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Best Free & Open Source Alternatives to Skype

Compare 1 open-source Skype alternative including Rocket.Chat

If you're looking for the best open-source alternative to Skype; Rocket.Chat is a strong place to start.

#1Rocket.Chat

Rocket.Chat

Self-hosted team chat with channels, threads, voice and video calls, federation, plus desktop and mobile apps.

Rocket.Chat is an open-source team communication platform written in TypeScript. Run it as a web app on your own server and connect through the native desktop clients for macOS, Windows and Linux, or the iOS and Android apps. It covers channels, direct messages and threads, voice and video calls with screen sharing, file sharing, and native federation, so separate installations can exchange messages and share users across organisations.

Deployment options include Docker, Podman, Kubernetes and the Launchpad installer, plus air-gapped workspaces for networks with no internet access and a vendor-hosted cloud if you would rather not run infrastructure. Administration covers identity management, end-to-end encryption, role- and attribute-based access control, and compliance tooling. Extensibility comes from the open-source Apps-Engine and the public app Marketplace, with a REST API for everything else — including an Import API for large migrations. Existing workspaces can be migrated from a Slack export, Slack users CSV, a formatted CSV package, or the legacy HipChat importer.

The pitch is Slack, Microsoft Teams or Discord without giving up control of the data: the community edition is MIT-licensed and self-hosted with no per-user limit. Some capabilities sit behind paid plans — from version 9.0.0, LDAP, SAML and custom OAuth authentication require a premium plan, as do parts of the compliance and support offering. For organisations that need tighter data residency than SaaS chat allows, that trade-off is usually acceptable; for a small team that only wants free channels and calls, the community edition is enough.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any open source alternatives to Skype?

Yes, there are 1 open source alternatives to Skype. Popular options include Rocket.Chat. These alternatives are free to use and many offer self-hosting options.

What is the best free alternative to Skype?

The best free alternative to Skype depends on your specific needs. Rocket.Chat is a popular choice with self-hosting capabilities. All alternatives listed here are open source and free to use.

Can I self-host an alternative to Skype?

Yes, 1 of the alternatives listed here can be self-hosted, giving you complete control over your data and privacy.

Why should I switch from Skype to an open source alternative?

Open source alternatives to Skype offer several advantages: no vendor lock-in, complete data ownership, no subscription fees, the ability to self-host for privacy and security, and active community support. You can also customize the software to fit your specific needs.

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