When thinking about a video chat program, the first name that comes to mind is undoubtedly Skype. This service, born in 2003, is the most widely used application for videoconferencing on the Internet. Regardless of the device used, whether it is a desktop computer, a laptop, a tablet, or a smartphone, or where the user is, this video call application allows contact with other users. To make video calls you only need a terminal with a camera and a microphone, free Skype software, and an Internet connection.
However, there are other free applications for IP telephony (also called Voice over IP or VoIP), which also enable video transmission between parties. Most of these alternatives to Skype are available for free and some even stand out for their benefits and data protection measures, unknown in the case of the veteran application. With this information, it is not surprising that users begin to outnumber mobile telephony. Now, what are the alternatives to Skype that are worth it? Read below the strengths and weaknesses of both Skype and the alternative video call applications that we have selected for you.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Skype
As is known, Skype is more than a free IP telephony program; In addition to the possibility of seeing the interlocutors through video broadcasting, the application stands out for a conference function that supports up to 50 Skype accounts participating at the same time.
Skype also has an instant messaging service for the exchange of messages and files that allows you to edit the messages sent or delete them. The screen sharing function allows other users of the application to access the contents of the screen of those with whom they are communicating. With this screen transmission method, you can share images, documents, or presentations with other users. There are Skype client programs for many operating systems (macOS, Windows, Linux) and mobile platforms (iOS, Android, Windows Mobile), although it can also be used as a web application or web app in the browser (Skype for Web).
All the mentioned functions are free, although the parties need to have a Skype account to establish contact. To talk to people who do not yet have a Skype account, since Skype is connected to both the landline and land mobile networks, calls and SMS are paid, usually at a cheaper price, with a purchased credit in advance.
With Microsoft Teams, companies have at their disposal a non-free variant of the application. This has the advantages of
integrate Microsoft 365 and better protect the content of conversations. Data protection in the free version, on the other hand, has often been called into question. Along with the mentioned strengths, the lack of security of user data constitutes the biggest weakness of the free version of Skype.
Free Skype Alternatives
First of all, it should be said that many video chat programs pose the same controversies in terms of data protection as Skype, although some providers in this sector increasingly focus more on ensuring the security of communication content. Some services have specialized on their initiative in the aspect of data protection, while others are increasingly forced, due to growing criticism and public pressure, to create privacy policies that are more customer-oriented and use encryption techniques.
If the data protection debate is left out, there are numerous quality alternatives to Skype that stand out for their original and practical features. Let’s see what are the strengths and weaknesses of these programs to make video calls.
Many Good Alternatives To Skype
The previous table shows that there are already many applications with which you can make video conferences with more than two devices. It also highlights the similarity in the functionality of most of these services and is that instant messaging is a common denominator for almost all programs (except Google Duo and FaceTime). Many applications also make sending files possible.
It is also significant that many of these applications have been modified in terms of their data protection terms, although there is still practically no application that is safe. Only three of the mentioned services, Jitsi, Tox, and Wire, are exemplary in terms of security against espionage of conversations and storage of user data such as audio, sound, and text content.
It should also be noted that the use of video call applications on mobile devices through wireless connections can considerably reduce the volume of data, so in the case of videotelephony, the use of local networks is usually recommended, especially if It has a very powerful Internet connection. With this in mind, there will be nothing to hinder the launch of video calls.
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