Alternatives to Skype. Some good options for Ubuntu

In the next article we are going to take a look at the different alternatives to Skype of which we have in the Gnu / Linux world. When it comes to VoIP calls (voice over IP), Skype is perhaps the most popular option, although it does not have to be the most useful for us.

Skype for Gnu / Linux has some limitations to be aware of. It is not its main platform and its support, many say that it leaves a lot to be desired among others. So today we are going to take a look at some good alternatives to Skype that anyone can use on their computer with their Ubuntu distribution.

Alternatives to Skype in Ubuntu

Google Hangouts

This is perhaps the Skype's number one competitor. It is Google's cross-platform online video calling and messaging software. Hangouts offers features like VoIP, SMS, instant messaging, and video chat. We can use Hangouts in Ubuntu by installing the client YakYak, which is an unofficial Hangouts app. If we do not prefer not to install this client, we will also be able to use Hangouts directly from our web browser.

Discord

Discord is a 100% free VoIP client and very popular with gamers, but it can also be very useful for non-gamers. Have a Electron-based Gnu / Linux client, as a colleague pointed out some time ago. In addition we can also use it from our web browser. discord could turn out to be one of the best alternatives to Skype with better call quality and outperforming other features in Skype.

Viber

Viber is a client of Cross-platform VoIP available for almost all major platforms desktop and mobile. After being tested on Ubuntu and Fedora, it offers many features like text messages, photos and tags, group chats, calls, syncing, etc. It offers completely free text, voice and video calls, so it could be a practical alternative to Skype.

Web WhatsApp

WhatsApp does not have a dedicated client for Gnu / Linux but we can access it through our Web navigator. Offers all the functions of the WhatsApp mobile applicationsuch as instant messaging, voice chat, file sharing, and video calling. This is a very popular VoIP application that we can use simply by scanning the QR code with our phone.

Tox

Tox is a free, open source VoIP application that offers instant messaging, group conversations, file sharing, and voice and video calls from Tox to Tox. This program it has a very simple user interface and is very easy to use. A colleague already told us about him in a previous article, in which he also taught us how easy it is to install.

ekiga

Ekiga was formerly known as GnomeMeeting. It is an open source VoIP client that offers video conferencing and instant messaging. It also offers us functions such as calls to landlines and mobiles and also an SMS function. Its installation is very simple as indicated in its Wiki.

Linphone

Linphone is an open source VoIP client available for all major desktop and mobile phone platforms. It offers many features to be one of the most interesting alternatives to Skype such as voice and video calls, instant messaging, and file sharing. As well offers features such as hold and resume calls, transfer calls to other accounts or devices. We can install it through a flatpak pack.

Jitsi

Jitsi is a free and open source cross-platform VoIP client. Supports multiple telephony and instant messaging protocols to handle voice and video calls. Jitsi could be a very good alternative to Skype in terms of features and reliability. We can get hold of it downloading it from their website.

Wire

Wire is a cross-platform VoIP client that is highly secure with end-to-end encryption. It could be the most reliable alternative to Skype with features like instant messaging, voice and video calls, file sharing, and group conversations. We already talked about this program previously in this blog, where we showed how to install it.

Ring

Ring is a cross-platform SIP-based VoIP client. It is free and open source software that offers features such as instant messaging, voice and video calls, conference calls, and more. Already spoke previously in this blog about this program and its installation method.

Mixsiii

Mixssi is a free cross-platform VoIP client. It offers us functions such as instant messaging, voice and video calls, group video calls and many other features. Is a very simple and easy to use instant messaging client as indicated in their website.

Empathy

Empathy is another of the alternatives to Skype that offers instant messaging, file transfer, voice and video calls, etc. It is a very simple and reliable VoIP client that has a Gossip-based user interface and uses the Telepathy protocol. We can install it from the Software option of our Ubuntu.

Pidgin

Pidgin is an open source cross-platform instant messaging client formerly known as Gaim. Offers end-to-end encryption for secure messaging and functions such as file transfer, voice and video calls, etc. We can get hold of its latest version in the project website.

Wickr

Wickr is a cross-platform instant messaging client that claims to be the most secure VoIP client with end-to-end encryption. It is very popular for its self-destruct message feature. In addition to that, it offers file sharing, the ability to control the accessibility of messages and files already sent. We will can download the installation package on its website.

These are just some alternatives to Skype, there are many others of higher or lower quality. Obviously each user must find the one that best suits their needs.