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I've been browsing the Internet for quite a while on the search for an alternative to Skype.
Since I'm looking for a cross-platform program, I chose Jitsi for a start but found that it works quite unreliable (e.g. shuts down when receiving a call) and lacks some technical sophistication as well (e.g. produces echos, stops transmission for seconds during a call). Thus it's not what I'm looking for.

Is there some program you can recommend (Linux - Linux/Linux - Windows)?
I'd really like to avoid using Skype as a last resort.

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  • What's wrong with skype? – Tim Aug 28 '14 at 10:11
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    @Tim What's right with Skype? – Alvar Aug 28 '14 at 10:41
  • Many people use it (it is the know product for webcam calling - I'll skype you later), It works, it is cross platform and easy to install. – Tim Aug 28 '14 at 10:42
  • @Tim The problem of the current skype implementation is: You won't see the online users if you run it only in the taskbar. – empedokles Aug 28 '14 at 10:58
  • @Tim: Articles like this made me question whether I'd like to support Skype any longer. However, I know how comfortable it is, no doubt about that. – T. K. Aug 28 '14 at 12:43
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Both Teamspeak and Mumble are in my opinion better than Skype. They use less resources than Skype but require a server to run.

So either you set up a server yourself or you find an open server.

Teamspeak and Mumble are basically the same, both require a server to run and both have better sound quality than Skype. They are both available for different platforms although Mumble has better support for Linux.

They have different security options. You can put a server password so that only some users may get onto the server, or you can set different user levels so only some users may enter specific rooms. Both models are good, but I prefer the user levels since this allows everyone to access and use some rooms and also gives specific users more private rooms.

Both Teamspeak and Mumble are popular in Clan games, since it's easy to connect to a server and find people to talk to.

More information about both programs can be found below,

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I use google hangouts, it runs in browser.

You do have to install a program, but it is cross platform. You have to have a google account.

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  • Can Google hangouts use voice only? Or does it require a web-camera? – Alvar Aug 28 '14 at 10:42
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    Can do either. I normally just do voice - I use it as a telephone to people in Kenya with slow internet. – Tim Aug 28 '14 at 10:43
  • Thanks for your input. But referring to our discussion above I have to say that choosing Google to replace Microsoft because of privacy concerns doesn't seem to be a big step forward. – T. K. Aug 28 '14 at 19:57
  • Well no, but I'm not convinced about what you are worried about... But fair enough, google isn't that trustworthy – Tim Aug 28 '14 at 19:58
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As an another alternative, there is viber. I didn't try, but if you use it on your phone, it can be useful. It only supports 64-bit systems on linux. You can install 32-bit version through wine but I dont recommend using wine for this.

http://www.viber.com/

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  • any links? Is it available for multiple platforms? How does it work? – Alvar Aug 28 '14 at 11:20
  • viber.com It works on almost every mobile platform and desktop platforms. (As I say, for now 32-bit Linux systems doesn’t supported.) You can make calls, send texts and make video chats. – isamert Aug 28 '14 at 11:57
  • Why isn't this and more in your answer? At least I wont up vote an incomplete answer... – Alvar Aug 28 '14 at 12:07
  • I just forget adding link to my answer. And I said, I didnt try it, so I don't wanna misinform you. – isamert Aug 28 '14 at 12:13
  • aah, an answer with a link, up vote! – Alvar Aug 28 '14 at 13:50

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