10 Free Skype Alternatives to Use on Raspberry Pi

Raspberry Pi is an incredibly versatile mini computer that enables all sorts of projects and functionality. However, its limited system resources can make installing certain software challenging. Skype, for example, is difficult to setup properly on Raspberry Pi.

Fortunately, there are many great free alternatives that offer similar communication capabilities without the headache. In this expert guide, I‘ll compare 10 solid Skype substitutes that are easy to use on Raspberry Pi.

Background on Raspberry Pi and Skype

First, a quick primer for those less familiar with Raspberry Pi. These tiny single-board computers were developed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation to promote teaching of basic computer science.

Raspberry Pi boards feature components like a CPU, RAM, USB ports, and GPIO pins in a compact form factor no larger than a deck of cards. They run various Linux-based operating systems and can be used for everything from simple tasks like word processing to complex projects like home media centers and robots.

The extremely affordable price and flexibility of Raspberry Pis have made them popular in education, hobbyist, and industrial settings. However, there are some limitations in terms of computing resources. The ARM-based processors standard on most Raspberry Pi‘s, for example, aren’t able to run many Windows applications directly.

This causes headaches for anyone wanting to use Skype, one of the most popular video chatting tools around. Technically Skype can be installed using an x86 emulation layer called ExaGear. But performance is often poor and getting audio properly configured requires jumping through multiple hoops.

Thankfully, where one door closes, others open. The open-source nature of many Raspberry Pi compatible operating systems has led to a flourishing market of communication apps offering Skype-like functionality. From video conferencing to chat and file sharing, there are free alternatives for all your needs.

In the rest of this guide, we’ll explore 10 solid Skype options to use instead on your Raspberry Pi system.

1. Jitsi Meet – Robust Video Chat

Jitsi Meet is an open-source video conferencing tool that’s perfect for both one on one and group calls. Some of the standout features include:

• HD video quality
• Audio only mode to conserve bandwidth
• Screen sharing support
• Secure access via meeting passwords
• Chat functionality during calls
• Ability to record or livestream sessions

In terms of usage, Jitsi delivers an experience very reminiscent of Zoom or Skype video calls. You generate a unique URL to "host" a video room which participants can then enter and join the conference.

On Raspberry Pi, Jitsi Meet installation is refreshingly straightforward with the Debian package manager:

sudo apt install jitsi-meet

From first initiating the install to hosting your first meeting takes 15 minutes at most. Just make sure to have a decent webcam and microphone available, as Jitsi doesn‘t provide these onboard.

Overall, Jitsi Meet checks all the boxes in terms of being a fully-featured Skype alternative. The automatic speech detection during calls is top notch and the interface is intuitive.

2. Signal – Secure Messaging and Video

Signal Private Messenger is well known as one of the most secure and private communication apps available today. It offers end-to-end encrypted chatting which means messages can only be read by the sender and intended recipient.

In addition to its acclaimed security provisions for text messaging, Signal also facilitates encrypted voice and video calls in one-on-one or group settings. Other useful features include:

• Media sharing capabilities
• Syncing across desktop and mobile
• Address book integration
• Group management powers

Signal can be installed via apt on compatible Raspberry Pi OS releases:

sudo apt install signal-desktop

Note that video calling requires linking your Signal account with a phone number, much like WhatsApp. Overall though, Signal is a fantastic way to chat and video conference securely with your contacts right from your Raspberry Pi computer.

3. Wire – Messaging and Calls Combined

Boasting over 100 million global users, Wire is another great all-purpose communication solution to use on Raspberry Pi as an alternative to Skype. Features include:

• One-on-one messaging with read receipts
• Secure video conferencing for up to 12 participants
• Screen sharing
• File sending up to 4GB
• Synchronizes across devices

Installing Wire on Raspberry Pi takes just one terminal command:

sudo snap install wire

In day to day use, Wire strikes a nice balance between robust features and a clean interface not overloaded with buttons and menus. This makes it intuitive for both personal connections and business collaborations.

The combination of enhanced privacy, love it or leave it ToS agreement, and lack of ads positions Wire as a easy-to-use all-around Skype replacement.

4. Retroshare – Peer to Peer Networks

Retroshare takes a unique approach to online communication. Rather than routing everything through centralized servers, it enables peer-to-peer networks between trusted friends and contacts. This provides improved privacy and censorship resistance.

Once connected to other users through friend requests, Retroshare allows communicating via:

• Private chat with RSA encryption
• Secure email
• Forums
• Peer to peer file transfers
• VOIP audio calls
• Video conferencing

The decentralized architecture makes Retroshare an interesting self-hosted alternative to closed source apps like Skype. Installation on Raspberry Pi involves downloading the Debian package from their site and issuing:

sudo dpkg -i retroshare_.deb

Pay attention that the first time setup wizard asks you to create security certificates and associate friends manually. So the process is not as seamless as other communication apps. But for certain use cases like censorship circumvention, the extra steps may be worth it.

5. Ring (Formerly SFLPhone) – SIP Calling

Ring is an open-source project offering decent video chat and conferencing capabilities. But its real strength lies in VoIP phone calling. Using the SIP protocol, Ring can function as a Softphone to place and receive calls over an internet connection.

Useful features include:

• Place calls to other SIP addresses
• Call forwarding
• Voicemail boxes
• Ring groups to shared numbers
• Video chat support
• Conferencing for up to 8 callers

The SIP functionality means Ring can serve as a complete business phone system right on your Raspberry Pi. For home hobbyists, using a SIP provider like DIDWW enables receiving calls from and dialing real POTS landlines and mobile phones.

Installation is easy with:

sudo apt install ring-client-gnome

For anyone wanting to setup a custom softphone system, Ring handily replaces Skype as a telephony solution on Raspberry Pi.

6. Riot (Matrix) – Open Protocol Chat

Riot is a handy multi-platform chat client built on Matrix – an open standard for decentralized communication. Riot allows accessing the Matrix network to enjoy features like:

• Encrypted messaging
• Private VoIP calls
• Video chat
• File sharing
• Screen sharing

Matrix offers open APIs for developers along with tons of public servers, making it simple to get started. Using Riot, you can join existing community rooms or create new ones as needed.

The Riot client in particular shines when it comes to easily bridging communication between different Matrix servers. This helps build a scalable chat network.

Installation of Riot on Raspian is a quick:

sudo apt install riot-web

For open protocol fans wanting both messaging and conversations, Riot is a solid community-driven Skype alternative.

7. Tox – Distributed Encrypted Messenger

Tox is a plugin-based open-source chat platform putting privacy and security first. Some key aspects of its encryption model:

• Contacts associated via unique ID rather than phone numbers or emails
• All communications end-to-end encrypted
• Distributed infrastructure without central servers

In practice this allows Tox users to enjoy features like:

• Secure 1 on 1 or group chatting
• Audio calls
• Video calls
• Desktop sharing

Without worrying quite as much about surveillance or data collection.

The qTox client offers a nice user experience on Raspberry Pi. Installation is simple via source or package manager:

sudo apt install qtox

For privacy minded folks who still want Skype-like dialing capabilities, Tox is a compelling open-source option strictly focused on security.

8. Jami – Decentralized Encryption

Jami touts itself as a "secure communication tool for everyone." It is built on a decentralized peer-to-peer architecture with end-to-end encryption baked in throughout.

Users can enjoy crystal clear voice and video calls with features like:

• Screen and file sharing
• Addresses book synchronization
• Conferencing support
• Zero knowledge storage

The advanced encryption model ensures privacy without sacrificing call quality. Jami uses distributed hash tables (DHT) instead of fixed servers. So while metadata leaks are still possible, the content of communications remains locked down.

On Raspberry Pi, Jami is quick to install from their Debian repo like so:

curl https://dl.jami.net/repo.jami.net.key | sudo apt-key add -
echo "deb https://dl.jami.net/repo.jami.net/ stable main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/jami.list
sudo apt update && sudo apt install jami 

Overall, Jami presents a nice decentralized option for encrypted calls that avoids centralized services.

9. Mumble – Low Latency Voice Chat

Whereas Jami and Tox focus on strong encryption models, Mumble puts minimal latency audio quality first. It is positioned as the ideal group chat platform for online gamers but works great for other real time conversations too.

Notable aspects include:

• Sub 50ms audio latency
• Background noise suppression
• Whisper and shout modes
• positional voice chat

The lightweight open-source codebase makes Mumble easy to self-host on a Raspberry Pi or other Linux machines. Client installation is similarly simple with:

sudo apt install mumble

For skype users who mainly care about smooth back and forth group talking, Mumbles‘ low resource overhead and lag reduction techniques make it a top choice.

10. Meetecho – WebRTC Video Conferencing

Meetecho is another handy open-source communication option leveraging WebRTC. The web-based tech allows streaming lossless video, audio, and data P2P with no plugins required.

After creating a room name/ID, users can quickly video conference while taking advantage of features like:

• Screen sharing
• Dual stream for mobile attendees
• Custom layouts
• Recording/Livestreaming

Meetecho makes it simple to get started from a Raspberry Pi web browser or app like Chromium. Just navigate to their site, agree to camera/mic access, and start collaborating.

Room moderators also get access to powerful customization options like participant rearrangement and active speaker spotlights. For drop-in style meetings, Meetecho hits the mark.

Summing Up Pros and Cons of Raspberry Pi Skype Alternatives

When it comes to replacing Skype on Raspberry Pi, there are clearly no shortage of options. The 10 tools highlighted in this guide show the diversity of apps filling this communication niche. All avoid the installation headaches of trying to force Skype onto Raspberry Pi while providing modern messaging and talking functionality.

However, with this breadth of choice comes some analysis paralysis. Depending on your use case and priorities, certain tools make more sense to try first.

Apps like Jitsi Meet and Signal offer the most polished all-around Skype replacements with video chat being a cornerstone. For secure voice calls in decentralized environments, Jami and Tox lead the pack. And Mumble can‘t be beaten for low latency group voice chat.

Hopefully this overview gives a sense of the possibilities out there and helps match needs to the right solutions. Raspberry Pi‘s flexibility means no longer settling for janky workarounds to run proprietary software like Skype. Instead, open communication standards enable great alternatives to finally chat, talk, and collaborate on your own terms!