Microsoft is officially shutting down Skype (RIP).
As long as you had a stable internet connection, you could Skype.
Microsoft will encourage you to switch to Teams, and you’re free to.
But there are better alternatives out there.
The less friction, the better.
I’ve focused this list with that in mind.
It free, of course, but you do get some perks if you payincluding higher quality video.
My main issue with Google Meet, though, is it’s not all that intuitive.
If you’re on your rig, you might use theGoogle Meet web appfor most purposes.
Google Meet supports video callswith up to 100 participants,as many as Skype did.
Like Google, WhatsApp is insanely popular around the world.
I don’t use WhatsApp, but Ihavea WhatsApp account.
Like Google Meet, WhatsApp is available just about everywhere you dive into the internet.
you’re able to use it on aniPhoneorAndroiddevice, or access it via theweb app.
WhatsApp even has a desktop app, unlike Google Meet, which potentially makes it the better Skype replacement.
Facebook Messenger
If not one Meta app, why not another?
Again, you have the built-in user base here.
Facebook might be the largest web connection of the three mentioned so far.
I quite like Messenger’s video calling experience, especially on desktop.
The Mac app definitely offers a video chat interface that veteran Skype users will enjoy.
I suppose it’s nice to give them a heads up, but, again, friction!
There are no time limits on Messenger calls.
Things get trickier though when you consider the friends whodon’thave iPhonesespecially those who live outside your country.
FaceTime supports the same number of callers as WhatsApp,32, with no time limits.
Teams
Microsoft, unsurprisingly, wants you to switch from Skype to Teams.
(It’s not like I’d recommend to switch to Slack for casual video calls, either.)
(One-on-one chats are available for30 hoursat a time.)
you might also access Teams on a number of different devicesnot just Windows machines.
If your unit has a camera, you’re free to probably use Teams for video calls.
The addition of a built-in chat function is helpful, as well.
Still, personally, I’d suggest trying one of the other options over Teams.
Zoom does offer large video callsup to 100 participantsfor free, but that comes with some limits.
While many free video calling platforms end after 60 minutes, Zoom’s free calls end at 40 minutes.
