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It doesn't always have to be Skype – the best programs for video chat

Skype has been the number one choice for internet telephony and video chat for many years. Companies use the software for internet video conferencing and even for job interviews.But is it the best program for your needs? Data protection concerns, in particular, make alternatives interesting. Learn more about the best video and chat programs for PC and smartphone, along with their respective advantages.

The benchmark: Advantages of Skype at a glance

The Skype software is available for free download and is packed with practical features, although not everyone needs them. The advantages:

• free IP telephony
• free video chat
• free chat function
• Conference function with up to 25 participants
• Share your screen with the call partner via desktop sharing
• available for Windows, OS X, Linux and the mobile platforms Android, iOS and many more
• cheap national and international calls to mobile phones (including SMS) and landlines

For companies, there is a paid version, Skype for Business, which is integrated into Microsoft 365 and offers better protection for conversation content. The data security of the free version has been criticized several times in the past. The security of user data is one of the most frequently criticized points.

Communication software should be one thing above all: secure! Video chat content, as well as sent images and files, must be protected from third-party access. The following alternatives promise comprehensive protection of your privacy.

Videochat Wire with a focus on content security

Wire is developed by a European company, supports end-to-end encryption, and stores your data on servers in the EU.

The team behind Wire is comprised of more than 50 employees from 23 countries—many of whom were part of the original Skype team. With Wire, the European company claims it wants to revolutionize secure communication. You can chat, transfer data, make audio and video calls, and share content from platforms like YouTube and Spotify—and all data is transmitted using end-to-end encryption. An added bonus: Wire is protected by European data protection laws. Your personal data is stored on servers in the EU.

ICQ video chat with end-to-end encryption

ICQ supports two-person video calls with end-to-end encryption.

Do you remember the instant messenger ICQ? The service was launched in 1996 and was widely used in the following years. Since then, however, user numbers have declined significantly. The application now also supports video calls between two people – video conferences with multiple participants are not yet possible. The big advantage: ICQ uses end-to-end encryption as standard for video chats. Like Skype, ICQ supports calls to mobile and landline networks for a fee.

Jitsi for secure communication without registration

The open-source software Jitsi enables secure communication without prior registration.

The Jitsi software like Porncams Vibra Game is open-source. All conversations, with and without video chat, are encrypted to ensure eavesdropping security, and chat communication can also be encrypted. Video conferencing is supported, but there is no set limit. The number of participants that can participate in a conference depends primarily on the data throughput of the internet connection. For communication with maximum privacy, you can access the software via your web browser without prior registration. You start a conversation, receive a link, send it, for example, via email, to the desired conversation partner, and by clicking on the link, they participate in the conversation.

Jitsi works without registration via the browser and is available for download for Windows, OS X, and Linux. On smartphones, the program runs via the browser.

Jitsi is available for download here.

Tox offers encrypted communication

Tox uses end-to-end encryption and stores data in a peer-to-peer network without a central server. Another alternative with secure end-to-end encryption is the instant messenger Tox. Video calls, chats, and the sending of images and files are supported. The software operates without a central server, and the peer-to-peer network ensures anonymity and secure data transfers.

Conclusion

There are many other programs, such as Viber, WhatsApp, Facebook, Apple's FaceTime, and Google's Duo, that offer similar features to Skype. However, the alternatives presented here are more likely to protect your conversation content from unauthorized access. For example, while WhatsApp also supports end-to-end encryption, your personal data is transferred to a server in the US, and data has been or will be forwarded to the parent company, Facebook. Which instant messenger with video calling is your favorite?

by Andrea Wilkinson on 2025-08-31 11:05:08