Linux users have fewer VoIP options than Windows or Mac users — but the gap is smaller than most people think. As of 2026, at least 6 solid alternatives to Skype work natively or via browser on Linux, no Wine required. Skype itself was sunset in May 2025 and folded into Microsoft Teams, so if you've been holding on waiting for a Linux-compatible Skype fix, that ship has sailed. Here's exactly what works, what it costs, and which option fits your situation.
Key Takeaways:
- At least 6 VoIP services work on Linux in 2026, including browser-based options that require zero installation
- Browser-based calling (like GlobCall) is the most Linux-friendly approach — it runs on any distro, any kernel, any architecture with a modern browser
- Skype was discontinued in May 2025; Microsoft Teams is now the official replacement, but it comes with serious Linux limitations and per-seat costs for international calling
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Skype Is Gone — Here's What Actually Replaced It on Linux
Skype's Linux client was always a second-class citizen. Microsoft killed it in May 2025, migrating all accounts to Teams. The problem? Microsoft Teams on Linux is still browser-only — there's no native Teams app for Linux in 2026, and the browser version lacks several calling features available on Windows. So the "official" replacement doesn't fully work on the platform Skype already barely supported.
That's frustrating. But it also opened the door to better options. If you're looking for what to use instead of Skype for international calls, you'll find several services that treat Linux as a first-class platform, not an afterthought.
The six options below cover different use cases: browser calling, native Linux apps, mobile-centric apps with desktop support, and business-grade VoIP. Not all of them let you call real phone numbers (landlines and mobiles). We'll be clear about which ones do.
The 6 Best Skype Alternatives for Linux in 2026
1. GlobCall — Browser-Based, No Installation Required
GlobCall runs entirely in your browser. No download, no package manager, no dependency hell. It works on Chrome, Firefox, or any Chromium-based browser — which means it runs on Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch, Debian, Pop!_OS, or whatever distro you're on.
This is the most Linux-compatible approach possible, because it bypasses the OS layer entirely.
You can call international numbers from your browser — real landlines and mobiles, not just other app users. Rates start at $0.02/min to the USA and Canada, $0.03 to the UK, $0.04 to Germany landlines, and $0.05 to Australia landlines. No subscription. No monthly fee. Pay as you go.
For businesses, GlobCall offers local numbers in 100+ countries, shared balance across unlimited team members, and no per-seat fees. If you're running a remote team on Linux machines, that's a meaningful difference from seat-based pricing models. See how shared balance compares to per-seat pricing if you're evaluating this for a team.
Best for: Anyone who wants international calling on Linux without installing anything. Individuals and teams.
Limitations: Requires a stable internet connection and a modern browser. No native desktop app.
2. Signal — Encrypted Calls, Native Linux App
Signal has an official Linux desktop app, installable via .deb or Flatpak. It's actively maintained in 2026, which puts it ahead of most alternatives on native Linux support.
Call quality is excellent. Encryption is end-to-end. And it's free for Signal-to-Signal calls.
Here's the catch: Signal only calls other Signal users. You can't dial a landline in Germany or a mobile in India. If you need to reach people who aren't on Signal — a client, a customer, a bank — Signal won't help you. It's a great messaging and calling app for your inner circle, not a Skype replacement for real-phone-number calling.
Best for: Encrypted calls to contacts who also use Signal.
Limitations: No PSTN calling (landlines or mobiles). Both parties need the app.
3. Microsoft Teams — The "Official" Skype Replacement
Microsoft migrated all Skype users to Teams in May 2025. On Linux, Teams runs in the browser. That's it — there's no native Linux client in 2026.
The browser version handles video meetings and chat well enough. But if you want to call real phone numbers — landlines or mobiles — you need Microsoft's Teams Phone add-on, which costs extra and requires a Microsoft 365 subscription. International calling rates through Teams Phone are also significantly higher than dedicated VoIP services. We compared the numbers in detail in this breakdown of Microsoft Teams international calling costs vs standalone VoIP.
Teams is the right answer if your organization already runs Microsoft 365 and you only need to call other Teams users. For Linux users who want cheap international calls to real numbers, it's a poor fit.
Best for: Existing Microsoft 365 organizations who primarily call other Teams users.
Limitations: No native Linux app. Expensive for real-number international calling. Requires subscription.
4. Jitsi Meet — Free Video Calls, Open Source
Jitsi Meet is fully open source, runs in the browser, and has a Linux desktop app (Electron-based). You can spin up your own server or use the public meet.jit.si instance for free.
It's excellent for video meetings between multiple people. No account required to join a meeting. That's genuinely useful.
But like Signal, Jitsi doesn't support PSTN calling. You can't call a phone number. It's an app-to-app or browser-to-browser service. If your team runs entirely on Jitsi and everyone has access, it works well. The moment you need to call a client's landline in Japan or a mobile in Nigeria, Jitsi can't help you.
Best for: Internal team video calls. Privacy-conscious users who want self-hosted options.
Limitations: No calls to real phone numbers. Relies on everyone having access to a browser or the app.
5. Viber — Cross-Platform with Desktop Linux Support
Viber has a Linux desktop client — one of the few consumer messaging apps that does. The desktop app on Linux lets you make Viber-to-Viber calls for free, plus it supports "Viber Out," which covers paid calls to real phone numbers in 100+ countries.
Viber Out rates are competitive for some destinations but inconsistent. The comparison between Viber and browser-based VoIP for calling real numbers abroad is worth reading if Viber is on your shortlist.
One important note: Viber's Linux client is updated less frequently than its Windows or Android versions. Users on newer distros occasionally report compatibility issues. Check the current version before committing.
Best for: Users who already have contacts on Viber. Occasional international calls to real numbers.
Limitations: Linux client lags behind other platforms. Viber Out rates vary by destination.
6. Linphone — Open Source SIP Client, Native Linux App
Linphone is a proper SIP client with a native Linux app. If you know what SIP is, you probably already considered this. If you don't — SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) is the underlying standard that most VoIP services use, and a SIP client lets you connect directly to a SIP provider.
Linphone is free and open source. The Linux app is actively maintained. You can pair it with any SIP provider — including GlobCall's business VoIP service — and make calls to real phone numbers at competitive rates.
The setup is more technical than the other options here. You'll need a SIP account from a provider, configure the SIP credentials in Linphone, and manage your own troubleshooting if something breaks. Not ideal for non-technical users.
Best for: Technically minded users who want a native Linux SIP client and full control over their provider and rates.
Limitations: Setup requires technical knowledge. Dependent on your chosen SIP provider's rates and reliability.
Can Any of These Call Real Landlines and Mobiles?
This is the question most people forget to ask until they're stuck. Three of the six options above support PSTN calling — actual phone numbers:
- GlobCall — yes, pay-as-you-go, from $0.02/min
- Viber Out — yes, paid, rates vary
- Linphone + SIP provider — yes, dependent on provider
Signal and Jitsi don't call real numbers. Teams can, but it's expensive and requires a subscription.
If reaching regular phone numbers is your primary need — not just calling other app users — you're looking at GlobCall or Linphone with a good SIP provider. For most Linux users who aren't running their own SIP infrastructure, GlobCall's browser approach is the lower-friction path. You can compare international calling rates to see how they stack up.
What About WhatsApp and Zoom on Linux?
Worth addressing briefly. WhatsApp has no official Linux desktop app in 2026 — you can use it via browser wrapper, but call support in the browser is limited. It doesn't call real phone numbers regardless. Zoom works on Linux and handles video meetings well, but doesn't support outbound calls to landlines or mobiles without a paid add-on. Neither is a true Skype replacement for international phone calling on Linux.
Need to call internationally?
From only $0.02/min to 200+ countries.
No apps, no contracts.
Trusted by 10,000+ callers worldwide
Frequently Asked Questions
Does GlobCall work on all Linux distros?
Yes. Because GlobCall runs entirely in the browser, it works on any Linux distro with a modern browser — Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch, Debian, Mint, Pop!_OS, and others. No installation, no package conflicts, no kernel compatibility issues. If your browser can open a webpage, you can make a call.
Can I use Microsoft Teams on Linux after the Skype shutdown?
You can use Teams in the browser on Linux — there's no native Linux app in 2026. Browser Teams works for video meetings and chat. For calling real phone numbers, you'd need Teams Phone, which requires a paid Microsoft 365 subscription and adds international calling costs that run higher than most dedicated VoIP services.
What's the cheapest way to call international numbers from Linux?
Browser-based VoIP services are typically the cheapest option, with no monthly fees or per-seat costs. GlobCall starts at $0.02/min to the USA and Canada. If you want a broader look at the cheapest methods for international calls, including non-Linux-specific options, that page covers the full comparison.
Is Linphone safe to use on Linux?
Linphone is open source and well-regarded in the VoIP community. Security depends partly on your SIP provider. For encrypted calls, Linphone supports SRTP and ZRTP. It's a solid choice for privacy-conscious users who want a native Linux SIP client and are comfortable with the setup process.
Do any of these options work without a SIM card?
Yes — GlobCall, Signal, Jitsi, and browser-based Teams all work entirely over WiFi or a wired connection. No SIM card needed. If you're curious about how to call without a SIM card using WiFi, the short answer is: any browser-based or app-based VoIP service handles this without any carrier involvement.
Wrapping Up
Skype's gone. Linux users need to move on — and the good news is the alternatives are genuinely better in most respects. Here's the short version:
- GlobCall is the most Linux-compatible option: runs in any browser, calls real numbers from $0.02/min, no installation
- Signal is the best for encrypted peer-to-peer calls, but won't dial real phone numbers
- Microsoft Teams is the official Skype heir, but has no native Linux app and international calling is expensive
- Jitsi is excellent for free internal video calls, not for reaching real phone numbers
- Viber has a native Linux client and supports paid calls to real numbers, but lags behind other platforms
- Linphone is the power-user SIP option — full control, but requires technical setup
If you want to start making international calls from your Linux machine right now — no install, no subscription — try GlobCall. Two clicks and you're calling.
