Yahoo, AIM, IRC and Jabber.
• The program automatically logs you into all activated services when you start it, so you can get started right away. With just one program, you can now, for example, write to ICQ with a friend and via Facebook with another. This is not only clear, but also relieves your computer.
• Conclusion: If you can't choose an instant messenger, you can use Miranda to bundle the most common ones in one program. The Nimbuzz and imo services are an alternative to Miranda.

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