Open-source, self-hosted messaging platform for secure team collaboration with real-time chat, audio calls, screen sharing, and integrations.
38.9k stars8.9k forkslast commit Actively maintained
20 self-hosted Skype alternatives
Skype is a communication service for voice and video calls, instant messaging, and screen sharing across desktop, mobile, and web. It supports one-to-one and group calls, text chat, file transfer, presence, and PSTN calling via phone-number integration.
Alternatives to Skype
Self-hostable WebRTC video conferencing with chat, screen sharing, moderation tools, and SDKs for embedding meetings into web and mobile apps.
29.8k stars8k forksApache-2.0last commit Actively maintained
#3
Open-source team chat server with topic-based threading for focused, asynchronous, and real-time communication in distributed teams.
25.8k stars10.1k forksApache-2.0last commit Actively maintained
Open-source, decentralized messaging network built on a Haskell core with Kotlin Multiplatform and native iOS clients; end-to-end encrypted messaging without user IDs.
19.3k stars1.4k forksAGPL-3.0last commit Actively maintained
#5
Tinode is an open source instant messaging platform with a Go backend, web/mobile clients, JSON WebSocket and gRPC APIs, and support for one-to-one and group chat.
13.5k stars2.1k forksGPL-3.0last commit Actively maintained
#6
Element is a Matrix client for secure team messaging and collaboration, offering end-to-end encrypted chats and calls with interoperability across the Matrix network.
13.4k stars2.7k forksAGPL-3.0last commit Actively maintained
#7
Open-source screen sharing server that runs self-hosted; WebRTC-based with TURN server; Docker or single-binary deployment; browser-based.
10.5k stars719 forksGPL-3.0last commit Actively maintained
BigBlueButton is an open-source virtual classroom and web conferencing platform with real-time audio/video, screen sharing, whiteboards, breakout rooms, polling, and recordings.
9.2k stars6k forksLGPL-3.0last commit Actively maintained
#9
Mumble is an open-source, low-latency VoIP voice chat platform with a desktop client and a self-hosted server for encrypted group communication.
8.2k stars1.4k forkslast commit Actively maintained
#10
Spacebar is an open source, self-hostable Discord-compatible communication platform with text chat, voice, and video, designed to work with existing clients and bots.
6.7k stars222 forksAGPL-3.0last commit Actively maintained
#11
Synapse is a Matrix homeserver implementation for running federated, secure real-time chat and collaboration on your own infrastructure.
4.6k stars587 forksAGPL-3.0last commit Actively maintained
#12
Converse.js is an open-source, client-side web XMPP/Jabber chat app that can run standalone or be embedded into sites, with group chat and OMEMO encryption.
3.3k stars832 forksMPL-2.0last commit Actively maintained
An open-source WebRTC SFU that routes media for scalable multiparty video conferencing; supports Colibri XMPP/REST control, DTLS/SRTP, and Prometheus metrics.
3.1k stars1k forksApache-2.0last commit Actively maintained
#14
Tox is a decentralized, peer-to-peer communication system for encrypted messaging, voice/video calls, screen sharing, and file transfers without central servers.
2.7k stars311 forksGPL-3.0last commit Actively maintained
#15
Open-source browser-based peer-to-peer chat with E2E encryption, ephemeral messages, video/audio, screen sharing, direct file transfer, and iframe embedding.
2.3k stars430 forksGPL-2.0last commit Actively maintained
Self-hosted Nextcloud Talk combines chat, video calls and webinars into one secure collaboration app.
2.2k stars574 forksAGPL-3.0last commit Actively maintained
#17
Movim is a federated social platform and web-based XMPP client for blogging, chat, communities, and real-time messaging with a responsive cross‑platform interface.
2k stars281 forksAGPL-3.0last commit Actively maintained
#18
RetroShare is a decentralized friend-to-friend platform for encrypted chat, mail, forums, channels and secure file sharing, with optional Tor/I2P support.
2k stars323 forkslast commit Actively maintained
#19
Briefing is a secure, anonymous WebRTC-based video group chat with text chat, screen sharing, and simple invite links, designed to run in modern browsers.
1.6k stars265 forksAGPL-3.0last commit Slowing down
#20
Self-hosted, lightweight federated messenger with end-to-end encrypted threads and optional WebRTC audio/video calling across independently hosted nodes.
1.5k stars96 forksApache-2.0last commit Actively maintained
What replacing Skype actually involves
Every option on this page is open source and free to run on your own hardware, so you own the data and there is no subscription to cancel. 19 of 20 shipped a commit in the last six months. Licences in this list: Apache-2.0, AGPL-3.0, GPL-3.0, LGPL-3.0, MPL-2.0. In exchange you take on hosting, backups and updates yourself.
Browse everything in Team Chat & Messaging.
