Skype is dead. For many of you, that’s less a eulogy and more: wait, Skype is still a thing? But for any holdouts clinging to its icon like a life raft, you might now be panicking. And we get it. You need to talk to friends and colleagues and you need to talk now.
So what should you do? Whether you ditched Skype years ago or are only now looking for an alternative, there are loads of iPhone communications tools on the App Store. We pick our favorites below, each of which is focused on a particular brand of digital chatter.
FaceTime (free)
Best for: calls to other iPhones
The built-in messaging titan of Apple’s ecosystem should be your go-to if your world revolves around iPhones. It’s seamlessly integrated, letting you fire up video or audio calls from a whole bunch of apps via a tap. Group chats are covered. If someone doesn’t answer, you can leave a message. And all of this is straightforward, making it ideal for quick, personal chats. Well, assuming your friends’ worlds also revolve around iPhones, because Android and Windows users are relegated to browser-based calls to which they have to be invited. And they don’t even get screen sharing and SharePlay. Tsk. So FaceTime’s immediacy is undeniable, but if your group’s devices span the tech spectrum, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
WhatsApp (free)
Best for: calls to friends
This behemoth casts its net wider than Apple, being fully supported across a range of platforms. It’s therefore no surprise it dominates the global chat scene. It’s an excellent messaging app, being a powerhouse for group chats, from neighborhood discussions to corporate communications. When it comes to calling people, audio quality can be a bit hit-or-miss, but it’s generally good enough for casual audio chats. Plus, you get to see who’s online, so someone can’t pretend they’re not around when you call. Well, they can, but then you’ll know when they do it. Anyway, even if Android devices are scarce in your social circle, WhatsApp is a solid backup – at least if you don’t mind interacting with a service owned by Meta. (See also: Facebook Messenger.)
Zoom (free)
Best for: business and video calls
Poster child of the covid pandemic, Zoom exploded into the mainstream as a way to help people connect while separated by social distancing and travel bans. While it does allow for audio calls, it’s primarily known for group video calls, and therefore it shines brightest on larger screens. On iPhone, it’s… adequate. It probably won’t be your first choice. It’s also geared heavily towards planned meetings via links that you fire across to people, an extra layer of friction that’s resulted in Zoom being associated with business use rather than for spontaneous chats with friends. Well, assuming your company doesn’t mandate a different product, such as Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Cisco Webex or even Slack. Regardless, if you do use Zoom, be mindful of its 40-minute limit for free calls.
Viber (free)
Best for: calls to old-school telephones
With its banner ads and ‘Explore’ tab – housing its own extra ads, along with news and add-ons – Viber doesn’t make the greatest first impression. But it’s included here because it’s the closest thing that still exists to Skype – a rare app that still lets you call old-school phone numbers. Of course, this comes at a price, dubbed ‘Viber Out’. You either add credit and pay as you go, or you can opt for a monthly subscription. ‘World Unlimited’ lets you call 57 countries for $5.99/£5.99 per month, and Viber even throws in a free week to test it out. Not bad, then, if you frequently need to dial landlines or cell phones and want to save some cash.
Signal
Best for: security
Our final entry strips communication down to its essentials and feels like a bare-bones WhatsApp or FaceTime. Its three tabs quickly guide you to chats, calls, and stories – the last of which are effectively ephemeral sticky notes that vanish after a day. You won’t see who’s online, because Signal is all about privacy. And it’s all about security too – full end-to-end encryption is the default, not an added extra, in stark contrast to Signal’s contemporaries. The downside? Your friends probably aren’t using it. But maybe you can tempt them with the app’s lack of bloat and distractions, along with its unwavering commitment to ensuring your conversations remain totally private.