Skype, VoIP and chat service provider popular for internet video calling is one of the oldest one on the block. But, being old does not necessarily mean that it is the best. Lately, Skype has been criticized for many aspects such as security weakness, hogging internet bandwidth of the users, bad handling of the notifications between different platforms and more. Now, here we come across some of the best alternatives to
Skype.
eBuddy
If you are attached to the Messenger environment and not willing to use another client, eBuddy should of help. It has all the features of Live Messenger and it works with other chat programs. It is available for different mobile platforms and you simply have to log in to the Microsoft account to use eBuddy. To use it further, you need not download any software.
Viber
Viber that is based in Cyprus is an effective alternative to the voice calling services. With Viber, you can send free messages, pictures and make free calls via the internet to users in any country across the world. You can use it on a desktop or any smartphone or tablet that is available today in the market. Moreover, Viber supports all the major operating systems including Windows, Linux, Mac, iOS, Android, Symbian, Windows Mobile and BlackBerry devices.
Tango
Tango has a fairly huge user base of users with over 100 million users across the globe. This service allows users to make free video and audio calls and also send text messages. It supports iOS and Android platforms and it can be used on PC as well. Tango makes use of the front camera in their smartphones and it is assures video chatting via 3G and Wi-Fi networks.
According to the market researchers, WeChat has become one of the best messaging and video calling service. Within a short span of time, this service has managed to lure over 235 million users a month and it is conquering more across the world. This service can function as a social network as it allows contacts to share pictures and videos. Like in Facebook, users can send the pictures and videos to a particular contact or post one on their profile forever with the moments feature. Also, there is Shake feature that enables users to find out local WeChat users who are in the same area by shaking their phone. The Drift Bottle feature lets users to send a message in a bottle and any user can see the bottle and pick it up.
Google Hangouts
Google Talk or Google Hangouts is pretty popular among all the Gmail users. Users can make video calls, send messages and more to the other users in the contact list using this service. The most recent update to this service on Android, iOS and web variants has added the long awaited free voice calling support. Currently, only the users in US and Canada can make free calls to other Hangout users, but it will slow by rolled out to the other regions as well.