Alternatives / Skype
Looking for an open source Skype alternative? We compared 5 open source messaging, video calling, and collaboration platforms by license, encryption, self-hosting, and federation. Skype was retired by Microsoft in 2025, and these tools let you run your own calls and chat on infrastructure you control.
Written by Maxime DERAME
Last updated:
| Alternative | Best for | License |
|---|---|---|
| Rocket.Chat | Team chat with voice and video (core is open core) | MIT + ee directory |
| Nextcloud | Files, calls, and chat in one platform | AGPL-3.0 |
| Element | Encrypted, federated Matrix messaging | AGPL-3.0 / GPL-3.0 / commercial |
| Wire | Secure enterprise calls and messaging | AGPL-3.0 server, GPL-3.0 clients |
| Twake Chat | Matrix messenger with bridges (young project) | AGPL-3.0 |
We looked for open-source tools that overlap with Skype's core: instant messaging, voice and video calls, group calls, and file sharing. We verified each project's license, recent activity, stars, and self-hosting in its repository. Skype was a consumer app, so most of these are team and organization tools, and we flag open-core and multi-license setups. See our methodology for the full criteria.
Rocket.Chat, Wire, and Nextcloud are aimed at organizations, with administration, SSO, and compliance features. Element and Twake Chat are Matrix messengers that individuals and groups can use. Calling regular phone numbers, which Skype supported, is not a simple built-in feature of these tools and needs separate telephony integration.
Element is closest for secure messaging and calls, with end-to-end encryption, voice and video, and federation across servers on the Matrix protocol. Wire offers encrypted messaging, calls, and file sharing, with a polished consumer-style experience. Nextcloud adds chat and video calls through its Talk app alongside files and calendars.
Rocket.Chat is MIT outside its ee directory, which has a separate enterprise license. Element is multi-licensed under AGPL-3.0, GPL-3.0, or a commercial license. Nextcloud and Twake Chat are AGPL-3.0, and Wire's server is AGPL-3.0 while its client apps are GPL-3.0.
Element and Twake Chat use the Matrix protocol, which supports end-to-end encryption and federation between independent servers, plus bridges to other networks. Wire uses always-on end-to-end encryption. Rocket.Chat offers optional end-to-end encryption, and Nextcloud encrypts calls in transit with optional end-to-end encryption for some features.
Rocket.Chat, Nextcloud, Element, Wire, and Twake Chat all had commits within days of this update. Twake Chat has a small community compared with the others.
Skype was a proprietary Microsoft service, and Microsoft retired it in May 2025, which shows the risk of depending on a closed platform. Open-source alternatives let you self-host communication, use end-to-end encryption, federate with other servers, and keep control of your data, at the cost of running servers and, for some, a less simple setup for non-technical contacts.
| Alternative | Type | License | Self-hosted | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rocket.Chat | Team chat platform | MIT + ee directory | Yes | Organizations |
| Nextcloud | Collaboration suite | AGPL-3.0 | Yes | Files, calls, and chat |
| Element | Matrix client | AGPL-3.0 / GPL-3.0 / commercial | Yes (with a Matrix server) | Encrypted federated chat |
| Wire | Secure messenger | AGPL-3.0 server, GPL-3.0 clients | Yes | Secure enterprise calls |
| Twake Chat | Matrix messenger | AGPL-3.0 | Yes (with a Matrix server) | Bridges and Matrix chat |
Want private, federated messaging and calls
Element offers end-to-end encryption, voice and video, and federation on the Matrix protocol, with a multi-license model.
Want secure messaging and calls for a company
Wire provides end-to-end encrypted messaging, calls, and file sharing, with SSO, SCIM, and on-premises deployment.
Want files, calendar, and video calls together
Nextcloud combines file sync, collaboration, and chat and video calls through Talk, though communication is not its sole focus.
Want a full team chat platform with video
Rocket.Chat offers channels, voice and video, omnichannel, and integrations, with enterprise features under a separate license.
Want a Matrix messenger with bridges
Twake Chat is an AGPL-3.0 Matrix client with bridges to other networks, but it is a small and young project.